What delay pedals are you all currently using with Synths and why? I’m in the market for a delay to pair with a DX7 and torn between a Strymon Brigader and Volante. Both diff styles of delay, but fan of both sounds.
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Keep your eyes open for a used TimeFactor. I see them going for $250-$300 all the time. Great delay, nice tape model.
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Timefactor also has a looper and afair the looper has midi sync.
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boss dd7
Boss re20 and Erica synths zendelay. Both are quite lovely soundwise and the zendelay is just so much fun to use.
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OTO Bim
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I second the BIM. The BAM sounds great on synths too 
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I love delays and have a few including eventide h9 max, zen delay, re-20, polymoon, etc… but if I could only keep one it would 100% be the zen delay.
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Is this true?
Source Audio Nemesis. I’ve owned the Volante. Sounds amazing but not quite as versatile as the Nemesis in my opinion. Also, don’t sleep on the good ole’ Carbon Copy, it’s honestly my favorite delay pedal. Simple yet effective. Here’s an example of OB6 and Volante, unedited… just some noodling but hopefully it will help you make a decision.
Ha! I was also gonna suggest the carbon copy!
Ive got the re-20 and the volante, both sound really nice and can get some really cool sounds.
However, if you dont need the bells and whistles, the carbon copy is the best sounding/performing delay ever built
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I like the Eventide H9 (it does a lot more than just delay). Sounds incredible too.
Polyeffects Digit/Bebo etc. because you can build your own.
Absolutely love the Red Panda Particle, because it can be tame, crazy or just plain glitchy. (Sound not function…)
Merris Polymoon is nice for good clean delay, but can get a little out there.
For something clean, solid, and normal, the Strymon Timeline.
I also liked the TC Flashback X4, but never dug into it properly. Sounded nice though.
Really though, the ones where you can set up your own signal chain are my favorite. Like the Polyeffects Digit. The Zoia is probably great too, but I loved the screen, and modular approach of the digit. You can place filters inline, reverbs, etc. and cone up with really nice sounding delay/atmosphere.
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El Capistan <3
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I’ll probably end up with an H9 as the result of a trade, or a big sale. But I wouldn’t trade the knobs on my TimeFactor and Space for an H9 for any (plausible) amount of money.
For me, a big part of what I love about the TF’s tape delay is the way the knobs rubber-band. I know it’s digital, but it feels very analog.
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There is definitely something to be said for having the knobs on the device. I didn’t mind having the H9 plugged into the nearby computer, but I’d much rather have all the control in the box itself. Knobs are number one for me too, but I did like the touch screen on the Digit for setting up nice signal chains.
On a related note, the Particle V2, while REALLY cool, could do with a larger enclosure and more knobs. It had too many secondary and combine functions for my liking. It wasn’t too bad, but it would be way better in the large Strymon style form factor.
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I have a Line6 M5 pedal that has 19 delay(+ others) models, pedal/CV in and it latches knob movement to tempo W/ a dedicated tap tempo switch. The M5 is like $80 used. After years of buy/sell I still have it…
On the other end of the spectrum I use a Walrus Audio Bellwether Delay, ad copy = “The Bellwether is a bucket brigade delay pedal with tap tempo. Offering analog circuity and up to 1000ms of lush delays, the Bellwether ushers in a rich soundscape of long and short trails. It can achieve the warm saturated sounds found in delays like the Maxon AD999 and the coveted Boss DM-2. Inversely, the repeats can also be brightened up with the tone control for more pronounced rhythmic delays.”
Anyway I like this pedal for it’s ability to sweep through time ratios without the echoing “UFO” effect. IF I remember correctly, Izotope’s DDLY will UFO obsessively if you are wondering what I mean by that. The bellwether also has a tap/CV in, exp in and fx loop.
I’m sure that getting a sick delay is as good, if not better, than getting an epic reverb.
the Volante sounds amazing, especially the Sound on Sound looping. The loop degrades in a beautiful way as it disappears (or you can keep it looping infinitely at any point in the degradation), and you can flip the switch to double or halve the speed and pitch of the loop while adding more overdubs. I know that doesn’t sound too groundbreaking or anything, but the way it pulls it off and the quality of the sound is just so much more pleasing to the ear than other pedals
not to mention you get a nice gritty tape echo and a spring reverb in one pedal
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As usual you will soon have recommendations for all the delay pedals known to man. I suggest you be more specific with what features and sound characteristics you need.
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