Analog Delay Pedal vs Digital Delay Pedal

[Wolf Static]

What are the pro's and con's of using an Analog delay pedal vs a Digital one. I'm planning on using it through a tube-buffered effects loop of a boutique all-tube high gain amp.

I can live with up to 400 ms of Delay. Are there any good recommendations for such an Analog pedal?

[mcdes]

i have tc electronics vintage delay and boss dd-5, both digital delays but the vintage delay is made to have warmer analog sound.

it sure does sound nicer than dd-5 but as previous post, dd-5 is more versatile.

[Wolf Static]

I'm going to try out the Nova Delay by TC... sounds like it's the best bang for the buck! Hopefully that'll be the ticket... Thinking about it, I don't think it'll make a huge difference in a live situation huh?

[Daniel-San]

I use a Deluxe Memory Man, Carl Martin Delayla and a TC Nova Delay.

The DMM is the most vintage one. The Delayla is voiced vintage and does sound a bit like an old tape-unit. They both go to about 550ms.
The Nova is one sweet digital delay. It can sound cold and harsh, but when you set it to analog/tape it get's very warm. And with all the features it has it's a very good pedal...especially for the low price.

[Alienhead]

I like analog much better. I have an old Arion SAD-1. I've spent thousands of dollars trying to find a better sounding delay both digital and analog. I am convinced there is none for me except the Roland Space Echo I have RE-201, there is no other delay. Of course it's a matter of personal choice. Some guy's make a Digital Delay sound fantastic but that's them not me. I just got the Boss RE-20 to A/B on the Re-201 that will be interesting!

[hungrymusician]

It depends on what kind of music you play.Or some may say,a vintage tone 'purist' or not in determining an analog or digital pedal.Definitely digital will be more versatile,with loads of features analog doesnt have.But theres a saying that nothing beats the 'real' thing.I'd say try both if u can,see what suits you most.Personally,i went through this journey for a very long time,played various and numerous delays,but im now happy with a Maxon ad-999 and a Boss DM-2.

[Alex Law]

On the other hand, maybe the 'real' thing is digital. ;)

I think this latest generation of delays (Eventide, TC) have surpassed analog.

[hungrymusician]

On the other hand, maybe the 'real' thing is digital. ;)

I think this latest generation of delays (Eventide, TC) have surpassed analog.

No doubt technology advancement keeps pushing everything to the edge,changing the way things are done in benefiting from possible features,versatility and simplicity.

Digital will surpass analog?Its in a totally different context.Digital technology is improving and advancing as we speak and who knows tomorrow what 'super' gadget is coming out that does this and that 'wow' thing.Analog hasnt evolved much as digital,it stays there,theres not much to be improve on as the way,mechanism works is different.

Think of a good old analog camera from the old days they use profesionally,the results has been achieved using analog technology and thats that coz the way images are captured is totally different from digital where images are converted in to digital data.And yes,todays digital cameras may have up to 10 or 100 megapixels but i dont think it will ever surpass the results,taken by an analog camera,its not comparable,they are just different.

Yes,digital will always make life easier,with loads of cool features and stuff,but the result is always 'digital'.So i think there is no way that digital could ever be the 'real' thing.Surpassing analog in terms of features,versatility,simplicity,yes.In terms of substance of true quality,no.

IMO

Thank God we humans are not digital :)

[Alex Law]

Oooh, we're heading towards theology! :D

I certainly hope we can surpass old technologies. Otherwise, why bother?

[hungrymusician]

Theology?Nah,but i believe this has been debated to death,the whole analog digital thing,i guess to each his own,if not analog pedals wont be still selling right?

[Wolf Static]

Agreed - I am fully aware that it may be a 'beaten to death' subject, but then I wasn't around to witness these 'beatings'... so I guess it's good to recap the odd issue or two... =)

That being said... the TC Electronic Nova Delay has Vintange Analog Delay simulation, and with my faith in technology, I think in a live situation it's not going to make any significant difference to the listener whether the delay is true analog or modeled analog. That's just me though...

[RDM]

I think in a live situation it's not going to make any significant difference to the listener whether the delay is true analog or modeled analog. That's just me though...

+1. However....it's still going to matter to the guy using the pedal, which is why we still beat these topics to death.

I just stick with the digital delay, as long as it can do a decent analog delay when I need it...which isn't that often. In the studio is where it matters most IMO, and the times I needed a good analog delay, the studio had a few good ones in their stash for me to chose from.

[macmax77]

i think every player should have 2 delays.

A very clear one for cords and a warmer one for Solos.

There are great analog delays as there are great digital delays out there.
U need to go out and try all the delays you can until you find what works for you.

[Wolf Static]

Cool... I guess I have one last question then: Has anyone compared the Nova Delay to the Eventide Delay Pedal? I'm going to put them both through the test, but I just wanted to see if anyone had preliminary thoughts...

[frankybaby]

Lou V did this really awesome comparison:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=280629&highlight=nova+delay

He also did a recap listing the Nova, Timefactor, and Stereo Memory Man w/Hazarai, I can't find it at the moment.


Cheers to a wonderful service to TGP!

[frankybaby]

Here's Lou V's recap:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=297393&highlight=nova+delay

Again, awesome service. Oh, I just remembered he replied in another thread with a recap of other delays ie Cornish, TTE, Replex, Nova, Timefactor, and others. Shoot, let me see if I can find that one...

[frankybaby]

Found it!

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=283416&highlight=nova+delay+cornish&page=2

Again, this guy rocks!

[Sniper-V]

This is been asked a bunch recently it seems.

And,

Every time, I say there is a place and use for both types of delays and use both in my rig.

Memory Lane for my analog stuff that works killer!

DD-20 has yet to do me wrong for my digital needs.
But,
I waiting to try a Nova and TimeFactor though...

[GovernorSilver]

I have a buddy that bought an analog delay pedal because that's what everyone told him to get. He must have forgotten to mention he wanted Mogwai/Explosions In The Sky/Mono type delay sounds. These are not your vintage analog delay sounds from the 60s and 70s - these are the sounds of the atmospheric, soaring into the sky, walls of sound variety.

[Windup 43]

these are the sounds of the atmospheric, soaring into the sky, walls of sound variety. I'm pretty sure analog can handle those sounds as well ;)

[GovernorSilver]

I'm pretty sure analog can handle those sounds as well ;)

I knew I should have provided at least an example or two. Two example songs that require the long delay only digital can provide:

Mogwai - Stop Coming To My House
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OtwcSXDRoY0

Mono - Moonlight
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1B00qU5uc58

[yeahyeahyeah]

I'm fine with using digital modulation or time based effects as long as the unaffected signal that is "mixed" with the digital signal remains all analog.

[Windup 43]

I knew I should have provided at least an example or two. Two example songs that require the long delay only digital can provide:

Mogwai - Stop Coming To My House
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OtwcSXDRoY0

Mono - Moonlight
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1B00qU5uc58 You didn't originally say long delay, but in that case I agree- point taken :) Nice soundscapes there as well, esp. the Mogwai clip...