Title says it all...looking for something that won't break the bank, and in a regular pedal size (4.5"-ish x 2.5"-ish). And go...
If $300 isn't breaking the bank (like the Avalanche Run, above), then the Source Audio Nemesis should be on the list. And it has presets. For $99 you could get a Zoom MS-60B which has tap-tempo.
I'll put in a second for the SA Nemesis and also the Avalanche but they are on the pricey side and of course larger pedals too (though not too big!). Though if you're looking for smaller and more affordable I'd recommend a Boss DD-7 though the tap tempo isn't super easily accessible mid-song unless you have an external trigger! Personally after trying various delays over the years I've come to find out that if you want full featured with tap tempo it's worth it to pay a little more!
Space is an issue on my board. I'm using an EQD dispatch master for delay right now, but I need a tap tempo option... and I need something around that size.
The Ibanez Echo Shifter is $150 new, is 4" x 6" and has some unique style. I don't have any experience with it, though.
TC Flaschback. It's small, cheap, good sounding, wide variety of sounds (even more using toneprints) and it has tap tempo. Keep the switch down for 2+ seconds, pluck any string at the desired tempo and you're done. The downside is that you can't do it while playing... plus two extra options: - true bypass / buffered - kill dry (via two dip swiches found inside)
Thanks. This thread just sent me on a 30 minute sidetrack looking at delay effects. When I got back into playing I had a Line 6 Echo Park. It does have a lot of features, maybe too many for a beginner. I got rid of it though. If I had my druthers I would get a Catalinbread Echorec just cause I'm a huge Floyd fan.
C'mon guys. Your recommendations are useless if you don't follow OP's guidelines. You just come off as salesmen. OP, see if the Boss stuff will work for you. DD-7 does have tap tempo, it's just that you jave to hold down the foot switch for a couple of seconds to engage it. Cheap and reliable if you get a used one.
For options that don't break the bank you have the Zoom MS-60B, the Line 6 M5 and the Joyo D-Seed. The Joyo is a great pedal and it's a very good delay for its price. The Zoom and the M5 do more than just delay, and have great options. Although the M5 is not bass oriented like the Zoom, I've found that I really like the sounds that I get from it and some even better than the Zoom. But from these three, the unit that combines versatility and smaller footprint is the Zoom MS-60B.
Line 6 Echo Park. I used to own one. Good pedal, fits the criteria. Zoom MS-70CDR. Lots of delay and modulation options in one pedal. A guitar buddy of mine has one and loves it. Also fits the criteria.
As far as good but inexpensive, I'll throw my hat in with the ms60-b. It's a main stay and I use it regularly, love the thing and the delay sounds great to me. If I was going to get a dedicated delay with tap tempo, this would be the route I'd go. The avalanche sounds amazing and has a nice independent reverb built in. I know the Nemesis is a big deal to a lot of pedal guys due to its great sound and versatility. I love the sounds the echorec can pull off, I hope they end up making a deluxe version like the bell epoch.
I have a boss DD-7. Bought an external expression for tap. I really like it. Used, they can be found fairly affordable.