7 Expert Delay Effect Tips

The Almighty Delay

Not only is delay a significant effect in itself, but it's also one of the basic building blocks for many other effects, including reverb, chorus, and flanger. Like the reverb effect, the delay creates a sense of space, but it can be used in many other creative ways. Look at it as a spice, salt, for example. Music can be made without it, but it sounds much better with it. With its primary purpose aside, today, delay effects units offer a vast palette of different modulation effects embedded in them. We will cover some of these effects in the following seven expert delay tips.  

Human Touch Is Important!

An electronic drum loop in which samples are re-triggered can sound dull since it's repeated. It sounds the same. To spice it up a little, try using a multi-tap delay effect. On the 8th note snare sequence, for example, use 3 or 4 taps, adjust their delay times differently, and subtly move their pan positions left and right. In an instance, you will get a groovy 16th note pattern that sounds way better.  

Accentuate the Vocal

To accentuate some words in the vocal recording, try to automate the dry/wet parameter. This way, you will get instant focus on the word, and it will drive more attention to the ear of the listener.  

Use Dub Delay Effect

If you want to use the delay more creatively, try to automate the delay time parameter. This will automatically influence the pitch and introduce the pitch-shifting effect for which the Dub genre is known.  

Automate Parameters in Order to Have More Control

Most digital delay effect units offer total control over their parameters. You should automate feedback, dry/wet, low and high pass filters, and the distortion amount ( if shown) in order to have more control. If the setting of a delay unit fits one part of the track, it may not work at another perfectly.  

Avoid Unwanted Phasing Issues

In the case of some rhythmical patterns, a standard delay time can produce repeats close to the original. This way, repeats multiply repeatedly on the same sound, creating duplication. This issue makes unwanted phasing sounds that can be solved by selecting different delay times, such as dotted or triplet.  

Make Your Own Multi-Tap Chain

If you don't own a multi-tap delay effect unit, you can create one using 3,4 instances of simple delay units and form a chain inside your effect rack. It will be a bit more processor-consuming, but it is worth a try.  

Be Open to Presets

Most delay effect units come with highly inspiring presets that can sit perfectly for the task you need. In other words, presets could be a great starting point for your further creations.