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As my first post on this website, I am looking to get some advice on a delay pedal to add to my pedalboard. I don't really know too much about delay's, so before i dish out $200+ on a pedal, I figured here was a good place to start. I've played around with a BOSS DD-3, and it just didn't impress me. I've heard good things about the DMM but i was wondering if there were any other good choices out there.

-Max

While I'm not necessarily the best "delay guy" to consult with (I just futz around with my Line 6 until I get something I like), I can tell you that the delay whizzes around here will want to know what you're going for - do you want something really warm and analog-y, or something that's more precise? Do you want something that can be pushed into self-oscillation? Do you want something that has modulation mixed in with the delay?

If you're not sure yourself exactly what you want, then maybe describing the style of music you want to apply the delay to would be a good starting point. There's lots of options out there, so knowing what you're looking for will help narrow the field.

jrmy wrote:While I'm not necessarily the best "delay guy" to consult with (I just futz around with my Line 6 until I get something I like), I can tell you that the delay whizzes around here will want to know what you're going for - do you want something really warm and analog-y, or something that's more precise? Do you want something that can be pushed into self-oscillation? Do you want something that has modulation mixed in with the delay?

If you're not sure yourself exactly what you want, then maybe describing the style of music you want to apply the delay to would be a good starting point. There's lots of options out there, so knowing what you're looking for will help narrow the field.

I would like something warm and analog sounding. The self oscillation isn't really necessary, but I'm going for a "post rock" style kind of sound. Explosions in the Sky is a pretty good example, but that's just a sample of what I'd like this pedal to sound like.
It will be my first delay pedal so I'm really new to this subject.

Post-Rock? $200? Try getting a used DMM or Boss DM2 (or DM3). However, you might want to try the EQD Disaster Transport which sounds marvelous, even though it is digital. They have a slimmed down model that fits more easily on a board.

Actually, the guitarist in The Mercury Program uses a Boss DM2, a TC Electronics Nova, and a DOD DFX94. Common delays used by multiple bands are the Boss DD-5, RE-20, and the Line 6 DL4. Some bands even get away with the Ibanez DE-7 which does wonders for the price.

I personally prefer the Empress Superdelay myself. Expensive, but damn is it worth every penny.

Not Necessarily $200, but I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount on this thing. I've seen the Empress and the price is just ridiculous. Out of curiosity, has anyone heard the Freakshow Effects Digilog?

Heard good things about the Digilog, and the paintjob is really wicked. However, if you want to spend less on a decent delay, go for a Memory Boy or an Ibanez DE-7. Both are under $100, and the Memory Boy is all analog. Another good pair of delays around the same price is the MXR Carbon Copy and the Malekko 616. Both are analog, have good (to insane) modulative capabilities, and are around $150.

For warm and analog at a decent price, check out the EHX Memory Boy or Toy, and the MXR Carbon Copy. You could also look for an old Boss DM-2 or DM-3, although they usually go for over $200. There are also some analog-voiced digital delays out there, like the Disaster Transport and the Guyatone Tube Echo. Believe it or not, I actually like the sound of the analog simulation mode on the Boss DD-20.

actually i looked into both the carbon copy and the malekko 616. the problem with the 616 is that i know i'll end up falling for the "dark" version. and they're supposedly coming out with the 919. carbon copy on the other hand seemed pretty solid (mike sullivan from Russian Circles uses a carbon copy along with the Akai Headrush). my only thing is that if i can give my money to a smaller company rather than factory made products, i will do it in a heartbeat. however, i do realize that boutique delays are harder to come by than mass produced ones.

ms1012 wrote:actually i looked into both the carbon copy and the malekko 616. the problem with the 616 is that i know i'll end up falling for the "dark" version. and they're supposedly coming out with the 919. carbon copy on the other hand seemed pretty solid (mike sullivan from Russian Circles uses a carbon copy along with the Akai Headrush). my only thing is that if i can give my money to a smaller company rather than factory made products, i will do it in a heartbeat. however, i do realize that boutique delays are harder to come by than mass produced ones.

If you're looking for a smaller builder, you also might want to check out the Sunny Day Delay by Dr. Scientist, who is right here on this board.

PumpkinPieces did a demo video of it in the Dr. Scientist forum. Go check it out

bigchiefbc wrote:

ms1012 wrote:actually i looked into both the carbon copy and the malekko 616. the problem with the 616 is that i know i'll end up falling for the "dark" version. and they're supposedly coming out with the 919. carbon copy on the other hand seemed pretty solid (mike sullivan from Russian Circles uses a carbon copy along with the Akai Headrush). my only thing is that if i can give my money to a smaller company rather than factory made products, i will do it in a heartbeat. however, i do realize that boutique delays are harder to come by than mass produced ones.

If you're looking for a smaller builder, you also might want to check out the Sunny Day Delay by Dr. Scientist, who is right here on this board.

PumpkinPieces did a demo video of it in the Dr. Scientist forum. Go check it out

I've seen it. very dark sounding, and i really liked it, but the price tag is up there. not as ridiculous as the deep blue delay, but it's up there.
I really like the Lunar Echo from DMB pedals. sounds great, but it's $260, and the website says they're backordered for 2-3 months, which kind of kills it for me.

Yeah man, the Sunny Day Delay is a pretty damn good sounding delay. Sure, it's not analog, but it works amazingly well with other pedals (handles dirt like a champ) and has its own controllable faux-chorus in it.

However, one thing that I've heard from numerous people at ATPR is that the Akai Headrush is a must-have for delay of any kind. Plus, its looping capabilities are extremely helpful.

If you don't mind digital delay, a Boss DD-7 with an external tap works wonders for many situations. Or if you want analog delay on the cheepz, check out the EHX Memory Toy.

All that being said, I really want a 616

hey I have rocked the ibanez de-7 since day one in my band, and I guess we play what is considered post-rock . can't beat the price on the de-7... but my heart is set on getting a sunny day delay

ms1012 wrote:actually i looked into both the carbon copy and the malekko 616.

I've owned a Carbon Copy (liked it but sold it), bought a used large chassis Deluxe Memory Man (love it) and recently impulse bought a red Malekko 616 (LOVE LOVE LOVE IT). The 616 sounds so good. Tested against the DMM it sounds so rich and lush and the DMM sounds a little.... tinny in comparison (and don't get me wrong, the DMM still sounds pretty amazing). They're both AWESOME pedals but one is small, costs 159 dollars and is more versatile, the other is freakishly large (I commute via subway with a pedalboard once a week and it's a fucking giant pain in my arse and will cost at least 275 via craigslist. Plus in the older version the switches eventually turn to dust and need to be replaced at a cost of 30 dollars or so from your amp tech.

When I bought the 616 I was a little bummed that the 919 was coming but this pedal is so great I don't think it will be needed. I've never been happier with a pedal at that price point. When playing it I feel like this:

RossCanyonsofstatic wrote:hey I have rocked the ibanez de-7 since day one in my band, and I guess we play what is considered post-rock . can't beat the price on the de-7... but my heart is set on getting a sunny day delay

i hear ya man, i hate calling it "post rock", but people feel the need to put everything into categories, so i was forced to use it as my example . I've seen the Ibanez pedal, but i've had some not so good luck with Ibanez in the past. At this point, my heart is set on either the sunny day delay, freakshow digilog, malekko 616, and I may even throw the EQD Disaster Transport in this list once i hear some better demos.