When it comes to spicing up the sound beats of a musical production, delay and looping is a must. Not only does it give texture to the soundscape, but it also adds rhythm where none existed. That’s the reason all of us must appreciate the need for bass delay pedals when creating unbeatable beats.
Table of Contents
9 Best Bass Delay Pedals
| Image | Bass Delay Pedals | Specs | No. of Knobs | |
 | $355.88 at Amazon | Max Delay Time: 750ms, inputs: 1 x 1/4", outputs: 1 x 1/4" (out, true bypass, power source: 9V DC power supply (included) | 3 | See on Amazon |
 | $29.00 at Amazon | Max Delay Time: 0.3 seconds (300ms), inputs: 1 x 1/4", outputs: 1 x 1/4", batteries: 1 x 9V | 3 | See on Amazon |
 | $149.99 at Amazon | Max Delay Time: 0.6 seconds (600ms), inputs: 1 x Instrument, outputs: 1 x 1/4", batteries: 1 x 9V | 3 | See on Amazon |
 | $249.99 at Amazon | High-quality TC, electronic digital delay processing in a compact pedal design stereo, 2 sturdy footswitches, audio tapping technology | 5 | See on Amazon |
 | $178.00 at Amazon | Buffered bypass, input impedance1 M ohm, output impedance1 k ohm, CHECK indicator (Used for indication of check battery) | 4 | See on Amazon |
 | $329.00 at Amazon | Digital, inputs: 2 x 1/4", outputs: 2 x 1/4", true bypass switchable to analog buffered | 7 | See on Amazon |
 | $323.99 at Amazon | Max Delay Time: 800ms, inputs: 1 x 1/4", outputs: 1 x 1/4", true bypass: switchable to "trails" mode | 6 | See on Amazon |
 | $299.00 at Amazon | Digital, max delay time: 2 seconds, inputs: 2 x 1/4" TS, outputs: 2 x 1/4" TS, true bypass: buffered in trails mode | 6 | See on Amazon |
 | $259.99 at Amazon | Delay with effects loop, max delay time: 1.5 seconds, inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" TRS (send/receive), outputs: 1 x 1/4" (effect out), 1 x 1/4" (FS3 footswitch), true bypass | 5 | See on Amazon |
Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Bass Pedal
For several decades now, the market has been inundated by Boss models such as the DD-3, DD-5, and DD-6. The latest in this range is the DD-7, which features an analog mode that mimics DD-2.
As an improvement to the DD-6, the DD-7 has an external footswitch jack. It is great for people looking for an easy way to switch between digital and analog output. If you can’t afford the high price, this delay pedal is not for you.
The Modulation Delay mode is what you might need to produce chorus-like sounds. There is also an Analog Delay Mode, which imitates the best of the DD-2.
This delay pedal has a Tap Tempo control which you could use to take charge via the external footswitch. The stereo output is versatile enough so that you have the best of a live performance and recording setting.
Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Bass Delay
The EP103 is the latest in the Echoplex Delay pedal offerings. This product range has existed since the first version hit the market in 1961 and is growing stronger. In the entire series, the EP-3 Echoplex was the most preferred.
With the new offering, you get a taste of the EP-3’s echo effects. This delay pedal might be great for guitarists who need to sound better. In that respect, it compares favorably with the leading products on the market. It, however, isn’t good for those looking a delay pedal on the cheap.
The EP103 Echoplex has a delay knob for precisely tuning the delay time by up to 750 milliseconds. Apart from its primary function, the volume control knob could be pressed down to activate the Age Mode which produces the sound of worn-out tapes.
You can use the internal switch to choose a preferred stereo output. This device features a true bypass relay that engages the bypass switch to disconnect the delay. In addition, the Tap Jack enables you to increase the delay time to a maximum of 4 seconds.
Behringer Vintage Analog Bass Delay VD400
The Vintage Delay is basically an analog bass delay pedal offering that promises an unrivaled slap-back echo. Despite its analog nature, this pedal rivals some of the best devices on the market.
It might be useful for anyone looking for a maximum of 300 ms in delay on just $30. If you are looking for a delay pedal with a delay of anything close to 600ms, this product is not for you.
The VD 400 is lightweight, given its plastic housing. It has ‘In’, Out’, and ‘Direct Out’ terminals for feeding in the input signal and taking it out to the speaker. The LED status indicator tells you when the pedal is on or off. The ‘Repeat Rate’ knob is what you need to control the delay time.
There is an ‘Echo’ knob that controls the volume of the sound effect while the ‘Intensity’ knob controls the number of times the sound is repeated. This feature is what might ensure that you have a natural, organic delay.
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
The Carbon Copy is an analog delay pedal that reminds you of the experience of guitarists from the 60s. It produces a fluid, warm sound unlike the many digital offerings on the market.
In fact, the Carbon Copy could be better than any other analog delay pedal for bass. It provides a delay time of up to 600ms, which might be good for those who want higher delay intervals. If you are operating on a budget, this pedal may not work for you.
It has a 3-knob layout. The ‘Delay’ knob helps you to set the delay time. To adjust the dry signal and delay signal level to the output, you will have to use the ‘Mix’ knob. The ‘Regen’ knob sets the number of times the delay signal is repeated. There is also a ‘Mod’ switch so that you can achieve a sound close to that os a tape machine.
TC Electronic Nova ND-1
Modern bass guitarists may need a delay pedal with up to 6 stereo output options. The TC Electronic gives you a wider legroom and enables you to store a maximum of 9 customizable presets.
Compared to its precursor, the TC 2290, the latest offering has a different worldly look. It is good for individuals looking to enjoy the benefits of the latest Audio Tapping tech. However, if you cannot afford its high price, don’t even try it.
One of the stand-out features of this delay pedal is the fact that it has 6 stereo delay options. They include the delay line, dynamic, reverse, ping pong, pan, and slap-back.
As a guitarist, you have a choice on the kind of sound you want. It is also possible to switch between the manual and preset modes so that you are in control of the output quality.
The delay time provided by this device is up to a maximum of 2290ms, which is perhaps the longest in the entire industry.
Source Audio SA260 Nemesis
The SA260 Nemesis is the latest offering from Source Audio. It compares favorably with some of the top bass delay pedals on the market. This device comes with flexible options in terms of sound output.
With up to 24 delay engines, this device is great for anyone looking for variety. However, you cannot acquire this delay pedal if you cannot pay the purchase price.
Just like the previous offerings from Source Audio, this delay pedal has great features. The Tap Tempo is what you might need to change the delay time.
The 24 delay engines ensure that you, the guitarist, can choose how you want to sound. It works in tandem with the Neuro mobile app when it comes to editing, sharing, and saving presets.
Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe Delay Effects Pedal
If you have interacted with the EP-3, the 1970s offering by Catalinbread Belle, then you are likely to see it in the latest version. It is just as good as any of the top bass delay pedals of the past and present.
Compared to its older counterpart, it doesn’t have recording and playback capabilities. This is the best delay pedal for people looking for a combination of analog output and sound enhancements. Don’t try it if you cannot afford the high price.
Not all pedals come with multiple sonic layers. This particular device has 5 sound output options, which allow for tailor-made results. The Depth’ knob enables you to switch between different modulation levels.
As for the Echo Delay knob, you can use it to choose delay times between 80ms and 800ms. The other key feature is the ‘Echo Sustain’ knob, which sets the level of the delay signal fed back to produce several repeats.
EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2
This is one of the best bass delay pedals with a variety of output effects. Compared to previous devices from EarthQuake, this delay pedal comes with two different voices, namely tap-tempo and multiple expression controls.
Experts laud it for being one of the stand-out delay pedals on the market today. This device is good for every musician looking to have the top bass delay effects. It, however, has a prohibitive price, which may not work for every musician out there.
The Avalanche comes with three centrally controlled voices which you can use to vary the sound quality. It comes with various knobs such as the ‘Time knob’ for setting the length of repeats from 0ms to 2000ms.
There is also a ‘Repeats’ knob which sets the number of repeats. While the ‘Tone knob’ adjusts the tone of the sound, the ‘Delay Mix’ knob enables you to increase or decrease the volume of the repeats.
Digitech Guitar Rubberneck Delay Pedal
Are you looking for a bass delay for virtually all your musical needs? If ‘yes’, then you should try the DOD Rubberneck. People looking for the highest delay intervals will be pleased with the one-and-a-half seconds offered by this device.
If you appreciate analog pedals, you might consider buying this product. For those who are more into digital sound, this pedal may not work for them.
The Tap Tempo gives you all you might need to change the delay time. Using it, you can set the delay time within three available divisions. The Tap/Regen switch is what you might need to control the feedback oscillation and either increase the frequency of the repetitions or decrease it.
This Digitech pedal has Switchable Tails which allow you to hold on for a while after you switched off before the delays stop.
Is there a bass specific delay pedal?
It is critical to note that the conventional guitar pedals can actually work on bases. After all, there is no way they would know whether it is a guitar, microphone, keyboard or bass signal that’s passing through them. The work of the pedals is to process any signal that goes through them. So you can use guitar pedals on bass.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no specific bass pedals on the market. The reason for the existence of these function-specific pedals is the richness with which the bass sound comes. A guitar pedal may end up muddying the bass sound, thus making it indistinct. That’s why almost every guitar pedal on the market has a bass version.
What Does A Bass Delay Pedal Do?
The purpose of bass delay pedals is to record sound and play it back a short while later. It either plays back the sound once or several times depending on what the musician wants. Using delay pedals, it is also possible to play the sound back into the recording to create an impression of repetition or decaying echoes.
Bass delay pedals make it look like you are playing multiple instruments at a go. They add rhythm to the recording thus making it musically sound. Achieving that with a single instrument may not be possible.
How to Choose One?
Given the many models, brands, technical components, and colors available you need to be careful when choosing this kind of pedal. You may want to start by finding out the kind of bass pedals your favorite players use.
This could involve interviewing local artists and other instrument players. You will be surprised how readily they are willing they are to share what they know.
You may also want to read online reviews on bass delay pedals – like this one. Such reviews provide the features of the products, as well as, the prices. With this information, it will be easier for you to make a sound buying decision.
It is also important to consider whether the bass delay is digital or analog. What you need to realize is that every bass delay pedal available on the market is digital in nature, although some may carry features of their previous analog versions.
Digital vs Analogue Delay Pedal
The digital versus analog controversy is not going to fade away any time soon. While analog pedals are the precursor of their digital counterparts, they fall short in a number of ways. Most of them were noisy and could not clearly repeat the sound.
Digital pedals are more authentic when it comes to repeating and reproducing sounds with greater precision. They are quieter, cleaner, and produce brighter sound compared to their analog counterparts.
What Are the Advantages
Producing better sound
Delay pedals are necessary for the processing of sound to make it better. Even if you were playing just one instrument, a delay pedal makes it look like you were using multiple instruments.
Improving rock-ability
These pedals pick up a sound signal and repeat it over and over again. The resultant echo makes the sound great to listen to. That’s what’s referred to as rock-ability.
Adding rhythm to a composition
In music, rhythm results from sounds repeated over and over again. Thus, bass delay pedals are great when it comes to adding rhythm to the composition. With a dry bass guitar, that may not be possible.
Things to Look For
Don’t rush into buying bass delay pedals. You should be on the lookout for features that define the best sound effects equipment. The following are some of the things to look for:
- Design
- Color
- Weight
- Size
- The number of input and output slots
- Controls
- Type of noise gate
- Whether it has a bypass feature
- Best Way to Use
To get the right sound effects, you will have to use different types of pedals. For example, a single performance requires the use of octave pedals, compressors, equalizers, and amplifiers. These should essentially come at the beginning of the sound path.
Thus, the bass delay pedals will come at the very end of the sound path. The purpose is to repeat an already refined sound without compromising quality. That’s the best way to use these pedals.
The Controversy
While delay pedals are important, it is not clear whether every instrument player actually needs them. Some people reckon that using it is tantamount to musical fraud. To them, using these sound processors takes the control away from the musician and hands it over to a machine.
However, those who believe in the necessity of the pedals reckon that every player needs one. It takes a bass delay pedal to make a good instrument player great. The resultant echo delay effect will add some oomph to a great composition. Use it for a long period of time, and you could discover your signature sound.