I’m looking for an interesting/playable delay, that’s a bit dirty. I want to make some kind of industrial/doom music with it, so delay with built in distortion and high feedback is nice.
I had a Lyra 8 and really liked the delay section. I’m considering getting a Lyra 8 FX module, but since I don’t have any other eurorack modules I would need a case &PSU,too.
The zen delay looks really good, does have distortion and a additional filter. It’s also stereo, which is nice, but not a must have.
What’s your opinion? What’s better suited? Ate there other options I should look at?
No such thing as better, opinion is subjective. For cheap and cheerful the Korg Monotron Delay is hard to beat though it’s mono in/out.
2 Likes
Did you consider getting an analog delay with an fx loop ? Like electro harmonix ?
And you can put anything in the loop to get any level of grrrr 
1 Like
I really, really, like my zen… but it’s a little noisy (esp. in highpass mode), hands only modulation, and does some phase shifting depending on settings and what you send it. None of those are deal breakers in my case.
In the mix, turning knobs, there is nothing like it.
3 Likes
Eventide Rose!
2 Likes
Really want to see demos of the Rose used with drum machines, yet to see anything.
1 Like
This essentially describes the Zen. As far as I can tell, this is the entire reason it exists.
This is kind of how I thought about it, as a nice to have. But that filter is so good. The #1 reason the Zen never leaves my chain is that regardless of what I’m doing with the delay or the drive, I always end up wanting that filter for something.
Just keep in mind that it’s literally “hands on”. No automation via MIDI (though it will sync delay to clock). Gotta use your fingers.
3 Likes
I went for Strega as more or less my fx unit with zen delay as my backup plan if I didn’t like Strega. Luckily I like strega as FX a lot. I think it is technically 3 slightly out of sync PT delays that feed into each other in various ways with a filter on the end of it and some way to leak sounds around the filter with absorb settings (not really sure how this works). Like the zen delay you tune time in by hand but I think the sort of cluster of delays makes this a bit more forgiving. Added bonus you can ringmod the oscillator with your input and pull out some really nice sounds that way too. Looping envelope is useful also and touch plates can be fun.
3 Likes
I’ll make it happen for you, sauna and wine with friends tonight but tomorrow morning maybe I will have a little time to record! How about nanoloop FM drums through it? Or would you like volca sample, or a pocket operator, or the Digitakt? I have so many delays and the Rose sounds better than all of them.
Couldn’t find any good demos tbh. But heard a lot of good things about it. Maybe I’ll have to check it again
I’ve tried the DOD Rubberneck, but couldn’t really make good use of it.
Will check that out
That’s totally fine, just like my vermona perfourmer. It’s an instrument…
Saw a lot of demos and had the 0coast before. Do t know, i think I’m not smart enough for the make noise stuff… it’s all really cryptic and hard to understand for me. Had no fun playing with 0 coast
Thanks all
No love for the Lyra 8 FX?
1 Like
I bet Lyra 8 FX are fun, to me not having a any filter or EQ for cutting frequencies mean I would probably need to pair it with some more gear to get what I like, perhaps a slightly bigger euro fx rig with filtering also. I would say also maybe take a look at the Bugbrand PT delay it has a high and low cut EQ built in to the feedback loop and you can still add other elements into the feedback loop easily if you want. Not sure if the Bugbrands drive will be enough for what you want or not though.
*I suppose it depends if you are planning to send it 1 signal or like a full drum machine, I generally like to send big masses of sound into my delay units so having a way to shape the feedback loop is really key in my mind, cut most of the kick and hihats out but have a little there so elements of them become part of the ambience but not a dominant part of the delay.
1 Like
A couple of old ones. There maybe be better ones, but here are a couple of fun ones I remember.
1 Like
I adore the Lyra-8 FX - it sits right next to a Random*Source Serge Resonant Equalizer. The two of them together are absolutely insane, especially with feedback. I did a performance in October with large sections built off these two modules in a feedback loop using an Optomix to control and mix the feedback path.
I also have an Eventide Rose! It’s much cleaner than the Lyra but it’s a ton of fun. Sounds great on drums; I use it on snares and claps from a Vermona DRM1. It also works really well on vocals IMO.
2 Likes
Extremely intelligent people tend to use two monotron delays for stereo fun. Have I mentioned that I use two monotron delays for stereo fun?
4 Likes
I was searching for this for a minute too
You might look at the strymon volante and enjoy elevtronics’ reminder
My search ended with the analog 4
It’s nice having macros
But I’ve been thinking about getting the lyra8fx for a while…. Especially now that is in black….
I don’t think you should think that you’re not smart enough for it. There is a certain amount of calculated obfuscation on their part, and I think they are trying for some sort of mystique. It’s an aesthetic, but not one that appeals to me (as someone who has spent a lifetime trying to make things clearer to people). The 0-coast is not terrible in this respect (though the leftmost 3cm or so are a hot mess). I’ve never used Strega, but I’ve watched demos and read through topic threads, and it seems to me that if you didn’t like the 0-coast, you should stay away from Strega.
I haven’t used the Zen Delay, either, but I’ve been intrigued by it. I really like the Polivoks-inspired filter on the DB-01, which is probably quite similar. But there are a few odd things about it. I know Stimmung gets kicked around on this site a lot, but maybe watch his review of the Zen Delay.
I wonder if a cleaner but playable delay and a separate distortion unit would make sense for you? Analog Heat perhaps?
I can say as a person she has used a Rose together with an AH that’s it’s an excessively fun playable combination but not exactly a cheap one I suppose…
1 Like
The benidub digital echo. It does proper dub delays where the zen delay does not
Is that because of the placement of the filter in the signal path? As far as I can tell, the filter on the Zen does not feed back into the delay, is that correct?
Just to throw another device for consideration in there: Jomox T-Resonator might be worth a look too. Wild stereo filtered delays with a handful of different algorithms for variation.
It’s most fun in that zone in and around chaotic self-oscillation: definitely benefits from a limiter/compressor, potential speaker system destroyer 
1 Like