Analog vs. Digital Delay

[trwigg]

This may have been discussed on here before but I just wanted to find out what most of you guys prefer Analog or Digital Delay and Why? I have only been playing for about 8 years and just love buying different gear to try, sometimes my opinions line up with TGPers and sometimes they don't but I always value the input from more experienced players than myself. I have followed the old addage that Analog is more musical and that tube amps are warmer but I just wanted to hear from some of you regarding the delay thing. Thanx in advance for your comments.

[Passenger84]

I prefer both, for different situations. Some songs call for the crisp cleanness and versatility of a digital delay. Others call for the warmth and character of an analog delay. I have both digital and analog on my board, and it works for, but that's just me. :D

[dsl]

I like analog delay better - it's warmer/more musical.

However, the longest analog delay time I've found is 1000ms (Moog Delay) so if I need a longer delay I will use digital (Nova Delay/Replica).

There is nothing wrong with digital delay - in some cases it's better (for a cleaner - more accurate sound).

It all depends on what the song needs.

Hope that helps a little.

dsl

[Echoes]

whatever sounds 'right' I don't care who made it or how its made...there is a reason why high end gear has a good reputation..tone, design, durable etc...in the end our own subjective preference will dictate the definition of 'sound right' and the products we use will follow....mine are typically analog cause that's what my ears like :) (I have a Fulltone TTE at the end of my pedal chain).

[DC1]

I love analog delays, but my favorite is the no-longer-made Yamaha UD Stomp and it is digital. 8 delays in one box. Presets by Allan Holdsworth. Absolutely stunning sounding.

DC

[trwigg]

I prefer both, for different situations. Some songs call for the crisp cleanness and versatility of a digital delay. Others call for the warmth and character of an analog delay. I have both digital and analog on my board, and it works for, but that's just me. :D

I have the Maxon AD999 and really like it and after the comments I am seeing maybe it is time to try a Digital Delay as well. Are there any suggestion for which ones are better than others or should I just look at a well know manufacture?

[Jon Silberman]

A new or perfectly serviced tape delay can sound crisp, honest, and clean. Just listen to early rockabilly recordings, the delays sound nothing like what many people think analog tape delay should sound like based on the ratty assed, decades old crap they hear now. And a digital delay can be electronically tweaked to sound "old." So I trust my ears, not the label on the device.

[trwigg]

A new or perfectly serviced tape delay can sound crisp, honest, and clean. Just listen to early rockabilly recordings, the delays sound nothing like what many people think analog tape delay should sound like based on the ratty assed, decades old crap they hear now. And a digital delay can be electronically tweaked to sound "old." So I trust my ears, not the label on the device.

Thanks Jon, great insight.

[Strat58]

Hi yeah a good Tape Echo sounds the best, digital is okay but if you want that real echo try tape.
Peace Strat58

[Seegs]

I find my Analog delay to be more musical in that they seem more touch sensative...the harder I hit the strings louder my delays are...sometimes I like that sometimes I like the predictibiliy of digital delay in which the repeats are exactly the same...analog is a bit harder to control...

Analog is usually warmer and sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes I find that the warmth makes me disappear from the mix...digital seems brighter and helps me cut or sit in the mix in certain situations...

now I realize that I am making some broad generalizations based on my experiences and there surely are excpetions to that but for the most part with the delays I have used it holds true...YMMV!

As far as tape delays go I really l for the most part loved the old Echoplexes...I didn't like the fact that they kinda take over your sound sometimes that's cool but not all the time...

I also didn't care for the first version Fulltone TTEs it just took over my sound and did its own thing to it...

I usually keep an analog and digital pedal delay laying around...it's very application and mood dependent...

Chow,
Seegs

[TheUsualSuspect]

I dont see where its an either or proposition....I always use both - an analog delay for those times I need depth & warmth to a lead or a real classic rock feel and a Digital Delay for those long, wacky passages. I wouldnt have it any other way.

[funkycam]

I only use delays that have tap tempo (every drummer fluctuates at some point!) & I am unaware of an analog delay that does that. Am I missing one?

[FloridaSam]

You need a little bit of all of them! Here's what I got

Ibanez DML10: Digital
Effectron II: Digital that can get pretty dirty sounding
Echoplex EP3: Tape analog
Boss DD20: Digital that can sound like analog if it wants to.
Boss DM-3 on the way: Analog pedal

All do different things and sound very different.

[thisfire]

If you're happy with your AD999 as your analog, I would recommend trying out a Line 6 DL-4 (Keeley modded one sounds slightly better) or an Eventide Timefactor. Two of my favorites!

It really pays to have both types of delay on your board...I find that my analog and digital delays sound unique enough that I use all of them for different applications.

[Bryan T]

I purchased a Line 6 DL-4 when they first came out. Over years of using it, I found that I gravitated to the analog delay models. That let me to purchase a Deluxe Memory Man. I used that for a while and then bought the Moog Delay, which I see as a more flexible version of the DMM (more signal routing options, voltage control, longer delay, two delay sounds, etc.). I'm definitely in the analog delay camp.

Bryan

[Uma Floresta]

I think modern digital delays nail the analog sound quite well, and they're often much more versatile.

[slacker]

I use two delays. DMM for that sound and modulation. Echotap for tap tempo and longer delays (3 secs).

I couldnt choose between the two so I have them both on the board. Seems like overkill but I like having a mistimed DMM into a tap tempo Echotap.

[Bryan T]

I only use delays that have tap tempo (every drummer fluctuates at some point!) & I am unaware of an analog delay that does that. Am I missing one?

The Diamond Memory Lane is an analog pedal with tap tempo. There are probably others.

Bryan

[StompBoxBlues]

For some folks it is really important. For me, because I am playing in a band where there is not really long periods where you can hear delay alone...it matters less. I LOVE the Nova, but to my old ears (Caution: 50 year old detection instruments) Digital when they do it right, gives you the ability for pristing repeats, OR tape-like, or analoglike. I really think they did it right on the Nova. Has all three (and all points in between).

I've liked both. and neither. Many love the AD-999 but I can't stand mine and am selling it soon. Mad Prof DBD is great. Have really gotten tons of use out of the Visual Sound H2O which is diital but really sounds analog to me.

[trwigg]

Wow, I never expected to get this much of a response but you guys have provided me with an abundance of insight on various delays. I appreciate it all and am now hooked into getting as many delay pedals as I have o/d pedals - I thank you and my wife hates you ;-)

[giggedy]

I dont see where its an either or proposition....I always use both - an analog delay for those times I need depth & warmth to a lead or a real classic rock feel and a Digital Delay for those long, wacky passages. I wouldnt have it any other way.

yup, same here. of course, I'm using the analog setting on the dd-20, which I like the sound of a lot. I was just using the modulation setting for a while on leads, but recently switched to the analog. for some reason I didn't like the analog at first, but now I like it a lot. I'm just using the straight up digital for the longer delays with the effect level all the way up.

[drolling]

Wow, I never expected to get this much of a response but you guys have provided me with an abundance of insight on various delays. I appreciate it all and am now hooked into getting as many delay pedals as I have o/d pedals - I thank you and my wife hates you ;-)Yep - got the same problem myself, minus the wife, which only means I don't have to sneak the pedals in the back door anymore!

But I'd agree w/the players who've suggested that you need at least one of each, as I've yet to hear a digital delay that can perfectly cop an analog sound. They're getting closer all the time, but for now, I've still got one BBD on board.

Mine's a Diamond Memory Lane; tons of cool features like a tone control & modulation - and the only one out there w/tap tempo. Not cheap, but peanuts compared to the Echoczar I've been waiting on for over 2 years now.

You can economize on the digital delay, tho'. There are so many good ones out there, at just about every price point. I've got about half a dozen of 'em..

I'd suggest you get one that also has a built-in looper, which can make practicing a lot more fun. Once you get the hang of it, you can fire your rhythm guitarist, too!

[Mincer]

Digital here- I like long delays (10+ seconds for evolving loops). Digital can also replicate the runaway feedback of analog, and it is really good at replicating various 'lo-fi' sounds too.

[mad dog]

Have always preferred analog, with the wonderful AD 999 being my point of comparison. I kept trying digital ones, hoping to find one one with magic tone. Bingo with the H&K Replex. Digital but with a tube, not a straight delay unit but rather an attempt to recreate Echoplex sound without tape. It's in the "digital but sure sounds analog" camp. Sure is doing the trick for me. So know I can say I love both analog and digital.

[wolfpack]

I like to use both & switch between a TC Nova & SIB Blue Echodrive

[Sniper-V]

Both are great and I have uses for both.

Digital delays are way versatile. There are some killer single delay units like the Replica and the consistent Boss delays pedals. But I have to say when going with digital, I love all the modern features and tones you can get with todays digital muti-delay pedals. Today is one of the best times to buy or get into delay pedals. A lot of great players out there like the DD-20, DL4, Nova, Timefactor, ect...

Analog delay, there's just something about a really good true analog pedal. No matter what it always sounds sweater over the digitals, which is why I always run one on my board next to a digital one. I way happy with my tap loaded Memory Lane.