Delay...teach me, suggest pedals...

[Dr. Lobotomy]

...anyone seeing a trend here?

Next in line after the fuzz [see other thread], will be a delay pedal...maybe.

I've seen 'em used by guitarists and have some ideas for what I could do with it. But, what kinds of things should I look to be able to do with a delay pedal, what sorts of functionality do they come with?

I'll play dumb-ish and be a blank slate...fill me in.

Also, recommendations wouldn't hurt...

 

[Jared Lash]

The big thing with a delay is to figure out what options you need and then go from there.

Do you want clear digital repeats or warm analog sounds? Or a digital delay that can also approximate analog?

Do you want self oscillation?
Do you want tap tempo?
Do you want modulated delay (chorus effects on the repeats)
Do you want looping capabilities?
What kind of max delay time would you want?

For someone unfamiliar with delays you may not be able to answer these, but those are the main questions I can think of for deciding on a delay. And of course your budget.

If you are completely unsure of what you want but still want a delay, I think the Line6 Echo Park might be a good route to go. Fairly inexpensive and with a million options it's a solid delay an at the very least would give you an idea of what you do and don't need in a delay pedal.

 

[nad]

For years I always said "the only effect I absolutely need is distortion," but now I say "add delay to that list." I've gone through a good handful of delay pedals, and my personal favourite is the Malekko Echo 600 Dark.

If you are just at the experimenting stage with such things I say grab a used Boss DD-whatever and go nuts.

 

[Ubersheist]

Also, think about a delay that has a high pass or is in an effects loop that has a high pass filter. This isn't quite as important (in my experience) in the studio as it is live. This way, if you play and active bass line with a note such as a low E, the delay won't muddy up the next low E or other notes. It'll make the "delay" effect sound very, very thin and tin-y. However, while you're playing the rest of the line, it'll sound cleaner and more distinct.

You certainly won't want it all the time, but it can really clean up the bottom end, especially live.

 

[kevteop]

I'd agree with the recommendation of the Echo Park, it's a good way of figuring out which features you'll actually use. You might even stick with that pedal, but personally I thought everything felt a bit flimsy on it so I moved it on.

 

[Dr. Lobotomy]

The big thing with a delay is to figure out what options you need and then go from there.

Do you want clear digital repeats or warm analog sounds? Or a digital delay that can also approximate analog?

Do you want self oscillation?
Do you want tap tempo?
Do you want modulated delay (chorus effects on the repeats)
Do you want looping capabilities?
What kind of max delay time would you want?

For someone unfamiliar with delays you may not be able to answer these, but those are the main questions I can think of for deciding on a delay. And of course your budget.

If you are completely unsure of what you want but still want a delay, I think the Line6 Echo Park might be a good route to go. Fairly inexpensive and with a million options it's a solid delay an at the very least would give you an idea of what you do and don't need in a delay pedal.

Kinda unsure what I want but...
yes on self-oscillation
yes on tap tempo
so-so on modulated delay
interested but not totally sold on looping
have no idea about max delay

There's one cool effect I've seen by adjusting delay rate on the fly on the Boss DD? and getting this crazy up-swirling nonsense. I'd like to have that ability...not entirely necessary, but cool. I've also seen it done by flipping hte expression pedal on a Line 6 Delay Modeler. Not sure if the Echo Park can do that.
Echo Park does look pretty sweet, though.

Like all the info coming in...more please

 

[bigchiefbc]

Kinda unsure what I want but...
yes on self-oscillation
yes on tap tempo
so-so on modulated delay
interested but not totally sold on looping
have no idea about max delay

There's one cool effect I've seen by adjusting delay rate on the fly on the Boss DD? and getting this crazy up-swirling nonsense. I'd like to have that ability...not entirely necessary, but cool. I've also seen it done by flipping hte expression pedal on a Line 6 Delay Modeler. Not sure if the Echo Park can do that.
Echo Park does look pretty sweet, though.

Like all the info coming in...more please

I have the Boss DD-20, which I guess may be a bit overkill for a first delay, but it can do everything you're looking for and they usually go for somewhere in the ballpark $150 on the used market/ebay. I love mine, and I never find myself GASing for any other delays anymore. It does have a big footprint, though (two boss pedals side-by-side). If that's a big deal, look into the dd-6/7, which has most of the same features, just no digital display, and only one stomp to do everything

 

[burno70]

If you just want something basic that does warm analogue repeats the Carbon Copy is rather lovely.

Also, check out the WIKI, there are more than a few helpful samples in there.

 

[sillyfabe]

looking for warm-tape delay? i would say the re-20 space echo is a very nice thing to have. i use mine with some auto-wah and well its like being in a cave with aliens! also it can simulate up to three tape-heads, can self-oscillate, tap-tempo, reverb (real springy so it might not be your thing as most people dont like it), and can do slap-back if you afre feeling 50's. overall i like it and it might not be as versatile as the boss dd-20 but when you play with it, it is bliss to my ears!

 

[Dr. Lobotomy]

IF...the decision were between the Boss DD-20, Boss DD-7, Line 6 DM4, Line 6 Echo Park
What would the advantages of one over the other be?
Obviously, the DD20 and DM4 are more extensive modeling units. I just don't want to be get a DD7 or Echo Park and find that I'm bummed a few months down the road that I'm finding limitations in what i can do with it.
(Keeping in mind that my latest pedal fascination phase my fitter away in a month and I'll go back to playing clean...or I'll continue to delve deeper and keep the dust off my pedal board)