Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

[PFDarkside]

For the analog delay fans, is anyone aware of an all encompasing Deluxe Memory Man resource? Something listing different versions and how they compare. For example I'm aware of the following:

-Original (cord)
-RI (cord)
-RI 24V Adapter
-XO 24V Adapter
-Tap Tempo 550ms 9V Adapter
-Tap Tempo 1100ms 9V Adapter

And I'm sure there a more variations in each category that I'm not aware of. Accoring to Analog Mike they've been switching back and forth between 2 and 4 chip versions in the same housing. Also, are the latest XO sized pedals the same chips as vintage ones or have they found a new source?

I'd really love an (unbiased) summary of each, how they sound, etc. I've got an original 70's one, and it's got the tone (along with the huge footprint, 120V A/C cord, vintage-correct BBD "sounds", etc.) How far down the lineage can you go and still get the tone without the tradeoffs? (Can use a power supply rather than the attached cord, smaller footprint, tap tempo, etc.) I know Howard Davis would say only my version is the correct one, but I'm wondering what conclusions real world users have come to.

I'd love to do a shootout in my own house, but that's a couple grand worth of delay pedals....

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

Nothing today sounds like the old one....
And what is it with small boxes these days???
Too many dratted pedals in the boards ???
Had the old cord one, and the RI 24v.
Got the 1100 tt one now, like that one alot, but the old really has its own thing.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

How does the TT1100 compare to the regular 24V RI?

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

The new one is a cleaner not so greasy echo....
But it is one great echo as it is....These days I use little else, love the sound it has....and the usefulness is great on that one.
The modulation is sweet, and different functions are major plusses as well.... it sound as good as the old ones, just different.

 

[hydro]

Re: Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

Analog Mike at analogman.com has some info on these at his site, comparing different components, etc. I am not sure how comprehensive it is but it has some good info.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

That's where I started. He has a decent technical overview but it's only covering a smaller segment of production from RI through a few years ago, post-XO box.

I understand about the cleaner echoes.... It's just too bad the TT ones are hard to come by. It would be great to try them out next to each other. (It would also be great to send mine to Howard Davis to get it in tip-top shape! )

 

[hydro]

Re: Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

doh I somehow missed in your OP that you had already been to Mike's page, sorry...

I have the XO pedal and the biggest issue I have with it is that it is too dirty sounding, and yet at the same time that is part of what gives it its charm. I thought about asking Mike to give me the mod that gives it more headroom. Interesting that this version was supposed to have cleaner sounding echoes, because mine still sounds plenty funky.

It is funny that the pedals I have that I love the most are also the quirkiest and the most sensitive. The Memory Man is among those for sure.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Looking for a Deluxe Memory Man guru

I have a question,

I read somewhere that the original 550ms DMM had voltage regulation going on inside that would drop the voltage internally to 15V from the 24V input supply, while the new 1100ms DMM is raising the voltage from 9V input supply up to 15V internally. Is this true?

I wish they would somehow be able to duplicate the original Japanese chip that they are having the last run of being loaded into these 1100ms DDM's, if the stock were to go all out then getting one for ~$500 would be like looking for a leprechauns pot in the future I wish I had the $ to get hold of one right now.