Best Delay Pedals | Reviews & Guide 2026

Max Delay Time: 6 seconds (40 seconds with the Flashback X4, and 7 seconds with the Flashback Mini)
Looper: Yes, 40 seconds

TC Electronic keeps making great pedals. This trend continues with the TC Electronic Flashback 2 Delay and Looper Effect Pedal. The Flashback 2, like Line 6’s DL4, is a versatile delay pedal. It can do many things well.

An important thing to note is that the Flashback actually comes in 3 flavors. If you don’t need the looper functionality, then we strongly suggest you go with the budget-friendly Flashback Mini. Conversely, if you want more features and have the cash to spare, you’ll want to look at the larger Flashback X4.

The TC Electronic Flashback 2 is the second version of the very popular original Flashback delay pedal. It has all the features of the first model, plus some new ones. The most notable new feature is the MASH footswitch control, which I will explain shortly.

You can think of the Flashback 2 as a more compact Line 6 DL4. The lower right knob lets you select between seven built-in delay types: 2290, Analog, Tape, Dynamic, Modulation, Crystal (which has this shimmery/spacey thing going on), and Reverse; the 2290 setting is particularly highly praised as a fantastic clean delay.

One feature that makes the Flashback stand out from the rest is the TonePrint feature. All three versions of this pedal can connect to your computer using USB. You can load different delay settings made by the pros. This feature could have been a problem if not done right, but TC Electronic did a great job with it.

Want a delay custom-made by Steve Morse or Omar Rodríguez-López? Plug in your pedal via USB, download the TonePrint, and start playing. It’s very easy and intuitive to use.

You have three TonePrint slots in this pedal. While you play, you can switch between these three slots. You can also use the normal built-in delay settings.

Another similarity with the DL4 is that it has a looper. However, the looper on the Flashback is not as good as the DL4’s. Think of it more as a bonus, rather than a core feature.

The strength of the Flashback is the tonal versatility; there are definitely much better loopers out there. If looping matters to you, the low price of the Flashback will leave you money to buy a TC Electronic Ditto. That said, this pedal offers a generous 40 seconds of loop time.

The MASH feature is interesting. Your experience may vary in how useful it is, but we had fun using it. If you give the pedal’s footswitch a quick tap, it turns the pedal on and off (like any other stompbox). However, if you apply sustained pressure to the footswitch, it basically acts like an expression pedal.

There is an LED in the middle of the pedal. It shines brighter when you apply more pressure. This also changes the delay sound more and more.

It can do some cool things. It can hold your last delay repetition forever. You can change the pitch of the delays. It can add a synth-like shimmer. It also offers many other fun modulations.

One minor annoyance of the Flashback 2 is tap-tempo is not built in - or rather, it’s not fully self contained. When you’re running the pedal mono, you’re able to use the stereo input jack to plug in a footswitch for tap-tempo.

As far as digital delays go, the sound quality of the TC Electronic Flashback is one of the best. It has made its way onto the pedalboards of the stars, including Joe Perry, Albert Lee, Troy Van Leeuwen, and Steve Morse.

Bottom line: The Flashback gets our wholehearted recommendation. If anything, the question is which of the siblings in the Flashback family should get a home on your pedalboard.

If you want a good digital delay and a decent looper, get the Flashback 2. It is affordable. If you only need a digital delay and not the looper, consider the Flashback Mini. You’ll save about $50 and still enjoy the TonePrint feature.

If money is not a problem, and you have space on your pedalboard, consider the Flashback X4. It offers a more modern and better sound than the DL4.

Provided you don’t mind the digital flavor, it’s hard to argue this is not an outstanding pedal. With so many features in one pedal, its great sound and value make the Flashback a clear winner.

Max Delay Time: 6.4 seconds
Looper: Yes, 40 seconds

Boss has been making some of the best delay pedals for decades - DD-2, DD-3, DD-5, DD-6, DD-7, DD-20... enough choices to make your head spin. Luckily for us, they have outdone themselves with each new iteration. Case in point is the Boss DD-7 Digital Delay. We thought that the delay pedal was as good as it was going to get but Boss has made a great product even better.

Boss has been making some of the best delay pedals for decades - DD-2, DD-3, DD-5, DD-6, DD-7, DD-20... enough choices to make your head spin. Luckily for us, they have outdone themselves with each new iteration. Case in point is the Boss DD-7 Digital Delay. We thought that the delay pedal was as good as it was going to get but Boss has made a great product even better.

First, we just have to say the DD-7 looks cool with its white, black and blue color scheme. It’s practical because it helps the different letters stand out and be easy to read. The other pedals on this list have some trouble with this. The DD-7 packs in quite a lot of features that we will get into shortly.

Coming to build quality, this is a pedal that has been built like a tank. This is true for almost all Boss products. The DD-7 can handle a lot of abuse before it breaks or gets damaged.

As we mentioned earlier, Boss has a history of making great delay pedals and the DD-7 is no different. It has bettered its predecessors by offering up to 6.4 seconds of delay which is unheard of in a pedal. This really expands the possibilities and allows you to create some really unique and otherworldly tones. The delay also comes in two modes: modulation delay and analog delay. While modern music enthusiasts will love the modulation delay, classic music lovers will appreciate the analog delay.

Another useful feature is the stereo output capability of this pedal. This allows you to create some mind-bending stereo sweeping and panning effects which is unheard of in a pedal at this price point.

The DD-7 is also very adaptable. You can connect it to an expression pedal and an external footswitch. This lets you control different sound settings quickly, which is very helpful when performing live.

It can send both dry and wet signals at the same time. This makes it great for both the stage and a recording studio.

Finally, an onboard looper that can save sounds for up to 40 seconds is a useful feature. It is great to have this in a compact and affordable package. The icing on the cake is that it is virtually noise free and produces one of the cleanest outputs we’ve experienced.

Getting the DD-7 to sound exactly like you want it to is pretty easy. There are four knobs that allow you to tailor the sound to a very fine level.

The first knob E.LEVEL controls the effect level and is basically like a volume control. Set it at the 12 o clock position and you get the same level as the input sound and it can be reduced or increased from here.

The second knob F.BACK is the feedback knob and this controls the number of time the delayed sound repeats itself. Keep in mind that this knob does not work when using the hold mode (i.e. looper).

The third knob, D.TIME, is the one you will likely use often. It controls the delay time. The last knob MODE allows you to select the various modes such as modulate, analog, reverse, etc.

No product can be perfect and as good as the DD-7 is, there are still some things it can do better:

• Drains batteries quite quickly, but this can be mitigated by going with a power supply.
• Operation is a little less intuitive than a similar digital pedal like the TC Flashback.
• Difficult to change settings on the fly without using an expression pedal that must be bought separately.

Bottom Line: There is no doubt that this is a rock-solid choice for a delay pedal, especially at this price point. It's that good and will last you for many years. Boss has a very long and rich history of delighting guitarists and the DD-7 proudly carries out that task with even more oomph. It's a mainstay on pro pedalboards - Josh Homme, Steve Vai, Joe Perry, Paul Banks of Interpol, Ryan Adams, and more.

The debate of whether analog delay is better or digital delay is better will probably go on forever. Eventide opted not to take a side in this dispute and instead has made a hybrid pedal that has the best of both worlds. This method has created a guitar pedal that is very versatile. It can produce a wide range of sounds.

The Eventide Rose is a guitar pedal that keeps the signal path analog pedal and adds a digital delay pedal on top. This digital line has five sources of modulation. Together, this setup can create some amazingly diverse types of sounds.

The delay has a very wide range starting from 10 milliseconds all the way up to 10 seconds. Using specific modulation settings, you can extend this to 50 seconds which is just mind-bending. The shortest delay times can be used to create comb filtering, chorus and flanging effects.

There are six knobs that help you take full command of this pedal. The delay knob is multifunctional. Press it and turn it to set a range and then turn it normally to fine tune the time within that range.

The time multiplier does what it says. It multiplies the set time by a factor of between 2 and 5.

The mix knob sets the percentage of wet signal going through and there is a standard feedback knob as well. The properties of the modulation can be set by using the rate and depth knobs.

You can store five banks, each with five presets. This gives you a total of 25 sounds.

You can quickly switch between presets in a bank using the Hotswitch. You can also morph between presets using an expression pedal. In short, you can set it up to create everything from the simplest sound effects to mind-boggling ones.

The two footswitches and the optional expression pedal let you use delay in ways that many guitarists do not know. It also works great with a bass guitar. The Rose is not inexpensive. If it is worth it totally depends on you.

If you enjoy experimenting with sound, this pedalboard is a great investment. It offers many sonic options for creating new sounds. If on the other hand, you use delay sparingly then this pedal might be overkill for you. If you want a very versatile delay pedal and don’t mind the price, we recommend this one.

Bottom Line: The Eventide Rose is a worthy addition to any pedalboard. It is the last modulated delay pedal you will ever need. It is an expensive pedal but consider it an investment in your music. The possibilities are almost endless.

This pedal will take your gig's music to a whole new level. It would have been the best delay pedal if it were priced lower. Other than that, this pedal is excellent.

The first thing that will grab your attention rather forcefully is the aesthetics of the Empress Effects Echosystem. It has gorgeous exterior that does justice to its insane capabilities. The light metallic color makes it look like an expensive piece of art rather than a piece of musical gear and for that matter. There is no screen but it is not much of an inhibition.

The first learning curve may seem tricky. However, after spending an hour with this unit, everything will be clear.

The build quality is excellent. This product can handle almost anything a guitarist might use it for regularly.

The LEDs shine brightly. Everything is clearly labeled and spaced out well. This design allows for easy adjustments, even in dim lighting, like on a dark stage.

The Echosystem uses a careful method for signal processing. It provides some of the best delay effects we have heard in a while. Instead of a single algorithm driving the entire unit, the Empress Effects Echosystem has 12 separate algorithms. This makes each type of delay have its own unique and specific character. Another advantage of this approach is that the sound quality is simply breathtaking. You can easily get lost in the depth and elegance of each type of delay. Furthermore, it is quite customizable and flexible as well. You can adjust every setting on the best delay pedals very precisely. This lets you create unique and personal sounds.

The sheer number of available delay effects is staggering too. Just to put this into perspective, there are 4 different tape delay effects alone. Overall, there are more than 36 types of delays in all which would take a lifetime to get through. You also have the option of saving 35 presets so that once you have a sound dialed in just right, you can save it for future use.

The one thing that the Echosystem offers that no one else is offering currently is constant firmware updates. Empress are very active on their forums and always lend an open ear to their users. In the rare occurrence of you finding an issue, chances are pretty high that it will be quickly fixed.

Bottom line: This pedal has great analog delay effects and some of the best digital delay effects. It really stands out. With features like buffered bypass and full bypass, the Echosystem is a must-have for every guitarist's pedal board. The Empress Effects Echosystem is innovative and highly dependable and its flexible features make it a bonafide winner.

Looper: Yes, 30 seconds with the ability to run pre or post delay.

It is a solidly built unit and even the most enthusiastic guitarist will have a tough time putting a dent into this beauty. The build quality is just so exceptional and everything looks and feels exquisite. Turning the knob gives a satisfactory response and that brings us to how easy it is to use. Do not get us wrong. This delay pedal is loaded to the hilt with features including a looper but the way everything is laid out and managed seems so organic that even amateur guitarists will be able to set up the Strymon Timeline Delay without any issues. This is a very capable delay pedal that can make you happy irrespective of which effect type you have your mind set on. If you want a truly amazing delay pedal that can handle analog effects with aplomb few pedals are as good as this one.

Using the Strymon Timeline Delay was very easy. I could make detailed changes to the sound with no effort at all. It helped me get the sound just right.

The layout and the old-school LCD screen are very helpful. However, it is the structure that matters most. Anyone with basic knowledge of delay can make this pedal sound great.

You can adjust at least 8 settings for each effect. You can save these settings in one of the 200 memory slots.

This lets you recall them when you need to. There are many possibilities with sound. Your creativity will be what puts obstacles in your way.

Its connectivity options are great too including MIDI capabilities. You can connect a MIDI controller to it to make switching between the presets quite easy. An expression pedal can also be connected to precisely control certain parameters while playing live. Overall, this is one of the most intuitive and easy to use feature-loaded delay pedals that we came across.

The Strymon Timeline Delay makes great analog sounds. This puts it among the best delay pedals available today. They are as warm and colorful as a true analog pedal’s sound.

It is a solidly built unit and even the most enthusiastic guitarist will have a tough time putting a dent into this beauty. The build quality is just so exceptional and everything looks and feels exquisite. Turning the knob gives a satisfactory response and that brings us to how easy it is to use.

Do not get us wrong. This delay pedal has many features, including a looper. The layout is so simple that even beginner guitarists can set up the Strymon Timeline Delay easily.

This is a very capable delay pedal that can make you happy irrespective of which effect type you have your mind set on. If you want a truly amazing delay pedal that can handle analog effects with aplomb few pedals are as good as this one.

Looper: Yes, 240 seconds (up to hours with microSD)

The Line 6 DL4 MkII is part delay pedal, part looper, and arguably one of Line 6’s most successful effect pedals, now with significant upgrades over the original. If you’re the type of person to look at the pedalboards of the pros, you don’t have to look long before spotting one of these green boxes in the wild ( John Mayer, Coldplay’s Jonny Buckland, John Frusciante, Joe Perry, and Thom Yorke all use it, to name a few).

Quick Hits - What’s New in the MkII:

• 30 delay models: 15 new from the HX family, alongside the original 15 legacy models.
• Expanded looper: 240 seconds of memory, expandable with a microSD card.
• Reverbs: 15 new reverb models from Line 6’s HX effects.
• Enhanced connectivity: XLR microphone input, USB-C, MIDI In/Out/Thru, microSD slot.
• Selectable bypass modes: True, Buffered, and DSP Bypass.
• Smaller footprint: More pedalboard-friendly design.
• Six onboard presets: Up from three, with 128 total via MIDI.

They call this a “delay modeler,” which means that because of the digital circuitry, it is able to model or replicate 30 delay and echo effects (the left-most knob on this unit lets you select what delay to model). Sure, a purist in a studio setting might be able to tell that the DL4 MkII does not replicate the true warmth and character of vintage analog delays... and if you’re that type of tone snob, we suggest you own a true analog delay like the MXR Carbon Copy. However, the majority opinion is that the Line 6 DL4 MkII is a fantastic sounding delay unit, and does justice to the delays it attempts to replicate.

The enclosure is still sizable but more compact than the original, so be mindful of how much space you have on your pedalboard. For the versatility it offers, it’s a small price to pay. Not only are all of the presets customizable with the DELAY TIME, REPEATS, TWEAK, and TWEEZ knobs, but you now have 6 programmable preset slots to save your custom settings, tap tempo, and of course the outstanding looper function.

It’s worth talking about the looper - you get 240 seconds of memory to record your guitar playing (expandable with a microSD card), and loop it over and over. You can continue to overdub more and more on your original loop, essentially becoming a one-man-band. While it’s not a perfect looper, it’s generally great for most users, and will save you from buying a separate looper pedal.

One small gripe we have with the DL4 MkII is the usability is not as intuitive as we’d like. To fully understand and get the most out of it we had to run through the manual. For instance, the Line 6 DL4 MkII is now also a very capable reverb pedal with 15 reverbs... yet they’re not labeled on the unit itself (hence why Line 6 calls them "Secret Reverbs"). We can understand and appreciate not wanting to make the interface overly complex, but this pedal has so many cool features in it that accessing them all with no screen and just a few knobs can be an exercise in frustration.

Bottom Line: While the price is still a bit steep, the DL4 MkII justifies its cost with a host of new features and improvements. Its ability to model a wide range of vintage and modern delays is unmatched, and the expanded looper, inclusion of reverb, and enhanced connectivity make it a worthy successor to the legendary original.

Max Delay Time: 600ms
Looper: No

While being a revered name among guitarists, Seymour Duncan is known mostly for their pickups. They, however, have produced a few great pedals and the Vapor Trail is one of them. The great thing about this pedal is that it manages to achieve with perfection what many of its peers fail to achieve - produce an authentic vintage delay sound.

Another cool feature is the ability to mix the wet and dry signal precisely by using an external expression pedal. The downside to this pedal is that it is highly focused doing one thing and that is delivering a vintage sound, so if you’re looking for variety then this isn’t the best pedal for you.

By analog delay standards the price is quite affordable though which means that you can use it as a specialty pedal. Despite using an analog BBD chip, it is noise-free which usually happens to be the biggest problem traditionally associated with an analog circuit.

Another huge plus is the flashing light synced with the delay time - very useful when jamming with other musicians. While this pedal might not be for everyone, those looking for a smooth vintage sound will absolutely love the Vapor Trail. To top it all off, the color scheme and paint job is beautiful.

The Walrus Audio ARP-87 is a digital delay pedal with four primary algorithms - Digital, Analog, Lo-Fi, and Slapback. Let’s look past its stunning artwork to see why it’s worthy of being considered one of the best delay pedals around.

Unboxing a Walrus pedal is always a treat, revealing a luxurious cloth pouch, and a small reference card that quickly runs down the four delay algorithms. It’s got a great build quality, and the extremely high quality knobs are laid out intuitively. The artwork, as always from Walrus, is nothing short of mesmerizing, and we found ourselves admiring it even when the pedal wasn’t in use.

As mentioned, the program knob lets you choose between D (digital delay), A (analog delay), L (lo-fi), or S (slapback). The switch on the right is tap-tempo, and that’s the only way you can dial in the speed of the delay. You then use the ratio knob to change from quarter notes, to 8th, etc. Some view this as a pro, and some users lament the lack of a “speed” or “delay” knob. It took us a little bit of time to get used to, but after spending some time with the ARP-87 we like it just the way it is. The X knob is Walrus Audio’s “wildcard” knob, which changes a different parameter depending on what type of delay is selected. The momentary function to gradually ramp up feedback is another thoughtful touch, leading to some creative exploration.

Let’s talk about sound quality. Simply put, the ARP-87 sounds awesome. Each algorithm is very usable. Digital is pretty clean and pristine. Analog adds a touch of smooth warmth. Lo-Fi is absolutely awesome, and adds gritty, characterful echoes. Slapback mode, though widely considered the least interesting mode, offers a classic rockabilly charm. The modulation feature adds an trippy layer to every mode, making it a fantastic choice for ambient and experimental music.

If we had to knock it at all, we would say the overall character skews a bit dark, and there’s not a stark enough contrast between the Digital and Analog modes for our taste.

Bottom Line: the Walrus Audio ARP-87 is a high-quality digital delay pedal that offers a wealth of sonic possibilities. It's particularly well-suited for musicians who want a straightforward delay, that with a few twists and turns can get quite experimental and ambient. That said, the absence of a dedicated time knob for adjusting delay time can be limiting, especially if you need a delay for precise studio work. For its price point, however, the ARP-87 offers incredible value, especially if you're a fan of its unique Lo-Fi setting. All in all, the ARP-87 has all the makings of a modern classic and would be a nice complement to most pedalboards.

Delay Type: Digital Delay
Max Delay Time: 3 seconds
Looper: Yes, 12 seconds

The great thing about modern electronics is that they can pack in hundreds of features in a tiny form factor and the Eventide TimeFactor Twin Delay Pedal is a great example of that. It is feature rich and has the ability to do some great delay effects right out of the box. Its biggest strength is the degree to which it can allow you to tweak and customize the sound without degrading the quality. There are two independent delays (hence the name Twin) that can each be up to 3 seconds.

Each delay can further be chosen from 10 awesome presets that are all very usable and can be used in stereo or mono mode. A 12-second looper, rugged build quality, true bypass, and the ability to connect to a computer via a USB port sweeten the deal even further.

You can update the software via USB, and also use Eventide’s H9 Control app to manage your delay presets. It is no doubt on the expensive side but well worth each penny if you crave the most tweakable digital delay out there.

The DD-500 is Boss' flagship delay pedal. At its heart it is a multimode delay pedal but it actually is a lot more versatile and customizable than your average delay pedal. If you are looking for the ultimate delay pedal that money can buy then the Boss DD-500 should absolutely be on your short list.

As soon as you lay your eyes upon the Boss DD-500, you will realize that it is a premium product. It somehow manages to look powerful yet quite simple at the same time. You will not feel at all intimidated by this device. Everything is very neatly laid out and operating it is very intuitive. There is a main knob to the left of the screen which you can use to select a particular type of delay. Examples include shimmer, tape, dual, Tera Echo, slow, SFX, and so many more. Having the sounds of all these delay types available so easily is great but you might ask what is so special about them. It is their authenticity and the level of customizability that truly makes them shine. You can choose to modify many parameters to get the delay to sound just right. You can then save these on one of the banks for easy access later. The crisp and clear screen helps in this regards quite a lot. The phrase looper capability is another wonderful addition to this pedal.

Coming to the actual sound quality, it is just so sweet and full of life. This is technical wizardry at its best and I can’t imagine how Boss are going to better this one as it is damn near perfect. There is almost no noise and the build quality is excellent which allows you to play passionately without having to worry about damaging your precious and rather expensive pedal. The DD-500 is the closest a digital pedal has come to replicating the warmth of an analog delay pedal.

The stereo on this device isn’t true stereo which can be a bit annoying if you really want to get into heavy mixing. The lack of an inbuilt expression pedal also seems like an oversight. Apart from these minor quirks for which you can find workarounds, there is very little to complain about regarding the Boss DD-500.

Max Delay Time: 3 seconds
Looper: Yes, 30 seconds

The Electro-Harmonix Stereo Memory Man is a cool device that combines a capable delay pedal and a lengthy looper in a seamless manner and at a pretty decent price. The sounds you can get out of this pedal is matchless.

The reverse echo is a really cool feature which in combination with the 30 second looper can produce some really amazing sounds. The eight presets are programmable which allows you a great degree of tweaking.

It is a digital pedal which can be a sore point for analog enthusiasts, but this is one of the warmest sounding digital pedals and your audience will not have the slightest clue anyways. The sturdy metal construction, stereo operation, and true bypass complete this sweet package.

If you’re wondering what in the world Hazarai means like we were, this is according to founder of Electro-Harmonix Mike Matthews himself:

It means all the extra stuff. You know, give me a frank with all the Hazarai.

Max Delay Time: 700ms
Looper: No

Analog delay pedals are mostly pretty simple. By providing you loads of features and a very precise control over the depth and rate of delay, the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Boy bucks that trend. An external expression pedal can enhance this control even further, and we definitely recommend one.

It is a completely analog pedal and allows you to get a warm, somewhat dark and deep delay that can vary from subtle to mesmerizing. It sort of takes on a life of its own which can easily take you to Radiohead-ish territory, so if you’re looking for a more bright and clinical delay it’s best that you look elsewhere.

The tap tempo and subdivision selection is a game changer, and its inclusion is unheard of at this price point. If a very tweakable analog delay is what you’re after, this is one of the best pedals on the market for the money. Think of it like an MXR M169 Carbon Copy or Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail on steroids.

Max Delay Time: 2 seconds
Looper: No

Rarely does a pedal get the name, looks and the features just right but when it happens, it is magical as is the case with the EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2. This is one of the most feature-rich pedal that offers both reverb and delay effects in the same enclosure.

It’s important to note that this is not your everyday “vanilla” type of digital delay pedal. The reverb/delay combo and that intangible EarthQuaker Devices “magic” makes the Avalanche Run V2 sound a certain way which you will either like or hate; if you happen to be in the former group - like us - then you are in for a treat (have a listen for yourself and try not to fall for this pedal).

The reverb alone makes this a truly awesome pedal but add the delay capabilities and this is a great option if you want to build a minimalist pedal board. Sadly, the Avalanche Run isn’t great at producing classic and vintage sounds but is the perfect companion for anyone into modern, experimental, or ambient soundscapes.

Max Delay Time: 600ms
Looper: No

The MXR Carbon Copy is a no-frills true analog delay pedal, and an outstanding one at that. Why no-frills? With analog pedals you tend to give up the bells and whistles like looping and tap tempo.

This is absolutely a pedal for those who appreciate analog tone. Owners of this pedal describe the sound as “organic,” “lush,” “full,” “subtle,” and having “warm tonal characteristics.” With the Carbon Copy you get up to 600 milliseconds of delay time. From a usability standpoint, people like the relatively large size of the knobs, making it easy to dial in settings with your toe as you’re playing. And speaking of control, there are 3 knobs to play with: REGEN controls the amount of delay/repeats, MIX controls the level of delay, and DELAY controls the rate (there is also a MOD button which toggles the modulation feature). Build quality is great; MXR knows what they’re doing in this department.

Of course, analog delay is not for everyone. Some people might prefer the clearer and crisper tone a digital delay such as the Flashback and Boss DD-7 provide. Analog delay is susceptible to coloration, since every repeat of the sound reuses the previous repeat.

Bottom Line: For as good of a pedal as the Carbon Copy is, the price is not at all unreasonable. While not in the super-budget range, keep in mind you’re paying for a pedal that is widely regarded as the best analog delay pedal, and has found its way onto countless pedalboards of the pros. Billie Joe Armstrong, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, and Brad Paisley have made room on their pedalboards for the Carbon Copy.

With dozens of positive endorsements by pros and casual players alike, hundreds of near-perfect ratings, and overwhelming approval from our panel of reviewers, the MXR Carbon Copy is a no-brainer for anyone looking for a simple delay and one of the best analog delay pedals out there.

Delay Type: Digital Delay, disguised as an Analog Delay.
Max Delay Time: 620ms
Looper: No

You won't believe how good the Donner Yellow Fall Delay sounds, especially when you see the price. You just can’t beat this for a simple delay pedal.

You get 3 knobs to play with: ECHO which controls the wet/dry mix, TIME lets you select 20-620ms delays, and FEEDBACK for the length of repetitions. Unfortunately the Echo and Feedback knobs are too small to be manipulated with your feet as you’re playing. This pedal is marketed as “True Bypass,” meaning it should not color your signal when inactive. Despite this claim, some users reported a slight bit of coloration, which we were not able to detect ourselves.

Some users have reported that this is not a true analog delay pedal, but rather a digital recreation. Still, it has drawn some comparisons to the analog tone of the MXR Carbon Copy, which is very high praise considering you can buy 4 of these for the price of one of those! Whether it’s true analog or not, it tends to sound darker than most digital delays, and the repeats are prone to artifacts from harmonic distortion, meaning Donner did a very good job with the sound.

Bottom Line: It’s easy to fall in love with this little pedal. Coming in at the lowest price and sporting a killer sound in a robust enclosure, we think this makes the perfect budget choice.