Simple Straightforward Delay Pedals?

[matante]

I'm looking for a straightforward delay that simply is what it is, and is not trying to 'emulate' any other device. In other words, something that doesn't try to sound like a tape echo, nothing digital that tries to sound analog, and no features other than delay--no modulation, no reverb, etc.

I think the Boss DD-3 pedals might work for this but I'd prefer something with tap-tempo. I realize I could buy a pedal that has extraneous features and simply not use them but I'm curious to know if anyone actually makes the pedal I'm looking for. Any advice?

 

[Squawk]

Check out TC Electronics Flashback. If you can't get the delay sound you want out that pedal, it doesn't exist.

I kid. But it is a great delay pedal.

 

[Veldar]

Marshall Echohead.

 

[matante]

Check out TC Electronics Flashback. If you can't get the delay sound you want out that pedal, it doesn't exist.

I kid. But it is a great delay pedal.

Thanks. I know there are a ton of great delays out there, I'm just looking for something very specific, apparently.

So far I've found the Boss DD-3, Way Huge AquaPuss, and the Fender Competition Delay. None have tap tempo though.

Marshall Echohead.

Thanks. I looked it up and it has analog emulation as well as tape echo emulation and mod filter modes. I'm looking for something with none of that.

 

[aledeville]

MXR Carbon Copy?

 

[BrianToska]

I use an Electro Harmonix Memory Toy. It's a pretty simple analog delay for a decent price.

 

[willbassyeah]

best sounding delays is ehx deluxe memoryboy with tap tempo, versatile yet simple and straight forward to use...

 

[sketch]

Simple & with tap-tempo...

The simplest delays I used (and my fav sounding) are analog delays, like the Maxon(Ibanez) AD-9, AD-900, etc. Carbon Copy is pretty much the same idea. No tap tempos.

Simple with tap temp, perhaps a Boss DD-5 or DD-7, with external stomp switch to tap your tempo.

 

[Belgand]

Hmm, it doesn't have the tap-tempo, but Noisemaker Effects' Chronos might be what you're looking for. All analog, handmade, not trying to emulate anything else. It's $106 though so I'd say to consider the Nebula as well which combines it with their reverb pedal for only $14 more.

 

[MightyMiloQuinn]

I think this will be an either-or situation. You will find that major builders aren't going to bother with just putting tap tempo on a simple delay circuit to compete with more versatile delays. So you get either simple, straight forward delays or more complex units. That said, you may want to ask someone like Asgeir at Pedal Projects if he'll build you one. I'm not seeing a delay on his page, but I know he does plenty of custom builds. Here's an example of something he could do:


But there are plenty of small, custom builders that likely could put together a simple delay with tap tempo. Or, if you are handy with an iron, it might be a good project.

 

[matante]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think some of you misunderstood or did not fully read my original post. I'm looking for something that does NOT have modulation, reverb, tape emulation, analog emulation, or any other bells or whistles other than tap tempo.

So far the only suggestion that fits the bill is the Boss DD-5. Thank you for that recommendation as I hadn't noticed that one.

 

[MightyMiloQuinn]

The DD-5 has 11 modes. Sounds like bells and whistles to me.

 

[matante]

The DD-5 has 11 modes. Sounds like bells and whistles to me.

Yes, but they're 11 delay modes. Essentially different delay times plus reverse delay, no other effects and it's not trying to emulate something else. So far, it's the closest thing to what I'm looking for so far.

 

[matante]

OK, looks like I found one: T-Rex Replay Box due next month.

 

[abbub]

Simple & with tap-tempo...

The simplest delays I used (and my fav sounding) are analog delays, like the Maxon(Ibanez) AD-9, AD-900, etc. Carbon Copy is pretty much the same idea. No tap tempos.

Simple with tap temp, perhaps a Boss DD-5 or DD-7, with external stomp switch to tap your tempo.

I have a DD-7 with an external switch for the tap tempo. It can be used as a 'simple delay' but it has a lot of options that can allow it to do modulation, sound-on-sound, etc. It's a pretty versatile pedal...I don't even begin to take advantage of it's features.

 

[Jared Lash]

OK, looks like I found one: T-Rex Replay Box due next month.

I've never tried the Replay Box but hopefully it fits the bill for you. If not, I can say that my search for a simple digital delay with clear repeats and tap tempo led me to the Vox Time Machine which I think is discontinued now. I've currently got a TC Nova Repeater which does include modulation but I don't use it much. Both are no nonsense tap tempo delays with clear repeats.

I like the TC Flashback a lot for what it is, but the delays are always voiced to some extent or another. The old cheap Guyatone MD-3 was about the cleanest sounding delay I owned but it didn't have tap tempo.

The issue of course is that most delays are aimed at guitarists who either want true tape or analog delays or digital delays that emulate those tones. It isn't as easy as it should be to find a clear delay with appropriate headroom for bass with tap tempo.

 

[Unrepresented]

OK, looks like I found one: T-Rex Replay Box due next month.

I have a T-Rex Reptile and really like it. It's got "bells and whistles" in that it has analog emulation abilities and controls. That said, you can turn them off and the standard "bypassed" delay works for me. If the Replay Box has a similar profile you should be happy. That said, I've used the Boss DD-3 and I liked it, and would recommend a DD-6 if you're looking for a pedal that can do tap tempo. My only gripe with the pedal is my standard "I know everyone says that the boss buffered bypass sounds good, but I hear a difference" complaint.

 

[strictlybass_ic]

Joyo Digital Delay

Cheap, simple, solid, and sounds really good.

 

[willbassyeah]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think some of you misunderstood or did not fully read my original post. I'm looking for something that does NOT have modulation, reverb, tape emulation, analog emulation, or any other bells or whistles other than tap tempo.

So far the only suggestion that fits the bill is the Boss DD-5. Thank you for that recommendation as I hadn't noticed that one.

The issue I have when looking for delay pedal with tap tempo is the need for it to have a subdivision control also, if you are using for straight eight note or quarter note delays it's fine but when you are using it for dotted 8th, tripplet, you need to literally count the tap sync with the music, which in live situation is really hard to do, just something to keep in mine and the t-Rex replay box might be what you are looking at since you do not want any modulation

 

[Adamixoye]

I was going to suggest one of the higher-numbered Boss DD series before I saw it had been suggested already.

To a degree I understand not wanting a pedal that is more complex than you need, but for something like a Boss DD-7, you just find the mode you need and then forget about that knob. The other modes don't get in the way of you using the mode that you like.