Delay has become an essential tool for guitarists. With the right delay pedal, you can add depth and texture to your sound, create mesmerizing soundscapes, and even recreate the classic sounds of famous guitarists. There are a lot of delay pedals available today, so it can be hard to know which one is the best for you. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best delay pedals on the market. We’ve taken into consideration features, sound quality, and price to help you find the delay pedal that’s perfect for you.
Best Delay Pedals
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
TC Electronic X4 FlashBack
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Boss Digital DD-7
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Catalinbread Echorec Guitar Multi-Head
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Electro-Harmonix Canyon Looper
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Seymour Duncan Analog Vapor Trail
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Source Audio Nemesis
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Earthquaker Devices Avalanche Run
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Empress Effects Tape
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo
|
7. 2
|
1. TC Electronic X4 FlashBack
I recently purchased the TC Electronic X4 Flashback Delay Pedal, and I’m thrilled with how it performs. It’s a great addition to my pedalboard and is incredibly versatile. It has four different modes: Delay, Modulated Delay, TonePrint and Looper. The Delay mode is great for basic delay sounds, while the Modulated Delay mode adds a bit of extra life and movement to the sound. The TonePrint mode allows you to download tones from other artists and the Looper mode lets you create unique soundscapes. The sound quality is excellent and the versatility makes this pedal great for a wide range of musical styles. Overall, I’m very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend the TC Electronic X4 FlashBack Delay Pedal!
- Delay pedal featuring TCs legendary TonePrint technology
- Stereo I/O for true stereo effects
- Tap tempo and up to 11 seconds of delay time
- Unique TonePrints for signature sounds by renowned guitarists
- 4 independent delay types
- Onboard looper with up to 40 seconds of recording time
- True bypass switching
- MIDI I/O for integration with pedals, drum machines and more
2. MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog
I recently purchased the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay Pedal and have been thoroughly impressed with its performance. Its a great sounding pedal with a warm, analog tone that really adds some character to your sound. The controls are straightforward and easy to use, and I like the ability to adjust the delay time without having to open up the pedal. Its also quite durable and robust, so I dont have to worry about it breaking down during a gig or practice. Overall, this is a great pedal that I highly recommend for anyone looking to add depth and character to their sound.
- True bypass operation for maximum signal integrity
- 600ms of delay time
- Modulation Rate and Intensity controls to adjust the character of modulated delays
- Bright/Dark switch to alter the tonal character of the repeats
- Analog circuitry
- Bucket brigade technology for warm, smooth delays
- Small, rugged metal housing
3. Boss Digital DD-7
The Boss Digital DD-7 is an incredibly versatile and powerful digital delay pedal. It allows you to create a wide range of delay effects, from short slap back delays to long ambient echoes. The range of controls available on the DD-7 make it easy to tweak the delay tone to your exact liking. The tap tempo feature is especially useful for locking into the beat when playing live. Overall, the Boss Digital DD-7 is an excellent digital delay pedal that provides a ton of features and sound quality in a compact package.
- Delay time ranges from 12.5 to 800 milliseconds
- Mode switch between standard, modulate, and hold
- Tap tempo switch with input for an external footswitch
- Backlit LCD display allows for easy viewing of delay time, delay status, and battery condition
- Analog dry-through signal preserves the character of the original sound
- Stereo outputs and expression pedal input
4. Catalinbread Echorec Guitar Multi-Head
I recently purchased the Catalinbread Echorec Guitar Multi-Head, and I must say that I am very pleased with it! It is a versatile and powerful multi-head echo effect pedal that I can use with both my electric and acoustic guitars. It has a wide range of sounds and tones, allowing me to get creative with my playing. The build quality is solid and sturdy, and the controls are very easy to use. I have been experimenting with different settings and sounds, and have found some really interesting tones. The Catalinbread Echorec is definitely a great addition to my pedalboard, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a powerful echo pedal!
- 2 channel multi-head tape echo simulator featuring four heads
- Real-time rhythm tap tempo control
- Alterable playback head settings to customise the delay/echo effects
- Tone shaping functions to further refine the sound
- True bypass circuitry
- Compact, durable design with top-mounted jacks
5. Electro-Harmonix Canyon Looper
I recently purchased the Electro-Harmonix Canyon Looper and I absolutely love it! This pedal has so many features that make looping simple and fun. It has a built-in drum machine with 40 patterns that sound great and help you to build awesome loops. The four loop tracks can be individually controlled with dedicated start, stop, and overdub buttons. The Canyon Looper also has a USB port, so it’s easy to back up and share your loops. The sound quality is excellent and its intuitive design makes it easy to use. The Electro-Harmonix Canyon Looper is a great tool for creating and exploring music. Highly recommended!
- Compact and versatile looping pedal with up to 62 seconds of record time
- 3 simultaneous stereo loops with independent volume controls and dedicated mute/unmute and undo/redo controls
- Built-in drum machine with 11 rhythm patterns and adjustable tempo
- Reverse loops or use them in forward/reverse mode for inspiring sound manipulation
- 10 memory locations for saving and recalling your loop creations
6. Seymour Duncan Analog Vapor Trail
I recently purchased the Seymour Duncan Analog Vapor Trail and I am absolutely in love with it! This high-end pedal provides a dynamic, lush delay sound that I have never heard before. It’s easy to use, has plenty of features and options, and is built to last. I’ve been experimenting with different settings and combinations and am always finding new sounds and textures. I highly recommend this pedal to anyone who wants to expand their sonic palette and explore new tones in their music.
- Delivers a warm and clear echo tone
- Compact, low-profile design
- Uses Analog Bucket Brigade Technology for a smooth, dynamic sound
- True bypass switching for zero tonal loss
- Noiseless switching
- Easy access to Tone and Level controls
- Top Mounted Jacks for easy installation
7. Source Audio Nemesis
The Source Audio Nemesis is an excellent multi-effects processor. It offers a wide range of effects, from delay and reverb to distortion and modulation. The sound quality is great and the interface is intuitive and easy to use. The Nemesis also has an expression pedal that can be used to control any of the effects parameters, giving you great control over your sound. The Nemesis also has MIDI I/O for use with other MIDI-enabled devices. Overall, the Source Audio Nemesis is an incredibly versatile and powerful effects processor, and a great choice for anyone looking for a great all-in-one solution for their multi-effects needs.
for styling
- Delay, Reverb, and Modulation Effects
- 128 Presets with 8 Programmable Preset Banks
- Tap Tempo with 4 Different Beat Divisions
- Stereo Inputs and Outputs
- Expression Pedal Input for Dynamic Control
- MIDI Input for Preset Changes and Tap Tempo
- True Bypass and Analogue Dry-Through
8. Earthquaker Devices Avalanche Run
The Earthquaker Devices Avalanche Run is a great choice if you’re looking for a reliable pedal that can give you a range of sound variations. The pedal is well-built and has a sturdy design. It has four knobs for controlling the rate, level, tone and delay, which give you plenty of options for customizing your sound. The delay time is adjustable from a single millisecond to an impressive 4 seconds. The sound quality is excellent, with a warm and natural tone that is perfect for a wide range of genres. I also like that the pedal has a true bypass, so that it doesn’t color your tone when it’s not engaged. Overall, I’m very impressed with the Earthquaker Devices Avalanche Run and highly recommend it to guitarists looking for a great delay pedal.
- True Bypass Switching
- Toggle Switch for selecting between two different voicing modes: Normal & Expanded
- Expanded Mode provides access to a wider range of sounds and a huge almost infinite decay
- Soft Touch Relay-Based Switching
- Top-mounted input and output jacks
- Handmade one-of-a-kind enclosure with a custom powder coated finish
- Mounting slots for easy and secure pedalboard installation
- High-grade film capacitors and resistors for lush sound and transparent tone
9. Empress Effects Tape
I recently purchased the Empress Effects Tape Delay, and it has quickly become my go-to delay pedal. It’s got a great sound, with warm, organic tones and a wide range of delay times. The controls are intuitive and user-friendly, allowing me to quickly dial in the perfect setting for a particular part. It also has an effects loop, which is great for adding other effects to the signal chain. Overall, I’m really happy with the Empress Effects Tape Delay and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great-sounding delay pedal.
- Authentic vintage tape delay sounds with up to 1200ms of delay time
- High-fidelity analog circuit with discrete components
- Dynamic filtering and self-oscillation capabilities
- Tap Tempo, MIDI input and remote control capabilities
- Stereo outputs with selectable wet/dry blend
- Integrated expression pedal control
- True bypass switching
- External power supply included
- Compact design fits in any pedal board
10. Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo
I recently purchased the Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo and I’m in love. It’s a powerful, versatile and incredibly realistic digital take on classic tape echo machines. The sound quality is amazing, with incredibly realistic tape simulation, authentic stereo sound and a wide range of adjustable parameters. The quality of this pedal is exceptional, both in sound and construction. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, and the input/output jacks are solid. I’m also impressed with the amount of options and sounds this pedal can produce. I would highly recommend this pedal to anyone looking for a great sounding, reliable and flexible tape echo.
- Authentic tape echo sound and feel, designed to recreate the warm, saturated sound of vintage reel-to-reel magnetic tape echo machines.
- Choose from several classic tape echo machine types, tape age/wear settings, and modulation options.
- Three playback heads and three stereo taps with selectable stereo width.
- Realistic Wow and Flutter – Adjust the level of tape speed fluctuation for a more “real” tape echo experience.
- Tap Tempo and MIDI Clock sync allows you to sync the delay time to the tempo of your music.
- Full featured analog pre-delay emulation circuit.
- Three expression pedal inputs to control multiple parameters.
- USB Audio streaming, providing up to 24-bit/96kHz digital audio I/O.
- Stereo XLR line level I/O.
- Compact, rugged design for reliable performance on stage or in the studio.
