I tried searching and didn't find too much info and I trust you guys more than other sites. So what's the deal? Does it live up to its billing? Is it true bypass? Are there better units in that price range (Indyguitarist just came out with an analog delay recently, 650 ms) Yada yada Thanks!

I was going to ask the same question today...I heardit last night in an online demo and thought it sounded cool...but I'm also facinated by the freakshow f/x digilog , I know they are diff beasts but...

In all honesty, it's a pretty cool stomper. Here's my two cents: I like it for the price, but it's not a "be all, end all" box. If money is no object, get a Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay (which is digital, FYI). If you want an analog delay for under two hundred bucks, it pretty much rules. I personally think that the modulation feature is pretty useless, as it doesn't come close to matching a Memory Man, but that's just me. For another hundred bucks you should check out the Malekko delay http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/ which is a really kick ass analog unit with some cool features.

Me likey.
My friend has it on his board and I've heard it out front
and also personally while using it on his rig.

But like bigtop just said,
it is a little vanilla for sure.

If price, size, and simplicity are your priorities,
then it's a great little box.
Just don't expect it to be the end-all of delays.

I preferred the Retro-Sonic and the Freakshow F/X to it for tone and features.

Thaks guys. Vanilla is fine if you mean the features are ordinary. If the actual TONE is vanila, then what's the point? Can you vouch that the tone is real-deal analog & beats out most digital delays? Are there other delays in the price range that you know of? I'm a poor boy (pooor boy, I get no sympathy) and I always go for the cheapest but good-sounding gear possible. (Oh and is it really true bypass? That killed the Nova Delay for me)

I generally don't use delays (I've had 3 different ones, sold them all) but sometimes you just need that sound. A good description of what I want is the MoFaux vibe of analog delays: small, accurate enough, sounds great (not good but great).

quote:

it is a little vanilla for sure

it is a little vanilla for sure

Dude, EXACTLY. I couldn't have said it any better. And hey, sometimes you NEED vanilla, right? It's a nice alternative to say, a Boss DD-3 (or whatever their basic delay is) because it's really clean but has some character to it. I use it for more of a "Randy Rhoads" kinda sound, while my Deep Blue Delay is more of a "Radiohead" trippy tape echo sound, and the Malekko is more of a classic analog sound. Yeah, I like my delays a lot...a lot...a lot...a lot...

quote:

A good description of what I want is the MoFaux vibe of analog delays: small, accurate enough, sounds great (not good but great).

...If that's what you really want, then I really think you want the Deep Blue Delay. Some people don't like it because it's "dirty" sounding, as in it doesn't give a pristine echo, but that's why you want analog in the first place, right? DBD is the freakin' best delay pedal I've ever used/heard, and I've owned DOZENS of them. I'm pretty much the Jack Butler of delays. I really like the fact that when the pedal is on if you turn the delay level all the way down your basic signal isn't effected in the slightest way. Let's see MXR pull that off! Anyway, give it a try and if you don't like it, send it back and post a bulletin that says "Bigtophalloween is full of caca" or something to that effect. Personally, I think you'll love it.

i should recive a carbon copy the next few days. i have a dls echo tap and a dd-20 and want a delay in a small box.

what's about the new dd-7? o.k. it's digital, but the price is in the range of the cc and it's also small and versatile

I recall reading a lonnnnnnnnnnng thread at TGP about it. It seems there was a lotta disagreement over whether it's TB, and apparently, Jorg (sp?) chimed in to verify that, yes, it really is.


As Cubba mentioned, the Digilog is really an underrated gem. It doesn't offer any modulation, but it sounds deep and lush, and the feedback feature is really great (though it may take some time to learn how to harness it properly)

I got one and like it. I'm not a big delay person, but I figured I wanted a decent analog delay for a cheaper price and it seems to be pretty good.
In terms of the modulation feature, it's not that extreme, but compared to the clean repeats, the modulated ones are a good bit more warbly. There are trimpots inside that allow you to max out the modulation. The clean repeats on this box are probably cleaner than other analog delays and that may be a turn off for some.

As a guy who, admittedly, is not smart enough to use delay effectively, I tend to think that delay is one of the effects that we play more for ourselves than a live audience. In a bar with crappy accoustics that will modulate the repeats on their own, is the quality of delay going to matter that much? Would cleaner repeats actually be better when viewed in terms of a band mix and bad accoustics?

I'm trying to say that delays, in terms of tone (not features) are probably in a bell curve, where most are clustered in the middle.

Of course, this argument could be made about a lot of boutique gear, and we want what we want and we've devoted our lives to screamin' guitar, so why not get what you want?

I demoed one at the Music Fair in Frankfurt and didn't care for it at all...it was very bland...

for about the same money the Analogman 300ms delay is an incredible sounding pedal...a bit tough to get one though...

Chow,
Seegs

quote:

Originally posted by Bigtophalloween:
For another hundred bucks you should check out the Malekko delay http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/ which is a really kick ass analog unit with some cool features.

I totally agree--the Malekko "Dark" version is exceptional. For a second, I thought I was going to replace my beloved Digilog with something new and shiny, so I went out and tested out a few boxes back to back. A quick synopsis:

Carbon Copy - Eh. Cool, but in line with Porkchop's sentiments, it probably wouldn't sound all that special in a band context. For the money, I'd probably pick up something digital with more features as opposed to the CC just for the sake of it being analog.

Moogerfooger - Made the mistake of trying this one first without checking the price tag. Oops. Lush, complex, ethereal echoes for a country shit ton of milliseconds. Could also use it as a dumbbell if you need a workout and your gym is closed.

Memory Man - Classic, perfect trails. Too many controls if you're never going to use the modulation (like me). I'd save pedal board real estate and try the...

Melekko - Definitely my favorite of the pack. If I were to replace my Digilog (which, it turns out, I'm not) I would absolutely pick the Dark 600ms up in a heartbeat. Analog as all get out with those increasingly washed out remnants. It's basically the beauty of the Digilog but all analog and sans feedback footswitch.

Memory Lane - So pretty. So pricey. Sounds great, but can get "clicky" when you goose the feedback knob into that UFO business. Tap tempo and incredible build quality both major pluses. I actually had one of these a few months back. Fell in love with it, but just couldn't justify the money-shaped crater it left in my wallet. I ended up using the eBay money to buy a new extension cabinet. My final verdict: go for it if you've got the cash and just can't live without tap and analog rolled into one, but crikey $600 is steep for... not a Klon.

Digilog - Dude: worth it. I think I've snobbed myself to the nth degree in terms of delays, and this thing just nails it. Lushness/Radioheadiness (yes, that's a word), controllable freakout ability, enclosure originality, fair price--all perfect 10's in my book. As mentioned above, the feedback switch takes getting used to, but it proves fun and useful every once in a while. If you're a traditionalist, getting into UFO territory the old-fashioned way by maxing the delay knob is extremely safe/easy because it doesn't gradually boost the signal to ear-splitting levels like most other delays I've tried. The Memory Man, for example, gets a great UFO sound, but you have to remain hyper-vigilant on that Mix knob if you value your amp's and ears' collective functionality. Cubba's got a really solid review of the Digilog in a past post--search for "freakshow review" and you should be able to find it. There's also a solid YouTube video of the feedback switch being used appropriately here.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jensen5,

MAD PROFESSOR DEEP BLUE DELAY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NOKJNrcGYJs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3W5RH-013J8&feature=related

quote:

Originally posted by StratoMac'r:
As Cubba mentioned, the Digilog is really an underrated gem. It doesn't offer any modulation, but it sounds deep and lush, and the feedback feature is really great (though it may take some time to learn how to harness it properly)

Yup!

Here's a brief clip that shows just a little bit of what the Digilog can do:

Freakshow F/X

quote:

Originally posted by Nathan:
I tried searching and didn't find too much info and I trust you guys more than other sites. So what's the deal? Does it live up to its billing? Is it true bypass? Are there better units in that price range (Indyguitarist just came out with an analog delay recently, 650 ms) Yada yada Thanks!

I remember reading words from Mr. Huge on here telling it is TB.

As a long time user of multiple delays on my boards, the MXR was/is appealing to me because it offers something that I've been screaming for years - 600 ms of true bucket brigade analog delay in a small box format. To the best of my knowledge, everything else analog within this footprint size has been 300 ms.

I've been gigging the MXR as my "secondary" delay for the past two months at weekly full band and acoustic-electric duo shows. For a while I was actually using three delays, but for a couple of years now, I've been using two - a 'long' delay (Toneczar Echoczar or Maxon AD-900), along with a 'short' (small box 300 ms) analog (BOSS DM-2 or Maxon AD-80), for doubling and rockabilly slapback. What the MXR offers me is more delay time in the same size box, and subsequently more options. I truly love the DM-2 for slap and doubling, and it's better at it than the MXR. However, the options available with having two 600 ms analogs on board is more than enough reason for me to sideline the DM-2 and AD-80 for now.

As to the MXR being "bland". I'd say it certainly is as compared to something like the Echoczar, which has extreme sonic character for days. However, I think the MXR has more of that "trippy" resonance filter thing on the repeats (like a DM-2) than any of the Maxon analogs I've played. The beauty of a Maxon AD-900 is that merges so beautifully into the front end of a pushed tube amp. You can hear the difference slightly at a loud gig, but where you really hear it is at a session with a pair of cans on your head. I brought the MXR and the AD-900 along to a lap steel session about a month ago, set them as exactly the same as my ear would allow, and chose the Maxon because the MXR imposed itself more like an "effect" with the loud tube amp.

For those that feel headroom is a big deal with an analog delay, the MXR might come up a bit short. In using it with a low wattage amp such as a Deluxe or an AC15 (straight in, no FX loops), I've needed to back down on the wet mix considerably, as pronounced repeats tended to be a bit nasty. Not so much of a factor with higher headroom amps. Even though the modulation is subtle (I maxed the internal trimmers on mine), bypassing the modulation cleans up the repeats considerably with a low wattage tube amp.

As to self-oscillating science fiction noises, the MXR will have bar patrons running for cover in the grand tradition of analog delays. No gripes from me in this respect.

Lots of cool delays mentioned in the thread that I've not played. As to digitals that I currently own - Line 6 DL4, DLS Echotap, Analog Man-modded BOSS DD-3, purple Danelectro Dan Echos, Ibanez EM-5 - does the MXR sound "cooler"? Yes, absolutely, in my opinion. And as mentioned, the size (and price) is fairly attractive.

My delay of choice lately for "delay as effect", ie; multiple repeats - a rhythmic repeats - rhythmic repeats - super wet ambient repeats - reverse, etc." is my TC Nova delay. So far, un-beatable.

The CC is my current choice for just adding one or two repeats - just a little 'atmosphere' around my notes and chords. You'd only notice it if you solo'd me and then clicked it off. I switch off between the mod and no mod (which I've maxed out internally).

I don't know, at $150.00 any day of the week, it's pretty much un-beatable.

my $0.02...

The CC is an awesome delay FOR THE MONEY. But I sold mine... not "analog enough" (dark) compared to my AD999, and the modulation wasn't "enough" for me (when I want to use modulation.

For analog, I've kept my AD-999 (and for analog + mod I prefer the DMM anyway)

For mod, I kept my Echo Park (had a DMM, but the EP's analog model IS the DMM, and it gets pretty close).

The CC is cool & perfect for someone just looking for a "good analog delay" or for someone just entering the world of analog delay. But I've yet to find the AD999's equal.

Ken -you've got my Nova! Glad it's working for ya, being a non-delay person I found it overkill but I definitely see how it would deliver oodles of features for those who make good use of delay. There is really great info here -thanks everyone! I'm curious about this one because it has the same pricetag as the CC even if it's in a bigger box it's probably better made:
http://www.wamplerpedals.com/echo.htm
As for sound? Clips seem nice.
Here's a question: how does the CC compare to the Memory Lane tonewise? I liked that one but it was huge, expensive and needed its own wall wart. If only BYOC could finish designing their delay pedal...

FWIW I bought a used Guyatone TD-X today cuz it was in my price range. The MD-3 has a great reputation already and the tube pre is supposed to help. Some HC reviews say they compared it to a Trex, Echodrive & Echotap. I'll be sure to A-B it with my buddy's Replica! But heck, for the money it's worth a shot and I get alot more delay time. Another that looked cool is the SPF I-5 which has a loop built in like my old Quicksilver. I'm interested what the tube will do in the TD-X. I bet it's alot like the Tube Works Real Tube pedals: a tube screamer run through a tube with a starved plate, but it helps the sound nonetheless.