Best Delay Plugin
Looking for the best delay plugin? It’s rare that there’s clear winners in thee sort of lists, but when someone asks me for recommendations in this category, there’s only one I mention…
Dub Machines. €99.
If you have some cash to spare, than get these two Dub Machines plugins! Forget the rest… Modnetic delivers creative & unique echoes by emulating a classic tape delay and introducing saturation, convolution reverb and amp modelling with analog-based modulation. You can use it very practical or go all out and get esoteric. Diffuse is a diffusion delay modeled on machines from the 1970s and 1980s. You can effortlessly morph from delays to reverbs and even crazy special effects. Diffuse is geared to be modulated live with its streamlined GUI.
Native Instruments Replika. $49.
This fairly new VST from Native Instruments is a dead simple to use delay plugin and has a resonant filter and classic phaser built in. Best thing is, that Replika is a very versatile delay vst and can be used to create anything from subtle slapback to warped sheets of noise.
Soundtoys EchoBoy. $199.
One of my personal favourites until I discovered Dub Machines. EchoBoy wraps decades of echo device history and new forward-thinking features into one versatile effect that will find its way into every corner of your mixes.
Waves H-Delay. $179.
From real old school PCM42-style effects like filtering, flanging, and phasing, to slap-back echo, ping-pong delay, and tempo-sync with modulation, H-Delay delivers the goods.
Free alternatives…
If you are on a tight budget, here’s two unique delay plugins you might have not heard about. And they are free!
Bizzare Delay. Free.
Bizzare Delay is a free VST effect that features a digital stereo delay unit as well as a saturating tape delay. Producers have the ability to switch between each unit for each of the possible delay types, including; Ping Pong & Multitap with LP & HP filters, Pan, Wet/Dry & LFOs. The plug-in allows complete fine tuning to get the exact delay desired.
Elottronix. Free.
This is a free vst effect created by Elogoxa that is an emulation of Robert Fripp’s effect “Frippertronix”:
Two Revox B-77 in continuous loop. Features:
- Two lines of delay, covering a range from 2 to 8 seconds.
- Each line has control over time of decay and range of loop,
and also possibility to switch on/off the continuous loop. - 1 Oscillator per line, with control over pitch, 7 waveforms,
autopan on/off and volume. - Slider to control globally the amount of effect (direct/looped)
- Includes 16 Presets
On an iPad? Check out the Vandelay plugin, the RE-1 Tape Delay or the Tap Delay.
