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I've been going through 3-4 delays a year. I just havnt found one that sounds quite as...idk...organic? As I'd like. I'm needing something suitable for guitar, synth/keys and drum machines. Maybe vocals? I'm thinking I may need to just get a timeline.

How is the looper on the timeline?

The Timeline to me sounds anything but organic. It sounds cold and mechanical IMO.

Now the Boss DD 500 sounds way better and is cheaper and has a looper.

Nemesis?

if you're looking for versatility..I don't think it gets better than the DD-500. kicked my other delays off the board

I use synths and tabletop instruments, so it's a bit trickier to find delays that complement keyboards. Of course if you're using electric pianos with a sharper, more percussive attack, you can use really any delay.

In terms of versatility, I'd say the Nemesis is one of the best options. I think you could do lots of interesting things with that. I have over 20 delays, and I'm struggling to pick my next one. The Nemesis is the most powerful utility delay, but I find myself coveting the Boonar (based on the Binson Echorec). I've always been obsessed with those cascading repeats from multi-head echo machines, so when I think about words like organic, ethereal, captivating---the Binson sound really is at the forefront of my associations. The Boonar isn't nearly as versatile as something like the Nemesis, Empress Superdelay, or Keeley ME-8, but it's got that haunting magical quality that I feel is just so much more seductive to the senses, than all the tape delay emulators and digital multi-fx.

Also, if you want to save some dough, there are many RE-20 users that swear by them. They're really popular amongst synth users. Of course if you're going to drop $249 on a brand new one, you might as well consider trying to get a Nemesis ($299) on a sale weekend.

jwar wrote:The Timeline to me sounds anything but organic. It sounds cold and mechanical IMO.

Now the Boss DD 500 sounds way better and is cheaper and has a looper.

I'd say exactly the opposite. I'm a sucker for the timeline

In terms of freakiness: Timebender

It does so much more than just delay though

I remember Omar from TMV talking about his dd-5 and how he and Jeremy uses it on everything with TMV.

For me, having gone through the bigger preset stuff (no timeline) and the simpliar stuff, I prefer the latter. I had the dd-5 a bunch of times but I'm working on rehousing one that will have two mode and two level controls.

I use a Hardwire DL-8 on keys. Very similar to a Boss DD with a few extras.

I like the El Cap a lot. Not the absolute most versatile but it's a good middle ground between power and simplicity. Plus you can't beat that sound on sound mode. Just wish it had more presets than just one.

If I had the money I'd get two but realistically I'd probably get an El Cap for the multi head kinda warbly stuff and the looper and then maybe an MF Delay for simpler delays.

A lot of truth in what neon said. It's actually quite versatile, plus looper functionality and just using it as a lofi warble filter. Plus it has the input level boost/control to handle all kinds of instruments

The Nemesis has my attention. 24 delay engines have to be somewhat versatile.

He DD-500 was good but I kept my Timeline and SDD-3000. Couldn't really find anything the boss had to offer that made me want to replace eithe of those delays. I did love the screen and the eq controls. The sounds out of the box were pretty disappointing. Had to dig deep in that menu to get something I liked out of it.

The Nemesis is the shit. I'll say that! BUT! I actually dig the Boss DD 500 more as a standard delay. The Nemesis does lots of weird shit that I love.

Don't discount the Timefactor either. I love the way those sound. I use it all the time and it has a looper. Well I have an H9 but it has the same functions.

I really like the Maxon delays in terms of that wonderful analog sound, so maybe check out something like the AD999. They don't have a ton of bells and whistles, but for sheer sound quality, they beat most stuff in my opinion.

I resisted the Timeline for a bit, then relented, only to sell it a few months later. To me they just sound too "produced" at best, cheesy at worst. The good thing is that if you decide to buy one, you can always sell it pretty quickly to a P&W dude