Delay Pedal: When to use?

[bob Ousby]

I need some edumacation re the delay pedal. Is this something that's used intermittently or is it left on throughout a song? Thanks for any help!

[Jim Sliff]

Some use it to get the sound of an echo off a back wall...it adds a spaciousness to their sound. Others use low-level repeats with a short delay in place of reverb; it can, if used well, have a more natural sound than spring (and especially digital) reverb. Then there is the use where you set the delay for a single repeat at roughly 300ms (it really has to be set to the specific song meter) and practice playing so that your timing makes it sound like you're playing twice as many notes as you actually are' it's a technique Les Paul used in the 50's and Albert Lee used on Tele starting in the 70's.

The "double-speed" use is pretty much a one-song gimmick; fun, but can get annoying. The other uses can be sued for specific songs or all the time; I use the short delay/low level/medium repeat method instead of reverb almost all the time, and at a VERY low level (I dislike overuse of reverb or delay - reverb especially just turns the sound to mush except for single-note playing).

[Darvin Willhoite]

I use delay almost all the time, low level, with a couple of repeats, to thicken my sound a little. I use the tap function to match the repeats to the tempo. The only time I ever really hear the repeat, is if I stop the note, then I can hear a subtle repeat. I always use reverb also.

[bob Ousby]

Thanks guys for your replies. I just got a Behringer Mic 200 preamp and a Boss DD3 delay. Set it all up the other night and am impressed as to what I hear coming out of my amp!

[Erv Niehaus]

I use a Lexicon MPX 200 unit in my rack setup and always include a slight, faint, one repeat delay along with reverb and a little chorus.

[Loren Claypool]

Another approach is to use delay, or delays, to create an altogether different sonic experience. On my most recent project I used a combination of delays, and at times envelope filters, loopers, and "reversing" devices, to create pads. Most folks who hear what I've done assume I've used synths to get the sound, but it's all lap steel. It's another way to to extend the use of the instrument. Warning: this is strangely addictive territory!

[Dan Tyack]

I'm with Jim. I use a delay most of the time at a very low mix level. I typically use the tap control to set the tempo with the song (this makes the delay less noticeable.

[Tony Palmer]

Ditto for me..I leave it on usually all night on a low mix.
It's too muh trouble to dial in a different seting for each song...BUT I will adjust the intensity in and out acordingly...that's not too hard to do.