Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

[ratherdashing]

Dudes,

I'm looking for a simple, reasonably priced analog delay. I'm trying to decide between the MXR Carbon Copy and the Way Huge Aqua Puss.

I'm mainly going to be using it for a doubling effect (very short time, very few repeats) and it will be in front of the amp (I'll be moving my Nova Repeater into the effects loop for big echo-y delay). I might also want to use it for some lush echo or self oscillation craziness, but its main purpose will be to double up my signal for heavy riffs etc.

From demos and info from friends, I know that both these pedals are very, very nice. My impression is that the Carbon Copy is on the darker side, while the Aqua Puss is brighter. Is that about right?

Who here has one or both? Let me know what you think.

Or, if there's something in this category that I should also look at, let me know as well please.

Thanks!

 

[thespricket]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

The CC isn't great for short time delay, it's awesome for long spacey stuff. The puss has very little delay time, and sounds very musical. If you're doing short doubling than the puss is the way to go.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

Carbon Copy has ruled my pedal board for years.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

Carbon Copy has ruled my pedal board for years.

I only use delay for short delay, ambiance type delay...almost like a reverb.

 

[SteveAlysis]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

Both... theyre so different. For what you described id go puss, but if you grabbed a CC youd find a use for it. Adds wonderful warm ambience to cleans.

 

[briggleman]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

Tone is your own, so I am not going to tell you which one sounds better.

I will come at this from a flexibility and ergonomic point of view. It terms of being able to have longer delays (both will do the 50 to 100ms you need for the doubling effect) the CC wins at 600ms vs 300ms for the AP.

The CC gives you modulation, the AP does not.

The CC has a better signal to noise ratio. 104 vs 96 (not that you will be able to hear it)

There that's my analysis of those two pedals.

Now, what else would I recommend, a Deja Vu would be ideal, since you could process the wet signal through a pitch shifter or harmonizer pedal for a really true doubling effect (50 to 100ms delay with the delay signal slightly detuned for a true dual guitar sound)

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

I owned a CC and now own an AP MK II.

Both are GREAT delays but very different.

The CC has double the time and modulation and the AP is just a plain Jane, 300ms echo unit.

The AP MK II is more clear and articulate and slightly cleaner on the early repeats where the CC is darker and the crunch starts earlier on in the repeats.

Both are great units but for me the AP was the winner...and FWIW, I use it like you are talking about...a few repeats, short time and up front.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

The CC gets my vote - but then again, i own one !

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

I think the Carbon Copy falls down when it comes to short repeats. That being said, I haven't tried the Aqua Puss. I love the Carbon Copy, and I use it to fill out my cleans sometimes when I feel like the Hall of Fame isn't the sound I'm going for, but I don't like it on short delays.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

The CC gets a lot brighter and more metallic with short repeats. It can be a useable sound but it's not what most people buy the CC for.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

Personally, for serious doubling, I'd go digital, not analog. I want the crispest, clearest most precise rep I could get. (remember - I grew up in the 80s)

Based on wat I'm reading, I gotta call Aqua Puss. Never heard one - but cvlearly the choice - assuming thaqt's wat you are going for.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

If you want short delays, you really can't go wrong with the Rocktron Short-Timer pedal. No tap tempo; case is a little large--but the tone there.

And it's CHEAP!!! Gotta love it!

Bill

 

[everdrone]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

delay is always off tempo unless you time it! get one that measures your rhythym playing so it is in sync

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

. . . Aqua Puss vs. Carbon Copy.

. . . of the two Aqua Puss delays, i prefer the MKII !

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

I got the Aqua Puss.

If I were looking for an analog delay for big, spacey, atmospheric echo, the Carbon Copy would be the one for sure. The AP is brighter and clearer, which makes it a better choice for doubling, but it still has that nice analog softness.

I won't be able to integrate it into my main rig until next week, but what I heard in the store was very promising. I'm in the middle of a pretty big pedal board shuffle, so stay tuned.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Analog Delay Showdown: Carbon Copy vs. Aqua Puss

A pedal that is in the same ball park as the ones mentioned is the Malekko Ekko 616 Analog Delay. This pedal has some awesome BBD analogue delay tones, short and long, plus the benefit of a full featured modulation control set. Hell, it even does a decent job of being a strictly chorus pedal if you turn the repeats right down!

http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/index.php/all-effects-pedals/ekko