Analog Vs. Digital Delay

[abakerdabra]

How and why do you perfer the sound of an Analog delay vs. Digital, or vise versa?

[lxm]

i find analog dosent cut through a mix very well. to dark for me. also dosent handle other combined effects quite as well (IMO) :Spank

[hacker]

I like analog because it warms up your entire tone and sounds like a vintage hendrix recording. I like digital delay when I play through my Pro Junior w/alnico jensen because that is one dark sounding amp. The digital delay (Boss DD-3) adds a little top end, and still sounds very vintagey-through that rig.

[XKnight]

I like analog better because it has a warm and natural sound.

[Sniper-V]

I use both.

I like analog for the warmth and tone, its just sounds "pretty".
Its almost always on.
I use a ML by the way....

I use the digital for everything else.
When I need an "effect" delay.
When I need my delays to cut and stand out.

Don't choose between them, they cover different grounds and uses.
There's always room for delay!

[brian marshall]

I've owned a bunch of delays... The only one I have kept is a boss DD3. I've never been happy with analog delays for guitar... especially not in the conext of a live band.

The only exception is really short delays. If you want a slapback type delay, analog isnt too bad.

[GuitarDude]

i mostly use digital. mostly because the type of delay tones i need. i need them to stand out, because they are prominent delay effects and analog doesnt really cut it.

[teleshred]

i use both, analog for nice lead guitar tone and analog/digital hybrid type for ambient stuff...i sometimes combine both..really lush sounds..

[willhutch]

To my ears, the basic difference between analog and digital delay is the clarity of the reproduced notes. Digital delays have higer fidelity that make the repeats sound more like the original signal. Analog delays aren't as clear. The repeats gets a little more distorted and darker with each repetition.

Which one you like, and for what applicaion, is a matter of preference. I like analog delays. Digital delay have a clinical quality to them which I don't like as much for my appications.

[mike@nortoncable.com]

Analog delay makes fatter,warmer sounds. I use a moog delay with 9 effects and a DD20 for stereo delays, my dd20 has more problems taking boost,chorus and reverb then the analog moog does.. I do want to get a nova delay to a replace the DD20 just because DD20s suck tone with their buffer, lack of true bypass and inherent digital noise.

Unless you get a good Analog delay a AD9 or its equal in anohter brand is a terrible way to start off with analog delay, the limited delay time alone would drive anyone to use a Digital pedal with more time, if you drop some big $$$ on the floor you can get 1-3 seconds of delay that will blow digital off the block :)

[Cheebatone]

Analog delays aren't as clear. The repeats gets a little more distorted and darker with each repetition.

This is precisely why I prefer analogue delays.

[jlummaa]

Right now i prefer digital delay which simulates analog TAPE delay. I get a couple of memory presets, tone is okay and it's easy to carry.

Don't like analog delays without tape or digital ones that simulate them. I have found them too dark for my use.

If i had the funds i would use real analog tape delays.

[clothwiring]

I just run a DD-3 now, it just works. :)

[Seegs]

I think digital is more predictable...what goes in comes out whereas I feel that analog seems to react to your playing more...playing harder seems to make the delay more prominent...

there are times when I want the clarity and presence of a digital and times I want the warmth of Analog...there are times when I want the touch sensitivity and times when I don't...both are valid tools and outside of the Echoczar I havn't heard a pedal delay that I would consider "IT"...

I currently have an Analogman analog delay and BYOC and DLS digital delays...

The AM isn't going anywhere just yet and seems to cut through the mix just fine although its quite a bit warmer than the other two...

I would love to hear the MP Deep Blue delay and a TC Nova...

Chow,
Seegs

[aarondavis]

I prefer delays that have some character, not as perfect as an actual digital delay (such as a DD3), although this delay is required for some stuff. But I like a delay that has a bit of modulation or "wow and flutter" such as a good tape delay simulator (where the delay sounds slightly different than your dry guitar signal). Or an actually tape delay, but no tap tempo is a problem for me.

BUT, I do not want the modulation and tape sim to be exaggerated. The Line 6 Echopark fits this requirement very well. Are there drawbacks to it? Yes, but it's the best I've found for tone and features.

Analog delays are usually too dark or too distorted for my taste.