Re: [Harp-L] Delay unit's question...

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Robert Hale wrote:
<On Tue, Sep 6, 2011 at 7:09 PM, Chris Hammond <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> BBE Two Timer - This is the one I currently use and do highly recommend.
>  No tone sucking and true bypass


<Ahh, but you don't have Tap Tempo, a delicious element of echo within a song
<rhythm.

The Digitech RP250/255/350/355 don't have tap tempo either.  However, the footpedal can be assigned to control any parameter of any effect, such as delay time (which is what tap tempo controls, useful for longer tempo-synced delays) or delay level (which is very useful for shorter slapback delays) or number of repeats.  Putting the delay time under footpedal control solves the same problem as a tap tempo switch, which is how to sync the delay to the beat, in a different way. Using the footpedal in this way introduces certain artifacts into the sound (like weird, cool out-of-tune modulations) with some delay models; this is actually an example of the accuracy of the modeling, because that's what the original devices that the models are based on do when you twist their knobs while playing.  

All the RPs include delay models that sound good with blues harp, such as the analog and tape delay models, and more modern delay sounds like pingpong, modulated delay, and digital delay. The 350/355 include delays modeled on specific devices like the Boss DM-2, the Echoplex (both of which are also widely used by harp players), and the Maestro Echoplex. All the delays sound very good in their own ways, and it's enough variety to cover a wide range of styles and material.

Most people who own RPs don't use them as dedicated delay units, but they're certainly competitive in terms of value for money as a dedicated delay box, given that an RP255 can be bought new for $125-150 (an RP355 for $175-200), and it'll sound better in a wider range of styles than most dedicated delay pedals.  And they've got good reverbs too, and you can use the reverb and the delay at the same time.  They're worth a try when you're auditioning delay and/or reverb pedals.

Regards, Richard Hunter

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