Great simple analog delay part of a classic family

I needed a simple slapback delay for my practice pedalboard, and the Memory Toy does the job well.

I didn't need extra features, but the pedal comes with a modulation option which I have been using it more often than I expected.

Although it is the smallest member of the Memory Man family, it seems to be using the bucket brigade chips that provide the classic analog delay sound of the bigger relatives

Something to consider: the pedal seems sensitive to power supply characteristics, in my case it was affecting the point of the feedback knob at which self-oscilation starts.

Initially, I tried the pedal with an EHX power adapter (that came with another pedal), and the Memory Toy was self-oscilating quite early (around 40% on the feedback knob). That EHX adapter have been working well with many other pedals, but I noticed that the adapter was actually providing 9.6V instead of just 9V. So maybe that was causing the issue.

For a moment I considered adjusting the internal trim pots, but I was concerned about messing it up. Finally, I didn't had to since the issue was fixed when I added the pedal to the pedalboard.

I connected the pedal to a 9V power bank with isolated outputs in the pedalboard. The issue was fixed. The self-oscilation now takes place much later (about 70% of the feedback knob). This gives a much broader range to adjust the settings.

From Gear Setup

Hit or miss

I've had two of these. The first I loved but eventually sold. The second I bought to replace the first but it sounded completely different. The delay wasn't as dark or inspiring and the chorus didn't offer the mood of the first. There are a lot of trim pots inside and my guess is that during production they simply aim to get voltages within a desired range and don't finalise anything by ear.

Great pedal

It’s a perfect delay pedal for me. Simple, easy to use and sounds great.

A ROOMFUL OF TAPE RECORDERS IN A BOX THE SIZE OF A POCKET DICTIONARY

Named by EHX as a sly reference to their bigger "Memory Boy" (itself named as a sly reference to their even bigger and earlier "Memory Man"), the EHX Memory Toy only lives up to half of its name - anything but a "toy", it /is/ an effects pedal you'll hardly forget. To paraphrase mega-corporation heir Douglas Renholm from britcom "The IT Crowd", this pedal "sounds like it comes from space". A simple analogue delay which, with only three controls, is ridiculously versatile. Contains chorus modulation which, while it can't be controlled, definitely takes your guitar sound that little bit further out past Pluto. All it's missing is, perhaps, the expression pedal support found in the bigger "Memory ___" units, so y've still gotta Ben Dover if you want to change the delay speed.

Analogue Delay: 5 (possibly one of the single most versatile effects in the history of electrical musical instrument treatment, and done just right) Chorus: 4 (not a great big shiny chorus with lots of settings, but spaces out yr guitar signal a comfortable amount - no settings beside on and off, tho', which costs it a star)

Overall: 5 (for most, a complete package, and the beginner psych player's dee-lite, but if you really want to vorp that gee-tar, save yr pennies and buy a proper chorus to stick in front of it)

cool, but mine is flawed

Sounds great, but mine has a really irritating issue. There's a high pitched ringing whenever it's on, and it gets higher the lower the delay time is. At the lowest setting it's about 12khz. Through a guitar amp, it's not very noticeable, but when used as a aux send on my mixer, it's prominent enough to be annoying. Maybe it's just an issue with my unit?

My Electro Harmonix Toys

I have this small pedalboard I use alone at home for practicing, all made of old style pedals, with an Electro Harmonix Soul Preacher compressor, a Soul Food, a The Glove Overdrive, a Neo Clone and a Memory Toy, all nano versions. Why I did that, having already a lot of better pedals? Because of a weird sense of nostalgia for my old times. So now a can say something about these nice toys. First of all, I had to work on internal trim pots of some of these pedals, before having an acceptable sound, the factory settings can be really awful. The controllability of the Memory Toy and the Neo Clone are limited, but that was the way we played in our old times... the Soul Pracher strives to be a bit too invasive even at lower levels, the Glove Overdrive has a nice sound, becoming too muddy already at medium level. Finally, I can say these pedals are really nice toys, especially for older people like I am, but, except for the Soul Food, I wouldn't use any of them in a recording session. My personal opinion, of course.

Good sound, but boosts the signal

It has a nice Sound to it but has an annoying volume boost when engaged. I would have kept it if it didn´t boost the Signal.

Pretty like a wilting daisy

It's a great starter delay pedal. You can make some great sounds out of it if you do it right. It's kinda finky with a power supply and the battery drains fast. But it's good bang for its bucks.

Solid

Very good for what it does. Built like a tank, sounds great. If you want more freedoms with a delay tool, I'd go for the Catalinbread Belle Epoch for a more tape-emulated sound.

Delay and Ambiance

Very nice pedal. Not just as a delay, but thanks to the modulation setting also an 'ambiance pedal'. When turning the blend knob at 3 'o clock or further, the pedal creates beautiful soundscapes.