From the DIY days of slapback delays cobbled together from whatever spare parts were lying around to the polished realm of today's digital modeling wonders, delay effects have been a mainstay in music production. From studios to stages, players and producers alike reach for that echo to boost their sound's depth and dimension. But with so many different types of delay out there, how do you choose the right one? Why are there even so many varieties?

Pictured: Roland RE-201 Space Echo and Various Other Delay Pedals

Today we're going to dive headfirst into the world of delays—analog and digital, old school and newfangled. We'll take a quick look at what makes each type tick, where they shine best and why you might want one over another—or better yet, several. So, spool up the tape, and let's embark on this delay adventure—we'll try not to repeat ourselves, but, given the subject matter …

Table of Contents

What Is Delay, and Why Are There So Many Types?
Understanding Different Types of Analog Delay
   What Is Tape Delay?
   What Is Tube Tape Delay?
   What Is Oil Can Delay?
   What Is Drum Delay?
   What Is Bucket Brigade Delay?
A Note on the Benefits of Digital Delays
Understanding Different Types of Digital Delay
   What Is Stereo Delay?
   What Is Ducking Delay?
   What Is Ping-Pong Delay?
   What Is Modulated Delay?
   What Is Reverse Delay?
Frequently Asked Questions About Delay
The Final Repeat

What Is Delay, and Why Are There So Many Types?

Delay is one of the most versatile and beloved effects in music production and performance. At its core, delay takes your sound, stores it briefly and then plays it back, creating an echo-like effect. While simple in theory, delay has evolved dramatically over the years, branching into numerous variations that offer distinct sonic textures and creative possibilities.

Originally, delay effects were achieved through mechanical and analog means. Pioneering devices like tape-based units and drum echo machines paved the way for today’s advanced technology. With the advent of digital processing, musicians now have access to countless delay styles—many of which replicate those classic analog sounds with modern precision and added functionality.

Pictured: Line 6 DL4 MKII Delay Pedal

So, why are there so many types of delay? Each variation was born from innovative attempts to manipulate sound in unique ways. Whether it’s the warm saturation of tape delay, the quirky modulation of oil can delay or the crystalline clarity of digital delay, each type brings its own character and application to the table. Understanding these types allows you to tailor your sound, adding depth, movement or rhythmic complexity to your music.

Understanding Different Types of Analog Delay

Analog delays are the building blocks of the delay effect as we know it. Before digital processing took the reins, delay effects were created through ingenious mechanical and electronic methods. These vintage delay types not only shaped the sound of iconic music but continue to inspire today’s digital emulations. Let’s explore five classic analog delay types and their unique sonic flavors. You'll notice that many of the delays we'll look at here in the section on analog delays are, in fact, digitally modeled versions or the analog original. That's for several reasons. Primarily, this is because the physical complexity of electro-mechanical delays like tape units, or anything with any sort of moving parts, tended to make them in need of constant maintenance and prone to mechanical failure. While those factors could add a lot to their sonic charm, it made their use in live performance a risky business. The power of modern DSP combined with the state of modeling algorithms has made it possible to get extraordinarily accurate recreations of these treasured delays without the risk of having them strip a gear in the middle of a gig.

Pictured: BOSS DM-2 Delay Pedal

What Is Tape Delay?

Tape delay captures sound using magnetic tape loops. As the tape passes through a playback head, the recorded sound is played back with a slight delay. First emerging in the 1950s with machines like the Echoplex, tape delay became a staple in early rock ’n’ roll, surf and, later, in dub music. Artists from Les Paul to Lee “Scratch” Perry used tape delay to revolutionize recording techniques, creating lush textures and rhythmic echoes that became hallmarks of their genres.

Shop Now: BOSS RE-202 Space Echo Effects Pedal

Examples:

• Strymon El Capistan: A digital marvel offering meticulously modeled tape delay sounds.
• BOSS RE-202: A tribute to the legendary Roland Space Echo.
• UAFX Galaxy ‘74: A boutique take on vintage tape echo.

What Is Tube Tape Delay?

Tube tape delay marries the warmth of tape with the harmonic richness of vacuum tubes. Pioneered in the pre-transistor days of the 1950s, units like the Watkins Copicat became synonymous with the dreamy textures of early psychedelia and spaghetti western soundtracks. The use of tube circuitry lent these delays a saturated, harmonically rich character that has kept them relevant for decades.

Shop Now: BOSS RE-202 Space Echo Effects Pedal

Examples:

• Catalinbread Montavillian: A tube-inspired delay with a modern twist.
• Keeley Magnetic Echo Delay: A compact pedal delivering rich, tube-like echoes.

What Is Oil Can Delay?

Oil can delay is as quirky as its name suggests. Using a spinning disc coated in oil and electrostatic/capacitive effects for storage and replay, rather than magnetism, it creates a murky, modulated echo with an almost haunting quality. Developed in the 1960s by companies like Tel-Ray (who later became Morley), oil can delays gained a cult following for their ability to produce ethereal, otherworldly textures. Though niche, they remain a favorite among experimental artists seeking off-kilter echoes. Originals are almost impossible to find or repair, due to their use of a now-banned, highly carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) oil. As cool as they were, we're all much safer with the digital models of this unique delay effect.

Shop Now: Catalinbread Adineko Oil Can Delay Guitar Pedal

Examples:

• Catalinbread Adineko Oil Can Delay: A tribute to this niche effect, with a modern spin.
• Old Blood Noise Endeavors Black Fountain: A versatile pedal capturing the eerie charm of oil can delay.

What Is Drum Delay?

Drum delay, or drum echo, employs a rotating magnetic drum to record and play back sound. Devices like the Binson Echorec were groundbreaking in the 1950s and 1960s, offering what was, for the time, unmatched clarity and rhythmic precision. Beloved by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, the Echorec’s sound defined many of the band’s iconic tracks, such as “Echoes” and “Time.”

Shop Now: T-Rex Engineering Binson Echorec Delay Effects Pedal

Examples:

• Catalinbread Echorec: A pedal homage to the legendary Binson Echorec, revered by Pink Floyd fans.
• T-Rex Engineering Binson Echorec Delay: A loving recreation of the original electro-mechanical marvel for those who won’t settle for a model.

What Is Bucket Brigade Delay?

Bucket brigade devices (BBDs) marked the transition to electronic analog delays. Introduced in the 1970s, BBD technology made delay effects more compact and affordable. They work by using chips that are, in essence, a series of a large number of capacitors that store the electronic signal from your instrument and pass it along to the next capacitor in line. While they tended to be limited in terms of how long a delay you could get, these pedals became staples of the new wave and post-punk eras, adding warm, lo-fi textures to tracks by The Cure, U2 and countless others.

Shop Now: Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man XO Delay Pedal

Examples:

• Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man XO: An expanded version of their original Memory Man pedal, one of the classic BBD delays.
• MXR Carbon Copy: A modern classic with lush, analog repeats.
• BOSS DM-2W: A reimagining of the iconic BOSS DM-2, now with Waza Craft precision.
• BOSS DM-101: A high-performance multi-mode analog delay for serious tone chasers.

A Note on the Benefits of Digital Delays

The advent of digital technology in the 1970s marked a turning point for delay effects. Even before bucket brigade delays became widely available, digital delay lines like the Eventide DDL 1745 were already in use. Initially developed to synchronize audio between distant PA towers at festivals like the 1973 Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, these early digital delay lines ensured sound aligned perfectly with the main stage output. Soon, studios recognized the potential of this technology, repurposing it for creative applications and precise control over delay times.

Pictured: Strymon TimeLine Multi-Delay Effects Pedal

Digital delay offered unprecedented precision, flexibility and fidelity. Where analog methods introduced warmth and character through their imperfections, digital processing delivered ultraclean repeats with no signal degradation, ideal for creating pristine echoes or intricate rhythmic patterns. Today, digital delays, like the Strymon TimeLine, are not only tools of precision but also time machines, using powerful DSP and complex modeling algorithms to faithfully recreate the sounds of analog tape, drum and bucket brigade delays while introducing modern conveniences like tap tempo, MIDI integration and customizable presets.

Understanding Different Types of Digital Delay

Digital delay brought precision and versatility to the effect, spawning numerous creative variations. These types go beyond simple echoes, offering advanced features that expand the boundaries of what delay can do.

What Is Stereo Delay?

Stereo delay splits the repeats between left and right channels, creating a spacious, immersive effect. It became a favorite in the ’80s, adding width and depth to tracks in genres like synthpop and arena rock. Stereo delay remains a staple for creating expansive, three-dimensional soundscapes.

Shop Now: Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay V2 Pedal

Examples:

• Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay V2: A hi-fi stereo delay that boasts an expansive feature set.

What Is Ducking Delay?

Ducking delay dynamically lowers the volume of echoes when the input signal is strong, ensuring clarity during performances or recordings. This type of delay gained popularity in the studio, allowing vocals and lead instruments to shine while retaining the richness of delay effects. You'll find ducking delays as an option on many modern delay units.

Shop Now: BOSS DD-200 Digital Delay Pedal

Examples:

• BOSS DD-200 Digital Delay: A versatile multi-delay pedal that offers a specific ducking delay setting.

What Is Ping-Pong Delay?

Ping-pong delay bounces echoes between the left and right channels, adding rhythmic movement to your sound. This effect became a hallmark of electronic music and experimental rock, with its hypnotic, spatially dynamic quality.

Shop Now: Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man XO Delay Pedal

Examples:

• Strymon DIG Dual Digital Delay: Offering crystal-clear ping-pong delay among its features.

What Is Modulated Delay?

Modulated delay adds subtle pitch variations to the repeats, creating a lush, chorus-like effect. This dreamy, shimmering sound has made modulated delay a favorite for ambient music and shoegaze, as well as for adding richness to clean guitar tones. Almost every modern digital delay pedal has some sort of modulation control available, whether it's a straight digital delay pedal like the BOSS DD-8 or a digital modeling delay pedal like the Line 6 DL4 MkII.

Shop Now: BOSS DD-8 Digital Delay Effects Pedal

What Is Reverse Delay?

Reverse delay flips the repeats backward, creating a surreal, otherworldly effect. Used sparingly, it can add a sense of mystery or drama to a track. Artists in the ’90s alternative and trip-hop scenes, like Radiohead and Massive Attack, embraced reverse delay to craft their signature sounds.

Shop Now: Danelectro Back Talk Reverse Delay Pedal

Examples:

• Danelectro Back Talk: A pedal that specializes in reverse delay, which is a rare thing.
• Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44: A versatile option with reverse delay capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delay

Delay is one of the most versatile effects in music, but understanding how to use it effectively can raise some common questions. Let’s break down a few of the basics to help you get the most out of your delay pedals and plug-ins.

Pictured: Ibanez AD-80 Analog Delay Pedal

What Does a Delay Sound Like?

At its simplest, delay creates an echo by recording your sound, then repeating it after a set amount of time. Depending on your settings, delay can add subtle depth, create rhythmic patterns or even transform your sound into a swirling wash of ambience.

What's a Good Delay Time?

The “right” delay time depends on your style and what you’re trying to achieve. For slapback delay—popular in rockabilly and blues—a short delay time of 80–120 milliseconds works well. For rhythmic delays, like those in U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name,” sync your delay to the tempo of the song, often at quarter, eighth or dotted eighth-note intervals

How Do I Use Delay Correctly?

“Correct” depends on just what kind of effect you’re looking for, so experiment. There aren’t really “rules” as such but as a general gudeline, shorter delays can make your sound bigger, while longer delays can pull it back in the overall mix.

How Do I Power My Delay Pedal?

Most delay pedals are powered by a 9V battery or a compatible power supply. Some larger or more complex pedals may require 12V or 18V power sources. It’s essential to check the specific voltage and current requirements of your pedal to ensure proper operation. Want a deeper dive? Check our Riffs article, How to Choose the Best Power Supply for Your Pedalboard.

Where Should I Place a Delay Pedal in My Signal Chain?

Typically, delay pedals are placed toward the end of the signal chain, after modulation effects like chorus and flanger, but before reverb. When your amp has an FX loop, this is even better, because this positioning ensures that the delay processes the fully shaped tone, adding echoes to the complete sound. Learn more about pedal order in this article, What Is the Best Guitar Pedal Order? Or, if you’re going whole hog and building yourself a pedal board, check out, How to Build a Guitar Pedalboard.

What Is Tap Tempo, and How Is It Used With Delay?

Tap tempo is a feature that allows you to set the delay time by tapping a footswitch in rhythm with the song’s tempo. This function enables real-time synchronization of the delay effect with the music, making it easier to achieve rhythmic precision during performances.

The Final Repeat

We hope that you've found this article helpful, both in gaining an understanding of what different types of delays do, and why you might want several different types on your pedalboard or as part of your recording rig. What we've presented here is only a sampling of the many different delays that are available today. We suggest checking out our article The Best Delay Pedals of 2024 for a great list of choices, or you can see just how many are available at our complete Delay Pedal Collection Page.

Pictured: MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay Pedal

Of course, if you really want to experience the magic of delay, there's no better solution than heading over to your local Guitar Center store and getting hands-on with a selection of pedals to see which one is right for you. Our knowledgeable associates are always standing by to help with any questions, or if you can't get to a store, talk with your personal Gear Adviser at the Guitar Center Call Center, and they'll help you suss it all out. A good delay or three on your pedalboard are a huge amount of fun, and a great way to expand your sonic range. And fun, after all, is a big part of what making music is all about.