Top Delay Pedals for Guitarists: Guide & Reviews

Introduction

A delay pedal is an effects pedal that creates echoes of your guitar signal. It works by taking your initial guitar note and repeating it back after a set period of time. The delay pedal captures your guitar tone and plays it back, creating additional layers that enrich your overall sound.

Delay pedals work by sending your guitar signal through an analog or digital processor. This processor saves a small portion of your initial guitar note, holds it for a brief period, and then plays it back while you continue playing new notes. The delay time, number of repeats, and volume of the echoes can be adjusted to create different delay effects.

Using a delay pedal unlocks a wide range of creative possibilities for guitarists. Adding echo effects can make your guitar lines sound fuller and more immersive. Delay allows you to play harmonies with yourself, layering lead lines over repeating patterns. Extended delay times create ambient soundscapes, while short slapback delays thicken up rhythmic parts. Whether you want to emulate classic delay tones or craft new atmospheric textures, a delay pedal is an essential tool for creative guitar playing.

Best Analog Delay Pedals

Analog delay pedals use analog circuitry and often "bucket brigade" chips to create warm, vintage-sounding delay echoes. They tend to be more "imperfect" sounding compared to digital delays, but this lends to their characteristic warmth and musicality. Here are some of the top analog delay pedals available today:

MXR Carbon Copy

The MXR Carbon Copy is a go-to analog delay pedal known for its rich, warm analog tone. It features a simple control layout with knobs for Delay Time, Mix, Modulation, and Regen. The delay time ranges from 0 to 600ms, making it versatile for short slapback effects or longer ambiences. The modulation adds a chorusing effect on the repeats. Overall, the Carbon Copy nails classic analog delay tones on a budget.

Electro-Harmonix Memory Man

Electro-Harmonix first released the Memory Man in 1976, but it remains iconic for its lush, dark analog delay sound. The current reissue provides controls for Delay, Feedback, Modulation Depth and Rate, and Blend for mixing the dry/delayed signal. It’s capable of self-oscillation and wild delay effects. The Memory Man works great for guitarists wanting that classic warm analog delay tone.

Boss DM-2W

The Boss DM-2W is a re-creation of the legendary DM-2 from the late 70s, heard on countless classic recordings. This pedal utilizes Boss’s advanced Waza Craft analog circuitry to precisely capture the vibe of the original DM-2. It provides a delay time up to 300ms, with a warm, low-fidelity character. The DM-2W is built like a tank and delivers that sought after dark, murky analog delay sound.

Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay

The Ibanez AD9 offers a modern take on analog delay, providing warm, saturated analog repeats alongside some unique features like tap tempo control. It contains an all-analog audio path with true bucket brigade chips. The Tone knob allows shaping the repeats from dark to bright, and the pedal can self-oscillate for ambient effects. For guitarists wanting an analog delay with modern amenities, the AD9 is a top choice.

Best Digital Delay Pedals

Digital delay pedals use digital processing to create pristine, crisp delay effects with extended delay times. They offer more versatility and control compared to analog delays. Here are some of the top options:

Boss DD-3T

The Boss DD-3T is a compact and affordable digital delay pedal with classic Boss tones. It has controls for delay time, feedback, effect level, and tone. The pedal features a tap tempo footswitch for syncing delays to a beat. There are also two switchable modes for long and short delay times. It’s a great all-around digital delay.

Line 6 DL4 MKII

The Line 6 DL4 MKII is a powerful multi-effects pedal focused on delay effects. It offers 16 different delay models from analog to tape to digital. There’s also a 14-second looper and stereo I/O. The large display shows you the delay time and taps. You can connect an expression pedal for real-time control over parameters.

TC Electronic Flashback 2

TC Electronic’s Flashback 2 delay has extensive tweakable parameters. You can sculpt the delay time, repeats, tone, and more. It features TonePrint technology, allowing you to beam presets from acclaimed guitarists directly into the pedal. There are 6 delay types, true bypass, and a 40-second looper.

Strymon TimeLine

When it comes to pro-grade digital delays, the Strymon TimeLine is an industry standard. It offers extensive editing of two independent delay lines. The audio quality is pristine and noise-free. There are 12 delay types, stereo I/O, tap tempo, and preset storage. The TimeLine shines for crafting complex delay soundscapes.

Iconic Delay Pedal Sounds and the Artists Who Use Them

The Edge (U2)

The Edge’s ambient guitar tone is defined by his extensive use of delay effects, most notably with the TC Electronic 2290 Digital Delay rack unit. This allowed him to create washes of cascading repeats that almost sound like reverb. Songs like "Where the Streets Have No Name" demonstrate The Edge’s mastery of long, cascading delays to build layered textures.

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Gilmour’s guitar tone is soaked in lush analog delay, famously using the vintage Binson Echorec tape echo unit. This adds a warm, organic character to solos like "Comfortably Numb" and "Time." The fluctuating nature of the Binson created a depth and movement to the echoes.

Radiohead

Radiohead guitarists Ed O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood often make creative use of delay effects like the Digitech Whammy pitch shifter. By combining shifting delays with distortion, they’re able to get dissonant and bizarre-sounding textures. The intro to "Just" shows some of these warped delay sounds in action.

Grateful Dead

Guitarist Jerry Garcia used the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase, an analog delay pedal with a modulated dual-phaser effect. This added a liquid, psychedelic texture to his playing on songs like "Estimated Prophet" and "Franklin’s Tower." The Bi-Phase gave a unique vibe to the Dead’s improvisational jams.

Choosing the Right Delay Pedal for Your Genre

When selecting a delay pedal, it’s important to consider what musical genre you play. Different genres benefit from certain delay types and settings more than others.

Ambient/Post-Rock

For ambient and post-rock guitarists, long delay times and lots of feedback are essential for creating lush, atmospheric backgrounds and textures. Look for pedals with at least 500ms of delay time for extended trails and echoes. Modulated analog delays work great for a natural movement in your repeats.

Blues/Classic Rock

Guitarists playing blues, classic rock, and related genres often emulate the warm, saturated echo of vintage tape delays. Opt for analog pedals with darker repeats or digital units with accurate tape echo emulation modes. Controls tailored for slapback delays are also useful for adding rhythmic accents.

Country

In country music, brief slapback delays are popular for doubling lead lines and chords. Seek out pedals with delay times under 100ms for genuine rockabilly and country slapback effects. Simple controls focused on delay time and repeats level suit the straightforward delay needs of most country players.

Metal

For metal guitarists, tight and focused delay tones are essential. Digital delays with short delay times excel at fast, articulate repeats perfect for shredding solos, complex riffing, and djent chugs. The ability to run two delays in parallel can add richness and layers.

Worship

Worship guitarists benefit from long, lush reverbs and delays to create expansive, atmospheric pads under vocals and keys. Look for pedals offering delay times over 600ms, pristine digital delays, and the ability to run both delay and reverb together in parallel. Modulated echoes also help build rich, swirling textures.

Key Delay Pedal Features to Consider

When selecting a delay pedal, there are several key features to look for depending on your needs:

Tap Tempo

A tap tempo footswitch allows you to tap in the delay time you want and have the pedal sync to your tapping. This is extremely useful for dialing in exact delay times and syncing up with the tempo of a song. Guitarists who play along with drums or other instruments will find tap tempo indispensable.

Looper Functionality

Many delay pedals now include basic looper functions which allow you to record a riff or chord progression and have it play back on a loop. This lets you solo or jam over your own backing tracks. Loopers are great for practice, songwriting, and live performance.

Preset Saving

Higher-end delay pedals have preset saving capabilities so you can save your favorite delay settings and recall them instantly. This allows for easy reproducing of tones without having to dial in settings from scratch each time. Presets are handy both live and in the studio.

Stereo Inputs/Outputs

Delay pedals with stereo inputs and outputs give you richer, wider delay effects since the echoes bounce between the left and right channels. Going stereo really enhances ambient and atmospheric delay tones. Stereo I/O also allows for ping-pong delay effects.

MIDI Control

Some advanced delay pedals can be controlled via MIDI which lets you automate parameters and integrate the pedal into a larger studio rig or live setup. MIDI control provides deeper editing capabilities and opens creative possibilities like tempo-synced delay times and expression pedal control.

Best Affordable Delay Pedals Under $200

When you’re on a budget, you don’t have to sacrifice quality delay tones. There are several excellent and affordable options under $200 that deliver studio-quality delay effects for less.

Electro-Harmonix Canyon

The Electro-Harmonix Canyon offers incredible value for money with its versatile selection of delay types, tap tempo functionality, stereo outputs, and 62-second looper. It delivers crisp digital delays, warm and gritty analog echoes, reverse delays, and shimmering modulated trails. With just 3 knobs, it’s easy to dial in everything from slapback to ambient soundscapes. An excellent all-around delay pedal at a great price.

Boss DD-8

The Boss DD-8 is a compact powerhouse, cramming studio-quality delay and modulation effects into a stompbox format. It’s a straight-forward digital delay with up to 23 seconds of delay time. The sound quality is pristine and neutral, perfect for pairing with overdrive and distortion pedals. It also includes some unique delay modes like analog, reverse, and modulated delays. The DD-8 is built like a tank and can handle life on the road.

TC Electronic Echobrain

For classic analog and tape echo sounds on a budget, check out the Echobrain from TC Electronic. It models vintage delay units like the Echoplex EP-3 and the Roland Space Echo. The interface is dead simple, with knobs for time, repeats, and effect level. It also includes cool rhythmic subdivisions, momentary oscillation, and the ability to run two delays in parallel. Amazing analog vibe at an affordable price point.

Fender Hammertone Delay

As its name suggests, the Fender Hammertone Delay aims to capture the warmth and character of vintage tape delays. It’s an all-analog circuit with a simple 3 knob interface. The repeats have a dark, saturated tape sound that sits perfectly in a mix. It maxes out at 600ms of delay time, ideal for classic rock and blues slapback tones. The Hammertone Delay is an awesome way to get authentic tube-style echo at an entry-level price.

Using a Delay Pedal

A delay pedal’s controls allow you to shape everything from subtle ambience to wild, experimental textures. Here’s an overview of the key parameters:

Delay Time – Controls the time between your initial note and its echo. Short times (under 100ms) create slapback effects, while longer times produce distinct repeats. Most pedals let you dial in exact delay times.

Feedback – Controls how many repeats occur. Higher settings make echoes continue longer, often into self-oscillation. Lower settings make echoes fade out quickly. Feedback helps sculpt the delay’s character.

Mix – Blends the delayed signal with your dry guitar sound. Lower mix levels keep delays more subtle, while higher mixes make delays prominent. Find the right blend for your needs.

Where to Place in Signal Chain – Delay pedals generally go after distortion/overdrive effects but before modulation effects like chorus and reverb. This helps keep echoes clean and avoids muddiness.

Creative Delay Techniques

• Slapback – Use short delay times around 50-100ms for rockabilly and country rhythmic effects.

• Dotted 8th Notes – Set delay time to a dotted 8th note (3/8 time) and mix low. Great for U2-style guitar lines.

• Ambient Swells – Long delay time, max feedback and mix for cascading textures. Volume swells sound epic with this.

• Pitch Shifting – Add an octave or harmonizer pedal before delay. Echoes take on shifted pitches for unique sounds.

Experiment with delay pedal settings and signal chain placement to create everything from subtle ambience to radical delay effects. Delay opens up many creative possibilities!

Delay Pedal Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Taking care of your delay pedal will help it last for years. Here are some tips for maintenance and troubleshooting common issues:

Use a proper power supply – Power your delay pedal with a 9V DC power supply, either a single isolated supply or on a pedalboard power brick. Avoid daisy chaining too many pedals off one outlet. This can cause noise, hum, and unreliable power delivery.

Change batteries regularly – If your delay pedal runs on a 9V battery, change it every few months or when you notice the pedal behaving erratically. Unscrew the back plate and disconnect the old battery. Insert a fresh alkaline 9V and reassemble.

Fix noise and crackling – Noisy delay pedals are frustrating. First, rule out power issues and dying batteries. Deoxit contact cleaner sprayed into the input and output jacks can help clean crackly pots and connections. If issues persist, open up the pedal and inspect solder joints, wires, and jacks for problems.

Consider professional repair – If you’ve tried basic troubleshooting and your delay pedal still isn’t working, it may need professional repair. Look for local authorized service centers and techs experienced with effects pedals. A thorough cleaning, solder touch-ups, and new footswitches can often get pedals working like new again.

Conclusion

When choosing the best delay pedal for your needs, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Type of delay – Analog and digital delays have different characteristics. Analog tends to be warmer and more "vintage" sounding, while digital offers more precision and options. Choose based on the tone you want.

• Features – Consider must-have features like tap tempo, presets, stereo I/O, etc. Make sure the pedal has what you need.

• Budget – Delay pedals range from under $100 to over $400. Set a realistic budget for your needs.

• Genre/use case – Your musical genre and how you intend to use delay should inform your choice.

Based on these criteria, here are my top 3 recommendations for best overall delay pedals:

1. Boss DD-8 – An extremely versatile digital delay packed with features. Durable, easy to use, and affordable. A top choice for many guitarists.

2. Electro-Harmonix Canyon – Combines analog and digital delays with looper and tap tempo. Great for ambient tones. Excellent value delay pedal.

3. Strymon Timeline – The premier high-end delay pedal on the market. Amazing sound quality and editing options. Worth the investment for delay enthusiasts.

The delay pedal you choose comes down to your budget and personal preferences. I hope these reviews and recommendations help you find the perfect delay to take your playing to the next level! Experiment and have fun dialing in inspiring new tones.