Universal Audio UAFX Starlight Echo Station

I've had lots of other multi delay pedals, but always gravitated straight to the EchoPlex and Memory Man models/sounds, so I figured this would be right up my alley. I was not wrong!

The sounds are superb, and the controls work just like the originals. It's very true to the originals (perhaps too much so?), and i look forward to a couple of tweaks to this once the app becomes available.

Build quality is really high, and no matter what people say, it's worth the money. Whilst there isn't any MIDI, I'm unlikely to use it anyway. Though a couple of additional pre-sets (maybe in the app?) would be welcomed by me.

If you like EP and MM style delays, this won't disappoint.

Great delay sounds, weird interface, ridiculous app.

Update 06.08.22:
+ now the possibility to save and recall presets via app is included
- still no possibility to dial in bpm
- still no visualization/editing of parameters via app

Basically, the uafx pedals are great sounding digital plugins packed into a pedal enclosure. However, so far (18.12.21) uad missed the oppurtunity to make them great products. The main shortcomings are:

-Counterintuitive Interface: color and mod controls change their behavior depending on the delay algorithm, although the naming of the controls suggest they do not. E.g. for the cooper time cube the color control becomes a treble eq and the mod control acts as a bass eq (Sounds weird? Is weird. This problem is even more severe for the ASTRA).

-Useless ios app: the name “UAFX control” suggests that you can control parameters and presets via bluetooth. However, you can only change the pedal bypass mode and turn preamp coloration on and off (only for tape ep-III & Analog DMM). In terms of features, this is the most useless app on my iphone. I hope uad will enable full pedal control and the ability to save and recall presets in a feature app release. Apps like H9 control, Neuro App from Source Audio or even the iridium controller app demonstrate how to link ios with pedals.

-Only one preset: Why only have one preset for digital multi-effect pedals? Why no ability to save presets in the app?

-no bpm control: yes there is tap tempo. But for a digital delay pedal dialing in bpm is a must. If not via the pedal interface then via the app.

In summary, the uafx pedals (especially Starlight and Astra) are frustrating products. They offer great sounds but lack too much in terms of usability. They are not made for live use (no midi, only one preset without app) and they are not made for studio use (no bpm control).