GFI System Specular Tempus

The GFI System Specular Tempus is a highly versatile stereo reverb and delay pedal that can go from conventional and classic sounds to experimental and ambient soundscapes. A total of 32x effect settings are available, and all of which can be tweaked directly on the device using the LC display and controls which include blend, decay/time, parameters and intensity/repeats. Also included is a USB port allowing you access to the free SpecLab software for further effect control. If all that wasn’t enough the GFI Specular Tempus also has an effect loop so that you can incorporate other effects directly into the Specular Tempus, allowing for a nearly endless selection of customization and creativity, or if you like you can control the pedal via MIDI or optional footswitches.

Summary from Sound on Sound magazine October 2019

PROS

• Top-drawer sound quality.
• Easy to edit.
• Offers some less-common ambient-style effects.
• A number of useful connectivity and MIDI control options.
• Suitable for various sources, not just guitar. 

CONS

• Patch selection using the footswitches only cycles through the banks and pages in one direction. 

SUMMARY

This is one the richest-sounding reverb/delay peals I’ve tried and should appeal to anyone in search of ambient or immersive sounds. 

ALTERNATIVES

• Boss RV-500
• Strymon Blue Sky
• Source Audio Ventris
• Neunaber Immerse
• Eventide H9
• Mooer Ocean Machine
• Keeley Caverns
• Seymour Duncan Dark Sun

-Paul White, SOS October 2019