The digital algorithm of the Walrus Audio D1 is one of my favorite digital delays.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen I say that digital delay is great, I\u2019m talking about modern ones. As of this writing, I\u2019m referring to digital delays created in the last 10-20 years or so. The reason I feel that they are so awesome is because they don\u2019t sound digital. Modern digital delays sound exactly like a perfect copy of your guitar sound. So, if you have a very nice, warm and beautiful guitar sound, then a digital delay will simply give you more of that.<\/p>\n
I understand that a dark analog or tape delay is great when you need the echos to be in the background. However, there are times when you can play off the delay repeats. This is often great for staccato rhythms, or for dotted 8th patterns. Perfect crystal clear up front repeats can also be great for open arpeggios and soundscapes. You can always dial in a darker tone if needed.<\/p>\n
Even watching demo videos and blindfold tests on YouTube suggests that many guitarists are biased against digital delays because of that stigma that they are supposedly not as good as tape, drum, or analog delays. The blindfold tests are the best. You\u2019ll see the guitarists in question loving the sound of a digital delay pedal. Once told it\u2019s a digital delay the guitarist appears surprised and will respond saying something like, \u201cWow, I normally prefer tape delay.\u201d<\/p>\nWe can’t really have a digital delay guitar pedal article and not showcase the amazing Strymon DIG.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYeah, tape and analog delay modulation is cool and all. But I encourage you to try a couple of good clean digital delays and set the modulation low. You\u2019d be surprised at how useful this sound can be. It\u2019s also very useful in the effects loop of a dirty amp, as there\u2019s often no real need to add even more imperfections to the sound.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a list of some very good digital delay pedals. Many of these pedals have other modes for tape, analog, drum and such. Again, most delays these days are all digital anyway. It\u2019s just that they digitally try to emulate a tape delay or an analog delay. But what I\u2019m talking about here is real digital delays that try to sound as perfectly clear as possible.<\/p>\n
Some of my favorite digital delay pedals<\/h3>\n Strymon DIG<\/strong><\/p>\nThis is one that I would consider as one of the very best. The reason is, it\u2019s not a delay that\u2019s trying to emulate a bunch of other models as well. It\u2019s a digital delay through and through. Guitarists that have accepted that digital delay is awesome can often say the Strymon DIG is even better than the venerable Strymon El Capistan<\/p>\n
Walrus Audio Mako Series D1 Delay<\/strong><\/p>\nThis is one of those pedals that have various modes. The reason I bring is up is because I own it and the digital delay algo on it is my favorite as compared to all the other ones on the pedal.<\/p>\n
Source Audio Collider<\/strong><\/p>\nI often use the tape delay engine on this pedal. But if I\u2019m not on that, I\u2019m on the digital delay. It\u2019s truly awesome. In fact, I often prefer it over the tape algorithm and I prefer the modulation on it as well.<\/p>\n
Source Audio Nemesis<\/strong><\/p>\nThe digital delay algorithm on the Source Audio Collider came originally from the Nemesis. So there you have it.<\/p>\n
Empress Echosystem<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Empress Echosystem is one of my favorite delay pedals of all time. Everything on this thing is amazing. In regards to digital delays, the Empress Echosystem has a few algorithms dedicated to digital delays that are absolutely stellar.<\/p>\n
There are more out there. But I definitely encourage you to put your assumptions aside and try out a good, modern, digital delay. Once you stop thinking that a tape or analog delay is simply better by default, and use your ears to gauge your experience, you might come back appreciating a good digital echo much more.<\/p>\n
If you liked this article, I encourage you to check out the one about Analog Dry-Through Versus Fully Digital<\/em><\/a> – It’s right up your alley in regards to this story about digital delays.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I’m here to tell you that digital delay guitar pedals are awesome. I know that they’ve gotten bad rap over the years and guitarists tend to simply assume that tape delay or analog delay is better. But hear me out. Put your pre-convictions about digital delay pedals aside and let me tell you why they are great.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1666,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[65,80,46,63],"yoast_head":"\n
Digital Delay Pedals Are Great! - SixStringSensei<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n