A little over 4 years with my ST. It has been my chorus, my boost, my tremolo, delay, my reverb, my all-in-one ambience pedal for tiny boards, and more. I have thought about ditching it for the new hotness so many times, but it always wins the battle. What a stellar pedal.
This demo fully exceeded my expectations. The Specular Tempus sounded incredible, the Meris sounded incredible, and that DI tone from the CabZeus is fantastic! Good job 👍🏼
While I didn't purchase this tech to use with guitars on a pedalboard, I have big gratitude for artists like you who illustrate (simply and beautifully) the capabilities of this kind of gear. Thank you *so* very much. The music you're creating is gorgeous. Edit: I should have explained that I'm using it with synths, samplers, drum machines, file playback, tape players, et cetera.
I've got a really dumb question; I'm assuming that this pedal needs to be hooked up to an amp's effect loop being that it is modulation. If so, then do you use the small send and return on the pedal or do you use the in/out? Thanks for any advice.
“Really, really” “amazing”. I love when reviewers are at an end for words that describe what they are reviewing. It’s always a excellent sign. The pedal sounds epic. Thanks the demo.
What kind of board is that? I want to get into ambient sounds like this but the task seems daunting. Right now I have an EHX Oceans 11 and Canyon, I'm trying to get on your level! Great video.
Im heavily considering buying this unit. I love the tones ive heard from it so far. Awesome review and amazing ambient playing. Was considering buying a Strymon Big Sky since i wanted a good versatile unit that can cover it all, but i think im going to go with the Specular Tempus for my ambient reverbs and then save up and get a UAD Golden for my natural reverbs. Still want to try out a Afterneath and a Slö too sometime in the future, but since i play in stereo idk where i would put them on my board since i use my modulation, delay and reverb in stereo in both my amps effects loop. The Chase Bliss Darkworld is another reverb i want to try as well, but im a line cook so even saving up enough for the Specular Tempus and Golden will take a while. 🤪
I'm chasing around the same thoughts. I love the UAD Golden for standard but also really like the Neunaber Immerse MKII. I also want the Seymour Duncan Silver Lake....one of the best reverbs I've heard as far as tone quality. I need to see more videos of this Specular Tempus to see how user friendly it is. Good luck!!
@@2010njdevil i ended up going with the Specular Tempus. I like it so far. Definitely a huge upgrade from my TC Hall of Fame 2 thats for sure. Its not perfect though. You mentioned user friendliness, its pretty easy to use, but some of the parameters u cant access from the unit itself and can only access them from the editing software on a computer. On the device u have mix/blend, decay, warmth (tone), and pre-delay. On the software u have more control like high pass and low pass, panning from left to right, kill dry on or off, and a couple delay related settings, but as far as tone goes its a good unit. Im definitely still interested in checking some other pedals out though. I wish the best of luck to u as well in your search for tone.
@@orryfishburne5326 I appreciate the great feedback....definitely valuable for me knowing the kill dry cannot be operated from the unit but most tone control options see to be there for me. Would you recommend it as a solution (for now) for me to create melodic "ambient soundscapes" so I can loop and then play solos to? Trying to discover "my inner David Gilmour"!
@@2010njdevil it definitely does ambient sounds really well, so I think u would be able to use it for that type of application. For like basic reverb sounds, I really like the plate reverb, but not a fan of its spring algorithm. Where this pedal really shines is the massive ambient types of reverb sounds. That being said I personally really enjoy the Specular Tempus and I would recommend it to another person.
@@orryfishburne5326 From what I heard, I agree and a great price for all that it delivers. For my project, this will compete with 2 others on my list....SA Ventris and the Seymour Duncan Silver Sky. The last one yet to explore is EHX's Cathedral.
This pedal needs a dual mono mode: delay to output a, reverb to output b. Delay for the main signal, shimmer reverb through a separate amp. That way, you could use a splitter in front of the Specular Tempus, to add an overdrive to the delay and a volume pedal to the shimmer (both have to be in front of the delay or reverb...)
Ive just bought my second GFI ST. If I can say though, the Nuenaber WET reverb takes the gold over this and the Big Sky when it comes to clarity and definition. Btw great demo and keep up the good work. Keep inspired brother
I'd say Big Sky and Spec Temp are even, not one over the other. You need to consider size, price, features, age, power draw and the Big Sky is just a full reverb pedal whereas the Spec Temp is both delay/reverb on top of a full Reverb. I believe the Specular Tempus has more types of Reverbs than the Big Sky as well. Big Sky = 12, Spec Temp = 13. Specular Tempus also has an effects loop if you want throw an EQ/buffer in there for extra clarity/def. So I would say considering all the factors, they're even in clarity and definition. And with each firmware update, the GFI only gets more algorithms(I.e. the latest firmware update on the GFI added 3 more Delay algorithms, making it 16 total vs. the Timeline's 12 algorithms, which won't get any more with firmware. You also have to consider the Strymons are about a decade old now compared to the GFI which is only 2-3 years old, and soon I can sense a V2 coming out like they did with their Spec Reverb and Clockwork Delays, which will probably have dual DSPs and hopefully and extra footswitch. I don't think the Neunaber is on the same level as the GFI or Strymons which have LCD screens, and MIDI(deal breaker).
Nice one. this device just went to the top of my shopping list thanks to your review. Specular Tempus sounds like a tool a gynaecologist may use, but clearly it is so much more.
@@markjohnstonofficial HI, I've just purchased one of these pedal based on your wonderful video.. I wasn't really looking to get a delay everb, but your vid convinced me I need one. Thanks Mark.
I really wanted this to replace the keely caverns on my board, and the only reason it’s not is because you can’t do the atmospheric modulated reverbs with the delay
Just switched over from a Boss RV-6. Best decision I've ever made, gear wise. Loving your Chase Bliss pedals(they're a work of art and such powerful pedals in small form factor : always a win for me, just like the Spec Temp). I have a Keeley Compressor Plus going into a HX Stomp -> GFI Specular Tempus. I am borrowing my friend's Diamond Compressor Jr. and am loving its transparency, low noise, optical LED telling me how much its compressing, and the simple "set-it-and-forget-it" style controls, especially the tilting EQ. I noticed I don't have as much headroom as the Keeley, but I just counter that by powering it with 12v instead of 9v. So far, LOVING this Diamond Comp Jr and Spec Temp combo, with endless possibilities with the Stomp. All I need is a MIDI controller to truly unleash these 2 pedals, but feel that the Morningstar MC6 is overkill for my situation since my board is pretty much maxed out and only has enough space for a 2 footswitch MIDI, and I'm only trying to control 2 MIDI pedals, and I would still be able to use the HX Stomp's 3 footswitches + Spec Temp's 2 footswitches. I am currently looking at the DMC.micro MIDI switcher and was wondering what your take would be on for a 2 footswitch smart MIDI controller being enough for controlling all the functions on the Specular Tempus and HX Stomp together since the Stomp has MIDI In and Out. Second, are all optical compressors like the Diamond Compressor? Tone wise? The only problem I have with the Diamond is the size, and lack of a Blend control, but simultaneously, am loving everything about it. Ah! I don't know which optical compressor to get next; Diamond Comp Jr., EQD Warden, Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro, or Effectrode PC-2A(don't know if the size/price will be worth it over the others), or save up and get a Cali76 Compact Deluxe and end my compressor search journey(since I hear it's the best/most versatile compressor in the smallest form). Thanks!
Don’t know a ton about compressors, I know I love the diamond. I love how it just “improves” lower output pickups but I want another with more control. For midi I fully recommend the Morningstar, full stop. I know it can take up more space than something smaller but the total control you get it top tier. The ability to access midi clock, PC changes, and CC changes all from the same bank with visual cues and custom button press actions is the best.
Yes, it would be nice if you could run 2 algorithms at the same time, actually it would be amazing, because it could replace both reverb and delay pedals on a pedalboard, and now you still need extra reverb and delay to run with it... so it won't replace those, it's more like an addition unless someone is bent just on the units delays or reverbs alone. But now I have big hopes for mark 2 to be a dual engine unit... Imagine possibilities running 2 delays, or 2 reverbs, or one with the other. A to B, parallel... oh man.
So in this unit you already have more than a couple great "delay and reverb" engines, you just can't mix and match the crazier stuff. I totally agree it would be great for a FULL two in one, but I still think that this thing is totally capable of replacing a big box delay OR reverb for almost anyone. From there it could possibly replace both for some people who don't need some of the more experimental options.
if you look at zoom ms-70/50, which is a stackable effects pedal in a single unit, only some algorithms are stackable due to the processing capability of the unit. I presume the ST is similar. I would personally love to be able to combine my tape delay and the ominous reverb setting but the CPU is obviously going to be constrained doing this. The delay times are often capped at 800-900ms so I presume it all has to do with the system hardware. Perhaps Henry can get a more powerful CPU on his next release of the ST which will allow combination of the alogorithms.
Just like Mark said, there are 3 Reverb settings with 3 simple delays combined(Digital, Analog, Tape), and 3 Delay settings with 3 basic reverbs combined(Diffuse Digital, Diffuse Analog, Diffuse). You can't combine the Atmospheric/Esoteric crazier reverbs/delays together as that would indeed require 2 DSPs. But GFI apparently knew this would be an issue since they are trying to cram so much in the smallest form factor with the least amount of power draw(ONLY 100mA @ 9v!) so those 6 combination settings I mentioned really does a very convincing combined reverb+delay sound because you can control the tempo of the delays+repeats and set the mix between the 2 from 0-99(50 being exactly 50/50 reverb+delay) unlike, the Boss RV-6, where the +Delay function is limited to just mS time control and just 1 reverb mixed with 1 delay. There is also an auto-swell function where you hold down A+B and you get like an infinite swelling sustain, with either reverb or delay engaged. If you get a small MIDI controller, you can truly unleash the Specular Tempus and it really can replace your reverb and delay, or if you need more individual tweakability, you can just get a cheaper, stereo reverb/delay pedal and feed it into the Spec Tempus, vice versa, depending on what you want to do with the Spec Temp. Personally, I love the Reverbs on it more than the Delays, so I feed a TC Nova(super underrated and cheap Stereo Digital Delay) into the Specular Tempus and get all the functions I need. Or a Specular Tempus into a Boss RV-6(modulate setting) if I want a crazy delay. Or just get 2 Specular Temps and your search for ambient delay+reverbs will be over, all in the size of a Strymon/Eventide pedal, thanks to the top mounted I/Os. If you do decide to go down that path(double Spec Temps), which I plan to, you will have 2 Delay/Reverb combos + 2 Delay/Reverb combos = 4 Delay/Reverb combos in a size of a singular Eventide/Strymon! There is also a built-in FX loop so the possibilities are endless! GFI has truly dethroned all the ambient Dual Delay/Reverb pedals in my opinion, if size is a concern. Even the Source Audio Nemesis/Ventris combo(probably the rival of the double Spec Temp combo), but if you want the most for your money and pedalboard real estate, go Specular Tempus, I still haven't even touched 50% of the features. You get 3 additional algorithms in the SpecLab editing software. With more firmware updates, I'm sure this pedal is only going to get more powerful.
Love this review, and your playing is top notch! Can you tell me, is your Specular Tempus in the FX loop, or "in front" ? I have on on the way, and am trying to decide where to put it. I know sound is subjective, but just trying to gauge another opinion. I use all my Verbs and Delays in the FX loop typically, with the exception of some that only sound good in front of the amp, so I was curious about this ones placement.
Do you have any experience with the dr scientists atmosphere? I’m torn between two but leaning toward this because I would use stereo into cabzeus like you.
@@markjohnstonofficial really appreciate the response. I need a midi controller option to go with my h9 for the times I'm not using that for reverb. Enjoying your content. Thanks.
I don’t. Maybe someday I’ll make time to do some “mini reviews” and endeavor to cover some old favorites in under 15 minutes. Brothers would absolutely be on that list.
I have no experience with them. I am sure they're solid; most of "board replacement" pieces tend to have good DSP. I just don't like using any of them. Individual pedals are more fun for me
Yeah, it can control something like 16 different devices at once. And the CZ sounds solid on it's own but benefits heavily from some kind of pre amp or amp sim in front of it. I usually use the Benson Preamp, CBA Condor, or something similar.
I've been eyeing the Walrus Audio SLO for awhile now for a reverb, but have recently decided I want to shell out a bit more possibly for more options. Cant decide between this, Big Sky, Empress Reverb or a Source Audio variant. You mentioned the sub octave verb, and the dark mode on the SLO is the main reason I want it. Can this pedal get a similar sound to that with the sub octave algorithm?
You might consider a boss rv-500. It's cheaper than all of these and for the most part more powerful. It's been really impressive. Ive been workong on a slo patch to replace mine and its made the slo sound kind of bad. The RV cant quite get that mid push the slo has though, at least not so far. The latch feature is the only thing the boss cant get quite as good as its fussier about when you latch to avoid a loop sound. Still its algos are subtly complex in ways that make it sound fantastic. Well see how the tempus compares.
@@ReddenDoom Yeah I've heard the Boss is incredible sounding once you learn how to tweak it! I ended up going the Source Audio Ventris route which I love but I must say there are still some other reverbs I want to get! Thinking of getting something solely dedicated to modulated reverbs as the Ventris has incredible natural sounding ones! Wish they'd male the SLO stereo!
@@DelScully I almost went for a ventris but I'm learning I don't like desktop-only editing. Stereo would be nice! The R1 is stereo and can get pretty close to the Slo, does vibey/mod reverbs really well, cheap used too. The polymoon can get some interesting verb sounds with unique modulation too, but you have to like the diffused room sound you get from it and lots of mod volume. Still, it showed me that I really like vibrato and reverb. DBA Rooms is super vibey and modulated but also crazy expensive for an FV1 verb (ST is fv1 too) and has some issues with tone suck and word stereo panning. Been on a reverb kick this year....
Any similar pedal that allows for more control combining both delay and reverb in one pedal? It seems that was the one criticism of the Tempus. Sounds great though. I'm in need of both a reverb and a delay, which is why I ask. I'd prefer to have both in a single pedal.
The thing you’re gonna wanna look for is something that takes both instrument and line level inputs for a synth. I know the Mercury 7 does that. Don’t recall if this does.
@@markjohnstonofficial Thank you Mark! Appreciate your time. Compatibility aside, would you say the GFI is a bit more flexible with more algos? If you have to pick one, which would be (sorry lol)?
I swear, your killer dry tone has to be stemming from the Cabzeus. It has to be. Ive been trying to figure it out for a while now. Am I right Mark? Lol
@@markjohnstonofficial hmmm I had no clue u stopped using it. Your tone is very distinct and I see that u switch pedals and guitars, so it cant be the pedals nor guitars. Maybe DI related lol 🤷♂️
Your demos and sounds are great, but not sure why when demoing a delay/reverb pedal, you would turn on a completely different reverb pedal.🧐 Kind of "muddies the waters," don't you think?
Nah because the way I was making videos like this 5 years ago was more focused on “how does this fit into a full ambient pedalboard” and using it with and without other effects was a part of that workflow
Thanks Mark, I only just found your channel, fantastic sounds and music! When you mention it's even some of the best tape emulations you have heard; did you try the Volante at all?
Hi could you also name all the pedals in your board please. Appreciate if you reply. I have a duo17 planning to build a board. It will greatly help. Thanks a lot
Hi, I recently purchased the Specular Tempus, and every day I use it, I turn it off by disconnecting the electrical outlet. Is this ok, do you turn your pedal off or leave it on all day?
@@markjohnstonofficial thank you it makes sense. The only thing that puzzles me, ST when in Shimmer and anti-shimmer mode.. it sounds better when last in the chain to my hears (at least in mono, I don't use them in stereo)
Have you ever tried to switch the banks of the Specular Tempus via midi (effect switcher)? I read somewhere that you can't switch banks arbitrarily via midi switching, you can only switch banks up and down individually. Would love to know if you or someone here made any experience with that case.
You can assign one of the on board switches to be tap tempo instead of presets. Or you can use an aux pedal for tap. Or you can set it up to receive tap into from another delay pedal that has tap tempo. Or midi clock. The world is your tap tempo oyster here.
Trying to decide between this and the mercury 7. Does the Spatium get most of the way to the cathedral on the meris? I love the cathedral but would also like to have more versatility.
Spatium and Cathedra are pretty different as far as "ambient" reverb algorithms go. Spatium is cooler and has more of a softness to it while Cath is very pristine and spacious sounding. It harkens back to 80's digital rack reverbs in a very stark way. They both sound great, but if you need more tonal variety than just "the big ambient reverb" the ST gives you more to work with.
Thanks for reviewing. That said, I really do think in a pedal review one shouldn't add other pedals actively in the chain. I came here - as I imagine other people did as well - for a review of the GFI Specular Tempus, but early on the M7 reverb pedal got added, leaving me wondering whether what I was hearing was what I could expect when I'd buy a GFI Specular Tempest myself, or whether the great sound was (partially) caused by the other pedal.
Great news; there’s dozens upon dozens of review channels and the majority of them do exactly what you are talking about. I’m not trying to demonstrate a pedal in a vacuum. The whole point of what I do here is to showcase how a piece of gear functions within the overall signal chain.
The fact that you're including other pedals on your board confuses things, I'd like to here the pedal you're reviewing on it's own tbh otherwise it's impossible to get a proper grasp of what it's capable of
No offense but you're over using "really" and "amazing" and other words. Please shed some new thesaurus related licks. If you get my meaning. Love your stuff keep it up man!
@@markjohnstonofficial But there are none, because everyone does the same. Would be great if just one person like you would do tutorials, Hell I can do fantastic demos easy, but there are sooo many pedals and not one are a quick start tutorial not one on ANY ambient pedal
