Picking the best delay pedal for your guitar is kind of hard. There are almost an infinite amount of different delay effects pedals to choose from. That’s why I’ve put this list together. Here are some of the top-rated delay guitar pedals out there right now.
But first, what is a delay pedal?
For those that just want to experiment with different sounds and types of effects, delay guitar pedals might be the right choice. True, it may sound quite unfamiliar, and you might ask why do you even need one.
So, delay guitar pedal is more like time-based effect. It records the sound that you are playing and then plays it back after some period of time, multiple times.
Let’s get straight to the point and see what are the top delay guitar pedals out there!
Click Below to Compare the Top Delay Guitar Effects Pedals in 2020
Contents
- 1 Click Below to Compare the Top Delay Guitar Effects Pedals in 2020
- 1.1 MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
- 1.2 Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Pedal
- 1.3 JOYO Dual Channel Digital Delay D-SEED
- 1.4 TC Electronic Nova Delay Guitar Delay Effects Pedal
- 1.5 BBE Two Timer Dual-Mode Analog Delay
- 1.6 Behringer VD400 Vintage Analog Delay Effects Pedal
- 1.7 Donner Yellow Fall Vintage Pure Analog Delay Guitar Effect Pedal True Bypass
- 2 What We recommend and Why
- 3 Conclusion
Here is a list of the best delay guitar effects pedals to add to your pedalboard right now.
- MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
- Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Pedal
- JOYO Dual Channel Digital Delay D-SEED
- TC Electronic Nova Delay Guitar Delay Effects Pedal
- BBE Two Timer Dual-Mode Analog Delay
- Behringer VD400 Vintage Analog Delay Effects Pedal
- Donner Yellow Fall Vintage Pure Analog Delay
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Specs, details, and features
This Analog Delay pedal is every musician’s dream. It offers quite a good deal of delay time, which can go up to 600 milliseconds. With it, you will be able to experiment with a variety of possibilities and enjoy a true beauty of sound that one delay pedal can offer.
Modulation controls emulate tape echo tones, which ensures accuracy and puts you fully in control of what you are going to produce. There are 3 knobs, where you can easily control Delay, Mix, or Regen.
Everything is simplified with this one, which makes it perfect even for beginners. For even more tonal options, there are 2 internal trim pots.
This delay pedal belongs to an affordable price point category, and getting one for yourself will definitely be a good trade.
Pros and highlights
- Great control – Being so easy to use, you will be fully in charge of delay, and prevent any mistiming regarding it.
- Up to 600 ms of delay – Rarely seen in the world of delay guitar pedals, but 600 ms is quite an admirable amount of delay. Such varieties of tone and so many possibilities with this one, yet at an affordable price.
- Affordable price, great value – As stated above, this one comes at a really affordable price. Getting one for yourself is quite a good deal as it pays great value for the price.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Old-school delay pedal (if that can be even considered as a con)
Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Pedal
Specs, details, and features
By pushing the boundaries, Boss has managed to stay a leading delay guitar pedal manufacturer. As everything that Boss creates, this delay pedal features a great performance and the quality of sound that other manufacturers would envy to.
It can ensure up to 6.4 sec of delay mode. You can use a “Hold” mode, to create so-called “Sound-on-sound” performance.
To make everything easier, and control of this beauty simplified, there is a footswitch and expression pedal. You can control tap tempo through this pedal as well. It’s a great delay pedal for live-performances and recording purposes.
Pros and highlights
- Easy to control – By using a footswitch, you can control this one with ease. With a variety of sound effects that this one offers, you will have all the freedom to explore different styles.
- Variety of effects – With such a variety of effects, you will enjoy playing with this delay pedal and test its limits.
- Up to 6.4 sec of delay mode and up to 40 sec of input to be recorded for sound-on-sound performances.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- A bit steeper price – It has a slightly steeper price, but as you may know- the quality comes with the price.
JOYO Dual Channel Digital Delay D-SEED
Specs, details, and features
If you are searching for a pedal that you wish to have full control over the delay, both over the speed and the sound of it, you should probably invest a bit more. Luckily, there is a bit cheaper solution for you and it’s called JOYO D-Seed.
So what can you expect from this one? Nothing less than with any other delay pedal- standard mix, time, mode, and feedback controls. With 2 programmable channels switchable with a footswitch, you will be able to opt between the modes fast and easy.
Shortly, it’s an excellent delay pedal for gigs, jams, and live performances.
Pros and highlights
- Full control – You will have full control over the delay. Being able to control the speed and the sound of it, you can play with sounds and experiment with ease.
- Easy switchable modes – With a footswitch, you will be able to opt between 2 programmable channels. Everything is simplified with this one and it can’t get easier with delay guitar pedal.
- Great for advanced players – It’s good not only for beginners but for advanced players as well. It belongs to an affordable price point category and seems to be of great use to a lot of advanced players nowadays.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Build quality could’ve been a bit better, but considering the price is more than just fair
TC Electronic Nova Delay Guitar Delay Effects Pedal
Specs, details, and features
With 9 programmable presets, it will fit into anyone’s needs- both, beginner’s or professional’s. You can use two sturdy footswitches to set tempos and activate pedal, of course. At this price point category, you will hardly find some delay pedal to match its uncompromising quality.
With audio tapping technology, you will simply love this one. It will allow you to adjust the tempo of the pedal to your needs while holding down the tap tempo switch.
Pros and highlights
- 9 Programmable presets – Great for both, beginners and professionals. There is a lot of possibilities with programmable presets, and you will be able to adjust it everything within several “clicks”.
- Simple to use – Everything is simplified, so that you can focus on your playing.
- Great value – This delay guitar pedal comes at a small price for the quality that you get. It pays its price enormously!
- Audio tapping technology – Adjust the pedal tempo while holding down the tap tempo switch. As mentioned above- everything is simplified and easy to use.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- None so far
BBE Two Timer Dual-Mode Analog Delay
Specs, details, and features
If you want to experience a true analog delay and vintage slap-back echo that rivals any tape delay, then you should probably consider BBE as your first choice. Designed to be rival of some of the leading products on the market, this little delay guitar pedal got all it takes to hit the market and become a leading product.
It has all the qualities of an advanced delay guitar pedal, yet it is one of the cheapest that can be found. You will be able to shape the sound to your preferring, thanks to echo and repeat rate controls. It has LED light indicator for the status (on/off). It can produce up to 300 ms of delay, and it has a special feature of advanced noise reduction.
That will keep your sound sharp and clean without any buzzes or some may call “noisy sounds”. All in all, it’s quite a valuable delay pedal, as it belongs to a cheap price point category, yet offers such performance.
True, it’s not for some more advanced purposes, recording, gigs, or live performances, but you can use it to learn the basics of delay and improve yourself.
Pros and highlights
- Great beginning tool – As mentioned, it’s not that good to use it professionally. However, it’s a great option for those that are just starting to experiment with delays and various types of effects that delay pedals offer.
- Amazing value – Given the fact that it belongs to a cheap price point category, and that it has all the functions of some much pricier delay pedals, this one is highly valuable.
- Up to 300 ms of delay – With such delay possibilities, the sky is the limit, as some would say.
- Compact -Being so compact and lightweight, it’s perfect for carrying it around- to gigs.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Not recommendable for professional purposes
Behringer VD400 Vintage Analog Delay Effects Pedal
Specs, details, and features
There is something special, and it’s called Behringer VD400. This delay pedal is a pretty well-packed pedal with a lot of features and effects that some much pricier pedals would envy. It has high-voltage poly caps for a better tone. Moreover, it can provide up to 330 ms of delay which is quite impressive.
Its true bypass will assure that your tone won’t get colored when disengaged, and it will ensure a great quality sound. Powered by 9-volt battery, its durability is quite admirable. Of course, you can use the AC adapter, which is included.
Pros and highlights
- Great battery – High-quality batteries will ensure that your gig never stops in the mid-solo part! Use included adapter for flawless performance.
- Up to 330 ms of delay – As mentioned, it features great delay capabilities which ensure a lot of playing around and variety of the sound. With this one, the sky is the limit.
- Simple to use – With this one, it can’t be easier. It’s simple as it gets. Great for beginners who are confused how delay pedals work, as well as for professionals, as it offers a variety of effects with easy operation.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Lacks a tap tempo, or something to control the repeat oscillation
Donner Yellow Fall Vintage Pure Analog Delay Guitar Effect Pedal True Bypass
Specs, details, and features
There is a delay guitar pedal that can probably fit your needs, and yet comes at affordable price. Donner Yellow delay pedal is something truly unique. Made of aluminum-alloy, it is pretty stable and durable delay guitar pedal. It provides a pure analog whole circuit delay, clear, plump, and smooth new Delay effect.
In charge of a transparent tone, there is a true bypass, while you can check its working state on a led display. It has 3 knobs, time for 20-620 ms delays, and all of this at a cheap price. It pays a great value for it, and surely won’t let you down. It’s the perfect thing for beginners as provides everything that one delay guitar pedal should, yet it’s cheap and worth trying.
Pros and highlights
- Great body shell – Made completely from aluminum, not only that is lightweight, but you can smash it to the ground and achieve nothing! Literary, this one will last for ages.
- Pure analog circuit delay – With this one, you will feel a true tone of one classic delay guitar pedal. It offers such amazing sound quality and having it in your personal equipment arsenal truly means something.
- Lightweight – It’s highly important for your equipment to be lightweight and easily portable. That’s what Donner did this time. With only several pounds, and lightweight materials (aluminum), you will be able to carry it from gig to gig, almost effortlessly.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Some find it a bit noisy
What We recommend and Why
Now, what we would recommend you is TC Electronic Nova. That one is far the best delay pedal from our list. True, it comes with a bit steeper price, but the value that it pays for it is quite enormous. You can use it in some more advanced purposes as well. With 6 studio quality delay types and programmable presets, you will have everything that can be expected from one delay guitar pedal.
Everything is simplified with this one, and you won’t have any struggles of using it. Moreover, it’s designed to last for ages! Overall, it’s not such a huge investment if you are intending to use it in some recording, or gig purposes. Unlike other delay pedals from our list, this is quite much professional-friendly.
Conclusion
If we take into account everything of the aforementioned, these are some of the best delay guitar pedals that can be found on the internet. They range from affordable price point category to even an expensive one, but that doesn’t mean that there is such a big quality difference.
However, it seems that the one from our list that belongs to a bit pricier point category really is the greatest choice for those intending to go (or already are) pro.
Hopefully, this article helped you find out what is the best delay pedal for you, and which one will suit your needs the best!
