Best Delay You've Never Heard - Digitech Timebender

[@LeonTodd]

Anyone here ever own a Timebender?

[@jonathanellison2239]

Yessir! I think they are excellent delay that does comparable to more expensive ones. More than I need, but killer. You do a great job demonstrating its range. Enjoy the day, Dudelton.

[@RBZ68]

I have one. I bought it maybe back in 2009-2010? It is the best delay pedal I’ve ever owned. That said, I haven’t used it since 2014. The biggest reason is back then I shelf mounted my pedals and used a GCX to engage them and MIDI to control them. The Timebender fell behind. I think this is the biggest reason it became the best delay pedal no one’s ever heard of. I wish there was a kit to midi-ize this pedal - something with 100 saved presets of every knob position/mode selection, and CC’s for every parameter including tempo. I’d pay for that.

[@shckltnebay]

Always floored by the tone you get, cant quite figure out how your listening to your guitar?

[@LeonTodd]

@@shckltnebay I have a set of Adam A7X studio monitors I listen to everything on.

[@shckltnebay]

@@LeonTodd What ever youre doing it sounds amazing

[@nigel900]

I’ve been using one for 11 years now, and it still impresses me. Haven’t found a better one yet. 👍🏻

[@Orko138]

Same

[@evtguy]

I would totally love a video lesson on writing music using rhythmic delays. Pretty much every playing example in this video was an awesome start to a song that I'd love to hear more of.

[@brazilianmegaman258]

I love this pedal, owned it since about 2012/2013 and toured the shit out of it. Absolutely abused the hold function. When you add in the FS-3 to scroll the presets easily it transforms it's usefulness in a busy pedalboard scenario, especially when you're playing guitar, singing and tap dancing on your board. Great video and peace out ✌🏻

[@musicformentalhealth6726]

I have had one for years love the delays with the octave repeats. Very cool having your repeats come back in different notes!

[@danielleinad6019]

I've got two Timebenders. It's by far the coolest delay pedal of all time. You've only scratched the surface with your demo here. You can actually control pretty much any parameter with an expression pedal, which is beyond awesome. You can set a harmony and assign it to the heel down position, then change the harmony, delay time and pattern and assign it to the toe down position. This is seriously insane. With all the other options (stereo in & out, strum pattern, preset slots and many more) this pedal is and will remain a true masterpiece. The only reason for it being overlooked and underrated is the fact, that it is a Digitech product. I used to own several delays, including Strymon El Capistan, Boss DD20, TC Electronic Flashback, some from EHX and a few more. I sold them all and got myself two Timebenders. Two of my favorite bands also appreciate the Timebender: Cleft and Poly-Math.

[@luisfelipenicodemus2055]

These are quite rare here in Brazil. I've lost the chance to get one last year, and cant find it anywhere right now that I have the money. Just got a digiverb last week, I tremendously love digitech pedals!

[@beneath_the_woods]

I love mine and will never give it away! 3 noteworthy things: 1) Put it in looper mode and you can use the voicing knob to pitch your live signal up or down. 2) You can use it for some very lush reverb, here's how: Put it in digital delay mode and set the time to 250ms. Turn modulation halfway up and set pattern to 10. 3) The Truetone 1 Spot Pro has one AC output which delivers enough juice for the Timebender. So you can use it on your pedalboard without needing an extra wall wart just for the Timebender.

[@LeonTodd]

I can't wait to try 1) !

[@intuitivecat]

The Gatorcase Power-12 pedalboard power supply also has one ac outlet. It’s been working great with my timebender.

[@tims001]

Best delay ever, beats every other delay pedal

[@LeviBulger]

Back when Digitech was putting their pitch shifting tech in basically all their pedals. It's a great delay tho for sure. Wish I still had one.

[@LeonTodd]

What did you use it for?

[@LeviBulger]

@@LeonTodd Honestly, when I had it I was probably only a couple years into playing guitar. It was really new when I bought it and I remember I didn't quite understand how to use it properly so I only ever used it for basic delays. And then my girlfriend at the time bought me the big green Line 6 delay and I ended up selling the Digitech. Stupid me. Now that I'm much better with pedals and tonality in general, I would probably have way more ability with it. It's definitely one of those pedals that is on my purchase on the spot list should I come across one. I gotta say, some of those tones you got in this video were blowing my mind tho! Now I really gotta find one lol. Great vid, as usual Sir!

[@JeffHendricks]

@@LeviBulger DL4 is a killer pedal in its own right too, though. I just sold mine- to Leon! Maybe he can do a shootout?!

[@Spielkind45]

Since my DSP 128 I'm in love with Digitech ;-)

[@larslevinberget9558]

Yeah!

[@RockNJeep]

You weren't kidding dude, this is a cool pedal. Digitech has some under-appreciated jems. This video has definitely given me some G.A.S.

[@jfredricks2394]

one of those devices that can inspire an entire album

[@livelypelts3325]

I’ve had one for YEARS! Love it!

[@rockonileva]

I was about to buy me a DD-20, but this pedal got my attention! I really the way this pedal can be such a creative source of sounds! Thanks for showing this (specially because the lack of videos showing this pedal's sounds)!

[@mattgilbert7347]

I found one and bought it, excellent condition, box and all! Under $300AUD.Score,and I wouldn't have given it a second look had it not been for you video. Thanks!

[@LeonTodd]

Very nice! Decent price too

[@Awesome1980s]

Still have mine from 2010, and use it all the time. The tape modes are absolutely amazing, too - they really hold up to what is in the current lineup of digital tape recreations. This review would have surely made this pedal famous, had it come out a decade back. Great job!!!

[@sinfin2020]

I see you played all the time with the mix button on Kill dry. But we hear your guitar apart from the effect.... How is that? Can you please, tell us what is your exact chain? Is this a wet-dry set up, so the Tmebender is coming from a different amp?

[@lehcamdom]

Im curious too! I can never get the delay level to be loud, its barely equal to the guitar signal level.Could it be because im playing with just one mono cable?

[@larslevinberget9558]

Love it! Reminds me of my mainstay for 30 years, the Digitech DSP256

[@GrahamGrochocinski]

It's been in my FX line-up since I first got it back in 2009 or so! My band Fotosputnik used tons of it on some of our space/krautrock stuff back then. Excellent studio experimental tool. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it, despite having used many other boutique delay pedals.

[@LeonTodd]

Your band is freakin' awesome!

[@GrahamGrochocinski]

@@LeonTodd thanks man! It’s all over that song “Mars is Peopled and They Want Soap” at the end. TimeBender ftw!

[@davidmparkes]

Brought mine over from the USA and still have it!

[@chiefpotpipe]

Boss DD-500 is pretty flexible also.I think the most underrated delay is the Echolution 2 Ultra Pro.

[@vladimirpavlovic9488]

Absolutely...

[@zombiemosher1139]

Digitech in general don't get the credit they deserve except for the Whammy. They made so many great rack units back in the day & this pedal sounds amazing.

[@leandrocesarmaccan5655]

Feels like "I use my delay pedal for tremolo sounds". Love it very much.

[@peterharvin2775]

Have to say that I could get lost for days in that Voicing control. What I heard was some really entrancing stuff.

[@rtbmusic1135]

Hell yeah I watched the whole thing. Some absolutely inspiring sounds there.

[@jimmyjimmy951]

Picked one of these up a few months ago on an impulse buy. Brand new in its box from a shop liquidation sale. $150 which I thought was pretty reasonable at the time. Now I think it was a bargain..

[@DoNoise]

Love the part at 18 min. It sounds so good with the modulation.

[@LeonTodd]

It reminds me a lot of the current crop of delays from Chase Bliss and others, really nice and glitchy but controllable

[@javiceres]

Wow The pedal is a gem

[@ryanmurphyart]

That's is a really cool delay pedal, thanks for the demo. It does so much, and sounds great.

[@208414]

That was unexpectedly good sounding.

[@LeonTodd]

Right?! I bought it cheap and was pretty amazed

[@maddog3902]

I've been effing with one of these bad bitches for about 10 years and it's held secret weapon status for the last 3-4 of them.

[@fatbastard1229]

Just pulled the trigger on one on Reverb. I’m so glad the company is making a comeback. Their XP and Sound Factory pedals are super fun.

[@inzanestrings]

this and the ehx canyon seem to have some of the best pitch shifting delays out there imo. You dont get the weird glitchy sound with the pitch shifting from them so its just nice smooth sound for the delays. That glitchy sound can be cool at times, but its sooo nice having really clean pitch shifted delays

[@mikebegin7267]

Awesome pedal but.......it does have one unfortunate flaw. The mix button for dry signal and effect only goes up to 50/50 and then just cuts to %100 effect after that. I've often found the effect sound needs to be more than unison with the dry signal. I ended up working around this with a boss line selector in front of it which allows me to boost the effect and then mix it against my dry sound. I'd also add that it doesn't track bends very well at all unless you like weird digital artifacts.

[@BrettKingman]

Terrific video, Leon. Stayed for the lot and stirs the G.A.S. Thanks!

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks mate! This one definitely feels like one of those "pre social media" pedals where it does wicked stuff without looking super fantastic

[@jeffnobles214]

I feel like I just stumbled on the internet talking to itself. Have enjoyed many videos from both of you over the years!

[@MassacreVegan]

Omg, it's like an LVX but not complicated. And the analog/tape modes sound right LOL.

[@JeffHendricks]

The pitch shift delay almost sounds like a double-tracking thing! Huge sounds! Now I gotta get one...

[@kalebaldwin5398]

DOD/Digitech came out with the double pedal format before Boss.

[@seventhsealhere]

Good intro for me. True, never heard of it but sounds really good. The pitch shifting is definitely usable. Not bad for it's time! 👍

[@stevemountford3707]

If this video existed when it came out Digitech would still be producing this pedal. Best kept secret 🤫

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

I bought a Digitech Timebender about 10 years ago. It's the best delay pedal I've ever owned as far as sheer versatility. Adding an expression pedal can really take you to some fun places.... it'll work with either an expression or volume pedal. I don't know why Digitech didn't continue making delays like this... having one with midi would've been a good addition. Anyway, I'm glad I have a Timebender and intend on keeping it. It inspires improvisation and writing with all the different sounds available. There used to be a website dedicated to the Timebender, unfortunately it's not around anymore.

[@LeonTodd]

Such a fun, inspiring pedal

[@fatbastard1229]

Just ordered one from reverb. I’ve got a ton of delays including the new Boss Space Echo which has midi…. Super excited for this to arrive. It’s got a bit of the XP 300 reverse in it…

[@michaelanzelino5068]

Appreciate the way you go through the delay types, patterns, modulation and lenth of repetes. I noticed almost no artifacts with the pitch blending. I guess that is two fold. The quality of chip used in this unit and the percission that you display whan playing. But most of all, you are musical with it all. You tweeked the parameters just right. The fact that this unit provides the user the option to incoporate an expression pedal and a foot switch, makes it a most complete delay pedal. Excellent tutorial.

[@LeonTodd]

Much appreciated! Hopefully there's some fun tricks to pull from it rather than it just be another demo.

[@mattgilbert7347]

11:01 duuuude epic licks!

[@geetargeek79]

Sounds great! It does remind me of my Pitch Factor.

[@fuzzyechoes]

I wish they'd come up with a time bender 2.

[@tomt55]

Interesting delay. Seems really fun to play around with. It sounds very good. It seems to be out of production, sadly. I'll keep a watch out for good price. Nice playing and vibrato! I dig your gain and clean tones.

[@Stigstigmamatata]

ring mod and AM sounds possible too! had one for like 6 years its awesome. Mostly in the studio, if it had mid for more presets would for sure be on live board.

[@JuxtaCrucem]

And I was happy with Digidelay.

[@hiddennotesberlin]

never owned one, but had a x-series delay forever (still as good as any boss dd pedal imo) and always thought this guy is a sleeper (?)...digitech is just good stuff,especially for the price

[@yrtracingteam106]

8:50 😂 👊🏼

[@BrockDavisson]

I got one of these from Sarah Lipstate aka Noveller few years ago on her Reverb page and like an idiot I let it go and I want another back sometime. I mean I have tons of delays from strymon timeline, volante, boss dd-500, meris lvx, eventide h90, helix, zoia stuff etc.. etc.. but there's something magical about the TIMEBENDER!!!

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah it's unique amongst the "super" delays

[@rndm7528]

I dont have this one but i have a Digidelay and also a DD-20 , think this one may have more features than the dd-20

[@rickr7361]

..very very cool. Really enjoyed the vid 😉

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks brother! Hope you're doing alright.

[@matuldamegasen8562]

Put it up against a BOSS DD20, Eventide Timefactor, that green Line6 echo, a Pigtronix Echolution and a Strymon El Capistan. Pigtronix won by a hair, Timebender 2nd and then nothing for a while. Great pedal with lots of fun features. Own 3 of them, won't risk ever be without one.

[@fernandes5986]

Amazing GEM from delay. I would like to see you trying one their old 5 voice harmonizers like the VHM-5 or the Studio 5000.

[@batmandeltaforce]

I likey the Digitech Chorus better than the BOSS too:) The Digitech RP1000 is an interesting unit, it just has crappy AD/DA converters.

[@towardstar]

you say that like it's a bad thing

[@LeonTodd]

Rp1000 with a line mixer would be interesting!

[@batmandeltaforce]

@@LeonTodd RP has delicious chorus/reverb:)

[@carlroberge7535]

Wow! Sounds incredible, 😳

[@LeonTodd]

It does!

[@noizewriter3324]

I wanted one of those soooo bad as a kid and I was even in my anti U2/Delay phase just cause it was different from the DL4 or the Giga

[@andyisacsson7503]

I’ve got one but can never get the delays loud enough …how are you wiring this?

[@danielleinad6019]

I'm using an EHX Tri-Parallel Mixer. The Timebender goes through the mixer, 100% wet. This way I can balance the dry and wet signal and make them equally loud. You could also use something smaller like the EHX Switchblade.

[@alescorpions]

hey Leon, the pedal sounds great, nice warm and the modulating pan and delays are really a great thing. ok there is no midi but once you choose modulated pan 3 what more do you want? hahaha however I have always liked the digitech effects, the judas priests have always made extensive use of them. match this delay with digitech multichorus "from 1 to 16 voices" hehe it has that warm and massive 80's heavy metal tone

[@ShadovvV]

What do you use to run your pedals in parallel ? Some type of switch box ? Otherwise, it's impossible to tell exactly what your chain is, but I'm assuming.. Guitar -> Switch A > Thru to amp, then Pedal -> Switch B in a send/return loop > To amp ? Mixed together with one dry and one wet ? Microphone ??

[@LeonTodd]

I'm using an Axe-Fx

[@sameerbhattacharya6184]

I use this in Flyleaf all the time. Love it

[@LeonTodd]

I can see why! Was it mostly something you used in a live context or did it make it onto the records?

[@sameerbhattacharya6184]

@@LeonTodd I used it a lot on the New Horizons album, especially the double octave delays. I think I it on Memento Mori, but I’d have to listen back. Live I put it on everything

[@dan_perry]

Another hidden jem from the Digitech guys! I've copied some of these algorithms for my venerable 2101...some really good sounds in this box.

[@NikolausBrocke]

Hui, it sounds awesome.

[@sterlingmcvay2469]

Ah, you really need to RUN with that SETTING Starting at 18:12, minutes IN - Like Maybe DADGAD on Acoustic and Electric - some Sweet Magic with that!!!😉✌

[@mrparkinson]

Thats a pretty bad assed pedal. Seriously. Does it have MIDI in and out to allow for easy changing of presets if its put in a rack?

[@LeonTodd]

No midi unfortunately :(

[@MrSpike7590]

Being a rack unit guy, I love the fact this has a display for time!!!

[@LeonTodd]

Same! You can even set it to show the bpm if you prefer

[@shckltnebay]

DD-200 does that, a lot do

[@MrSpike7590]

@@LeonTodd That is Awesome!!!! Great Video BTW. I think this Delay can Actually be better than the Eventide Micropitch delay. Maybe that could be a comparison video for you to do in the future???

[@shoseinen]

It's a great pedal. I read that one of the main drawbacks of the pedal, is you can't do full wet sound when you put the mix at 100%. Is that true? :o I love it anyways

[@andreasf6671]

For the prices they're going for might as well pick up a Boss DD 200! Nice video though :)

[@R1GAMBLER]

people sleep on this MONSTER

[@Nightdare]

What I never liked about this and the DD-20, was all these options, but no MIDI

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah they almost nailed it. Timefactor and Timeline came in and knocked out out of the park

[@vahnrondel]

i have one. i modified the circuit so that i can use 12vDC psu

[@stephanhawkes6761]

How did you do this? Did it affect the sound at all?

[@slayjwood]

Wow!

[@frankfrank7921]

I thought you were saying "patent" until I used my Aussie to Yank translator and realized you were saying "pattern".

[@LeonTodd]

:p

[@iamgalarneau3194]

I bought one a while ago - but it didn’t come with you playing through it - so it doesn’t sound as good :/

[@LoveGuitar63277]

I see that it has both Footswitch and Expression jacks. Have you experimented with those? I prob missed the part where you talked about it. RalfJung has some interesting demos here on YT.

[@LeonTodd]

I didn't get to them on this vid but the exp input is super fun

[@chemmii]

Why did they discontinue this pedal.??? Never heard of it till now...and now they don't have it?? Do you know the reason why.??

[@danielleinad6019]

How do you guys power this thing? I've got the USA version with a 1500 mA (AC) wall wart. Is there some kind of pedalboard friendly power brick which can feed the Timebender with an appropriate amount of electricity?

[@PierreB28]

Amazing demo ! I'm thinking of getting one but I have a question , can you plain in other tonality than A or G in the voices mode ?

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah pretty sure there's all 12 keys available

[@PierreB28]

@@LeonTodd Nice! Thanks for your reply

[@kcapkcans]

Really glad I have one of these so I don't have to buy one at current prices...

[@G.GordonMidi]

How come the mix knob is set at 100% wet in the video but there is clearly still dry signal? It says “dry off” on the pedal so, presumably, you can go full wet right?

[@LeonTodd]

I'm running it in a parallel loop

[@Locoandchooch]

I bought an Eventide Time Factor, but I can’t get it to do what I want. I’m getting pissed I can’t find a dual delay. That sounds good though.

[@LeonTodd]

What dual delay sound are you trying for exactly?

[@Locoandchooch]

There’s a guy in New Zealand who uploaded songs online a few years ago, his name is Zorran? In one of his songs he had a dual delay going, one was slow and one was fast, and it had a great atmospheric feel to it. But I’ve had zero luck finding such a delay.

[@LoveGuitar63277]

At $400US (just looked online) I'll be forced to stick with my $27 Intellifex Black Face. But this sounds incredible!

[@LeonTodd]

I got lucky then, I paid a lot less than that for one locally

[@cliftonwright7081]

I’d say I’m surprised but the delays in the RP-1 are great so why wouldn’t these be cool?

[@LeonTodd]

Right?!

[@tonesleuth69]

Was there ever a Reverb equivalent to this?!

[@R1GAMBLER]

Timebender can do lush reverb

[@lotusmark2]

Hi Leon, bloody love your stuff, Ragdoll is a firm favourite. Would appreciate a quick PM if you get a sec, as have been chasing 80’s tone at home for years an failing. Thanks

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks mate! Feel free to flick us a PM on instagram

[@dyangordon6151]

I've heard of it.

[@tribunation]

Is he saying "jewel delay" or "dual delay"?

[@LeonTodd]

"Why not both?"

[@tribunation]

@@LeonTodd 😄👊

[@guittarwizzrd]

Looks fun as a toy but that would be about it . I used a 2120 for years then went back to tube heads and analog stuff and you can kind of understand why digitech gets their reputation it's something about their tone that just sounds fake , not as bad as a art sgx but still bad but they are fun toys to play with .

[@TheeIronJedi]

Too much money

[@Knekelman]

Better than the Strymon Timeline??? Don’t think so.

[@LeonTodd]

My point was less "this is the best thing ever" but "this thing is rare and amazing". The Timeline deserves it's popularity and acclaim!

[@Knekelman]

@@LeonTodd your click bait title gave me vibes like: “Squier guitars are the best guitars”, as stated quite often by many youtube guitarists, who in all honesty would NEVER even gig or tour or record on a Squier guitar. Know what I’m saying? 😉

[@jlynnb1]

@@Knekelman I think the focus is on the "you've never heard" part....that's how I read it. Didn't seem clickbaitey to me at all.

[@42ronty]

@@jlynnb1 We get it, he owns a strymon timeline. Salty vibe much? lol