Delay Pedals!

FruitarGeek · 2010-07-12T21:45:37+00:00

Yo yo So from time to time, I go on a research spree finding out which pedals are better etc. And I do this often, so be prepared to see more of these around. So I researched delay pedals as it seems I may need a new one soon (hopefully not). My current delay is a DD3 and its been amazing, a complete joy. So simple. So now ive gone on a new binge for bigger and better, well pretty much I am now looking for a delay pedal that has 2 req: 1. It sounds good 2. has tap tempo (NB for studio). These are the delays ive researched so far and are rather interesting. Boss DD-20 Boss DD-7 TC Electonics Nova Delay Diamond Memory Lane 2 Eventide Timefactor Electro Harmonix Memory Man with Hazarai So if you had to go with one of these, which one would you choose? If you think ive missed out on a good one, let me know. Im not to phased on it having modulation, and I think most of them do. I just want it to sound clear, have a good tone, tap tempo and easy to use. The Eventide looks way to difficult.

string_slinger

So many good delay options out there - you get what you pay for, but there aren't really many bad options. Just one more consideration - beware power supplies if you're a gigging muso. Eventide PSU is expensive to replace and a mate of mine's has gone bang twice. Ditto Line6 DL4, power supply will run you R400 if you lose it. Unless you have a good (read: probably expensive to run these) power brick of sorts, this needs considering. DD-20 can run nicely off pretty much any std 9v adapter, so if something randomly tragic happens on stage you're not completely screwed. Dunno about the the TC stuff, but you can check 'em yourself...

Soapbox rant - Never heard a DL-4 sounds thin, and used to own one. Gotta be something else...

singemonkey

I often wonder what you guys use these delays for. I just bang on 145 - 160ms of slap-back echo. I can't even fathom what people want all these features for ?

I'm not mocking, or being proud of my ignorance, I just kind of think of anything beyond a short echo as a special effect, that a person would only use occasionally. Kind of like a flanger.

JoeyBones

My nephew and I use almost all of the Nova delay's features. We do a lot of Hillsongs stuff so it works well for that. Also, I'm a delay junky. I own three digital and 2 analog delays. Just cant bring myself to part with any of them (Except the nova) :0)

I'm with Alan on the Timefactor. I'm trying to source one to replace my nova. Just bought a Musicom EFX MKII controller which does midi switching as well. Can't wait to get my board finished :0)

Warren

singemonkey wrote I often wonder what you guys use these delays for. I just bang on 145 - 160ms of slap-back echo. I can't even fathom what people want all these features for ?

I'm not mocking, or being proud of my ignorance, I just kind of think of anything beyond a short echo as a special effect, that a person would only use occasionally. Kind of like a flanger.

Yeah me too, to be honest. In the context of a cover band, I'm even less free to fiddle with my knobs (sic) so lots of echo is just out of the question.

JoeyBones

Warren wrote Yeah me too, to be honest. In the context of a cover band, I'm even less free to fiddle with my knobs (sic) so lots of echo is just out of the question.

Except for when you are covering U2 ?

louwd123

For what it's worth. I recently replaced my GT-8 with separate effect pedals and for delay I went the direction of the DD-20 coz I got it sub-R1500 second hand in perfect working condition with a PSA power supply.

The delay types are really much better than on the gt-8. secondly it's got rythmic features that allow you to tap quarter notes and it automatically reproduces dotted 8ths for example if set to that. Nice for imrov on a live setting. no maths required.

The looper sucks BTW! Well compared to my Digitech Jamman, but i didn't buy it for that. A very nice delay mode on it is the Modulation Delay. Gives your guitar almost a chorusy kind of vibe when sustaining chords or notes. i Love IT! okay behave. lastly I would just reflect that was mentioned about the L6 Dl4's memory, the DD-20 actually has 4 memory patches and a fifth that is always equivalent to what your knobs are set to.

In terms of studio use it has the capabality to separate the A and B output to give you your clean signal on one channel and the effect on the second. So the effect can be controlled or removed from the guitar and done cosmetically in your DAW by a plugin or other unit.

AlanRatcliffe

singemonkey wrote I often wonder what you guys use these delays for.

Everything. Slapback, delaying a signal, pre-delaying a reverb, splitting a signal to stereo, etc. I often use longer single-shot delays and play off them like I was playing off another guitarist. Reverse delays (especially if you pitch shift 'em) are great as a basis for pads, with a second delay to fill it out and a swamp's worth of reverb. Yadda, yadda, blah, blah. I can go nuts with 'em...

FruitarGeek

Well, yea

My DD3 has officially broken which will spur on another thread, but I really really have to get a delay now. I love delay!

So as I said before I was leaning between the Nova and The DD-20

But I think I will go for the DD-20 because it is:
*Cheaper
*4 presets
*versitle
*allows for an exp pedal

Unless someone has a great reason to stop me, I think that thats what Im going for. I just hope it sounds like my former DD-3. I was/am always under the impression that the later the model the more 'crap' it sounds. For example I hear the DD-5 is absolute crap, in comparison to the DD-3, but I wouldnt know.

BTW louwd123 - totally agree with what you said, I still have a GT8 but havnt used it for like 2 years. Im going all for the klinkdoosie ?

singemonkey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote pre-delaying a reverb

???

AlanRatcliffe

singemonkey wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote pre-delaying a reverb
???

Sure - a 3-12 ms delay allows your notes to stand out better, especially with heavier/bigger 'verbs. The better reverbs all incorporate a predelay these days. Some units even allow you to apply predelay to both the early reflections and the main reverb separately, so you can simulate the slapback or flutter echoes off nearby walls and the denser reverb coming back later from the room proper. Some build it into the room algorithm and the times will be automatically set according to the room size setting.

louwd123

If anyone should ever quote me on usage of delays at my funeral, I would like to coin the following:

"there is only one thing that's not good to delay . . . . . . . . the purchase of your next delay pedal" ?

Werner-Carstens

Since I don't like modulation effects I am pretty much stuck with delay and reverb. That has really forced me to focus in more detail on what is available delay wise. I agree with all the comments regarding Eventide and TC, especially in terms of versatility. My problems started when I heard the T-REX Replica delay the fist time. It sounded exactly like the sound I heard in my head and it felt even better playing through it. The only sticky point was the price (and it is still so high that I cannot ever justify the cost). I have been very fortunate in that I could buy one second hand at an affordable price and it is one of 2 pedals on my board that I will never be without again.
It has tap tempo, which is a non-negotiable feature for me in delay pedals, and has a switch that emulates analogue pedal decay. It is definitely not the most versatile, especially when compared to Eventide and TC, and it runs on 12V which can be a pain power supply wise. But what it does, it does like none else imho.

singemonkey

I have an old tape unit that's the size of a... well it's pretty damn big. Never used it for anything. The hiss is unbelievable, the levels are messed up. But if someone figures they can fix it up to a practical level and wants to give me R200 for it...

It's not the most versatile either ?

matta

Which unit? Roland, Korg, WEM? I might be interested... LOL

Matt

singemonkey wrote I have an old tape unit that's the size of a... well it's pretty damn big. Never used it for anything. The hiss is unbelievable, the levels are messed up. But if someone figures they can fix it up to a practical level and wants to give me R200 for it...

It's not the most versatile either ?

FruitarGeek

Does anyone know of an external tap tempo I can use for the DD-20?

I heard about the FS-5U and even the Roland DP-2 which is half the size and cost,

BUT: I want smaller, literally all I want is one of those metal foot knobs that you see on most pedals such as the MI Audio's. Is this possible?

matta

Yes, you just need a momentary non latching switch and just wire accordingly...

FruitarGeek wrote Does anyone know of an external tap tempo I can use for the DD-20?

I heard about the FS-5U and even the Roland DP-2 which is half the size and cost,

BUT: I want smaller, literally all I want is one of those metal foot knobs that you see on most pedals such as the MI Audio's. Is this possible?

FruitarGeek

thanks matta

I actually just saw an article about that, seems pretty simple, so as far as I understand I will need:

one of those metal switchers, a chassis and a cable to plug into the dd-20.
Do you know where I can get these materials? I tried looking at those sites recommend up top, but they didnt really help.

matta

Yebo electronics, they have a store in Plumstead and Belville, they sell all the bits, pricer than most, but you can get them all at one place. The switch I think you need is: http://www.fort777.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2298

Cheers

Matt

FruitarGeek wrote thanks matta

I actually just saw an article about that, seems pretty simple, so as far as I understand I will need:

one of those metal switchers, a chassis and a cable to plug into the dd-20.
Do you know where I can get these materials? I tried looking at those sites recommend up top, but they didnt really help.

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