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Delay pedal with non-latching switch (trigger)?

K2000

K2000

Nov 16, 2005
1,600
124
Brooklyn
#1
I have occasional use for a medium-short delay, but since I only have two feet, it can be hard to use my regular delay, without feeling like I'm doing DanceDance Revolution.

What I would like is a medium length delay (2 secs, maybe) that I can punch in, sort of like a "one shot" effect. One stomp engages the delay, and lets it fade out automatically, while I'm busy regaining my balance :rolleyes:

Are there any delays that can do that?
 
#3
Heh, we were just talking about dub tone.

But +1 to DIY -- the easiest way to do this is to make a passive bypass box with a momentary switch.

K2000 -- are you handy with a soldering gun? Look up schematics for a bypass box and just use a momentary switch instead of the normal latching one. You won't need an LED or anything so I think it might cost all of $15 if you have the right tools already and just hit up Radioshack for parts and a small enclosure.
 
#5
Oh that's right, most bypass boxes split the signal then choose which side comes back, right? Duh, that's why they're used to take noisy pedals out of the clean signal path.

I suppose you'd have to do it the other way -- have the switch decide which way the signal goes then have a splitter at the end. It may have to be powered in this case..? Hopefully someone who knows more about schematics will add to my post.
 
#6
Uhmmm... a suggestion...

Based on the bypass-stompbox the previous guys suggested...
(You may correct me if I'm wrong):hiding:

This way your delay will be allowed to ring out, even when you have stepped off the momentary switch, but this also will implicate that you will have to look for a really really silent delay effect so that its noise won't be audible while you're not using it. Hoipe this helped...
 

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#9
Umm... to be clear, I want to put the delay on the last note of a bass line (for example). Any suggestions that would also delay the previous notes (so that the amp would get a rush of multiple notes) is not what I need.

Right now I can accomplish what I need by stepping on my delay pedal twice (on/off), at the moment I play the "delay note". (It's a Digitech Digidelay). What I'm looking for is a delay that can be triggered (and then fade) with just one stomp.
 
#11
AppliedStucco said:
Uhmmm... a suggestion...

Based on the bypass-stompbox the previous guys suggested...
(You may correct me if I'm wrong):hiding:

This way your delay will be allowed to ring out, even when you have stepped off the momentary switch, but this also will implicate that you will have to look for a really really silent delay effect so that its noise won't be audible while you're not using it. Hoipe this helped...
Click to expand...

If i am not wrong, firstly you're wiring your the signal permanently into the input of the delay. Stepping onto the pedal creates a rush of delayed sounds played before what the stepping of the pedal, which is not what the dude wants.

niftydog said:
AppliedStucco's solution does what you need. I'm not aware of any commercial one-shot type delays, you might have to rig something up.
Click to expand...

What you need to do, OP, is to wire a momentary switch like this (one step-to-connect).

1. Signal in goes into "MAIN OUT" as well as step-to-connect switch "in"
2. Step-to-connect "out" goes to your delay. (DELAY IN)

Wiring DELAY OUT into the MAIN OUT in a passive blend (hots together, grounds together) should give you the sound you want, ie.

No step - Dry sound.
Step - Notes played after stepping will delay.
Release - Notes played during stepping will decay according to delay pedal. Notes played after stepping will not delay.

Of course you'll need a quiet delay, as it's signal is always going into the output.
 
#13
K2000 said:
Right now I can accomplish what I need by stepping on my delay pedal twice (on/off), at the moment I play the "delay note". (It's a Digitech Digidelay). What I'm looking for is a delay that can be triggered (and then fade) with just one stomp.
Click to expand...

Hmm, good that you clarified since I was about to suggest that very thing. I've done this same thing with the Echo Park and the trails feature on.

I don't think this will help you much, but I had a lot of fun running a delay into the Toadworks Enveloope when I had it. It gives you a dynamically controlled delay, so you get a ducking effect if you use a lighter touch. A really cool pedal, but expensive, and not as useful on bass IMO as on guitar, especially with OD/Distortion/Fuzz etc.
 
#14
niftydog said:
No, AppliedStuccos solution looks the same as what you have described.
Click to expand...

Note that my wiring does not give the delay a signal when not stepped on, his does.

EDIT: Oh buggerit. Why does everything plug in from the right? Southpawdiscrimination!!! I'll look at the diagram again.

Ok, the difference is that when he steps on the pedal (that AppliedStuccos drew up) while a note is ringing, that note will be cut off for a while while the switch breaks its connection from bypass to delay. I think. Basically mine permanently blends in the dry, his does it EXCEPT when the switch is depressed. I think that's the only difference, now.

In both cases there might be a POP as the connection to delay is made, which will delay appropriately. I'm not sure how to get around that.
 

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