VMSD Bummer

[trickness]

Maybe it's just me (it probably is), but my Empress Vintage Modified Super Delay is confusing me.

I've been trying to consistently set the delay time in tape mode, and it seems like every time I turn the pedal on, it's different no matter where the delay time knob is set. Sometimes I turn it on and it's like a slapback, sometimes it's a second or longer. The delay time know often has no effect on the delay time when it's in tape mode and I change it. Confusing as hell and frustrating.

The manual states: "Delay time is controlled with the tap switch and the d time | ratio knob functions as a ratio control in Tape Mode."

This language seems very vague to me - do I hold the button down while turning the delay time to set it? Do I click it once and set? This just isn't enough information for me. I'm old school - when I'm in tape mode, I kinda want to set a time with a dial, a linear control from short to long. You know - ANALOG - like tape.

So I spoke to Empress, who were very nice and told me that as a "feature", you set the delay time by tapping in tempo for the length you want. I don't know how I'm supposed to figure that out by reading the manual, which hopefully they'll revise with examples.

Again, I know I'm being old school, but for crap's sake: why complicate something so easy as setting the delay time by requiring it to be interactive with a tap tempo switch? This is the reason I sold my Timefactor - options that got in the way of basic use. Empress said that a lot of people like this feature and no other pedal has it. I primarily use tape mode and I told them I dont understand why they'd do such a thing in the tape mode - apparently, the normal mode does not include this "feature", you just set the delay time with the know - simple.

I know lots of people are using the VMSD and I haven't seen anybody else complain about this, so again, I guess it's just me, but I figured I'd ask - anyone else find this annoying or confusing? I love the sound of the VMSD but honestly this "feature" is such a pain in the ass I'm thinking of selling the pedal, because again, I primarily use tape mode. Anybody have any (helpful) thoughts?

 

[RickB]

When set to tape mode, the pedal does not recall your last tempo when you turn it on (from being powered off). I found this very annoying and emailed Empress about it as I thought my pedal had an issue. Overall, I could never get 100% comfortable with the way the pedal operated in terms of handling presets and being limited to tap only for tape modes. But the tape modes on it are outstanding. I wish they were put out a pedal of just the tape algorithms and simplify it a bit!

 

[andyothling]

Just wanna make sure... you guys do know that the Superdelay has presets, right?

I dunno, with the Superdelay I find that the only time I dial in a tempo is with the tap tempo switch. I like the feature. But I do pair it with a more simple, non tap tempo delay (carbon copy).

A lot of people seem to be selling theirs, and I almost sold mine, but in terms of useability, features, and overall sound, I think it's one of the best delay pedals out there.

 

[trickness]

Yep, I get that it has presets. It's kinda dumb that I have to use a preset just to reproduce a consistent delay time in tape mode.

I just do not get why they didn't make the tape mode simpler. If they wanted to provide tap as an option for any mode, then fine. But to require that you tap to set the time in tape mode, instead of just using a simple knob, to me is back-asswards.

Again, as an option, fine. But as it's executed on the pedal currently, I think it's overly complicated for no really good reason.

 

[RickB]

See.... I wanted to use the pedal as a standalone pedal so to speak and not have to deal with presets. I wanted to bypass presets all together as the only thing I wanted out of it was the tape mode so I preferred manual control. So I set the pedal to manual mode which is the mode right after the 8th preset where all the lights blink quickly. The manual mode recalls your last settings except for tempo. I realize I could have created presets but the preset management in my opinion was a bit of a drag.

 

[trickness]

When set to tape mode, the pedal does not recall your last tempo when you turn it on (from being powered off). I found this very annoying and emailed Empress about it as I thought my pedal had an issue. Overall, I could never get 100% comfortable with the way the pedal operated in terms of handling presets and being limited to tap only for tape modes. But the tape modes on it are outstanding. I wish they were put out a pedal of just the tape algorithms and simplify it a bit!

TOTALLY agree!

 

[andyothling]

Hmm... well sounds like the El Capistan would be perfect then... and $150 less to boot!

 

[trickness]

Hmm... well sounds like the El Capistan would be perfect then... and $150 less to boot!

Strangely enough, one arrived in the mail tday, right after I did the OP

It's got way more "trippy" potential than the VMSD, but has less features because it's only tape. That said, pretty easy to dial in a good basic sound. Funny, I had a Strymon Ola and hated it, but I'm loving the El Cap so far. I hate to say it but I think I need both!

 

[RickB]

Hmm... well sounds like the El Capistan would be perfect then... and $150 less to boot!

This!

 

[lux_interior]

Yep, I get that it has presets. It's kinda dumb that I have to use a preset just to reproduce a consistent delay time in tape mode.

Why? It even saves you the trouble of entering it again. And as far as the "trippy" potential of the VMSD, I can honestly say it easily supersedes the El Capistan. It has so many different sounds that you can create that it is only a question of discovering them in order to see its full potential. From conversations here and elsewhere, it really surprises me how almost everybody gets stuck only on 2 tape modes, and how few people actually spend time using their imagination to create imaginative and original sounds of their own (like irregular foot-entered multitaps with treble cut, comet trails, reverse weird ethereal echoes etc etc...). It's a real pity they need a presets guide to make it work. Use your head, people!

I am personally facing more serious and annoying problems like the occasional big lack of accuracy of the tap tempo in most modes, the extreme sensitivity of the mix knob over a small "window" of usefulness and a very small - but sometimes noticeable - bass cut when engaged. Those problems are still puzzling me every now and then, even after sending it to Empress to see if they could be corrected. They were not. I had some GAS moments about the El Capistan after spending something like two months without playing with the VMSD. But after one hour of adjusting knobs and storing new presets, I remembered perfectly well why I was so amazed in the first place.

 

[trickness]

Why? It even saves you the trouble of entering it again. And as far as the "trippy" potential of the VMSD, I can honestly say it easily supersedes the El Capistan. It has so many different sounds that you can create that it is only a question of discovering them in order to see its full potential. From conversations here and elsewhere, it really surprises me how almost everybody gets stuck only on 2 tape modes, and how few people actually spend time using their imagination to create imaginative and original sounds of their own (like irregular foot-entered multitaps with treble cut, comet trails, reverse weird ethereal echoes etc etc...). It's a real pity they need a presets guide to make it work. Use your head, people!

I am personally facing more serious and annoying problems like the occasional big lack of accuracy of the tap tempo in most modes, the extreme sensitivity of the mix knob over a small "window" of usefulness and a very small - but sometimes noticeable - bass cut when engaged. Those problems are still puzzling me every now and then, even after sending it to Empress to see if they could be corrected. They were not. I had some GAS moments about the El Capistan after spending something like two months without playing with the VMSD. But after one hour of adjusting knobs and storing new presets, I remembered perfectly well why I was so amazed in the first place.

You're right of course. None of these pedals are perfect, they all have compromises. I still love my VMSD, just wish this one thing was different. But you're right - it's a good excuse to try to create some cool presets of my own. Thanks for posting.