Are you looking to bring your sound to life with some Delay tricks? Delay pedals offer unique and interesting possibilities when it comes to that, while refreshing your sound, naturally enrich it.
Any guitarist is always accompanied by a variety of pedals for the effects, and the delay pedal is one of them. Indeed, the quest for intensity in the echo and the control of the repetition of notes led to the addition of this tool among the paraphernalia of the musician. Whether you’re a beginner or professional, using a delay will allow you to mimic the sound your idols perform, and even, you’ll be able to invent or simply enjoy the sound benefits of this material. Of course, you would have to buy to use it and to cross this course, the choice is inevitable, given the number of models available.
Notably, the Boss DD-7 will make it easy for you, with its dual display for efficient accuracy.
Feel free to compare all the features offered by our pedals, make your choice according to what you want, whether you like the simplest or most advanced controls, modification options, time variations: we have it all covered.
How to choose a good pedal delay?
For you to get the best pedal delay for guitar effects, nothing should be played at random. Indeed, there are criteria of reference for you to be fixed: the comfort, the solidity and the security, the functionalities. Therefore, the comparison should not be approached from the beginning to avoid any mistakes. In addition, this shopping guide for the best delay pedals will be your springboard for you to acquire quality material corresponding to your needs and your budget.
Comfort
Being comfortable with a tool is ideal, to get the best performance, hence the importance of this criterion on which delay pedal to choose. So, it is important to stick to a simple model, and easy to use without much artifice for beginners. On the other hand, size and weight are factors that should not be neglected so that the transport of the material is not a problem. Nevertheless, the technology keeps reducing the size of the devices, and that’s what works in your favor. Also, a cheap model is available for those who adopt parsimony, however, it is wiser to opt for the best brand of pedal delay.
Solidity and security
The robustness of the device must be checked before asking: how to choose the best delay pedals? Indeed, accidents happen without warning, and it could be that the devices are victims including the pedal delay. In addition, all guitar pedals are almost engaged with a knob or a potentiometer, and they can be damaged in a violent shock. To avoid the evils, as much compare, and opt for a model resistant to the shock, as well at the level of the buttons as that of all the material. Normally, you will need to find more detail in the price comparison.
Functionalities
The search for more sensation is the essence of artistic creation, and it is nonetheless for a guitarist. And to know how to buy a pedal delay better value for money, knowledge of multiple options would be an asset. In this case, you will need to choose more advanced models, with more effects, and therefore a fairly large number of settings. Indeed, from a simple pedal of 3 potentiometers to a professional pedal of 6 settings, the difference in the output of the sound is felt, and it is the same for the price. Only then will you find where to buy the best delay pedal.
Our opinion on the best Delay pedals
Do you want to acquire a Delay pedal, but the choice is difficult? Here are some models, carefully chosen for their performance, but especially for their price among those on the market. You will not wonder anymore, what is the best Delay pedal on the market.
Joyo D-Seed II Multi-Delay and Looper
Joyo’s D-Seed is a spectacular pedal wherever you look. What makes it spectacular? This delay pedal is built like a tank, it comes with controls that give you a lot of play to work, and all this at a very reasonable price. Not only can the delay effect be configured within the standard parameters, but this stompbox comes with features such as Tap Tempo and multiple channels.
In addition to that, you can also connect it to an expression pedal and control the delay. Compared to other pedals of this type, the Joyo D-Seed is a very strong competitor. Apart from its hardware solutions and design features, this delay offers one of the most refined effects you can find. At least in this price range.
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TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay Guitar Pedal
This is another of the best Delay pedals for guitar effects. If there is a brand that I like all of its digital effects pedals, it is TC Electronics. Nova Delay is a testament to how much this company likes to innovate and how many controls and parameters a single effect can have. Its design reflects the early era of digital effects pedals, with its old-school red screen and LED indicators. In terms of controls, there are so many options that you can easily get lost and confused. However, someone who wants to have full mastery over every aspect of their tone will find that the TC Electronic Nova Delay pedal is a dream come true.
The tone is also great, which is the most important. It is consistent, colorful and quite organic for a digital circuit. This pedal is on the most expensive side, but in the end, you get the value of your money and something else. If you are looking for a delay pedal that can keep up, here it is.
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Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Pedals for Guitar Effects
A great thing about Boss is that you can always count on the professional performance and quality of their products. It is as if they had a specific policy to which they adhere each time they need to design a new pedal, which may not be very exciting, but guarantees quality. Boss DD-7 is the culmination of all previous Boss delay poles. They have taken everything well and mixed it with some new features.
That is why DD-7 is essential. On top of that, you get a wide range of delay modes, including analog and vintage. The whole pedal works like a Swiss watch, giving you the kind of quality you expect. This model is a perfect mid-range solution, capable of satisfying the widest spectrum of applications. Once again, Boss discovered the optimal point and made the most of it.
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EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run
This is another of the best Delay pedals for guitar effects. It is a two-in-one model, it is not only a delay pedal, but also a street lamp pedal. It uses a powerful DSP platform, which allows you to recreate the interesting features of the older delay and reverb machines. Easy to handle, it offers a higher level of floating ambient tones. With a delay time of two seconds, it allows you to direct the mix, the delay time and the repetitions. Not to mention the direction of the voice possible, thanks to the existing tone control and the control of the duration of the reverb.
Three different modes are available with this pedal including normal mode, reverse mode and swell mode. For the first mode, it works just like ordinary pedals. In reverse mode, there is an inverse of the delay line, while the reverb remains as it normally is. And finally, the last mode adds or decreases the volume. The six controls are simply accessible with the EXP selector on the expression plug, while the six reports are accessible with the Ratio selector.
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MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay Pedals
The MXR M169 Carbon Copy is one of the most elegant delay pedals that exist. They have managed to package a very capable and authentic analog delay effect on a simple but extremely versatile pedal. The pedal is very minimalist, something that MXR is known for. In fact, there are pedals in their price range that have many more features, but M169 brings that premium analog tone quality.
With all new and improved pedal switches, you can count on consistent and reliable performance. M169 is capable of delivering up to 600 milliseconds of delay that can be easily configured with the available controls. Carbon Copy is a tool for those who know exactly what they want.
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Behringer VD400 Vintage Analog
This is another of the best Delay pedals for guitar effects. When Behringer intends to design an effects pedal, its main objective is almost always efficiency at a low price. Behringer Vintage Delay VD400 is one of the best delay pedals you can buy with a low budget. More importantly, it is an analog unit, so you get an old-school delay. When you see it for the first time, you realize how simple and easy it is to use.
After all, ease of use is a way to compensate for the lack of advanced features. The range of delay to which you have access with this pedal is decent, but quite surprising if you consider the price. Those who need a good delay but cannot afford to invest large amounts of money in more sophisticated models will find a good solution with this Behringer.
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TC Electronic Flashback X4 Guitar Delay Effects Pedal
Give TC Electronics the task of building an effects pedal that benefits from digital technology, and they go crazy. This company is capable of manufacturing real jewelry. Flashback X4 is a powerful delay modeling pedal. This pedal comes with 16 types of delay, but it also brings much, much more. Do you need a loop? No problem, you have 40 seconds.
There are three presets and a lot of tone-setting options. If that is not enough, there is always the TC Electronics tone printing technology to take things to the next level. With this patented technology, you can develop your own delay effects using the software. When you’ve done something you like, just put it on your pedal and you’re done.
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Donner Yellow Fall Vintage Pure Analog Guitar Effects
You have 3 controls to play: ECHO that controls the wet/dry mix; TIME allows to select delays of 20-620ms and FEEDBACK for the duration of the repetitions. Unfortunately, the Echo and Feedback knobs are too small to be manipulated with your feet while the guitar is being played. This pedal is marketed as “True Bypass”, which means you should not color your signal when it is inactive. Despite this statement, some users reported some coloration, which we could not detect ourselves. There are some pedals that are truly transparent True Bypass, but for this price, you cannot expect perfection.
Some guitarists comment that this is not a true analog delay pedal, but rather a digital recreation. Even so, he has made some comparisons with the analog tone of the MXR Carbon Copy, which is a great compliment considering that 4 of these can be purchased for the price of one of them! Whether analog or not, it tends to sound darker than most digital delays, and the repetitions are prone to artifacts of harmonic distortion, which means that Donner did a very good job with the sound.
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Source Audio SA260 Nemesis Guitar Delay Effects Pedal
This is another of the best Delay pedals for guitar effects. Very classic black, this is the first model with 24 basic engines. The power cable, as well as all other cables such as USB, useful for the use of this device, are provided at the time of purchase. In addition, it is very economical by requiring only 9 V of voltage. The USB port is useful for connecting the pedal with other devices besides your instrument, such as a Mac or a Windows system computer. Indeed, it must be connected with these, from time to time, to update the effects or the software.
Made by Source with ultra-strong aluminum as the main material, it is a very durable device with a brushed aluminum finish. The pedal comes as a stereo and MIDI digital delay with 12 digital preset delays that can be up to 24 types and eight presets. Reverbs can be improved using the Neuro Editor software. Various controls control the delay time, the relative level of the input signal and the processed signal, and the number of wet signals fed back into the delay effect.
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Line 6 DL4 Stompbox Delay Modeler
The 6 DL4 Line is not just a simple delay pedal, it’s a real delay workstation! The pedal comes in an immediately recognizable green metal chassis, it is very solid and durable. It looks like an old multi-fx processor and comes with 18 factory presets built around 15 digital delay simulations in a simple stompbox! As you may have guessed, the Line 6 DL4 offers a wide variety of tonal options. You can get anything from a clear delay to a vintage tube delay. Simulations include vintage delays, such as the EP-1 Tube Echoplex, EP-3 Echoplex solid-state, Space Echo, Deluxe Memory Man and much more.
The loop sampler has 14 seconds of memory and has an 800ms pre-delay. The funny thing is that you can do a lot of things after recording a loop. All the sounds that come out of this pedal are totally professional, and suitable for both studio and live use. The DL4 can also work with an expression pedal. It is also possible to store 3 presets – they may not seem like many, but they are sufficient in my opinion. After all, how many different delay settings will you use regularly?
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How to use a delay pedal?
Buying a delay pedal means that you know how to use it. Indeed, it could be that the professional succeed the first time, but for beginners, the advice is first orders. And you will, of course, be served in this article.
The installation
The start of a delay pedal must essentially go through a power source; and depending on the model, it could be by sector or by the battery. Then you will connect the pedal in the circuit between the guitar and the amp. Attention, there are other effects pedals except for the delay, which you must take into account. Indeed, there is a certain order to be respected in the connection of these tools, and in the classic style, the delay pedal is placed near the exit.
Adjustment
The existence of various models of the delay pedal implies that there are also different possible parameters. Yes, from the simplest model to the most complex of 6 potentiometers, you can work the settings to obtain a special sound corresponding to your expectations. For a beginner in the field, it is always better to put the levels in the middle so you can better edit afterward. If necessary, consult the instructions accompanying the equipment.
Maintenance and precautions
Any music device must be maintained to benefit from the best sound performance. Indeed, it is necessary to remove the dust which is piled up around the buttons and on the entry-exit of cables. Moreover, the transport can damage the potentiometers, and you put an additional repair bill. Therefore, be sure to protect them in cardboard boxes or in an appropriate box, before packing your equipment. In addition, avoid contact with water to prevent a possible short circuit.
Conclusion
This is our list of delay pedals that we wanted to include, some intuitive and easy-to-use pedals for beginners, and some more professional and versatile. If you do not decide on one of these, do not hesitate to check back here, we will update this list with more pedals that suit all tastes.
Instead of Delay pedals for guitar effects, are you looking for other types of effects? Don’t worry. We also have covered them to help you. We already have tested and selected the top Distortion, Fuzz, and Overdrive pedal effects. More will come soon. And please don’t forget to do us a favor. Do share this article with your friends and family. Thank you.