Delay

Guitar Delay Pedals

Discover the mesmerizing world of echo and repetition with our premium selection of guitar delay pedals. Whether you’re looking to add depth to your solos, create atmospheric textures, or craft intricate rhythmic patterns, our range of delay pedals offers the perfect tool to elevate your sound. From vintage-inspired analog warmth to pristine digital precision, we’ve curated a collection that caters to every style and budget.

Types of Delay Pedals

There are two main types of guitar delay pedals: analog and digital. Analog delay pedals use analog circuitry to create the delay effect, and they tend to have a warmer, more organic sound. Digital delay pedals use digital processing to create the delay effect, and they tend to have a more precise and defined sound.

Analog delay pedals typically use bucket-brigade devices (BBDs), which pass the signal through a series of capacitors, creating a natural degradation of the signal with each repeat. This results in a characteristic warmth and slight distortion that many players find pleasing, especially for vintage-style tones. However, analog delays often have shorter maximum delay times and fewer features compared to their digital counterparts.

Digital delay pedals, on the other hand, convert the guitar signal to digital information, process it, and convert it back to analog. This allows for crystal-clear repeats, even with very long delay times. Digital pedals often offer additional features like tap tempo, multiple delay types (including emulations of analog delays), stereo output, and the ability to save presets. Some advanced digital delay pedals even incorporate looping functions or allow for external control via MIDI.
In recent years, hybrid pedals have also emerged, combining analog and digital technologies to offer the best of both worlds. These pedals aim to provide the warmth of analog circuits with the precision and flexibility of digital control.

Be sure to read our Delay Pedal Ultimate Buying Guide for those who want to learn more about delay effect pedals.

Delay Length

One of the main features of a guitar delay pedal is the ability to adjust the length of the delay. This is typically done using a control called the “time” or “delay time” control, which allows the user to adjust the interval between the original sound and the delayed repetitions. Some delay pedals also offer a “feedback” control, which determines how many repetitions of the delay are created.

Delay times can range from a few milliseconds to several seconds, depending on the pedal. Short delay times (around 20-120ms) create a doubling or slapback effect, often used in rockabilly and country music. Medium delay times (120-300ms) can add depth and dimension to a guitar part without being too obvious. Longer delay times (300ms and above) produce more distinct echoes, useful for creating rhythmic patterns or ambient textures.

Many modern delay pedals offer a tap tempo function, allowing players to synchronize the delay time with the tempo of the music by tapping a footswitch. Some advanced units even provide subdivision options, letting you set the delay to quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted eighth notes, or other rhythmic values.
The feedback control, sometimes labeled as “repeats” or “regeneration,” determines how long the delay effect persists. Lower feedback settings produce fewer repeats, while higher settings can create long, cascading echoes. Some pedals offer an infinite or “runaway” feedback option, where the delays continue indefinitely, allowing for ambient soundscapes or experimental effects.

Delay Time

Another important feature of a guitar delay pedal is the “tap tempo” function, which allows the user to set the delay time by tapping a footswitch in time with the music. This can be especially useful for live performances, as it allows the player to match the delay time to the tempo of the song.

Tap tempo functionality has become increasingly common in modern delay pedals, offering players greater flexibility and precision in real-time. Most pedals with this feature have a dedicated tap tempo footswitch, though some compact units may combine this function with other controls. The tap tempo is typically set by tapping the footswitch at least twice to establish the rhythm.

Many advanced delay pedals offer additional options to fine-tune the tap tempo:

• Subdivisions: Players can choose different note values for the delay, such as quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted eighth notes, or triplets, allowing for more rhythmic variety.
• Averaging: Some pedals average multiple taps to increase accuracy, especially useful in live situations where precise tapping might be challenging.
• MIDI sync: Higher-end units often allow synchronization with external MIDI clock sources, ensuring perfect timing with drum machines, sequencers, or other time-based effects.
• Tap tempo indicator: Many pedals feature an LED that flashes in time with the current delay setting, providing a visual reference.
• Global tap tempo: Some multi-effects units or pedalboard controllers offer a master tap tempo that can control multiple time-based effects simultaneously.

For players who prefer not to use tap tempo, many digital delay pedals also offer precise numerical displays or allow delay times to be set in milliseconds or beats per minute (BPM). This precision can be particularly useful in studio settings or for recreating specific sounds. The ability to quickly and accurately adjust delay times on the fly has made tap tempo an essential feature for many guitarists, especially those who use rhythmic delay effects as a core part of their sound.

Other Features

Some guitar delay pedals also offer additional features such as modulation, which adds a vibrato or chorus effect to the delayed sound. Others offer a “hold” function, which allows the user to capture a short phrase or loop of sound and repeat it indefinitely.

Tips For Selecting a Delay Pedal

Selecting the right delay pedal can significantly impact your sound and playing experience. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a delay pedal:

1. Primary genre and playing style: Consider the type of music you play most often. If you’re into ambient or experimental music, you might prefer a pedal with longer delay times and more complex features. For rock or pop, a simpler pedal with good slapback and medium delay settings might suffice.
2. Analog vs. digital: Decide whether you prefer the warm, slightly degraded sound of analog delays or the crisp, clear repeats of digital units. Some digital pedals offer convincing analog emulations, giving you the best of both worlds.
3. Additional features: Assess your need for extra functionalities. Do you require presets for quick switching between sounds? Is a looper function important? Do you need stereo outputs or MIDI compatibility? Make a list of must-have features.
4. Pedalboard space and power: Consider the physical size of the pedal and how it will fit on your pedalboard. Also, check its power requirements – some high-end digital units may need specific power supplies.
5. Budget: Delay pedals range from budget-friendly to high-end boutique units. Determine your budget and look for the best option within that range.
6. Ease of use: If you prefer a plug-and-play experience, look for pedals with intuitive controls. If you enjoy deep editing, consider more complex units with multiple parameters.
7. Build quality: For gigging musicians, ruggedness is crucial. Look for pedals with sturdy construction and reliable switches.
8. Versatility: Some players prefer specialized pedals that excel at one type of delay, while others opt for multi-mode pedals that offer various delay types in one unit.
9. Sound quality: Listen to demos or try pedals in person if possible. Pay attention to how the dry signal is affected and whether the delayed signal maintains clarity.
10. Future needs: Consider not just your current playing style, but also where you see your music heading. A more feature-rich pedal might serve you well as your needs evolve.

Remember, the best delay pedal is ultimately the one that inspires you to play and helps you achieve the sounds you hear in your head. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different options before making your final decision.