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Your favorite delay/looper? (poll)

Which of these is your favorite?

  • Hardwire DL-8

    Votes: 6 10.0%

  • TC Electronic FlashBack

    Votes: 20 33.3%

  • Akai E2 Head Rush

    Votes: 13 21.7%

  • Other (please specify)

    Votes: 21 35.0%
  • Total voters
    60
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

TalkBass' resident Bongo + cowbell player
Nov 10, 2000
6,935
155
59
Bucaramanga, Colombia, South A
#1
Hi everybody.

I'm just curious about this, since I had pretty clear that the delay/looper of my choice was the Hardwire DL-8, but after reading about TC Electronic's FlashBack and Akai E2 Head Rush, I'm not that sure. So I thought a poll would be a good help. If you are going to say "other", please notice that I'm not looking for separate delay and loop units. That's why I'm thinking of those three choices. Any comment on advantages/disadvantages of each pedal is welcome. Thank you for your input!
 
#3
I had the Akai and wanted to fall in love with it, but didn't care for the delay settings and the loop sound quality seemed skeptical, especially if you use the extended time switch. My combo pedal of choice was the EHX XO Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai. I need to get one again, limitless delay sounds can be made on that pedal and the looping was fine for simple short loop needs.
 
#6
Strymon Timeline is THE delay/looper.

Since its conception, all others shall no longer be referred to as actual delay/loopers but will be known as whatever percentage of a Strymon Timeline they are. For example, something with just an analog delay will be called "Timeline 5%". And something with analog delay, digital delay, and a looper will be called "Timeline 25%".
 
#7
MSUsousaphone said:
Strymon Timeline is THE delay/looper.

Since its conception, all others shall no longer be referred to as actual delay/loopers but will be known as whatever percentage of a Strymon Timeline they are. For example, something with just an analog delay will be called "Timeline 5%". And something with analog delay, digital delay, and a looper will be called "Timeline 25%".
Click to expand...

:eek: I've just seen the demo videos at YouTube. Absolutely impressive! The only thing that makes me think twice is $$$, but worth it for sure!
 
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#8
Yeah, that price is UP THERE!!!! And the sad fact is that you need to pay another $150 to use the looper the way it should be used....([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]....and the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] of them).

So it's a HUGE price tag at $600 for the Timeline and the Midi controller. But it's the ultimate machine in delay/looping.
 
#9
MSUsousaphone said:
Yeah, that price is UP THERE!!!! And the sad fact is that you need to pay another $150 to use the looper the way it should be used....([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]....and the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] of them).

So it's a HUGE price tag at $600 for the Timeline and the Midi controller. But it's the ultimate machine in delay/looping.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why you say you need to get the midi controller to use the looper "the way it should be used"? I mean it seems they add some cool functionality to the looper, but it doesn't seem that it's absolutely necessary. I can understand the banking function, for sure, though.
 
#10
I never felt comfortable using the looper AND switching through banks on the fly, mid song, without the midi controller. Granted, I'm still waiting on the midi to come in....but for example, if my band were going to do Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups and I wanted to take over the keyboard/synth part in the breakdown of the song with the delay while having the bass part from earlier being looped in continuously to keep the bottom end kicking....I just think that would be beyond my skills of playing while doing some mad button mashing without the midi controller. With the midi, I see it being pretty simple. Again, that's all in my head since I'm still waiting on it.
 
#11
MSUsousaphone said:
I never felt comfortable using the looper AND switching through banks on the fly, mid song, without the midi controller. Granted, I'm still waiting on the midi to come in....but for example, if my band were going to do Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups and I wanted to take over the keyboard/synth part in the breakdown of the song with the delay while having the bass part from earlier being looped in continuously to keep the bottom end kicking....I just think that would be beyond my skills of playing while doing some mad button mashing without the midi controller. With the midi, I see it being pretty simple. Again, that's all in my head since I'm still waiting on it.
Click to expand...

Gotcha, I was wondering if I had missed something with the Timeline, which would suck because I've been waiting a few weeks for it now:D

That Midi controller looks pretty sweet, I might have to add one of those to my wish list:scowl::D
 
#15
I used a Subdecay Echobox as my delay for a long time and absolutely loved. I've also tried a TC Electonics Nova Delay and Nova Repeater and really dug both of them, but haven't tried the FlashBack yet. If you can spend the extra bread you should definitely consider the Nova pedals.
 
#18
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.;12111679 said:
A question about the Akai E2 Head Rush and the EHX Stereo Memory Man w/Hazarai: Are they true bypass or not? Can't find a definitive answer.
Click to expand...

I can't help with the SMM but I do believe the Head Rush is a buffered bypass. But don't fall into the trap of thinking that true bypass is always best. What you want is GOOD bypass, regardless of the actual mechanics of it.

Personally I will never again by a looper that has a single stomp switch - they simply don't work for me. The Akai is a very simple to use and effective looper. No learning curve and it just works. Plus it is highly underrated as a tap tempo delay. Its biggest drawback is the space it takes up.

That said, the Timeline is absolutely amazing. It's so far beyond overkill for what I use delay for that I shouldn't look twice at it but I can't help but want one.

I actually prefer the Akai's stomp setup for looping (2 stomps for play/stop and record/dub vs 3 stomps on the Strymon for record/dub, play and stop) but that's just personal preference and the looper is awesome as well.
 
#19
Having owned a fair share of delays, loopers, and delays w/ loopers, I am currently loving my Empress Vintage Modified Superdelay. The looper could be longer (it's 12 secs, I believe), and the delays could trail off nicely when the bypass is hit (they don't), but the tone and flexibility of the pedal is great (for my needs). I also really dig the available user-set presets.
 
#20
RickenBoogie said:
I like dedicated pedals for specific functions, so a Boss RC-20XL for looping, and a Boss DD-20 for digital delays, and MXR Carbon Copy for analog delays. The DD-20 will also do "sound on sound" loops, but I never use that function.
Click to expand...

MSUsousaphone said:
Strymon Timeline is THE delay/looper.

Since its conception, all others shall no longer be referred to as actual delay/loopers but will be known as whatever percentage of a Strymon Timeline they are. For example, something with just an analog delay will be called "Timeline 5%". And something with analog delay, digital delay, and a looper will be called "Timeline 25%".
Click to expand...

Jared Lash said:
the Timeline is absolutely amazing. It's so far beyond overkill for what I use delay for that I shouldn't look twice at it but I can't help but want one.
Click to expand...

Taking these statements into account, maybe the Timeline isn't actually that expensive since it performs the tasks of two pedals (more than) fairly well.
 

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