Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

lex666

lex666

New member
Hey guys, I'm currently looking for a delay pedal for my rig. A lot of the pedals I've been looking at have different types of delay like tape, digital, reverb, echo, etc., etc...

Was hoping some of you could help define the differences in types of delays so that I can make a more informed selection.

I'm kind of looking at delays like the Keeley Super Mod and Empress Tape Delay for their multi-functionality and small delays like the SD Vapor Trail and EHX Memory Boy for their simplicity. What are your thoughts on these?

Thanx!
 
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

If you're at the start of your delay journey (and it IS a journey!), I would strongly suggest looking at pedals that give you an option to try flavors of delay.

For my $$$, there's nothing better than the TC Flashback to give you a GREAT taste of each delay type, so that you can figure out which type fits your playing style, rig and muse.

Then, once you've settled on a delay type that says YOU, you can look at what specific pedal will best fit the bill.

In my delay journey, I learned that both dig and analog delays worked for me, but that tape delay was my "thing". I now use a Strymon El Capistan dTape for the majority of what I do, and a Flashback X4 for odder presets (reverse delays, etc.) and general analog/ digital delays.

Have fun!


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Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

One pedal that definitely warrants mention is Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master - it can do reverb and delay from subtle to massive. Great fun.


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Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

First, do you want an analog delay, which is warm repeats that have a watery chorus of them? Analog delays have shorter times, usually don't have tap-tempo, but sit in a mix great. A digital delay will have longer echoes, tap temp, and a lot of control over your delay times' tone. There is a ton of overlap here, btw. Many digital delays can mimic analog ones.
 
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

Mincer said:
First, do you want an analog delay, which is warm repeats that have a watery chorus of them? Analog delays have shorter times, usually don't have tap-tempo, but sit in a mix great. A digital delay will have longer echoes, tap temp, and a lot of control over your delay times' tone. There is a ton of overlap here, btw. Many digital delays can mimic analog ones.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply.

I was somewhat confused or overwhelmed with the different types of delay out there, but I guess I'm leaning more towards a digital type delay as I'm trying to achieve multiple types of delay:

1. a stutter type effect of delay
2. a double or twin guitar type delay
3. a U2 'The Edge' type delay
4. a delay to thicken rhythm and lead tone

(not all at the same time of course)
 
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

lex666 said:
Thanks for your reply.

I was somewhat confused or overwhelmed with the different types of delay out there, but I guess I'm leaning more towards a digital type delay as I'm trying to achieve multiple types of delay:

1. a stutter type effect of delay
2. a double or twin guitar type delay
3. a U2 'The Edge' type delay
4. a delay to thicken rhythm and lead tone

(not all at the same time of course)
Click to expand...

It seems like all of that could be done with an analog delay. You might have an easier time syncing the Edge stuff to a tap tempo for each song (and there is usually a dotted either setting on digital delays), but his iconic tones were all done with analog delays.
 
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

lex666 said:
Thanks for your reply.

I was somewhat confused or overwhelmed with the different types of delay out there, but I guess I'm leaning more towards a digital type delay as I'm trying to achieve multiple types of delay:

1. a stutter type effect of delay
2. a double or twin guitar type delay
3. a U2 'The Edge' type delay
4. a delay to thicken rhythm and lead tone

(not all at the same time of course)
Click to expand...

Mincer' right about Edge's signature delays. The more I've read this thread, the more I recommend the TC Flashback, so you can really get to know each flavor.


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Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

Which iconic Edge tones are we referring to? The Unforgettable Fire was a Roland SDE3000, while The Joshua Tree was a TC2290; both of which are early digital units.
 
Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

dystrust said:
Which iconic Edge tones are we referring to? The Unforgettable Fire was a Roland SDE3000, while The Joshua Tree was a TC2290; both of which are early digital units.
Click to expand...

How about the EHX Deluxe Memory Man and the Korg SDD-3000?

He needs them all :)


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Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

Blille said:
How about the EHX Deluxe Memory Man and the Korg SDD-3000?

He needs them all :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I forgot about the Korg, and I'm pretty sure he only used the Memory Man on the first two albums. If you've seen any of his recent touring rigs it wouldn't surprise me to see a pair of every single thing he's ever used in there.

Edit: It seems I misspoke in the first post; The Unforgettable Fire seems to have been the Korg as opposed to the Roland.
 
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Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

Early digital units also had a lower sample rate, so they were grungy in their own way. For the most control, go digital, especially if you want a lot of options and presets.

 
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

Empty Pockets said:
MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe. Thread over.
Click to expand...

Might be tax-season before the $ is handy, but this looks like it'll be my next pedal buy.
Give them some time to work the production-bugs out anyways lol.
They'll be about $200 with a sales code.
I especially like the dedicated mod-knobs, the killdry and the bright/dark switch.
 
Last edited:
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

I am happy we live in a time where there are a lot of choices for delay. These days, I need some sort of expression pedal to vary the volume and feedback of the delay I am using (unless I am recording, although it is cool there, too). I am not usually a 'set and forget' guy...I want control over the sound all of the time.
 
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

I've only tried and used the delays on my Line 6 pod, and I am actually looking for a separate delay pedal myself. I am into nothing like 'Edge Type' things, only for subtle ambiance, and to use with distortion mainly. And the 'Tape Delay' patch worked best to my liking, actually it is the only type I like at all. Just to share experience and maybe point to a direction.
 
Last edited:
Re: Reverb vs. tape delay vs. digital delay etc. etc....

For ambiance used with distortion, my favorite is a lo-fi digital delay followed by analog / tape delay. The reason I prefer lo-fi digital to analog is because the repeats get a bit less murky. On my board I have a DD-2 and a MIJ DD-3, which are quite rolled-off sounding compared to the bright, percussive sound of a new DD-3. I keep the DD-2 set for a long slap back ~150ms while the DD-3 is set around 400ms.
 
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