Expanding your Tonal Options with NU-X

Well, I am sure you have heard it said by a few people already, but 2023 is now certainly established itself as the year of the effects pedal. And, what’s not to love about more effects pedals? Most guitarists out there will agree that they are still one overdrive pedal short of having the right amount, no matter how many they already have. So, it was great to see an extensive and healthy offering of new and updated effects pedals from NU-X being displayed at NAMM this year. With these models arriving in Australia now, they represent some great value additions to your pedal boards, or the floor next to them, when you inevitably run out of space.

Improving your Core

The new Core range by Nu-X has offered a nononsense approach to the staple set of effects that many guitarists look for when setting up a pedal board. Well, many of these have been updated with little tweaks that make for better integration with pedal switching systems and synchronising effects. With many of the popular models recently discontinued, of course it was suggesting a replacement was on the way, and the Mk II versions are just that. We’ve seen the Time Core Deluxe, Loop Core, Mod Core and Metal Core all get a makeover. And yes, you’re all keen on that Metal Core Mk II, I know. Let’s just say, this new model features the sound of three high gain dream amps in one little box, with Boogie, Friedman and Diezel tones on offer. Plus, there’s an IR output for routing your signal to a full range speaker, rather than a guitar amplifier. That should get some heads turning.

But it’s not all about gain. Modulation is key too. So, the new Mod Core Mk II is one to keep an eye out for with Boss, MXR and TC mod effect emulations crammed into this one little box. I have always been a fan of the MXR myself, with that lush, organic shifting of tone that it offers, and the NUX does it justice, that’s for sure. Add a Smart Tempo control and a host of routing options that you’d not normally expect in a such a compact housing, and this is a pretty neat little modulation pedal.

Of course, the one this that was always missing from the previous Core range was a reverb pedal, and every pedal board needs at least one reverb pedal. So, NUX have added the Verb Core as a new model to the line-up this year, to satisfy everyone’s need for a little more space in their sound.

Bringing back the Past

On top of the Core range, NUX have new models in the Reissue Series that will get a few ears pricked up. The one that got me really excited was the ‘6ixty5ive Overdrive. It’s a bit of a struggle to type out the product name, as the combination of letters and numbers is like a custom license plate, but it reads easily enough in practice, and looks pretty cool with the retro font used on the unbelievably brown casing. You don’t need to be a vintage guitar amp guru to guess what this pedal sounds like, the name just about spells it out. What you get is a beautifully glassy tone that is very reminiscent of the black panel Fender amps of the 1960s. To go so far as to say it is merely a standalone ’65 reissue is not the full story though, as it doesn’t embody any one amp exactly, but brings out the characteristics of an era of amplification tone in one compact pedal housing. In terms of layout, the ‘6ixty5ive Overdrive is a clean, simple affair, as it doesn’t need to be overly complicated. You get a Level and Gain control, as well as a Bass and Treble control which provide plenty of scope for tonal experimentation. There are plenty of useable overdrive sounds in there which can all be dialled in by ear, with relative ease. It’s not a hi-gain machine, by any stretch of the imagination, but moreso, a crisp drive that sounds like a vintage amp being pushed gently. You can use it with your clean channel to bring life to your amplifier or lay it over an existing drive channel for a little extra kick. And it works as a nice clean boost too, if you carefully dial back the drive and find the right amount of low end to suit your amplifier. This is definitely one for those of use who still don’t have enough overdrive pedals. It’s the kind of pedal that you don’t often notice when it is engaged, but you certainly hear the lacking when you turn it off. It is often said that no two guitar pedals are the same and with so many options out there (and with such limited pedalboard space to work with), the need for increasingly more versatile pedals is becoming greater and greater. Where the new Nu-X Core series and 6ixty5ive Overdrive get it so right is in their ability to cram so much tonal variation into such a small enclosure-thus doing the heavy lifting of multiple pedals in one. Faithful emulations of your favourite iconic stompboxes and amps are all there along with enough tweakability and interactivity between the controls to take you into uncharted territory, should you be looking to expand your artistic palette (and we all should be.)

While this may be a pedal special, of course, not everyone wants a separate box for each and every effect unit they wish to use. Yes, there is some cathartic fulfilment gained from piecing together your one signal patch with individually selected effects units to suit your sound. It’s a process that is as important as the end result, and one that continues throughout one's musical lifetime. But, for those who are looking for an all-in-one solution, and not a journey, then NU-X has you covered with their multi effects units and modelling amplifiers with built-in effects.

Let’s look at the king of them first. Possibly the most impressive pedal in the NU-X product range, the NME5 Trident, is an integrated amp modeller and effects unit designed to bundle a big range of sounds into one compact board in readiness for jamming, recording, rehearsal or performance. One thing that immediately jumps out is the design and layout of the chassis and how perfect it is for modern guitar applications. It’s compact, but solid, with nicely appointed, soft round edges and a two layered top panel to allow for separation between the two rows of switches. In a technical landscape that seems to be going further and further into the realm of minimal physical footprint, this makes a tonne of sense.

It's designed to be a tough little unit, so you can take it out on a stage when there is little space to work with. And NU-X have thought through the routing options with just this in mind. There are balanced TRS and XLR outputs so you can run directly into a PA speaker, or into the stage box to be routed to the mixing console and PA system. The unbalanced output gets you straight into your amplifier and effect routing options allow for integration with more complex systems.

Whilst there is a LOT going on under the hood with a big range of effects and some really top-notch amp modelling, it is nice to see NU-X have had the guitarist in mind with the top panel controls kept to a familiar array. Delay and reverb are presented together, modulation and other effects are on a separate set of controls, and amplifier adjustments on a third set of controls. You can easily get lost scrolling through some amazing sounding pre-set sounds, but if you want to build your own tone, then it is a fairly organic process with the top panel controls, enabling you to then store it in the box for future use. And it’s a nice touch to see the bottom right switch, the easiest to engage with a tap of your right foot is predefined to the boost function. This should keep any guitarist happy, and loud.

One box wonders

That said, not everyone needs an entire factory’s worth of effects in one box. Often, an array of usable effects combined with a compact amplifier will take care of your needs, especially for practice purposes at home or when travelling. And would you believe it, NU-X have a selection of solutions for just this. The Mighty Lite Mk II Mini Bluetooth is a newly updated release of the popular Mighty Lite, and retains the compact size and battery powered efficiency that users have enjoyed with this little amplifier. You get a selection of effects and modelling options, with an integrated mobile app that is synced to the amplifier via Bluetooth. This makes for easy control of setting and jamming along to your music library a breeze. It’s the perfect little practice tool for those times when you can’t break out the big rig, or need to take a lightweight option with the rest of your gear.

If you want to take your practice time one step further and go wireless, then the NU-X Mighty Space amp is certainly worth having a look at. This is a compact 30-watt stereo amplifier with built in amp modelling and effects, much like the Mighty Lite Mk II, but where it differs is tin the wireless capabilities. Included with the amp is a compact wireless transmitter that plugs directly into your guitar and sends the signal to the Mighty Space amp. The slim mount jack transmitter allows for use with a range of guitar jack options, so you can run it with a side mounted jack on your Les Paul, or an angled face mounted jack on your Strat.

If you’re looking for something a little more organic, to work with your acoustic guitar, then the Stageman Series is the go. There are three models available now, with the AC-25, AC-60 and AC-80 offering more power as the models go up in the range. These feature a full range speaker that is ideal for use with acoustic guitars, bringing out the sparkle and vibrance of the high frequencies that make these instruments so different from their electric cousins. This also makes for a great vocal amplifier too, as essentially, it’s a little PA system all on one box, with the preamp and effects tailored for guitar.

And if you’re wanting to keep it all to yourself, and not disturb anyone else, the NU-X have a compact headphone amplifier for guitarists and bass players alike. The Mighty Plug Pro BT is a handy little device that plugs into your guitar or bass and offers a headphone output along with amp modelling and effects that are all controlled via Bluetooth with the integrated mobile app. Now, you’ll never be told to turn down when you need to practice at all hours of the night.

What this all boils down to is that this year’s latest range form NU-X has you covered for effects, no matter what you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking to build a pedal board from scratch, or add to an existing collection, there are some great options in the new releases of single effect pedals. If you want it all in one board, the NME5 Trident has you covered. And if you just want a compact jamming or rehearsal solution, then there is a mains or battery powered amplifier in the range to suit.

Nu-X are distributed by Pro Music Australia. For your closest dealer phone 1300 880 278 or contact them at sales@promusicaustralia.com

BY ROB GEE