Digital Delay VS Analog

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 16 Aug 2002 5:26 pm

I have been using a Boss DD-3 Delay for sometime now.Is the analog delay better than my digital ?I have been told the analog is the way to go.Anyone had experience with this ?
Buddy Van

LeGrande 111,MCI SD-10,MCI S-10 Fender double eight,Gibson BR-9 X 2.Fender 1000,Dobro,
Two Nashville 400s,Evans Se-200,Emmons Legrande 600.

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[This message was edited by Willis Vanderberg on 16 August 2002 at 06:27 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 16 Aug 2002 6:06 pm

Some people claim the analog delays are a little fuller, or "richer" sounding. I notice just a little difference in the two. Occasionally, I'll use my Ibanez analog delay, but the battery life is very short (one night!), and I despise wall warts. So I won't rely on it for use all the time.

There are some very good sounding digital (rack) units, but they cost a couple grand! My considered opinion is that a good set of springs (reverb) is hard to beat. Delay, while great on recordings, usually gets "lost in the mix" and ambient noise on most live gigs. The exception might be a steel jam...where more people are really listening intently, and the ambient noise levels aren't quite so high. Generally, effects that are very noticeable on stage are much less so out in the audience.

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 16 Aug 2002 7:19 pm

I use the old Boss DM2 and I highly recommend it. I have three rack units including Lexicons, but none of them sound as good to me. If I were using two amps, I might like the Lexicon MPX1 rack unit better, but I seldom ever take two amps anymore, it's just not worth it to me. I think Boss effects are much better than any other brand, no matter what effect you are using, in the stomp box models.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 17 Aug 2002 4:23 am

I have an analog Ibanez AD9 stomp box, Boss DD3, and five fairly high end rack mounted units that are primarily used in my ome studio. I have heard the "analog is warmer" talk. As far as a delay goes, I can't tell much difference. I use the Ibanez for jobs and I usually get 4-5 gigs out of the battery. Since I play with a dry signal into one amp and the delayed signal into the other, it does not get "lost in the mix" so to speak.

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Aug 2002 8:41 am

Arion analog delay pedal. You can duplicate Paul Franklin's sound on the Alan Jackson records by putting on short delay and increase depth. I use to get alot of compliments about it until I just got tired of that particular sound. They are a great delay pedal.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 17 Aug 2002 1:07 pm

Kevin -

Any idea about how many milliseconds Paul's delay is?

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Lee, from South Texas

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 17 Aug 2002 3:46 pm

I remember the old Fender Spring Reverbs were great....al

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Aug 2002 6:25 pm

Lee, I don't. I just increased the depth, used, one repeat, and a very short delay. The analog delay nailed it.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 17 Aug 2002 9:06 pm

Lee; I am not up to date on Paul Franklin's Delay-Time, however; he told me one time, several years ago; that his Delay-Time was 200ms. and No (0) Repeats, and a, just barely audible; touch of Chorus. Regardless of it's age, this set-up is still worth a try! "Big John"

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 18 Aug 2002 8:21 am

Thanks, John. I've always figured it was in the 200 to 300 ms range. Instead of using just a touch of chorus, I like using just a touch of flange. To my ears, the de-tuning is a bit lighter.

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Lee, from South Texas

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 18 Aug 2002 9:06 am

A delay device should not add anything to the signal,just repeat it as cleanly and transparently as possible.Most digital delays do this very well - most analog units not so well.In analog units,the signal degrades as it repeats and while it may pass for warmth to some ears,to mine it's just noise and distortion. -MJ-

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 18 Aug 2002 9:37 am

My cheap Lexicon makes a distinction between "echo" and "delay". One of them degrades ech repaeta a little to imitate old analog units. I think it just cuts off some highs to sound like dirty heads on an Echoplex.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 20 Aug 2002 9:41 am

My sentiments exactly. I used Analog units for years. Then went to a DD-3. Analog units sound dirty to me. I guess one mans warmth is another man's dirt?

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 21 Aug 2002 7:46 pm

What Fred Murphy said. I use a Boss DM-2 and it's great. Never tried a rack mount but I'm not currently shopping for good tone. I like what I'm getting now. I set the DM-2 Repeat Rate, Echo, and Intensity settings all to around 9 or 10:00. Intensity is no higher than 9:00. That plus the Fender spring reverb gives me the tone I need.

I have a Boss RV-3 and the sound, to me just isn't as good. (Works great for vocals!) Some guys love 'em though.
--JR