Hey all,

I have been looking through a lot of other threads / posts about delay units, so I'm sorry to make another thread about it. I've really narrowed down my options though and I'd love to hear some feedback on which I should get...especially if you use any of them with your synths.

Requirements:

-Hardware only
-Tap tempo
-Modulation of some sort on the delay trail
-below $500

Contenders:

1. Strymon Timeline
2. Strymon El Capistan
3. Deluxe Memory Man
4. Deluxe Memory Boy
5. Moog Analog Delay (used only, any model)
6. Behringer Vintage Time Machine VM1


Preferred options, but not necessary:

- stereo in/out
- true analog
- ability to play the self-oscilliations of extended feedback
- midi clock input sync

Uses:

Synth and guitar, as I hop between shoegaze / post-punk / synthwave / indie rockish electronic genres.

I will most likely be using this as my fx send from my 1002FX

I'd love to hear why some of the ones I listed above are different or better/worse than the others, and which are the best bang for the buck.

And please, feel free to suggest something else if you own/owned it!


Thanks in advance

I've been on the lookout myself and I'm leaning towards the Timeline. Just seems to have it all.

ATM I have an EHX Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai on a send bus. Lots of fun tweakability, soundwise it's a bit rough around the edges.

Tc d-two?

I personally love the eventide timefactor. Very programmable, with amazing sounding algorithms featuring lots of parameters. It would be between it and the Timeline for me.

i'm definitely leaning towards the timeline as well, but for some reason i can't pull the trigger. i think i just want to be 100% sure. That really helps with the ehx stere memory man w/ hazarai, since i was debating that one as well


The tc d-two is something I had never looked it...looks awesome, especially the rhythmic input. I still don't really have a rack setup started yet, but they seem to be found sort of cheap on ebay in comparison to msrp so i just started watching some, thanks


I must admit I haven't looked closely enough at the timefactor, because I was getting a bit taken with the timeline. I will definitely go look more at it now. I've heard it described as too sterile / bright, what do you think about that?

& Timeline - sorted

Depends what you want from delay - there seems to be so much difference between styles...Id be tempted to start with the capstan because of its form factor and sound. But if you want the more effecty sounds of the timeline then its prob worth spending up...

i'm really tempted by the el capistan...

but I want to be able to grow with this delay, and not have to upgrade in a little bit. i love the el cap, but for the price difference, it's just not worth it to not go all the way for the time line. if it was $150 or so I'd probably get the cap

also my favorite algorithm from the el cap is exactly the same on the timeline...the other 2 i could do without

stereo in (i know you can adapt the el cap but meh) is also a huge plus as i want to run my jx8p through the delay

and i'd love to have a looper. both do it in a sense, but timeline seems to do it much better

Timeline and Timefactor owner here (also a Superdelay in case you want to add that to your possiblities...).

In terms of the sound, the Timeline is definitely the "warmer" and more organic than the Timefactor. It's not that it's better per-say, just different. I think which sound is more appropriate depends on what you want to use it with and the effect you want to achieve.

There are some things I do like better about the Timefactor. Every delay on it is a dual delay, so you get independent control over each, particularly the timing. This can lend it to be a bit more flexible in setting it. The Timefactor also has a better interface; everything seems a bit more immediate on it. And what I really like is the delay timing can be set via note length, as opposed to the Timeline which uses either ms or bpm.

The Timeline does boast some nice algorithms. For example, the "ice" setting is very similar to the shimmer reverb on the Eventide Space. As the shimmer on the Space is one my favorite effects, I think having that option on the Timeline makes it appealing if you have no other delay/reverb pedals.

Haven't used the loopers on either pedal yet, so can't really comment on those.

Btw, don't agonize too much over which pedal to get. After all, if you're anything like everyone else, you probably won't stop with just one.

I didnt check that the capstan was stereo...in which case def get the timeline. It sounds like the one you want...

el cap produced from May 2012 has ability for stereo input, go to their website and check!

rather not have one of those adapters, but link here:



thanks @shponglefan for comparing the two, that really helps me a lot. I was just starting to look at timefactor and it looks pretty sweet, but still I think I would prefer to layout / workflow that the timeline offers. I totally know what you mean about different, not better. For my purposes though i am very drawn to the more "organic" tones,

i do like the ice setting, and I am also really interested in the filter setting. that and the trem mode both seem like something i would really be fascinate with, since i love modulating delays (i've been trying to achieve similar effects by using vst filters + delays, so seeing something i've been doing workarounds for is really quite nice)

TC Nova Repeater did it for me (around 189,- Euro). I just wanted a simple Delay which had modulation. It got tap tempo and tempo divide. Using it on FX send on my little keyboard mixer. Its mono in but stereo out. Modulation can be chorus or vibrato.

Modes:

Studio
Analog
Tape
Dynamic
Reverse
PingPong

Also got kill dry button for using it on a FX send. No midi.

Timeline etc... is overkill on this type of delay.

Overkill, haha

I will definitely spend some time reviewing this pedal a bit more closely

I also think the nova delay looks like a contender, since those prices are totally doable as well and it seems to offer a lot

definitely know what you mean about timeline being overkill...but that's part of the reason it gives me such GAS

thanks!

I really like the T.C. Nova Delay.

awesome! what are you using it with?

I'm digging the Makenoise Echophon ATM... but you'd have to get a power/case
too... maybe a Doepfer Beauty Case.

Other than that, the Strymon would be my choice in that price range.
Eventide Pitchfactor is also nice.

that echophon looks pretty awesome, but i don't have a modular setup in any capacity....yet

the pitchfactor is pretty cool but i think i've decided that out of the eventide pedals my favorite is space, and i might get that later on after i decide upon a delay pedal

for the people recommending the tc equipment, i must say that this video speaks highly for them

since you have it, could you explain how what he's talking about at 0:30 works?

i understand he's holding down the tap tempo button, but i don't see him even hitting the strings...what sorcery is this?

Hmm, I'd probably switch it up. Go with the Strymon Bluesky for reverb
and the Pitchfactor for delay.

But I'm not personally such a fan of the Eventide reverb sound, in and of
itself. I LOVE their micro-pitch harmonics and delays, and the Pitch Factor,
IMHO, is the most Eventide "like" of them all. I qualify this by having owned
an Eventide H8000FW for a couple of years and using it extensively.

The Bluesky sounds great from what I've listened to online.

Then again, if I was doing Shoegaze and synth stuff, I think I'd save all my
coin, skip every pedal, and go straight to the Fractal Audio AXE-FX II.

+1 on the Timefactor. Eventide effects are in a class of their own.
In fact, I would go one further and recommend saving for an Eclipse. (secondhand)
You would get pro quality delays, verbs, chorus, pitchshifting and more.
Eventide effects sounds great on any source, but especially synths.
Out of all the gear I have ever used, my 2 Eventides would be the favourites.

you're right...the bluesky does have a really lush reverb sound to it and probably something i would find more musical. I'm not too obsessed with a complicated reverb as i am with possibilities on a delay, but the thing looks quite capable.

both of those rack suggestions sound amazing. i think this thread is making me realize how much I need to get into using rackmounts...although i will admit i am a total noob when it comes to setting those up, and have 0 clue where to begin. what rack to buy, how to mount them, etc.

i think those are great down the line, but for now i must admit my focus is on a pedal solution. i want to get live with these, and the immediacy of a pedal just seems more fun. i must admit i didnt even think of how many good rack options would be available...my ignorance

i'm liking the timefactor, would you say the demos here are pretty accurate?

Eventide - Virtual TimeFactor Guitar Demo

I'm still really conflicted because of this video...just seems like the timeline is much more lush and organic, which is big for me. You guys think this is an accurate comparison?

EDIT: see above lol

I can't speak to the Timefactor, only the Pitchfactor,
which has the micro-pitch AND delays.

The pitchfactor is definitely awesome.i just don't know if i need THAT much modulation capability, at least not at this stage.

i am pretty sure that I have come to the realization that my heart is set upon the timeline, since i know exactly how i would use the dtape, dbucket, trem, filter, and lo-fi...and i have a few thoughts on reverse dual and digital. the 30 secs of looping is more important as i think about it.

thank you for all of your input, i really appreciate it!!

I used an adapter and connected my El Capistan to my Voyager RME (like the Deep Purple guy does),
and I'll be damned if it doesn't make the RME sound EXTRA HUGE .

Stereo delay is the missing link for this synth!

Thanks guys!

The Timeline is a very good decision. I have the TimeLine and the TimeFactor. Shponglefan made some excellent points about them as he also has both so I won't repeat what he said although I have to make one correction. The Timeline can show tap delay values in note values. It is a global configuration option.

Given a choice between the TimeLine and TimeFactor I would take the TimeLine because of the Ice algorithm. Since I have a Space to go with the TimeFactor I have that covered with the Space Shimmer algorithms which are fantastic but that is a much more expensive aggregate solution. I do like the independent channel delay configuration of the TimeFactor but it doesn't outweigh the incredible Ice setting of the TimeLine.

I have the Strymon Blue Sky also and, while it is an excellent reverb pedal it is not in the same league as an Eventide Space pedal. The Space has many more sophisticated algorithms and much more flexibility. I am hoping that Strymon makes a reverb pedal in the same form factor as the TimeLine and the Mobius.

Speaking of which....you are definitely going to want a Mobius pedal. It is absolutely fantastic. I like it MUCH better than the Eventide ModFactor that I have. Not directly on topic but you are eventually going to want one.

By the way, those adapters are also necessary to use a standard volume pedal as an expression pedal for the Strymon boxes. I use them because I have the Ernie Ball Jr 25K Volume pedal that works with the Eventide pedals best. This way I don't have to get something extra for the Strymon pedals.

hahaha i haven't even LOOKED at it because I have a feeling that will happen, and it scares me. I'm sure you're right though

thank you very much for your input, really makes me more confident in my choice.



while i was looking the timeline up, i came across some people talking about a delay or wait to get it. i assume that was just because it was new and in demand, but does anyone know if that is still an issue? should i look for a retailer that has it instead of buying directly from them?