how do you choose digital delays??

[ACE 4080]

Im not an expert so i wouldn't mind some schooling on the differences between them, but do you guys just go for features and pricing or do you find differences in tone between two digital delay units??

[AlexR]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

I looked at a lot of youtube vids, especially pro guitar shops ones as Andy does a great job on demos. If you want long delay then its digital. Shorter you can get away with analogue. Personally I looked for versatility when I got mine. The Vox time machine for me had the ability to manipulate the output so it could sound analogue or digital, tap tempo, wide range of delay times and it was also a sturdy pedal too.

[mrpinter]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

I watched a bunch of YouTube reviews too. A couple of guys loved the CMATMODS Deeelay, and one compared it favorably to the Aqua Puss. Also there seemed to be quite a "buzz" about several other products of the company. I'm very happy with the pedal - very clean sounding, and has plenty of delay time for my needs. I had previously used a Boss digital unit, but felt it sounded a bit "tinny". Not so with the Deeelay, it's very transparent. The price wasn't bad, but this was not really a factor; there are plenty of more and less expensive delays to choose from.

[eschoendorff]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

By color - I only buy off-white ones.

[jeremy]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

i used to use a boss dd2 and it was ok. then i got a boss dd3 and i didnt think it sounded as good. then got a line6 echopark and it was neat but the bypass sucked. i now have two duncan deja vu's and i am very happy

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

Hmm got: Boss DD-3(the old long chip renamed DD-2) DD-5, Hardwire DL-8, Vox Time Machine delay, somewhere I have a SDE-2500 Roland as well.....

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

Best delay pedal I actually owned was the Arion DD4. It was in the wrong box and the store sold it to me at the lower price of the lower-level model
I wanted that one because it had up to 4 seconds of delay, which I used.

I used to play around with an old BOSS pedal (can't recall the exact number, it was 1988) and it had quite a few features like staccato repeating I enjoyed.

An Uncle let me borrow a Yamaha rackmounted delay once many years ago and my overall tone improved as soon as I plugged into it. Added depth and dimension, and the actual delay effect had not yet been activated

I was very sad when he wanted it back some months later, as my tone went back to "string of pedals", and was noticeably lighter and thinner.
After that, I traded all my pedals in on a used GSP21 Pro and enjoyed a fuller, more spacious tone AND all the effects

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

I don't...but if I did I'd go back to a Boss...

Built like a tank
Can be replaced by a trip to any GC
Not too much $$
Lots of features

[Chickenwings]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

gotta have tap. gotta be easy to dial in sounds for live use. gotta sound good. Gotta be able to change the tone of the delays a bit. Gotta keep your dry sound nice.

[Binnerscot]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

I usually check the quality of the bypass first. Even the cheapest delay pedal will have a decent enough delay sound these days.

That being said, the more expensive units do typically sound better. Features are nice, but I rarely use anything other than something around 300ms with a repeat or two, mixed low at about 15% to 20%.

Modulated delay is what I look for these days, it just sounds very polished when used with that same setting.

[Mincer]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

I need tap tempo, and long delay times for loops that can gradually fade.

[Lazarus1140]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

First and foremost I look for an unaltered dry signal both while the delay is engaged and while bypassed.

Then it is all about the sound and feel of the repeats, the accuracy with which they trail off, and how well the original tone is maintained as the wet mix increases.

I don't really care about tap tempo, but I understand how it would be handy. I normally run a delay between 450and 600ms.

I listen to as many demos as possible before risking my money. Even so, I have been disappointed more than once in the delay department ..... perhaps because I am really picky.

FWIW, one of the best sounding digital delays I've heard live was a Skreddy.

[Chickenwings]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

fwiw ....
all the issues and desirable functions mentioned in my post, binnerscots, mincers and lazarus's are all adressed by the seymour duncan deja vu delay.

[ACE 4080]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

You guys that dont use tap tempo, do you just not mind if its off beat with the song or what?

[Lazarus1140]

Re: how do you choose digital delays??

I don't do anything U2ish where the timing of the repeats is critical. In fact, I mostly use delay in a very ambient, reverbish way where (again) the pulses are very much subdued.

So somewhere between 450 to 600ms works for just about everything because the repeats are not out front where they would compete with the tempo.