How to use a delay pedal properly?

[deepblue2]

Hi guys,

I know this is a noob question, but I'm not sure how to work my DD-3. I guess many people will say 'listen to some songs and you will know', or 'try for yourself'. But the fact is I have listened, and I have tried. But it's still something that I'm trying to get used to.

When I switch the delay and play normal strumming, the chords sound muddled because of all the background delays. If I put the delays to be less frequent or shorter delay, then it sounds as if there is no delay.

If I play some simple solos, the sound is messy cause there of the delay.

I would appreciate any advice. Ex: don't use delay when soloing, etc.

Thanks in advance guys (and gals)

p/s: I've had my DD-3 modded with a high-cut mod. It sounded even more muddled before that (because the delays don't taper off)

 

[Indigo_blues]

think you're probably suffering from too much effect.. try turning down the effect level. Think it should help.

 

[jony]

You meant feedback?

 

[thor666]

Turn down the repeats or don't use the delay (esp for strumming, it's not exactly meant to do strumming unless u put to fast/little repeats).

I set everything to 12 o'clock and it works for me, arppeggios or soloing.

You should try setting your delay to the rhythm timings of each song that you play.

the DD3 doesn't need a high cut mod to work, but I agree that the hi-cut mod is a lovely mod to hear

 

[ShredCow]

p/s: I've had my DD-3 modded with a high-cut mod. It sounded even more muddled before that (because the delays don't taper off)

I think you are mistaken. A hi cut mod on DD3 makes the repeats taper off faster. The repeats get progessively darker due to the hi cut (treble cut) mod and thus, taper off faster.

 

[jony]

MAybe its not tapering off fast enough for him.

Guess its a feedback tweak.

 

[thor666]

i think he meant "didn't taper off".

 

[deepblue2]

My apologies. Maybe I wasn't so clear in my explanation.

The original DD-3 didn't taper off at all. It just kept repeating until the number of feedbacks ended and then it disappears altogether.

The high-cut creates the taper off effect. But I guess you guys know more about all this than I do.

I guess it really does boil down to how to adjust the effect level and feedback. It just seems like there's a fine line between a nice taper off and one which is almost not noticeable, hence defeating the purpose of the delay.

Thanks thor for the advise on the timing. I guess I'll have to learn to do that.

I'm really at awe with those who use the DD-3 in its original form. How do you guys manage the feedbacks? I couldn't do it, hence the need for the mod.

 

[theblueark]

I love the non-tapering off digital delays for certain stuff. I have the DD20 and use the digital delay for some stuff, and the analog modelled one for others.

Here's how you can use digital delay, just get the timing right:

Clean
http://www.artemismusic.com/audio/4a_Riff_clean.mp3

Delay
http://www.artemismusic.com/audio/4b_riff_delay1.mp3


You can probably use analog delays or hi cut mods for a similar effect but it won't sound as "pristine".

 

[brundisium]

i'am not sure how this would help, but to get some of those delay riff, these might be a good start

1) Delay knob to mid position
2) Repeat knob to 2-3 repeats

Play one note, hear how the repeat sounds like. Once familiarised with the repeat for just playing one note, start the second note in between the repeated notes. After a while, there be this notes which you played interacting with the repeated notes, which, will sound like certain The edge(U2) riff...

 

[deepblue2]

I love the non-tapering off digital delays for certain stuff. I have the DD20 and use the digital delay for some stuff, and the analog modelled one for others.

Here's how you can use digital delay, just get the timing right:

Clean
http://www.artemismusic.com/audio/4a_Riff_clean.mp3

Delay
http://www.artemismusic.com/audio/4b_riff_delay1.mp3


You can probably use analog delays or hi cut mods for a similar effect but it won't sound as "pristine".

That's good stuff! I guess I can experiment with non-cut and cut. Coz the mod has a switch that allows me to retain the original setting.

 

[deepblue2]

i'am not sure how this would help, but to get some of those delay riff, these might be a good start

1) Delay knob to mid position
2) Repeat knob to 2-3 repeats

Play one note, hear how the repeat sounds like. Once familiarised with the repeat for just playing one note, start the second note in between the repeated notes. After a while, there be this notes which you played interacting with the repeated notes, which, will sound like certain The edge(U2) riff...

Sounds confusing. But I think I get what you mean. The point is to get the delays to be in-between the 'played' notes. And to be be 'on' or close to the played notes. I guess that's where it starts getting all muddled. Coz the timing is to close together.

 

[brundisium]

the point is to cut down on the amount of repeats and not playing too many notes or shredding all at once if it sounds muddy. The focus will be on using the repeats "playing" for you and in between the notes you play adding the icing on the whole riff.

Oh, another important thing is that if you are using the delay with any distortion. Turn down the gain. Most delay(pedals that is) don't interact well with distortion

It might take a long while playing with the delay time and repeats to get those rhythmic sounding delay. Just don't rush through the whole thing or trying to cramp too many notes in the playing.

 

[FITCH]

DD-3 audio demo with settings.

Click "Audio Demo" ----> http://bossus.com/index.asp?pg=1&tmp=14

 

[brundisium]

oh, and the riff in the clip above, can be done using any delay pedal regardless of modded or stock or brand. Its all in the played notes in between the repeated notes thing.

Hard to put in words, but definitely can be done.

 

[deepblue2]

DD-3 audio demo with settings.

Click "Audio Demo" ----> http://bossus.com/index.asp?pg=1&tmp=14

Yup, I've heard that.. quite a number of times actually. 2 points to note though:
1 - You never really get that effect even if the settings are identical. It's the entire setup which gives it that kinda sound. I've come to accept that.
2 - Those aren't the sound effects I'm trying to achieve. You'll notice the settings are more on the Slow and Medium tempos. I' trying to see what I can get with the High tempo as well.

 

[MrE]

just wondering... could it be because you can't play in time with the delay so your notes clash with the repeats and makes everything end up in a mess?

 

[deepblue2]

just wondering... could it be because you can't play in time with the delay so your notes clash with the repeats and makes everything end up in a mess?

Yea. But isn't it a matter of setting the delay to match the timing of the playing? Not the other way round?

 

[ShredCow]

deepblue, there are 2 ways to play with delay.

1) Play in time with the delay
This is what the others have been talking abt and for that, you need to be very precise with the timing of delays and the repeats. Not an issue when you get the hang of it.

2) Using delay as a subtle efx (ala Reverb)
This is what I use my delay for and this is why the hi cut mod is so useful. The DD3, when set to something like hi cut on, level 11 oclock, feedback @ 12oclock, d.time @ 2 oclock, mode = 800ms, you get delays that fade off (due to hi cut) and it sounds very reverbish. I basically leave my DD3 like so all the way.

You experiment with it... the hi cut is great for emulating analog delay tones... the stock digital delay is GREAT for slapback effects.

 

[deepblue2]

deepblue, there are 2 ways to play with delay.

1) Play in time with the delay
This is what the others have been talking abt and for that, you need to be very precise with the timing of delays and the repeats. Not an issue when you get the hang of it.

2) Using delay as a subtle efx (ala Reverb)
This is what I use my delay for and this is why the hi cut mod is so useful. The DD3, when set to something like hi cut on, level 11 oclock, feedback @ 12oclock, d.time @ 2 oclock, mode = 800ms, you get delays that fade off (due to hi cut) and it sounds very reverbish. I basically leave my DD3 like so all the way.

You experiment with it... the hi cut is great for emulating analog delay tones... the stock digital delay is GREAT for slapback effects.

Ah! Yay! Finally a practical post that I can use to experiment with. Thanks so much Shredcow. I'll go back and try this out. Really appreciate it.

Anyone have any other settings that they normally use? That was I can try out and fine tune from there.

Thanks in advance.