Delay thread

edi_87

New member
I've been looking for a delay unit recently, since my DD-6 just doesn't do the job for me..
I saw this Diamond Memory Lane pedal, which is, well, outstanding quality, 100% analog, has tap tampo(!!), but then.. it only has 550ms of delay + it costs 600$.
The DD-20 by Boss seems to be a nice effect as well, but they say it sounds sterile..

If you guys have some experience with delay pedals, please post your opinion, I'd be grateful..

I'm looking for a good sounding unit with a tap tempo

Thanks
 
Re: Delay thread

totally depends on what your main features are as no one delay can do it all

long delay times
tap tempo
cost
warmth or lack of overly steril sounds
modulation


For example, you just not going to find an affordable nice warm analog delay with tap temp and 600+ m/s for under several hundred dollars.
 
Re: Delay thread

I like the Boss DD-20 a lot, and wouldn't say that it sounds sterile. Maybe the straightforward digital delay mode, but the tape and analog modes are pretty cool.

I'm sellin one in the trading post right now as well. <- shameless plug
 
Re: Delay thread

I'll agree, the DD-20 is a pretty cool delay for the money. Its got a tape, analog and mod delay mode that all are pretty useful and nice sounding.

It's not going to compare with a real analog delay and especially a tape delay if you a/b them but in a band context I think it would get the job done pretty well.

Its definatly versatile with the tap tempo, various subdivisions, presets etc


I didn't end up keeping mine as I really did prefer the real thing, but its worth checking out just the same
 
Re: Delay thread

The DD-20 can get all kinds of crazy sounds...I don't know what 'sterile' is supposed to mean, though. Sometimes I want a delay to sound exactly like what I put into it. Sometimes I don't. The DD-20 does both.
 
Re: Delay thread

How does it differ from DD-20 then? The idea is pretty similar..


Its a model of the RE-201 space echo. Nothing more, save for it does have tap tempo


No presets, no fine tuning with LCD display, no different delay sounds, no moduation, no looping, etc. Basically its everything a RE-201 is/was


Sounds pretty close as well. Having recently bought a real RE-201 I quickly sold the RE-20 as the real thing does sound better, warmer, more organic, simply because you really can't match true tape, but in a band setting the RE-20 would do well
 
Re: Delay thread

I like some of the old analog delays for bluesy stuff but I don't use delay too much. What I can tell you is I recently spent some good time with a Maxon AD999 through a Mesa F30 and a Marshall JCM800. It had to be the best delay I ever heard! I saw the price tag and though "oh, i'll wait until I have a good reason to buy it!" It's like 339.00 but worth every penny if you like to use delay.

Don't get the Boss delay or really any digital. Analog sounds so much better!
 
Re: Delay thread

That is disappointing.

I didn't know there were several incarnations. I am a sucker for decent online samples and a good sales pitch. I am happy with my Deluxe Memory Man but have random need for longer delay times even without the analog warmth. Honestly, even the Boss DD-3 sounds decent to me, but I seem to be trapped into the mentality that for a few more bills I can get something better. Bells and whistles don't do anything for me, but transparency does.

What do you recommend?
 
Re: Delay thread

Disapointing indeed. Are they cutting corners on cheaper componets now ?

I bought one based upon all the hype and reviews and wasn't thrilled, at least not for $400. Really sounded no better to my ears than a $70 DE-7 Ibanez delay.

Figure if I'm going to be spending $400+ might as well get a real tape delay
 
Re: Delay thread

I seem to recall that WahWah was using a Replica for a while. I wonder if he liked it ..... and I wonder if it was an older or more recent version.

How big/heavy is the Echoplex? My board already weighs too much ..... lift with the knees you know ....
 
Re: Delay thread

I seem to recall that WahWah was using a Replica for a while. I wonder if he liked it ..... and I wonder if it was an older or more recent version.

How big/heavy is the Echoplex? My board already weighs too much ..... lift with the knees you know ....


Echplex, Space Echo etc are all pretty big units, about 16" or so for the EP3 and the Space Echo is about a 4 rack space unit, though not readily rackmountable

They really wouldn't be used on a pedalboard

I keep my Space Echo on top of my head and cab ala Brian Setzer.


Works great like that because I can tweak the controls without having to bend over
 
Re: Delay thread

I seem to recall that WahWah was using a Replica for a while. I wonder if he liked it ..... and I wonder if it was an older or more recent version.

How big/heavy is the Echoplex? My board already weighs too much ..... lift with the knees you know ....

I didn't end up getting the Replica, I bought a Retro-Sonic Analog Delay instead. It's got a pair of BBD chips giving 600ms, and it's beautiful. Very close to my DM-2. It's also got a second footswitch to halve the delay time, which is handy. I played the T-Rex Reptile today at the Aussie T-Rex distributors. Essentially a Replica with added modulation, but no tap tempo. It was ok, but probably not doing anything better than a DMM, just maybe a little cleaner and in a smaller box.



Cheers.....................................wahwah
 
Back
Top