So once upon a time—first time I’ve started a blog like that, and I think I can fairly definitely state it’ll be the last time—there was Tape Delay, but it was no fairy tale. No, instead while it did produced a beautifully warm, organic sound it was a royal pain in the backside to set up and work with. Not to mention the degradation of the tape in no time at all and a severe lack of portability.
The concept got smaller, but was never compact, and reliability was always an issue. But that sound was still there and it was such a great sound that we’re still chasing it.
But thanks to a few dedicated makers of modern guitar pedals we don’t have to suffer the downsides anymore, and the effect is ridiculously close to the results they’d get in the good-old-days—if in fact they were good.
You’ll find ‘tape delays’ in some multi-effect delay pedals, and some will do a good enough job, but for those seeking something just a bit more ‘true to the roots’, a dedicated pedal may be the answer. I say “may” because, you know, some just won’t accept a digital reproduction ever, not happening, won’t do it, don’t want it, don’t let it touch me!
Calm down Bob, it’s not worth getting so uptight. No need to shout! We love the blues too Bob. Yes, vintage gear can be amazing… hey! Put the broken bottle down Bob…!
Bob drinks too much!
But for the rest of us, the landscape has changed to the point where a digital reproduction in a Tape Delay Pedal is so very close that most of us would have a hard, if not impossible, time hearing any difference at all. Maybe if we are there in the flesh with just the guitar and the amp, but once recorded, good luck telling a difference, unless you are obsessively compulsive about these things.
Add in the portability and the fact it can now sit on you pedal board in a standard size enclosure (not looking at you Strymon Volante) and we’re truly spoiled.
But the algorithms you find in multi-effects, while a great addition to the units, usually isn’t quite there. Step up the dedicated unit for the very best in tape delay.
There are a few great options are out there to replicate this vintage tone, and some of them really get close to a perfect recreation. Check out the Catlinbread Belle Epoch, Empress Tape Delay (now unfortunately discontinued with no replacement in sight, but you can still find new ones out there, and on this site at the time of writing this blog), Keeley ECCOS or Magnetic Echo, Wampler Faux Echo, Strymon Volante and many more give you a route into this effect.
The advantage of the dedicated effect is you get a richer feature set to chase that perfect tape delay tone. You can look for single or multi-head delays, with extra features such as replication tape wear, modulation, crackle, tap tempo, stereo and more.
If you want presets, there’s a model for you, or if like me you’re a bit allergic to menu diving, there’s equally a load of fantastic sounding options.
Check out some You Tube videos, and keep an ear out for the modulation that’s a hallmark of this type of delay, and the tonality too.
And don’t think Tape Delay just belongs in the past or on Blues or traditional songs. Experiment and fuse the tone with more modern sounds and see where it takes you… that’s what it’s all about.
