7 Different Types of Delay and How to Use Them in Your DAW
Delay in audio production works in tandem with reverb to create a sense of space and depth in your audio. While reverb manages the reverberations of sounds in a space, delay repeats an audio signal to give an echo effect. The manner in which it does so can enhance a variety of features, such as character, thickness, and groove.
Nowadays, digital plugins can cover all your delay needs. However, we’ll go over the origins of delay hardware, the basics of delay parameters, and some contemporary techniques to shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of each type of delay.
Delay Parameters
Before we get into some popular delay techniques, let’s cover the basics of what the parameters on most delay hardware and software do:
Now, let’s get into the delay types…
1. Tape Delay
The first kind of delay to appear in music production was tape delay. This was back in the 1950s before the explosion in digital advancements. They worked by using a tape machine and magnetic tape strips to record your audio signal and then play it back. The speed of the delay effect was determined by the time taken to record and then play back the audio.
Tape delays are known for their dark, vintage, and full sound that can add a dash of character to drums, vocals, and most instrumental parts. Some producers use analog tape delays to this day for their authentic, saturated sound. it’s possible to also find high-quality emulations of tape delays in software format, and most DAWs already include a native tape delay plugin.
If the quirks and features of audio hardware interest you, check out our guide onthedifferent types of audio compressors.
2. Analog Bucket Brigade Delay
Bucket brigade delays introduced the use of a chip containing a series of capacitors to generate a delay effect. This dramatically reduced the size of delay hardware in comparison to hefty tape machines. This led to their use in more portable setups and stompboxes.
This type of delay applies its own unique sonic character to an audio signal, adding a warm, seamless, and dark sound. Compared to tape delay, it has a less saturated sound. Some of the noise generated by its operation is filtered out by design, while its capacitors let a series of imperfections through that further color the sound.
Use this delay on synths, backing tracks, and other audio when you want to add thickness and a lo-fi feel.
3. Digital Delay
The advance into digital technology led to many pieces of hardware that digitally emulated the previous two kinds of delay. The first digital delay models produced more precise delay effects with fewer unwanted audio artifacts. However, the aliasing and bit rate capabilities of the time still led to an inherent grit and edge in their sound.
While contemporary digital delay hardware and software can produce the cleanest of delay effects, it is the imperfections of older models that frequently hold the greatest appeal. A clean sound may be precise, but it can often be devoid of feeling.
Digital delays can work well on all instruments. You may want to get to know a few of them—their strengths and flaws—so you’re able to add different kinds of color for distinct situations.
4. Slapback Delay
Slapback delay is famous for being one of the first delay techniques developed back in the 1950s. Many artists such as Elvis Presley made good use of it (think Hound Dog), so it can provide an old-school feel.
This kind of delay is characterized by a single, punchy echo following the original audio signal. For it to mesh well, you will want to align the delay time to your tempo. Use slapback delay to make your drums, vocals, or guitars pop out or to increase their perceived sonic size.
Sometimes, you will want your delay effect to only apply to specific sections of your audio. Learn touse automation in your DAW, and you can precisely control your delay and other audio effects.
5. Doubling Delay
As the name suggests, doubling delay is used primarily to create the illusion of one track being doubled; in other words, two instruments playing one part. This doubling effect helps to thicken the original audio and can work very well on vocal leads and guitars.
To generate this effect, you want a low feedback (so the audio signal doesn’t noticeably repeat more than once), and a very short delay time (around 25–50 milliseconds).
If you’re having trouble with the frequency balance of certain instruments or your overall mix, see our guide onhow to use equalizers (EQs) in your DAW.
6. Ping Pong Delay
Ping pong delay gained its name for its method of pinging the repeated audio signal to one side of the stereo field, and then sending it to the other on each subsequent delayed signal (e.g. L to R to L to R). The result is a ping-pong, back-and-forth effect for as long as your feedback strength allows.
This delay technique, when used subtly, can help you generate a sense of dynamism and space. Be careful not to overdo it because it will quickly tire your ears and focus.
7. Multitap Delay
Multitap delay varies from other delay effects as it lets you control more than one delay line at a time. To put this in context, a doubling delay effect uses a single delay line that plays 25–50 ms after the original audio. Multitap delay lets you control six different delay lines where each has its own parameters (delay time, feedback, etc.).
This effect can help you develop and vary existing rhythmic elements of your mix. What may have been a bland percussive part can gain new life via experimentation with multitap delay.
For other ways to add emphasis and grit to your audio elements, see our guide on thedifferent types of audio distortion.
Enliven Your Audio With Delay
Delay in audio is best known for its echo effect, but that is only one facet of the features it offers. Use tape delay, bucket brigade delay, or their software emulations to add a dark, saturated, and vintage feel to your audio. Then, consider adding digital delays for their warmth and grit.
Make the most of slapback delay for an old-school feel and doubling delay to thicken your audio. Add in ping pong and multitap delay to add dynamism and variety, and the sonic depth and character of your audio will flourish.
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