Try A Really Short Delay!

Ever tried a really short delay? Shorter than slapback?
It's a great way to fatten your tone and punch out of a mix.
#shorts
#becausetone

[@rikkousa]

My wife often tells me how much she enjoys my short delay

[@aleksandarmakedonski8282]

What a pun. Clap clap (hands free)

[@JPTyler]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hillcosparky1050]

@@aleksandarmakedonski8282 When the reply tops the original comment 👏 Bravo

[@WeirdBrainGoo]

My friend doesn't get the joke.

[@omertuzer]

😂

[@davidbrowning6762]

The most informative short I’ve seen on the tube. Thanks Mick.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Wow! Thanks!

[@morbidmanmusic]

sad

[@boobiedefloop6097]

Are you stulid, this effect has existed for years under a different name

[@pifko87]

@@boobiedefloop6097 Who is Stu Lid?

[@boobiedefloop6097]

@@pifko87 you.

[@darwinsaye]

This is pretty much how I use delay 90% of the time. Instead of reverb, which I find makes things mushy too easily.

[@maximusfrank2835]

If you mix this with really really short reverb and blend it in like… 2% it’ll make it just a little thicker haha

[@darwinsaye]

@@maximusfrank2835 Yeah the spring reverb in my amp is always on, but just barely.

[@geroffmilan3328]

Same, did it one day & never looked back: sometimes I stack this with another delay at 1200-1500ms to do something more ambient

[@Riikkyy]

It’s a great way to get that compressed sound when you use a slight delay. I like to use it when I do country stuff

[@wea69420]

depending on what reverb you're using, try filtering off all of the low end. A high pass at around 300 Hz makes all the difference when trying to make reverb sit where it should.

[@sebastiancarter9570]

one of the most mind blowing things I learned while studying sound design is that most effects (reverb, flanger, phaser, doubler, dimension) are just different forms of delay with eq’s/lfo’s/panning

[@remotepinecone]

just look at the history of reverb and you will see it simply technological limitations that defined the difference in the past. I've always liked modern delay better than reverb, for the exact reasons you stated, as it offers more control.

[@ildarrrr2]

PS-3 by Boss can make reverb, flanger, phaser, doubler, dimension, octaver, chorus, etc.

[@vincemincevince]

i didn’t know that thanks for the info.

[@daviddragan610]

The behringer fx600 guitar pedal has delay, flanger, chorus, phaser, octave, tremolo and whike playing around with the settings I realised they all sounded very very similar, as if they were different settings on the same board... which they are!

[@alexsharp3481]

I use a 17ms delay and pan my signal left and right to simulate two guitarists playing the same thing. Works incredibly well when playing live and one guitarist drops out for a solo. As people mentioned below, I should have added that they are EQd just differently enough to sound similar while avoiding phase cancellation.

[@growskull]

i just tried this its super interesting thanks for the shout

[@xebio6]

Left/right as in dry/wet?

[@Rocco1123]

Damn that's a good idea. What delay do you use?

[@alexsharp3481]

@@Rocco1123 I do this all in my Axe Fx. I use the analog delay in the unit for that trick but there are plenty that would work

[@Rocco1123]

@Alex Sharp Ah gotcha, its probably extremely easy with Axe effects. With my DL4 I suppose I would have to have it in a seperate chain to get the same effect?

[@skrumbobumbo3279]

Great way to get fullness in your tone, like an automatic double track. Can't believe I haven't thought of this

[@Linguae_Music]

Just... dont use it as a replacement for double tracking though xD

[@Yourbankaccount]

​@@Linguae_MusicWhy? People literally have been doing that for ages

[@Linguae_Music]

@@Yourbankaccount Regular double tracking will always create a more realistic sense of width and thickness than a "delay-double" can. Because it has natural inconsistencies between tracks, which both sounds more real and doesnt present any real chance of phase issues while mixing. If you are panning the delay and original signal differently(i probably would) then your creating a haas effect. Which will cause a consistent, and probably noticable, phase interference when played back on a mono system. (Like a phone, or bluetooth speaker, or at the club) Basically double tracking sounds more natural? And doesnt present any chance for any noticable phase interference in the mix. The delay double sounds more like you are a very reflective room. And not as much like two guitars playing? They are both useful tools to make your guitar sound bigger.... but they're just different :D One may work better than the other depending on the vibe of the song your working on... But in that case they wouldnt be interchangable. Hehe But that's not to say that doing the delay double isnt cool, but i wouldnt consider them interchangeable from a mixing perspective. I do enjoy the delay-double(slap-back delay?) effect as well! Maybe im being too anal about this? XD

[@blindhtownkilla]

I could see it as a great tool to get that doubled sound live but in the studio, probably stick with regular double tracking

[@alexrandell9199]

If you double track your guitar, this could make for a really massive sound. With one recording send the dry signal right and the delay left, and with the other one send the dry left and the delay right

[@Untoldanimations]

so quad tracking

[@alexrandell9199]

@@Untoldanimations something like that

[@umrasangus]

​@@Untoldanimations not really

[@adityarohanik0]

How do you do that in Ableton?

[@alexrandell9199]

@@adityarohanik0 I use FL so I don’t know how your channels work, but I’d imagine it’s not incredibly too different. Take one recording of your guitar on one channel and just a delay on the other. Set the delay in the plugin to 100% wet and route the recording signal through it. Pan the guitar track hard right and the delay hard left. Repeat but swap channels with second recording/delay send.

[@hardrockerdave94]

I love using my Carbon Copy for this, especially with slide. Gives a proper “room mic” feel

[@sparkyguitar0058]

Came to say the same thing about the C C. My tube amps have 'verb my practice amps dont. 1 of 2 delays on my board so still got delays if needed.

[@davidparsons97]

If you think about it, the old thing of carbon copying is to copy something almost simultaneously rather than with large delay, so shorter delay is the true meaning of a mimeograph.

[@growskull]

slide+delay = heaven

[@robinbennison9225]

Carbon Copy gives such an organic sound compared to most other pedals out there. It is wonderful.

[@swardmusic]

Carbon copy and diamond memory lane junior for the win

[@TheGgreen100]

Genuinely love the Tiled Bathroom guitar tone, lol. so much vibe.

[@HauntedHarmonics]

FYI, this is basically using your delay as a chorus, because this is exactly what chorus pedals do (adding a short delay to replicate a “choir” of multiple instruments). Though chorus pedals often add a subtle pitch shift too, to make the effect more pronounced. This is also why chorus effects are often described as being “wide”. It makes your instrument sound like its coming from multiple sources as opposed to one

[@kaganozdemir4332]

They also can separate stereo channels

[@ThatPedalShow]

You’re almost right. Chorus is - signal gets split. One half of the signal is delayed super short, with that delay time modulated back and forth a tiny bit to create vibrato. That effected signal is mixed back with the dry signal and creates the chorusing effect. Multiple voice choruses have multiple instances of the effected sound. Cheers.

[@jaycollins7288]

When I used to play professionally back in the 80's I only used reverb on stage and no matter what when I heard myself played back from a recording, I always sounded dead. I discovered that a short repeat delay made the difference. I then went from sounding dead to fantastic full, and professional sound. I believe Robben Ford has also said he ALWAYS uses a short delay...ALWAYS!

[@rypatmackrock]

There is also the simple and familiar, iconic sound of the slap back echo that Scotty Moore used in certain Elvis recordings, and is often synonymous with rockabilly and early rock ‘n’ roll. Each chapter of guitar history where a certain effect was first used can give a lot of insight for us guitarists besides the practical applications. We have all the continuity that came before us.

[@matheusnascimentomelo6411]

I always use it! Best Choice for standing out in the mix, and to give your sound a more clear presence in the room, specially if you're a single guitarist in the band.

[@youropionmattersnot]

Wet the signal and it's Pat Travers all day long.

[@alsner73]

I love really short delays more than long delays exactly for this scenario.

[@krono069]

I've been using subtle delay in my tone for 20 years for that added sustain and swell. Great stuff.

[@xJAWAx]

Almost works as a reverb. Sounds good.

[@redielg]

It’s gonna blow your mind when you realize what reverb is

[@DomesticatedDemon]

It's really just a plate reverb. Good call 👍

[@kangaroofoot]

@@redielg 🤣🤣🤣

[@ryanmelvey8764]

another fun one is to make the guitar clean, but the slapback overdriven. helps the tone "bloom" and gives you the benefits of wet/dry. also have the two signals have opposite EQ curves, so the clean tone has mids scooped, and the slap back very mid focused. helps it stay clear

[@CFChristian]

I have to try this. 😮

[@Ballonpoire39]

Thank you for this great idea

[@MC-bi8qw]

How would you do that?

[@saucerfullofzepp4203]

Classic technique used by most one guitar bands, helps fill that space in the mix without overlapping frequencies.

[@TraneFrancks]

Love how that short delay almost mimics a room reverb.

[@chipphillips8524]

I’m just happy to see Mick with the LP ! 4 knobs and the truth

[@NeilBolandGuitaristWriter]

A great technique to highlight. A great reference point for this is how the likes of Robben Ford applies this to create a fat "slapback" effect. An "always on" thing for him, Matt Scofield etc.

[@johancarlson2774]

Yes! I sacrificed a DD-7 for the sole purpose of doubling. Late in my chain, ALWAYS on.

[@ronmorey3475]

Me too! Sacrificing a DD-3 for the same reason.

[@kukelhupf]

Amazing. Feels like the 40 ms added an entire riff.

[@JohnW335andTele]

Enjoying these short reels that you guys are putting out! While this may be needed to help the algorithm in your favor, and might be a pain as it adds more of a workload for you all, they are very informative. Thanks

[@aaronlessard4754]

Strymon Deco works great for this. You can get that amazing doubling effect, or roll back even further for lush 80s chorus.

[@chaos4316]

Awesome tip. Been playing 25 years and still feel like a noob. That’s a clever way of mimicking a vintage amp with that grit/break-up on tap. Love it. Subscribed

[@Wooburnmusic]

Another great and educational demo, thankyou. 🙂👍🇬🇧

[@dadoffour]

Perfect almost a reverby sound

[@jakefairley6993]

Adding a short delay to you lead tone is a really nice way to help solos cut through and fill up space

[@SKRooU2]

A little trick alot of guitarist don' t realize is you can assign a volume / wah pedal to morph between a short and long delay instead of just hitting the pedal switching between short and long delay intervals. I had a Digitech pedal board years ago where I could morph between clean and distortion.

[@sboy1955]

Years ago, I was advised to set delay at 464ms for R&R leads. Seems to be accurate across the board most of the time.

[@CFChristian]

I stumbled upon this by accident with my brothers DE-7. I basically shut it off. He thinks I'm crazy, but it truly adds dimension and girth.

[@bobsebring2819]

Definitely, thats how I used to set my guitar up. It gives it a fatter sound, a perfect reverb, and it helps with rolling your notes during a running phrase. I always left my delay on. turn it on and forget it. Just like a noise-gate

[@robschaller9061]

Slap back is what that short delay is and it makes for a fuller sound while being less forward.

[@naturaIIydifferent]

Back in the day I used this trick to make my 3 piece band sound thicker. It works really well to fill out the sound.

[@WeekendWarriorGuitars]

Very nice and the Les Paul sounds fantastic!

[@bringyourownsnake980]

What full, robust, beautiful sound. Classic.

[@turboqueer666]

Good advice! Wow! This will make my solos really stand out. Thanks!🎉

[@Game4Lord]

Effects snob tip. Throw a good chorus on top of this, and you've got a solid 80's hair metal tone.

[@FishManBlues]

I’ve done this for years with one of my Carbon Copies and it’s always such a fun sound. Works really well when recording, too.

[@Bertyification]

As a lone guitarist in a band I discovered this a while back. Experimented with the Tc Electronic MIMIQ (?) and other delays and have now settled for the wonderful Wampler tape echo. It has tap tempo should you want to go for longer delays and the most magic wavey modulation effect (I think it’s supposed to mimic actual tape stretch or head misalignment). 👍🏻 thanks Mick!

[@Driftuner]

I love this technique, it almost sounds like you have a "room mic" in the mix

[@ThatPedalShow]

Yeah, it’s got a lot in common with a simple small room verb. Lovely stuff.

[@Driftuner]

@@ThatPedalShow sure is. Try adding a very long reverb after this delay. Its hard to get the settings to work right, but when i do, im able to create some really spacious sounds that at the same time sort of remains in the background. Hard to explain. Lotta fun, but doesnt work for every kind of playing though

[@chaoticembrace6984]

Brilliant stuff Mick !!!!....much love + respect from Chicago!!!

[@shred5]

I love using short delay with a bit of overdrive for soloing. It’s basically an alternative to reverb but gives a different sound.

[@StephanReed1]

"No, it's ok, honey! The long delays scare me!"

[@daniellindstrom9002]

Genius. Never even thought of this.

[@lanceleslie5165]

I love the shorts: content, delays, pants. Thanks, Leggins!

[@davepfannkoch6876]

tbh i haven't heard a pedal trick this cool in years man, thanks

[@timcreek2851]

You guys at TPS are just awesome. Thank you for all the outstanding content. This video is no exception!

[@brewsmith]

Sounds great. Mick! And thanks for giving usable advice in such a convenient format.

[@Total_DaveB]

These shorts are great. Wonderful tone tips Perfect editing. No surprise! Thanks for all you do Mick.

[@HolbeckStill]

Mick There! Lovely demonstration 🙌

[@jeffcase4446]

That's the big trick to getting a great clean rockabilly tone,

[@aidanpiccuirro1840]

it sounds like it gives the tone just that little extra depth, i love it though! great for when you want a clean tone but not bland

[@devanshsoni8622]

Man, you are really a hero!🥺

[@luisvergarafernandez5881]

That's one of the main reasons why I use at least two delays in a chain.

[@diabeticmonkey]

Learned this from reading about Eric Peterson’s rig. It makes all of those Testament riffs sound huge

[@obscuritystunt]

one of my favorite vocal treatments is a 10MS delay on only L or R channel to create sense of spaciousness

[@tedc6694]

Densely packed informative content. Love it!

[@cpamiseso]

I tend to go 1/2 a sec (50ms, sometimes 60 or 80ms), with minimum repeat and level/loudness adjusted to taste, to give that 'roomy' effect or 'double' effect as you said. I dont have reverb pedal, so I use my analog pedal for that purpose.

[@gnamp]

Sounds exactly like playing in an empty bare-walled room of about 5x5m²

[@JPGtampa]

Really opens up the sound

[@Sammywhat]

I do so enjoy your playing Mick! And this is coming from a guy that loves the same guitarists as you do! Cheers on ya!!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you Sammy!

[@conjob2112]

That’s the magic. You don’t know it’s there until it’s not there.

[@devinwhite5086]

I've done this. Absolutely love the sound.

[@magneto44]

sounds awesome, adds some depth to the sound very cool, nice trick

[@RobbyKing]

When I learned to think of delay like the sustain pedal on a piano it really changed my perspective on how to use it

[@grovesyelite9015]

Awesome. I've been doing this forever. Thought I was weird 🤣 I like the 'live' sound it gives me.

[@tappyoklahoma]

never thought of a short delay before.. wow --- yes - i second "the most informative video" sentiment --- in the history of youtube and possibly music history... i never knew the knob can physically go below 1 oclock... absolute game changer.

[@lovelandguitarman]

Discovered this recently as a thickener when playing as the sole guitar player.

[@Ritchael]

this is what I was searching for I was hesitate to buy a delay pedal or not this video makes it clear, I need one

[@simontromans2748]

A truly life changing short viddy!

[@jamescassidy3995]

Beautiful! Thanks Mick ✊️🎸✨

[@SaturnOneZeroFour]

Figured this one out a few days before seeing this, still sounds sweet!

[@Zlotyi-7]

Finally bro invented reverb!! :D

[@DomSchu]

That super short style delay is one of my favorite effects to kick on for a solo. Makes your guitar really stand out and the delays aren't around long enough to muddy it up.

[@remotepinecone]

IMHO sounds like a wet small room reverb. delay is so versatile I love it.

[@gavterrygt]

As someone recently looking at the mimiq pedal and thinking I just wouldn’t use it enough, this is a brilliant alternative, thanks!

[@deltawhiskey1398]

This comes in handy for songs like Boston-More Than A Feeling... etc etc... and numerous Def Leppard tunes.

[@TheDevinShamel]

This is my secret trick lol! I love how it sounds

[@Birdnos92]

~330 is where my DD3 lives. Could super glue it down at this point.

[@zigsrig]

Cool. That's some pretty juicy tone ya got there!

[@jwidiot6912]

I do this while playing Finnish "rautalanka" since it is a characteristic of that genre.

[@wesebeling]

That is a damn good idea! Thanks, my dude!

[@FreddieBaker87]

My absolute favorite way of boosting solo or rhythm leads. Sometimes I run this before my gain stage.

[@asherfilms923]

Best ad for a Strymon deco I've seen

[@ThatPedalShow]

Nice!

[@ontherocks1026]

Awesome tip ! 👏🏼

[@IveEatenAChild]

Wow the very short delay adds an entire new part to your riffs! That's so cool!

[@richnetts]

So useful, thank you, giving it a go tonight!

[@jonasbrinkworse5436]

Me, a synth guy: wait, is this a guitarist thing? Not having tried to make delay sound like you're playing when on the crapper. I can only wholeheartedly support this great guy encouraging experimenting with those knobs intensively. There are treasures hidden in most of the corners round knobs make.

[@ehd.f4269]

Like the clear cousin of reverb and chorus. Nice!

[@ge200099]

What a great video! Thanks a lot!

[@matthewsolina4920]

I like a quick slap back delay with one or two repeats. For country, and rockabilly stuff.

[@Samus5164]

~350ms on a digital style delay makes for a fantastic slapback. One of my favorite sounds you can get is palm muted runs with a slapback.

[@robert_starling]

I'm using 120-180ms with great results. Great looking video BTW! Lighting, lens and audio hitting on all cylinders! Well done!

[@eh2254]

That’s gold. Thanks.

[@_hexes_]

Thank you for this! I'm definitely trying this out

[@andrewhamson435]

had one of those free the tones for a while i loved it !

[@kahlrhoam6769]

Cool short, Mick! Very good points. Something I like to do, is frank the repeats up to just before insane, (depending on the box), & pulling way down the mix dial, crack it open just enough to get bigger tones.

[@9999plato]

Works great on weak vocals too. I discovered it accidentally recording a vocal with 2 mics in the room. The mic that was several feet away capturing the room gave a great doubling effect when mixed in.