Delay stomp box

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six

six

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Hi all

I'll keep it short:

- Are all cheaper (<100 USD) delay stomp-boxes digital?

- Is your main guitar-signal also converted if you use it in a serial loop, or are they parallel "inside"?

- Any buying suggestions? Doesn't have to be super-fancy, just shouldn't degrade the sound.


Thanks & regards
 
The least expensive analog delays are about 140-150 USD right now. Guitarfetish is rolling out a line of pedals in a couple of months, including a supposedly analog delay for about $60.

As for cheap delays that don't suck, the Ibanez DE7 won't hurt you too badly. I don't know about the parallel processing though.
 
It shouldn't matter if it is digital or analog, you have to know what sound you want before you make the decision. Digital delays are not bad, and analog delays are not better.

Go to youtube and search proguitarshop for some decent demos to figure out what you are even looking for if you do not have a local shop to go demo yourself.
 
Thanks so far.

The thing is, I want to build a "down to earth minimal-setup": guitar, a (small) amp and an EQ and a delay in the effects-chain. So basically I will be playing without any effects and just change the tone with the guitar. But for certain leads I will add EQ to boost the mids and the overall level, and add some delay to fill it up a bit. Nothing fancy.

I'll be using this setup for rehearsals and perhaps for gigs where I don't need a lot of very different tones.

From reading the specs of digital stompbox delays I get the impression that there's nothing like a high-cut on most of them - or am I wrong? 'cause that's something I really don't like...
 
six said:
Thanks so far.

The thing is, I want to build a "down to earth minimal-setup": guitar, a (small) amp and an EQ and a delay in the effects-chain. So basically I will be playing without any effects and just change the tone with the guitar. But for certain leads I will add EQ to boost the mids and the overall level, and add some delay to fill it up a bit. Nothing fancy.

I'll be using this setup for rehearsals and perhaps for gigs where I don't need a lot of very different tones.

From reading the specs of digital stompbox delays I get the impression that there's nothing like a high-cut on most of them - or am I wrong? 'cause that's something I really don't like...
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Ya, if you like high end roll off that an analog delay provides, then you are going to have to pay for it if you go digital. I don't think any digital boxes on the lower end of the cost scale will do that.

The MXR carbon copy delay looks good. I think those can be had for under $150.

c7sus said:
Analog delays are better.

:D

http://www.moogmusic.com/moogerfooger/?section=product&product_id=179
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I see you pull out the Cadillac of the analog world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryMMGoLw7Yk&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JOLnTT0mh0
Or a hybrid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM9KyKd54Ac&feature=related
 
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Actually, I specifically mentioned the DE7 due to it's echo/delay switch: in echo mode it's kind of analog-like, and will self-oscillate, although I've heard the charge leveled that it simulates/synthesizes oscillation.

I do have the Carbon Copy, and it's absolutely lush. If you're building a minimalist board, why the harsh budget on the few items you need? The DE7 is fine, but for the price difference, the quality jump in the MXR is more than worth it.
 
ermghoti said:
If you're building a minimalist board, why the harsh budget on the few items you need?
Click to expand...

It's a minimalist board in the sense of "as little* as I can get away with" more than "small but mighty". :D


*: "little" concerning number of pieces, size of pieces, price of pieces. ;)
 
Analog vs Digital. I think is really pedal specific to which one is best for the song.

I have own a DD-6, AD-9, and now a DD-20. For live performance I love the dd-20. You get 5 footswitchable banks. It has a believable analog and tape selection. It also has a tap button or you can plug in a tap switch. It has a cool LED that flashes with the tempo. Most of the delay selections are pretty good for an all-in-one swiss army delay pedal. I use the tape, analog, and standard selections. If you get one it needs an isolated power supply from your other pedals or you get noise.
 
six said:
It's a minimalist board in the sense of "as little* as I can get away with" more than "small but mighty". :D
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Check. DE7 will be fine, and it does both digital delay and fake echo. Get a used wah for modulation (fake chorus a la White Room and Dazed and Confused). I'm a little stumped for a truly good, cheap dirt box. You may have to man up and spend a little money there.

Figure used market pricing, get the DE7 for $30-40, about the same for the wah, and $100-120 for a good distortion/overdrive in a flavor you like.
 
I have not heard this pedal yet. If it swells the way I like I will get it. Has anyone used this? It's analog with 1100 ms of delay time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Sound-AD-7-...ccessories?hash=item3ca2f93c8a#ht_1308wt_1165

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2849449


We use a DL-6 on Trumpet and electric drumz. We need a second delay/echo.

I have owned a Boss RV-3 (stolen), Arion Stereo Delay (broke), Boss RDD-20 (broke), and a Hohner Echo Plus (broke). I will miss my tape echo dearly. I am tired of buying delay pedals and I am not in the budget for a Binson Echorec or an Echoplex.

I want an analog pedal for guitar but I may need to go digital. The DE 7 is moving up on the list.
 
Outlaws said:
Digital delays are not bad, and analog delays are not better.
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Digital delays are fine for what i need a delay for. I used to put it after the fuzztone, but now I get what little grit I use from my amp and the delay sounds great slightly distorted.

but, if you want something to brag about and put in your sig, then get an analog.

Seriously. Why would you even want an analog delay? Can someone demonstrate how the analog is superior?
 
Akai Headrush ...... a gorgeous sounding delay for guitar.
Yes, it's digital with some of the features you get with digital.
No, you'll never know it's digital from the sound ..... just a lovely sounding delay.
 
Honestly, I'm a tube snob, and I use a digital delay. Hell, a Line6 "modeling" delay.

It doesn't really make a huge difference. Play a bunch, see what you like the sound of the most, and get that. I generally prefer digital since it gives you the option, but not the necessesity, to roll off some of the high end or preserve it if you would rather, and almost without exception offers longer delay times, both of which are useful.
 
For what it's worth, the Guitarfetish pedal isn't analogue, despite what it says on the front of the pedal. It's digital. Jay, the owner, discussed this matter on another forum, and admitted that it was an honest mistake to market it as analogue.

Back to the original topic. Sure, you can definitely get analogue delays for less than a hundred bucks. I have a Belcat (they're also called Leem), that was only 30 dollars. Sounds good. Electro Harmonix also make a nano size delay - I think it's called a Memory Toy, and it's around 60 dollars.
 
32-20-Blues said:
For what it's worth, the Guitarfetish pedal isn't analogue, despite what it says on the front of the pedal. It's digital. Jay, the owner, discussed this matter on another forum, and admitted that it was an honest mistake to market it as analogue.
Click to expand...

Maybe not my place to ask, but how is that an "honest mistake?" That when writing up the marketing materials, he really thought he'd designed an analog circuit but after it was published he went, "Oh, oops, I guess that IS digital!"?

I just googled it to see if it was just a slightly misleading/misworded write-up, and at a glance it looked like it could be, until I checked out the picture:

yhst-50206111187217_2084_25536402


That's pretty unequivical. :confused:

Hey, it might be a good pedal, and I've got nothing against digital delays, but labeling it "pure analog" when it's digital hardly seems innocent...
 
DrewPeterson7 said:
Maybe not my place to ask, but how is that an "honest mistake?" That when writing up the marketing materials, he really thought he'd designed an analog circuit but after it was published he went, "Oh, oops, I guess that IS digital!"?

I just googled it to see if it was just a slightly misleading/misworded write-up, and at a glance it looked like it could be, until I checked out the picture:

yhst-50206111187217_2084_25536402


That's pretty unequivical. :confused:

Hey, it might be a good pedal, and I've got nothing against digital delays, but labeling it "pure analog" when it's digital hardly seems innocent...
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Yeah, I hear you. Trouble is, he didn't design the pedal, his engineer did; apparently it was a breakdown in communication.

I take your point, it seems shady as hell. However, I've only heard good things about guitarfetish up to now. By all accounts, it really is a good pedal.

Tell you what, I'll see if I can find what he said about it exactly.

Edit: Here is his explanation:

Umm...

I think I gotta cry uncle here. A couple of very expert level emails came my way this morning- so i emailed my engineer friend on the West Coast who has been working with me on these pedals.

I just received his email ..."Jay- regarding the comments you have been receiving- yeah we're using the PT2399 digital delay chip on this board- Sorry if I was not clear with you in my conversations. We are not using the BBD's on the board that you sent to me last year- we just could not get the delay length at the price you had targeted, and I thought we both were on the same page here..."

So- I stand corrected- MY APOLOGIES.. I'm the ears- he's the engineer- I think I let my marketing side take over there for awhile and although I have been very hands on in modding the boards- I'm not an engineer so I would not know a digital delay chip from a digital camera chip-I'm quite sure he said something like "The only way to get it to work is to go with the PT2399..." and of course I did not realize that mean a digital chip- I was under the impression that was a purely analog circuit due to it's organic sound.

So I really appreciate those who have emailed me so I could get this corrected- I know i should have double checked this, of course, prior to advertising them, but my flameproof suit is on...

Again- sorry for that...obviously makes no sense to cal it something it isn't when it's so easy for those in the know to check- but I've been so focused on the sound of these perhaps I overlooked a clear indication from our engineer and the factory that we had in fact agreed on using a digital circuit....

Jay
Click to expand...
 
32-20-Blues said:
Yeah, I hear you. Trouble is, he didn't design the pedal, his engineer did; apparently it was a breakdown in communication.

I take your point, it seems shady as hell. However, I've only heard good things about guitarfetish up to now. By all accounts, it really is a good pedal.

Tell you what, I'll see if I can find what he said about it exactly.

Edit: Here is his explanation:
Click to expand...

Hmm. That's certainly an awkward position to find oneself in.
 
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