Slapback? How are you using it?

[EricPeterson]

So I see a lot of guys in threads say they are using slap back delay, how and what kind of music do you play when you use it. Also, how do you set up your delay for the sound? I have a Carbon Copy and a Stereo Memory Man with Hazari, and I cant seem to get a usable slapback tone, as in I can setup what I guess is a slapback, but I am not liking the sound, maybe it is just not for me.

[erksin]

IMO, neither one of those pedals do a very good slapback sound.

If you're going to use an analog delay for slapback, you need a 300mS unit IMO - the longer delay time pedals like the CC always feel 'late' to me on the shorter delay settings especially on the all important first repeat where the 'bounce' is key. It was true of just about every 600mS AD I've ever owned. Digital delays have less of an issue there, but most of them aren't capable of the warmth I like to hear.

I use an Analogman AR20DL set for fairly short repeats (under 100mS) primarily as a doubler/thickener (think 'The Ocean' by Led Zeppelin). The delay time is short and I also keep it to only a few repeats (2-3 tops) so that it doesn't 'smear' and stays articulate. It also helps to bump up the repeat volume to unity or a little above if you're using it for rhythmic Rockabilly-type stuff.

[jaycee]

I have the CC as well and it doesn't really do the slapback thing that great for me either.

[EricPeterson]

Cool, seems like I might have the wrong gear, it also sounds like I need to use less repeats. What level do you put the repeat in the mix?

[erksin]

I run the Level fairly high on my AR20DL - at about unity volume with the dry signal. And yeah - usually a single repeat, or 2-3 tops so it doesn't smear. My Repeats knob is around 8:30 with a single repeat being 7:00 on the dial.

The CC is a dark sounding pedal to me. Dark ADs don't do the really short slaps well at all - you don't get a nice crisp attack on the first repeat, it's too rounded to play off of IMO.

[SurfGreenTele]

The Arion SAD-1 does the best slap I've heard. I like it for snappy rhythm playing and some of my lame pseudo bluesy/country licks. I kinda like having 2-3 repeats for a bouncy sound.

[erksin]

The Arion SAD-1 does the best slap I've heard. I like it for snappy rhythm playing and some of my lame pseudo bluesy/country licks. I kinda like having 2-3 repeats for a bouncy sound.

The SAD-1 is a KILLER pedal - I've owned two of them and regret getting rid of the last one I had before I had the chance to try it at 12vDC. It just ran out of headroom to quickly for me at 9v (I use a lot of boosts to push the amps) so I needed to try something else.

I got the AR20DL next and it had all of the clarity and warmth of the SAD-1 but had much better headroom so I punted the Arion. Still kicking myself over that one as I'd love having it as a back up.

[EricPeterson]

Will my Stereo Memory Man w/ HAzarai be a better option? It is digital so darkness is not an issue, actually I can make really bright repeats if needed.

[L_Totti]

What about the Arion SAD-3? As good as the SAD-1?

[erksin]

Will my Stereo Memory Man w/ HAzarai be a better option? It is digital so darkness is not an issue, actually I can make really bright repeats if needed.

I didn't spend much time with the SMM/H, but yeah - I'd think it might be okay.

[blackba]

I use a Maxon AD-80 for slapback. It has a max delay time of 300ms. I generally use it for solos and mainly play rock/hard rock.

[erksin]

What about the Arion SAD-3? As good as the SAD-1?

I tried one not too long ago and thought it was garbage. Definitely NOT the same thing.

[AXXA]

I use the memory boy and toy (underrated IMO) both with pretty short times. I do slapback with one, but a bit different than average, I think. I use about 100ms, about 5 repeats, mix a little under unity. I use this on solos mainly, to fill the sound out in a messy kind of way. I actually like the delay to 'get in the way', which sounds great to me when I do vibrato. Like a sloppy reverb almost. The other delay has a longer time and m ore subtle mix. They sound great cascaded. I consider these delays a bit bright for analog. They work great for normal slapback too.

[SurfGreenTele]

The SAD-1 is a KILLER pedal - I've owned two of them and regret getting rid of the last one I had before I had the chance to try it at 12vDC. It just ran out of headroom to quickly for me at 9v (I use a lot of boosts to push the amps) so I needed to try something else.

I got the AR20DL next and it had all of the clarity and warmth of the SAD-1 but had much better headroom so I punted the Arion. Still kicking myself over that one as I'd love having it as a back up.

When my bank account permits I would love to get the analogman one day. I'll definitely hang onto the SAD-1 though, I don't see too many of the old gray boxes around.

[L_Totti]

Does the Flashback Slapback mode sounds good?

[Windup 43]

I use a Maxon AD-80 for slapback. It has a max delay time of 300ms. I generally use it for solos and mainly play rock/hard rock. The old AD-80 is the best slapback delay I've ever heard in person, just perfect. Love the clips of the SAD-1 too, I'd like to try one. I have a Rocktek Super Delay that also does a great slap, same chip as the SAD-1.

[sub rosa]

I use a Maxon AD-80 for slapback. It has a max delay time of 300ms. I generally use it for solos and mainly play rock/hard rock.
I used to have the re-issue a few years ago but sold it along with an AD-900 when I got the Memory Lane in '05. Which AD-80 do you have?

[rks89]

Does the Flashback Slapback mode sounds good?

I'm not crazy about it but others love it. I liked my big box DMM a lot more.

[blackba]

I used to have the re-issue a few years ago but sold it along with an AD-900 when I got the Memory Lane in '05. Which AD-80 do you have?

I have 2 of the reissue AD-80's (2 pedal boards). Heard the original Maxon AD-80's rock, but I haven't tried one.

[sub rosa]

I have 2 of the reissue AD-80's (2 pedal boards). Heard the original Maxon AD-80's rock, but I haven't tried one.
What are you slamming it with? I recently got a Memory Lane Jr. and had the grand idea of using my Memory Lane v.1 as my "slap-back" - but that's a lot of pedal for such limited use! Been thinking of freeing up some space and getting another re-issue AD-80.

[midwayfair]

I use it on old rock and roll type sounds. It's the prototypical sound you hear on old rockabilly, and it was originally created by tape delay, that is, playing the tape through two heads at once, with the length of the delay controlled by the distance the tape had to travel between the two heads.

You can also hear it used on vocals on a lot with the reverb on the delay (The Gaslight Anthem's "59 Sound" has an exaggerated vocal use that's really easy to hear) to help with making vocals easily understood through big reverb.

Your digital pedal will probably do this better than the bucket brigade, though the repeats will be slightly less warm.

I use a Malekko 616, which is really similar to a CC. These are the settings I use: Turn the mix up almost all the way (all the way would make the repeats louder than the dry signal). Set the repeats as low as they'll go while still getting a repeat (should give you ONE repeat). Set the delay time to about 9:00, which will generate an eighth note repeat at a fairly fast tempo.

What you're shooting for is to be able to hit a note and hear
DRY (WET) [dead]

If you don't hear a repeat, turn up the repeats. If you get too many, shorten the time or back off the repeats.

Good luck! It's fun if you play rock and roll, gives you a really big classic sound.

[dlc1953]

Does the Flashback Slapback mode sounds good?
Yes very good Slapback!

[EricPeterson]

I use it on old rock and roll type sounds. It's the prototypical sound you hear on old rockabilly, and it was originally created by tape delay, that is, playing the tape through two heads at once, with the length of the delay controlled by the distance the tape had to travel between the two heads.

You can also hear it used on vocals on a lot with the reverb on the delay (The Gaslight Anthem's "59 Sound" has an exaggerated vocal use that's really easy to hear) to help with making vocals easily understood through big reverb.

Your digital pedal will probably do this better than the bucket brigade, though the repeats will be slightly less warm.

I use a Malekko 616, which is really similar to a CC. These are the settings I use: Turn the mix up almost all the way (all the way would make the repeats louder than the dry signal). Set the repeats as low as they'll go while still getting a repeat (should give you ONE repeat). Set the delay time to about 9:00, which will generate an eighth note repeat at a fairly fast tempo.

What you're shooting for is to be able to hit a note and hear
DRY (WET) [dead]

If you don't hear a repeat, turn up the repeats. If you get too many, shorten the time or back off the repeats.

Good luck! It's fun if you play rock and roll, gives you a really big classic sound.


Cool, thanks for the tip, I will give it a shot.

[straightblues]

I used the Danelectro Dan Echo for a long time. It sounds really vintage lo fi. Recently I have been using the Hall of Fame reverb pedal. A few of there settings have slapback in them. I also liked the Way huge delay for these sounds.

[C-Bone247]

If you're going to use an analog delay for slapback, you need a 300mS unit IMO - the longer delay time pedals like the CC always feel 'late' to me on the shorter delay settings especially on the all important first repeat where the 'bounce' is key. It was true of just about every 600mS AD I've ever owned. Digital delays have less of an issue there, but most of them aren't capable of the warmth I like to hear.


This is why I like the "big chip" BOSS DD-2. You can get the percussive "bounce" of digital, with early digital warmth (if there is such a thing.) For whatever reason, I always seem to come back to the DD-2 for slapback. They're consistently under $150 & extremely reliable.

[magnus02]

Maxon ad-900 is the best I've found... beat out many many others

[blackba]

What are you slamming it with? I recently got a Memory Lane Jr. and had the grand idea of using my Memory Lane v.1 as my "slap-back" - but that's a lot of pedal for such limited use! Been thinking of freeing up some space and getting another re-issue AD-80.

Not sure what you mean by 'what are you slamming it with?'

If you mean the guitar, I am mainly a strat guy, sometimes I will use my Les Paul. I have had the one reissue AD-80 for over 10 years. Got it new when the price was still low, around $130USD as I remember. Than the chips became hard to find and the price shot up. I got the 2nd used reissue AD-80 for more than I paid for the new one....

[Dev...in]

Damn i bought a CC to do this with too and its not working out live...

[haslar]

I use the Flashback Slapback in my 10-piece 50s twist / RnB band.
Set to 1 repeat, and not as loud as the signal, otherwise it sort of smears into the sound when playing fast licks, and it gets mushy.
I still find it a bit hard to set the delay time on it, though.
Too long, and it smears; too short, and it sounds like a room reverb.

[roquero]

I use a DOD FX90, one of the original ones from the mid-80s.
I also have a Boss DM-2 with the 3005 chip, and a Maxon AD9 [the first reissue, with the original Panasonic MN3205 BBD and MN3101 Clock Driver IC’s, modded by analogman] but the DOD FX 90 seems to be the best for slapback
The Timeline does a damn good approximation, but there's nothing like the real thing!

[Cream]

I mostly use slapback as room reverb. 25-50ms, low in the mix, 1 repeat.

[rks89]

I use the Flashback Slapback in my 10-piece 50s twist / RnB band.
Set to 1 repeat, and not as loud as the signal, otherwise it sort of smears into the sound when playing fast licks, and it gets mushy.
I still find it a bit hard to set the delay time on it, though.
Too long, and it smears; too short, and it sounds like a room reverb.

This. Minus a ten piece band haha.

[L_Totti]

I use the Flashback Slapback in my 10-piece 50s twist / RnB band.
Set to 1 repeat, and not as loud as the signal, otherwise it sort of smears into the sound when playing fast licks, and it gets mushy.
I still find it a bit hard to set the delay time on it, though.
Too long, and it smears; too short, and it sounds like a room reverb.


That's good to know! I need a delay pedal that does good slapback and good simple stuff. The Flashback got my attention because of the Slapback mode and all other modes it has. But if there's other pedal that does a really good slapback by the same price , I might consider it.

[doublescale1]

Hardwire delay D8 has a slapback function select - it replaced my Maxon AD80 that just quit working - the Maxon was great for slapback, but the Hardwire makes it real easy to dial in good slapback, I dont think I've given anything up in the switch - very nice with tweeds, and thickens up BF tone a lot.