How to Buy a Delay Pedal: 5 Steps

Effects pedals are an effective way to increase the variety of sounds available to you as a guitar player. In addition to offering you more tonal possibilities, pedals allow you to switch between different timbres at the push of your foot. A delay pedal provides one of the most popular effects - recording the output of your guitar and playing it back a few fractions of a second later. Delay pedals can vary widely in functionality, quality, and cost. Before you buy a delay pedal, make sure you have fully assessed your needs and compared the available options.
STEPS

1

DETERMINE WHETHER YOU WANT ANALOG, DIGITAL, OR TAPE DELAY. Delay pedals vary in the method used to produce the echo effect. Determining which kind to get will depend on your musical preferences and budget.
Originally, all delay processors were made with magnetic tape like a cassette tape. These processors, which were usually tube-powered, were large, unwieldy, and required heavy maintenance. However, they are prized for their strikingly natural sound. Tape delays, whether new or vintage, are generally very expensive.
Analog delays replaced tape delays in the 1970s. Based on solid-state electronics, they provide a very natural sound with slight degradation of the echo signal. The chief drawback to analog delay pedals is their inability to produce delays longer than about 300 milliseconds.
Digital delay pedals are by far the most common type produced today. They offer long delay times and perfectly reproduced echo playback. Some critics claim that the pristine sound quality of the echo playback detracts from the pedal's natural sound, but for an all-purpose delay pedal, a digital model is a great idea. These pedals can be had very cheaply.

2

EVALUATE THE CONTROLS AVAILABLE ON EACH DELAY PEDAL. Delay pedals will offer a few control knobs for adjusting the effect. At the very least, you want to look for 3 knobs: time, level, and feedback.
The "time" knob determines the length of time between your original playing and the echo. This knob may also be labeled "delay," "effect," or "range." Most digital pedals will give you up to about 400 milliseconds, but some offer up to 5 seconds of delay.
The "level" knob determines the volume of the echo effect. Some pedals even allow you to adjust the echo to a higher volume than the original playing.
The "feedback" knob determines how many times the echo will repeat. Some pedals also give the option of an indefinite repeat.

3

DETERMINE WHETHER YOU WANT ANY ADDITIONAL CONTROLS. In addition to the

3

controls mentioned above, some delay pedals may have more specialized control knobs. One common example is a "tone" knob, which allows you to reduce the treble response of the echo so that it doesn't overshadow your playing. Also common is a "pan" knob, used to position the echo between the left and right channels when using a stereo amp.

4

COMPARE THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF EACH DELAY PEDAL. Some pedals include special effects, such as a "ping pong" effect that bounces the echo between the left and right channels. The renowned Boss DD6 pedal offers a "reverse" mode, which plays each echo in reverse.

5

BROWSE FOR DELAY PEDALS. New pedals can easily be compared online, where you can read customer reviews, or at a music retailer, where you can test the pedals firsthand. Used pedals can be found on online auction sites like eBay. Once you have browsed through pedals and compared them in terms of features and price, you can make your purchase.
If you're still unsure which pedal is right for you, steer towards the major brands like Boss, DigiTech, DOD, and MXR.
TIPS
Some delay pedals, called "modeling" pedals, can be used to imitate the sound of a tape or analog delay within a digital architecture.
SOURCES AND CITATIONS
http://www.hobby-hour.com/guitar/delay_effects.php
http://www.untidymusic.com/wordpress/recording/equipment/guitar-equipment/choosing-a-delay-pedal/
http://www.legendarytones.com/delayroundup.html
ARTICLE INFO
Categories: Guitar Accessories
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