so I found it best added
to clean, ringing chords to
subtly enhance the sense
of space around the notes.
And subtle is the key word
here. You might, as I did,
read “ambient” and expect
a thick cloud of ethereal
expanse—which this isn’t.
And while more feedback
is available by tweaking
an internal trimmer, I
suggest you tread lightly.
Things can get out of
hand fairly quickly.
The last mode offers the
longest delay time in the
unit—up to 1.2 seconds—
and features a quirky
style of tape-inspired
modulation. The speed
of the modulation runs
(approximately) in time
with the delay repeats, as
though the delay time was
controlled by changing the
playback rate of a tape
machine with fixed heads. It
can sound glitchy at longer
delay times, but can be
turned off for nice, clean
and clear delay repeats
TAP, TAP, TAPA-ROO
Where the Counter Point
really wins for me is in the
redesigned tap tempo
switch. It obviously works
to change delay times,
but Diamond has added
footswitchable modulation
to the mix by holding
down the tap switch for
one second.
Lane Jr.—it really is a sonic
and textural counterpoint.
And I like it. So much so
that the Counter Point has
already found a home on
my personal pedalboard.
I can’t think of a better
recommendation
than that.
Moreover, in addition to
a new op-amp—the same
found in the new Comp
SE—that adds clarity and
definition, the Counter Point
comes with an enhanced
feature set. The pedal will
remember modulation and
tap delay settings between
modes. And though not true
presets, due to the analog
nature of the feedback and
mix controls, this great new
addition allows for added
flexibility in setting up the
pedal for specific songs or
tones ahead of time.
CONCERNS
As I tracked this pedal from
the early teaser photos to
its unveiling at this year’s
NAMM show, there was
one comment I saw pop
up pretty consistently—
disdain for the DYMO-esque
graphics on the pedal.
I understand aesthetics
are important and don’t
particularly mind the look
of the Counter Point myself,
but this pedal sounds so
good that if the design has
been holding you back, you
should really reconsider.
WHAT WE LIKE
The more I’ve thought
about it, the more the
Counter Point’s name makes
sense to me. When you
consider its place in the
Diamond lineup—opposite
the do-it-all Quantum
Leap and deliciously
straightforward Memory
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