Ultratap

Very nice.  It took me a little longer than I thought to find the video.  It looks like Alan Chaput got the nod to do the booth demos.  The UltraTap teaser starts at about 1:16.

[NAMM H9 Harmonizer

Is that five taps that I hear after the dry signal?  I wonder what the maximum delay time is overall (for all taps combined, or per-tap).  Is regeneration / feedback available (again, for all taps combined, or per-tap)?  Those of you familiar with a Boss SE-50 know that each style of tap feedback has a distinct sound and usage.

While we wait … this was the closest that I could manage in the PitchFactor:

NotSoUltraTap

Mix = WET:50

Pitch Mix = A—::—BD

Pitch A = A: UNISON

Pitch B = B: UNISON

Delay A = 1480 ms.

Delay B = . A . B . C . D

(encoder) = QUADVOX / TMP OFF

Depth / Key = (any key)

Speed / Scale = (any scale)

Xnob = C: UNISON

Ynob = D: UNISON

(EXP PED Heel) = . . . . ABCD

(EXP PED Toe) = ABC . . . D

I put this patch up a while ago here.  Four taps + dry, and less than 1.5 seconds in total, but with a nice spread in a stereo rig.  Since then, I tend to follow it with a 2nd ducking delay to regenerate the taps.  I also changed the expression pedal to control delay time (instead of tap spacing); from a short slur to to long, evenly-spaced taps.  For a poor-man's Binson Echorec effect, set Delay A to 310 ms.

Good point about the level control over the individual taps.  Those effects that you mention can extend into simulated fast / fingerpicking.  I find it encouraging that Eventide is talking about the capability of having all of the Factor algorithms available, interchangeable presets (with other hardware), plus the proverbial "much, much more".

Even beyond all of the bells & whistles, the H9 is a smart move for Eventide.  It allows for someone to customize an effect pedal, and still integrate that into an already established pedalboard rig.  I might already have more delay effects than I'll ever need, but still make room for an all-in-one kind of pedal with targeted additions.  The relatively small physical footprint doesn't hurt, either.

I managed to hold out for over a year now, but the UltraTap algorithm is truly incredible.  I've used many multi-tap delays over the years; this one is unique.  The controls are deceptively simple, yet the interaction among all of them is where the variations shine.

The H9 Algorithm Guide description is an understatement.  The versatility extends to slicer patterns, complete tremolo-gate-Slow Gear effects, weird flanging … Ramp waveform added – sine & random dropped.  That makes sense.  I see a 4 second maximum delay with 1 second pre-delay (unlike the 3 sec. – 2 sec. split in the Guide).  And that's not a complaint.

The H9 Special algos seem to follow the Space formula – Hotswitch versus Performance Switch in the other 'Factors.  I was half-expecting to see infinite repeat, like the TimeFactor delays.  It seems like it would be a cool addition – latching the memory contents in the UltraTap, then changing the delay time and spacing in real-time.  Is this technically feasible, or was this a design decision (no PSW for H9 algos)?

I can see where dozens of presets can be designed around this one multilayered algorithm alone.  Very, very cool.  I'm really enjoying the H9 in combination with the PitchFactor.  The two create a deep 3d set on amazing effects that would be impossible using any other effects pair on my pedalboard.

BarneyBrown:

the Factor pedals are already crammed enough

Sadly, this is the case. The H9 has much more memory for algorithms.