Can I get some advice from the delay gurus around here? I want a delay but am not sure what to get/build. I want analog (or a great simulation).
I would like to build a Dirtbag but obviously the MN3005's are a problem to find. How does it sound with V3205's compared to something like a Boss DM-2?
Maybe the strymon el capistan or timeline would be the way to go........ how about a TC Flashback?
Maybe I should just get an old cheap analog delay like a DOD or something.
I guess the cheaper the better but longer delay would be cool too. Hmmmmmmm :-\
I am no delay guru but the answer to your question depends on what you want it to do. I have the TC Flashback and it is a great all purpose delay but it doesn't do what the Dirtbag does. The echobase gets close to the Dirtbag. The Sea Urchin is great if you just want a basic delay that has an analog like tone.
I have had an inordinate delays over the years. Too many really. And I've built just about all the DIY delays I've been able to find.
There are two types of DIY delays really. Analog, and PT2399. There are few options for features, but really in most cases many people are very happy with some of the various options available. I highly recommend the Echobase. It's been my favourite DIY delay so far. Analog delays are usually more difficult and involve a lot more complicated understanding of the circuit so I recommend you do them after building some experience. I would do a V3205 Dirtbag when you feel ready.
As for the other delays, I've owned many of the ones you're looking at. Features wise many of them have a lot of great things to offer. If you're going to invest that much money in something like a Timeline you should really be making that decision for yourself and not asking a bunch of strangers on the interweb. That said, I have an El Cap and a Timleine and have had a ridiculous number of the popular delays out there, and I really like both.
Jacob
your main things to worry about are price, size, features, sound...
Do you want it to do a bunch of things, or just one thing really, really well?
One benefit of DSP is some delays do Digital, Tape, AND Analog among other features like...a looper
I have a Line 6 Echo Park. It's small, has lots of features, and sounds ok (I've since learned that Dan Auerbach used one on my favorite Black Keys records)
but it goes through batteries like crazy, makes noise if you don't have an isolated PS...etc blah blah
Do you gig or record? A Behringer EM600 is like $50--or less used--and it's pretty much a DD7 in a weaker, mojoless case
Go with the DIY Sea Urchin if you want to make your own with relatively little hassle. That's what I'm gonna do...at least pre-Dirtbag ;)
A week ago, I worked on a recording session with a great guitarist (had a mesa combo) who seemed fine with a DD3 (iirc)--Nels Cline (the freakin' man) gigs with a DD3--some of my other heroes have used DD5s, Line 6 DL4s, DMMs, Echoplexes, etc
One of my friends has a rule for buying gear: "Don't buy it unless you're gonna use it for the rest of your life" I think that's wise
If you really like delay and want to be covered...go for something like a Timeline.
listen to demos, read reviews, and test some out
check these out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slSNMxpiJ_Y
http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/the-17-best-delay-pedals-and-echo-units-of-all-time-413847
http://www.musicradar.com/totalguitar/best-delay-pedals-five-of-our-favourites-258753/1
the old dod delay (fx90 I think) is an mn3005 delay and I have gotten some off ebay for as little as $25 . they sound fantastic in my opinion, and If it's not your cup o' tea you could probably flip it for a few bucks profit if you find one at a good price.
Quote from: mjcyates on January 15, 2012, 03:22:34 AM
I am no delay guru but the answer to your question depends on what you want it to do. I have the TC Flashback and it is a great all purpose delay but it doesn't do what the Dirtbag does. The echobase gets close to the Dirtbag. The Sea Urchin is great if you just want a basic delay that has an analog like tone.
That's where I am at. I own a Flashback for all purpose delay and I am building a Dirtbag when the next run of boards comes out. I figure that should cover a lot of bases.
Thanks everyone. I was looking at the DOD FX90's because of the price (and sound quality for the money)but I really want a longer delay too. I'm trying to listen to as many good quality clips to see which ones I like best. I like the idea of higher voltage for cleaner headroom and low noise but I like a warm repeat like the DM2. The Diamond and Empress sound great to me but I was hoping not to spend that much. The el Capistan is pretty cool. I would love to build something if I can get the parts and it will sound like I want it to.
People sleep on this one, but look into the Guyatone MD3. It's a digital delay, cheap (around $100), very clean and it also goes very long - delay time goes from 20-2600 milliseconds, according to the manual. You can also turn the feedback up into analog-style self-oscillation, which is fun. I like mine, anyway!
I've been really happy with my TC Nova Repeater (http://www.tcelectronic.com/novarepeater.asp). Got it new for $125 shipped 8)
Don't forget about the Boss DD20 either. It can do a lot for the price tag.
Josh
Thanks again everyone. I have been listening to clips all weekend. As far as new digital stuff, I like the Strymon El Capistan a lot. I really want atleast 600ms but I like the repeats on the old analog stuff like the Boss DM-2. A Diamond Memory Lane 2 would be great.............for $600. :o Maybe I should wait for the Aquaboy deluxe pcb. I really like running higher voltages though and will probably never find MN3005's. (I know it's dirt and not delay) but I found a very noticable difference in the Boneyard when I upped the voltage from +/-9v to 12. I ended up running mine at +/-15v and couldn't be happier. It was quieter and had more headroom/less mush. Still not sure what to do.....
Shawnee,
I'm by no stretch a pedal guru, but if you like the old analog sound I would suggest listening to the Carbon Copy by MXR if you haven't already. They run about $150 last time I checked. The new'ish' TC is also very cool & has lots of different setting. Much more versatile if you're looking for that.
Quote from: jkokura on January 15, 2012, 03:59:37 AM
I highly recommend the Echobase. It's been my favourite DIY delay so far. Analog delays are usually more difficult and involve a lot more complicated understanding of the circuit so I recommend you do them after building some experience. I would do a V3205 Dirtbag when you feel ready.
The echo base i built, i don't like so much. I confirmed my build with some videos & sound samples and i'm thinking it works as it should.
What i'm hearing is very narrow frequency window in the repeats, even if i like the fact that my "dry" signal just gets out of the signal without getting so much color in it. Overall the pedals sounds "tiny" compared to my memory toy & or boss echo space i could test. (By the way, both terrific delays, both completely different).
Is it just a matter of taste or should i shake this thing out of its box?
Quote from: djaaz on January 16, 2012, 11:38:32 PM
Quote from: jkokura on January 15, 2012, 03:59:37 AM
I highly recommend the Echobase. It's been my favourite DIY delay so far. Analog delays are usually more difficult and involve a lot more complicated understanding of the circuit so I recommend you do them after building some experience. I would do a V3205 Dirtbag when you feel ready.
The echo base i built, i don't like so much. I confirmed my build with some videos & sound samples and i'm thinking it works as it should.
What i'm hearing is very narrow frequency window in the repeats, even if i like the fact that my "dry" signal just gets out of the signal without getting so much color in it. Overall the pedals sounds "tiny" compared to my memory toy & or boss echo space i could test. (By the way, both terrific delays, both completely different).
Is it just a matter of taste or should i shake this thing out of its box?
It might just be taste. I wouldn't disagree with you, but I don't have one handy to really listen, and my only PCB I have has issues right now.
However, I know that I don't find it tiny compared to other delays. In fact, I thought it much 'larger' than the Rebote 2.5 and I haven't heard people think that's tiny. I don't have any experience with the Memory Toy or Space Echo, but I have experience with a ridiculous number of other popular delays.
Do you have your EB boxed up? If not, and you're willing to part with it, I'd take it in trade for some other PCBs I have.
Jacob
Quote from: jkokura on January 17, 2012, 12:45:14 AM
Quote from: djaaz on January 16, 2012, 11:38:32 PM
Quote from: jkokura on January 15, 2012, 03:59:37 AM
I highly recommend the Echobase. It's been my favourite DIY delay so far. Analog delays are usually more difficult and involve a lot more complicated understanding of the circuit so I recommend you do them after building some experience. I would do a V3205 Dirtbag when you feel ready.
The echo base i built, i don't like so much. I confirmed my build with some videos & sound samples and i'm thinking it works as it should.
What i'm hearing is very narrow frequency window in the repeats, even if i like the fact that my "dry" signal just gets out of the signal without getting so much color in it. Overall the pedals sounds "tiny" compared to my memory toy & or boss echo space i could test. (By the way, both terrific delays, both completely different).
Is it just a matter of taste or should i shake this thing out of its box?
It might just be taste. I wouldn't disagree with you, but I don't have one handy to really listen, and my only PCB I have has issues right now.
However, I know that I don't find it tiny compared to other delays. In fact, I thought it much 'larger' than the Rebote 2.5 and I haven't heard people think that's tiny. I don't have any experience with the Memory Toy or Space Echo, but I have experience with a ridiculous number of other popular delays.
Do you have your EB boxed up? If not, and you're willing to part with it, I'd take it in trade for some other PCBs I have.
Jacob
It is in a 1590BB box taking the dust somewhere. It is a musicpcb pcb so will be challenging to fit in a 1590B or 125 but very doable.
I use an Earthquaker Devices Disaster Transport, which I believe is PT2399 based. I really like it--it's probably about as close to DMM sounds as you're going to get in a non-analog format. If I didn't have this, I'd probably be looking to take on the Echobase for fun!
I have a PT2399 delay and it does sound good, but a little cleaner on the repeats than I want. I think I have decided to hold out for the AquaBoy Deluxe pcb and search for MN3005's. I know, I know, good luck with that!
I recommend you T. C. Electronic Flashback.
It is a nice pedal you should have :)
I'm a big fan of the Nova Delay. It does a nice Analog simulation but doesn't get the warmth the real thing has. I've never been a fan of PT delays until I built the G-board of Bean's The Mimik. On my bench I thought "meh" but I put it on my board and love it. I have a bunch of delays kicking around here and a buddy and I did a shoot out between all of them and we both kept coming back to The Mimik.
(https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/60939370.jpg)
... I was about to reply and completely missed the datestamps. Thanks, selfdestroyer!
But to speak to changes SINCE 2012, these days, if you can get a pair of XVIVE3005 chips, go this way every time. My set sound great, head and shoulders above the shitty v3205d chips. If you can't get Xvive 3005's, then go for Brian's Dirtbaby. This is assuming that taptempo is not a make-or-break.
Sorry for digging this old topic. But there are a lot of gurus here so I want to ask your opinion, what do you guys think about Donner Yellow Fall analog delay (https://musicalstudy.com/donner-yellow-fall-vintage-analog-review/)? Should I go for it. Thanks
If it is all you can afford, then go for it because A delay is better than NO delay. I say this because in order to hit their price point they are cutting corners. That old adage of "no free lunch" or "you get what you pay for" very much applies if you know "the cost of things." Analog delay is not an inexpensive effect to put into the marketplace, even if it is a Chinese knockoff.
I'd look into the MXR carbon copy they just released in the 1590A"ish" enclosure.
DD-7 with external tap for slapback and getting your Edge on. Dirtbag Deluxe for washes / longer delay times. That's me anyway.
Quote from: thesmokingman on June 19, 2019, 05:05:57 PM
If it is all you can afford, then go for it because A delay is better than NO delay. I say this because in order to hit their price point they are cutting corners. That old adage of "no free lunch" or "you get what you pay for" very much applies if you know "the cost of things." Analog delay is not an inexpensive effect to put into the marketplace, even if it is a Chinese knockoff.
Thank you for your advise