Analog delay

Tips and techniques for Minimoog Analog Synthesizers
User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Analog delay

Post by smv » Sat Aug 31, 2024 8:37 am

Hi guys,
i am thinking to add an analog delay to my Model D re-reissue.
I am checking the Memory Man Deluxe TT 1100 and the Boss DM 101.
Any experience? Not only with the models i mentioned..
Thanks

User avatar
stiiiiiiive
Posts: 2621
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:58 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by stiiiiiiive » Sat Aug 31, 2024 11:58 am

Hi!

I can share my experience with some analogue delays I've tried/used over the years :)

When it come to delays, I'm quite picky. Besides their bare sonic character, I've chosen the pedals based on the presence of some of the following options:
- possibility of having a 100% wet output: love that BBD sound!
- tap tempo
- modulation, even more if 100% wet is possible
- FX loop to bring some spice in the feedback loop.

The first one I got was the EHX DMMTT. The full monty. The expression pedal can control 5 parameters, the delay time can be 5 subdivisions/multiples of the tapped tempo. Cool. Sound wise, it is a bit more savage than the classic DMM and the self oscillation screams just WILD.

I then had the opportuniy to grab an old stock MF104Z. This one is less wild as it won't sceeeeaaam right away when pushing the feedback. BTW it sometimes has a feedback problem: unscrewing/rescrewing the bottom metal plate will most of the time solve that, but it's still a mystery. As I'm sure you already know, the CV inputs will allow many experimentations and this the way to go for modulation (I bought a Copilot FX Broadcast for that, a tap tempo CV LFO).
One con though: the FX loop design is such as the first repetition is not affected by the inserted pedal. Disapointing but not a deal breaker. I kept it.

When the MiniFooger series got out, I thought I could replace the cumbersome 104Z with a MiniDelay. It had less options but sounded good and had a smaller footprint. The fact the time setting covered the same range but without having to use a "short / long" switch seemed to be an asset... but I figured out I prefered the 104Z: this "short / long" switch appears to be also a "bright / dark" switch ("bright" is a pretty big word though). I kept the 104Z and sold the MiniFooger.

Back to EHX: a friend of mine was using a Deluxe Memory Boy and it sounded wonderful with its guitar. Well, it turned out it sounded not that wonderful with my synths :D Feature wise, it's very close to the DMMTT but the self oscillation was not to my taste It went away.

I had the opportunity to buy a mint MF104M. Bottom line: it's my favourite so far. Tap tempo, onboard modulation, sounds great - the self oscillation is more paddy than the 104Z's- and the FX loop quirck was fixed. I've used it live and even the tap tempo is superior: it will average the last four taps. Great pedal.

Again, at some point, I tried to replace the MF with a smaller alternative. It was the Chase Bliss Audio Tonal Recall. Huge feature set for such a compact pedal, nice. Still I did not clicked with... I don't know, the way it reacted to my gestures. Maybe I was too used to the Moog's way. I decided to make someone happy selling it like new a few years later.

After that, I've stayed tuned on the new things but have not tested much delays. The ones I used in my bands are the 104M and the Boss RE20 (love its reverb...).
The latest ones that grabbed my attention were the Suhr Discovery, the Boss DM101 and most of all the Walrus Audio Meraki. Other, older references I can mention: JHS Panther, Diamond Memory Lane 2, MXR Carbon copy, Malekko 616 series...


Oh there are two more, actually.

The JPTR FX Fernweh is a PT-chip based double delay that offers cool possibilities and a sound on the vintage side. I sold it lately like new because I did not use. it.
Finally, I've bought a J.Rockett Audio Designs Clockwork Echo. The thing has tap tempo, modulation, sounds like a DMM. I compared it to the DMMTT and it's wiser but has a similar character. Like DMM, told you. Nice pedal that I'm not sure I'll keep because all in all, I think I've already found my best friends delay wise :)


Hope this helps :)

User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by smv » Sat Aug 31, 2024 6:31 pm

thank yo so much for your reply and the detailed infos. So you think that the Memory Man is not so nice with the synths... Honestly i also would like to have a MF 104 M, but the prices are total madness.... i would like to try the Boss DM 101. Maybe i will take it on Amazon and send it back if i am not satisfied with it. Do you know something about the Meraki Stereo analog delay?

User avatar
stiiiiiiive
Posts: 2621
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:58 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by stiiiiiiive » Sat Aug 31, 2024 6:43 pm

Oh no no, the Deluxe Memory Man is great to me, really. The Deluxe Memory Boy was not. But again: it's more about my tastes. Those DMB go for cheap, you might want to try by yourself.

The Clockwork Echo is a good alterntive to the DMMTT, to me. The most noticeable differences are the absence of FX loop and the less savage self oscillation on the former. That being said, I'm quite sure the feedback gain can be adjusted internally. Definitely worth trying if you're after the DMM sound.

I don't know much about the Meraki except 1- it is made by little batches and you must keep an eye on news to have a chance to grab one, 2- it has the "full monty" for me and + it is full stereo and 3- it is expensive... but nothing near the crazy fooger prices.
You may want to watch this video.

User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by smv » Sun Sep 01, 2024 5:16 am

Sorry if I confused about the Memory Boy and Man. Anyway yes, I read about the Meraki and watched some videos. The MF is expensive but it gives you cv possibilities ( I own an MF 103 12 Stage Phaser ).
By the way I think I will go for the Boss DM 101.
Ah, another question... The UAD Stargate is digital, yes? do you have a personal experience with it?
Thank you in advance :D

User avatar
stiiiiiiive
Posts: 2621
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:58 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by stiiiiiiive » Sun Sep 01, 2024 3:40 pm

The MF103 is great too, indeed.
I don't have any experience with UAD pedals. They are digital, as afar as I know, yes.
Please come back to provide feedback about the DM101. It's a nice unit on the paper, I'm intersted in your experience!

User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by smv » Sun Sep 01, 2024 5:22 pm

Of course.
Whatever will be my choice, I will share my opinion :)
Thank you

User avatar
ummagumma
Posts: 889
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:37 pm

Re: Analog delay

Post by ummagumma » Sun Sep 01, 2024 6:08 pm

Fulltone tube tape echo FTW

I have a 90s deluxe memory man too, which sounds great. MN3005 chips. And an older one, missing the SAD 1024 bbd chips. I am sad! Lol

There is a new smaller Xvive Echoman pedal designed by Howard Davis, who did the original EHX DMM. It sounds great & is very affordable. Uses new production MN3005 chips

User avatar
stiiiiiiive
Posts: 2621
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:58 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by stiiiiiiive » Mon Sep 02, 2024 6:02 pm

Oh I did not know about the Echoman. Seems good!

Howard Davis has contributed to the development of the Clockwork Echo too, BTW.

User avatar
ummagumma
Posts: 889
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:37 pm

Re: Analog delay

Post by ummagumma » Tue Sep 03, 2024 2:43 am

Guy is a Legend!

The xvive sounds good, pretty much like my 90s DMM. Very small though, so awkward to adjust with your feet while playing, which I do with the original. But it nails the sound: if you just use it as a delay it's fine.

I'm thinking of rebuilding it into a larger enclosure

User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by smv » Tue Sep 03, 2024 7:11 am

Tanks for all replies. Yes, there are many videos that maybe create more confusion. Anyway there is a comparison made by Starsky Carr, between the MF 104 M and the Boss Dm 101. They sound pretty similar, but when you raise the feedback, the MF is softer, while the Boss is going harsher. And the 12 different delays, are not such different. At the moment, I really don't know.The Meraki sound very very nice, but yes, it is a true stereo and it is expensive. Anyway I could patch it with the patch bay, and use it with everything I want.

User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by smv » Mon Sep 16, 2024 11:11 am

I think I made my decision. After I had been watching many videos, my choice was between the MF 104 M and the Meraki.
Since the MF 104 M is only used and in Italy there are just two person that are selling it ( but they are far so I cannot check the pedal in person and you know, spending 1300 euros for something that you cannot even check in person, is a jump of faith ), I think I will go for the Meraki. Just waiting when it will be again available on Thomann web site. They wrote 2-5 days.
Cheers

User avatar
ummagumma
Posts: 889
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:37 pm

Re: Analog delay

Post by ummagumma » Mon Sep 16, 2024 1:36 pm

That Meraki looks nice!

https://www.walrusaudio.com/products/me ... dual-delay

I bet it would pair well with a Voyager too, which has stereo outs

User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by smv » Mon Sep 16, 2024 5:46 pm

Yes ... it sounds great with these 8 Mn 3005 chips.
The only minus is: why not to include a power adapter?? so hard at this price ??
Anyway it is like it is ;)

User avatar
smv
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Analog delay

Post by smv » Wed Sep 18, 2024 11:03 am

Sadly no more Meraki delay pedals in Europe at the moment. Thomann is expecting them at the end of December 2024 😢

Post Reply