Setting Up Delay...advise please

camerondye · 21st March 2007, 07:33 PM

I am having a ton of trouble setting up delay on stuff like vocals, guitar etc...I was wondering if anyone would let go of some tricks on setting up delays and which delay plugins you are using (PC). I am looking at PSP's delays so I can get into a more professional delay and would like some advice. PSP has a 42, an 84, and a 608...does anybody have any advice which one to start with. I am really looking for ease of use and obviously good sounding. I have Voxengo delays which are ok I guess, I have the UAD Space Echo which seems more specialized and some other free ones. I am just not getting the results I would like to be getting especially on vocals. I appreciate any help I can get...
Thanks,
Cameron Dye

SFTPH · 21st March 2007, 08:29 PM

I usually add delay for depth so stuff sounds larger than life and not like an echo unit. Try tempo matching then try triplets etc. to get a nice rhythmic blend. Use high and lowpass filters to EQ the repeats with the source. Maybe try experimenting with freeware plugs until you know your way around the effect before spending money on a plug you may not like when you are more knowledgeable. There are probably dozens of decent freeware delay plugs. I'm on a mac and use Echoboy and Fabfilter Timeless with good results BTW.

electricsound · 22nd March 2007, 01:37 AM

I am a delay addict - I have all three of the PSP delays and FF Timeless and i use them all regularly. I agree with SFTPH about tempo matching, and lowpassing (especially on vocals). I tend to not have my delay send too loud in comparison to the dry signal - I like it to be perceptible but not blatantly obvious.

Kiwiburger · 22nd March 2007, 05:57 AM

On PC, get the Kjaerhus Classic delay - its free, and has some interesting sounds (Analog, Tape, Digital etc).

I have many delays, including all 3 PSP delays. To be honest, I don't think the PSP delays are worth it, compared to others out there - including freebies. The big disappointment with 608 is that you can't modulate the pitch, like the other two.

A very interesting delay which I haven't bought yet is the Ohmboys delay. It has a very good filter and you can wildly modulate the pitch if you want to.

It's still hard to get close to the sound of real tape or analog delays.

You can always mix and match different plugins for different effects. E.g. try feeding a delay with a compressed or saturated signal, or perhaps modulate a delay with a flanger, or filter it with a bandpass filter, or apply a panner ...

I like Sonic Flavours DP5 for simple delay stuff - very easy to use GUI.

StrykeBack · 22nd March 2007, 06:12 AM

Like some people here mentioned perhaps u should dive deeper into the basic plugs that u do have to understand every single parameter and what can be done with the simple ones so you'l know what your looking for when its time to spend money.
I remember getting fairly good results with digi's basic delay plugs for making delays, to choruses and whatnot. Though I can't live without my Echoboy plug on every mix.

U mention trouble with vocals, try messing with PREDELAY. I find that very important for fitting a vocal into the mix with either reverb or delay. try a setting of 150 or so ms for starters.

Sizzleboy · 22nd March 2007, 06:30 AM

What is it that you are trying to accomplish that these delays can't give you? It sounds like you have enough software.

I almost always EQ my delay signal. For longer delays I like to roll off some highs and lows.

For slap back, I'll leave the low end alone and roll off some highs

For doubling or chorus type delays, I will roll off some lows and either leave the high end alone, or sometimes enhance it.

That's just a general rule. For special effects, I may boost the mids and even put a little distortion on the delay signal. Other times I may shelf everything from 1 or 2k on down and just have a mid/high signal.

Remember, a delay is yet another signal in the mix. You have to fit it in just like you fit any other track. Usually that means using an EQ to make it sit properly in the mix.

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21st March 2007, 07:33 PM	#1
camerondye Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 722	Setting Up Delay...advise please I am having a ton of trouble setting up delay on stuff like vocals, guitar etc...I was wondering if anyone would let go of some tricks on setting up delays and which delay plugins you are using (PC). I am looking at PSP's delays so I can get into a more professional delay and would like some advice. PSP has a 42, an 84, and a 608...does anybody have any advice which one to start with. I am really looking for ease of use and obviously good sounding. I have Voxengo delays which are ok I guess, I have the UAD Space Echo which seems more specialized and some other free ones. I am just not getting the results I would like to be getting especially on vocals. I appreciate any help I can get... Thanks, Cameron Dye

22nd March 2007, 05:57 AM	#4
Kiwiburger Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,816	On PC, get the Kjaerhus Classic delay - its free, and has some interesting sounds (Analog, Tape, Digital etc). I have many delays, including all 3 PSP delays. To be honest, I don't think the PSP delays are worth it, compared to others out there - including freebies. The big disappointment with 608 is that you can't modulate the pitch, like the other two. A very interesting delay which I haven't bought yet is the Ohmboys delay. It has a very good filter and you can wildly modulate the pitch if you want to. It's still hard to get close to the sound of real tape or analog delays. You can always mix and match different plugins for different effects. E.g. try feeding a delay with a compressed or saturated signal, or perhaps modulate a delay with a flanger, or filter it with a bandpass filter, or apply a panner ... I like Sonic Flavours DP5 for simple delay stuff - very easy to use GUI. __________________ Once you let the magic smoke escape, you can't expect it to work again unless you take it to a wizzard and have him put more smoke inside ... tINY

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21st March 2007, 08:29 PM	#2
SFTPH Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 407	I usually add delay for depth so stuff sounds larger than life and not like an echo unit. Try tempo matching then try triplets etc. to get a nice rhythmic blend. Use high and lowpass filters to EQ the repeats with the source. Maybe try experimenting with freeware plugs until you know your way around the effect before spending money on a plug you may not like when you are more knowledgeable. There are probably dozens of decent freeware delay plugs. I'm on a mac and use Echoboy and Fabfilter Timeless with good results BTW.

22nd March 2007, 01:37 AM	#3
electricsound Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 133	I am a delay addict - I have all three of the PSP delays and FF Timeless and i use them all regularly. I agree with SFTPH about tempo matching, and lowpassing (especially on vocals). I tend to not have my delay send too loud in comparison to the dry signal - I like it to be perceptible but not blatantly obvious.

22nd March 2007, 06:12 AM	#5
StrykeBack Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 507	Like some people here mentioned perhaps u should dive deeper into the basic plugs that u do have to understand every single parameter and what can be done with the simple ones so you'l know what your looking for when its time to spend money. I remember getting fairly good results with digi's basic delay plugs for making delays, to choruses and whatnot. Though I can't live without my Echoboy plug on every mix. U mention trouble with vocals, try messing with PREDELAY. I find that very important for fitting a vocal into the mix with either reverb or delay. try a setting of 150 or so ms for starters.

22nd March 2007, 06:30 AM	#6
Sizzleboy Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 921	What is it that you are trying to accomplish that these delays can't give you? It sounds like you have enough software. I almost always EQ my delay signal. For longer delays I like to roll off some highs and lows. For slap back, I'll leave the low end alone and roll off some highs For doubling or chorus type delays, I will roll off some lows and either leave the high end alone, or sometimes enhance it. That's just a general rule. For special effects, I may boost the mids and even put a little distortion on the delay signal. Other times I may shelf everything from 1 or 2k on down and just have a mid/high signal. Remember, a delay is yet another signal in the mix. You have to fit it in just like you fit any other track. Usually that means using an EQ to make it sit properly in the mix.