Good Digital Delay?

[CanneryKid]

Hey, can anyone make a recommendation for a good Digital Delay Pedal?

[Chase TM]

What are you looking for in a pedal? Tap function, versatility, size etc? Here's my experience with the three that I've used a lot.

Line 6 DL4: lots of options, little or no hiss, but prone to breaking down
Boss dd20: lots of really cool sounds, full control of modulation, repeats subdivide at any musical value, but can be noisy, and switching through presets is harder than DL4
Boss DD7/DD6: great compact pedal, little or no digital hiss, but control over effect is less in comparison to DD20
TC Electronic Nova Delay: Great pedal, able to use 2 different delays at once, even better control over the sound than boss/line 6, lots of *usable* settings, only reason I don't have it is cause I couldn't afford it at the time, but I am planning on getting the nova reverb soon.

I also really like the MXR carbon copy, but that is an analog pedal. Still, ask yourself whether you really need the features of a digital pedal or not. Currently I use the DD7 on my bigger board, and the mxr on a smaller board I bring to jazz gigs

Here are some other pedals that I've tried and like but haven't owned:

Digitech hardwire series, Eventide Timefactor, Sunny day delay by dr scientist, TC Electronic nova repeater (simpler version of the nova delay), eventide time factor, line 6 echo park etc...

If you want simple go for either the dd3 or dd7. They are very rugged and hold up well. If you want U2esque tones with modulation, check out either the DD20, the nova repeater, or especially the timefactor. If you want a good all around, easy to use pedal check out the DL4.

If you really don't care about tap tempo, and want a slightly modulated sound (think Kurt Rosenwinkel) check out the sunny day delay, or the mxr carbon copy.

Let me know what sounds you're going for and perhaps I can help a little better.

[CanneryKid]

Thanks heaps for the suggestions......

Generally I go analog whenever I can I think they're a little less clinical and a bit more unpredictable tonally, but in saying that I love the options that a lot of digital pedals offer. I do love BOSS pedals in general but of late I've been just trying a lot of names I wasn't as familiar with, like MXR and Death by Audio. I think I'm just a stomp box fiend haha.

That Sunny Day Delay sounds sweet, DR Scientists pedals look cool too ^_^.

[Chase TM]

If you like the simplicity of analog pedals, but you absolutely needed some of the features of digital pedals, or even that distinct digital delay sound, I would recommend either the DD3 or DD7 depending on your needs, but that's just my $0.02

[silentechoes]

I run two delays at all times. The Carbon Copy covers all of my analog needs, but for digital modeling I run a Nova Repeater and I love it. Just the right balance of price, functionality, and reliability. My only complaint is the size as it is pretty big.

[zombiwoof]

The older Ibanez Digital Delays are nice because they sound a little more analog than most digital delays, the delays are warmer. I have a DL-10, but there are a few different versions in the "L" series and the 10 series, some have more functions and longer delay times than the others. I got mine in almost mint condition for around $65 as I recall on Ebay. They're nice if you want the longer delay times of digital, but prefer the warmer delay sound of analog.

Al

[davidchagrin]

Rocktron Short Timer.
Love it.

[Twangasaurus]

I like me crazy sounds and fancy features so my hands down favorite is the Empress Superdelay, I just wish that they had the modulation on a pot instead of a switch. The Strymon Brigadier is also very nice for a digital analog voiced delay. It doesn't have the modes of the Empress but it sounds really sweet and has something near 5 seconds of delay time. Ridiculous.
You need to have deep pockets for both of these but if you going to use it often then I think its well worth it.

[Enot]

TC Electronic Flashback delay is a good one too.

[Rusrant]

Vox Time machine here. Has tap tempo, 5 seconds of delay time, modulation/analog sim when needed. Has a cool EQ setting that makes the delay sit really well with a distorted guitar. All in a simple package.

[nic'o'caster]

T-Rex Replica
Strymon El Capistan / Bigadier / Timeline
TC Electronic Flashback
Vox Time machine
Guyatone MD3
are among the bests digital delays. Lots of other choices too...

[franchelB]

Digitech Digidelay.

[CAAD8N8]

Boss DD5. I can't believe someone hasn't alrea:dy said it!

[Del Pickup]

What about the Boss DD2?

If you can find an older MIJ model somewhere they're said to give some very analog type tones. I've had one for many years and think it's very good. Having said that I've never compared it side by side with any other delay pedals.

But maybe that means that it's always done the job I ask of it and never let me down.

I've changed every other pedal on my board several times over!!

[jefrs]

Carl Martin Red Repeat

Has an "organic" feel to it, no pops of hard edges to the repeat sound. Set just-so I've found it is sensitive to playing dynamics. Play softly and the echo is very small, dig in and you get a loud slap-back.

[Stratelcaster]

the Line 6 M5 has lots of options for delays and all sorts of other things. I have the M9, and if i was going to go overboard on the delay thing, multi--delays or U2 type of stuff i would use this.

[MarvinSmithers]

I have Malekko 616, T-Rex Replica and Eventide Timefactor.
All from the different league.

Malekko 616 is very warm sounding bucket-brigade analog delay with optional modulation. Some of the best delay sounds I have ever heard.

T-Rex Replica is a great sounding one too, altough not quite as natural, as Malekko. The only digital part of it is the part which delays the signal and it has very high res ADA conversion. All the tone, level etc controls are analog. Therefore it sounds pretty natural and warm. Great for plug-and-play type of guys.

Eventide Timefactor is a DSP and sounds like one - the coldest of the three. Like a rack unit fitted for pedalboard use. It has ton of sounds and can do stuff like The Edge etc. MultiTap can also do some great reverb. factory presets are OK, but you need some time and learning to make it sound your own.

All of these three sound great, but are very different. The Malekko on it's own sounds very great and warm, but in mix it get's too midrangey and starts to compete with the original signal. T-Rex Replica without brown switch is a bit brighter and therefore fits the mix better. But still, I use the Timefactor most of all for it's ability to go from old tape sounds to 80's chorused delays, also do some reverb, go huge in stereo, use in rack or studio... and sounds great in the band mix. Just the perfect one for me.

[TylerHier]

I use the M13, best delays I've EVER heard.

[gitold]

Line 6 echo park. Most of the sounds of the DL4 but pedal board sized. I've had mine for a few years with no problems. Great tap tempo.

[timmins]

Originally Posted by gitold

Line 6 echo park. Most of the sounds of the DL4 but pedal board sized. I've had mine for a few years with no problems. Great tap tempo.

I have the same pedal, but barely use it. I found it to be incredibly noisy, even when using high quality power supplies.