What is Delay Effect?
Delay is a classic effect, and it's always been one of the first things that audio engineers learn. It's also one of the most commonly used effects in music production. But modern delay plugins are far from what you learned about in school or on YouTube. They're more powerful than ever, and they can do so much more than simple echo! We'll go over what makes each one of these delay plugins special, so you can decide which is right for your next project.
What is Delay in Music Production?
Delay is an effect that can be used to create a sense of space, texture and rhythm. Delay is used in all styles of music to help create effects in the track. Delay plugins are also used by producers who want to add a delay effect on their vocals or instruments.
Unlike reverb which has many functions and ranges from short rooms to long halls, delay is used to reproduce one sound after another with very little change in amplitude or frequency content. When we talk about delay, it's important that you understand how it works before using it since there are different kinds of delays out there and knowing what kind will suit your needs better will help you get the most out of your audio recordings!
How does Delay work?
Delay is a repeating sound, which can be used to create a sense of space and movement. It’s also used to give depth to the sound, as well as create rhythmic patterns.
Because delay is a repeating sound, it can easily add interest and complexity to your mix – even if you only use one type of delay in your music at all times.
Some of the best VST Delay plugins around:
1. Valhalla Delay by Valhalla DSP
The Valhalla Delay is an incredibly affordable plugin that's perfect for those who want to add a bit of delay to their mixes. It has a lot of features for the price, and it has presets to get you started quickly. The interface is simple, but we think that's good since it means it's easy to find what you're looking for.
It also works with most DAWs out there, so if you're making music in Pro Tools or Logic Studio, it'll work with those too.
2. Eventide UltraTap
Eventide UltraTap is a versatile delay plugin with a ton of options for creating atmospheric effects, especially if you're interested in ambient music. UltraTap has flexible routing and allows you to connect two separate delays together, so you can create some truly lush sounds.
The interface is very straightforward, but it still has many options that would be overwhelming to someone new to the program. This makes it great for live performance: musicians can have fun with the presets while still being able to easily create their own unique sounds quickly and easily.
3. Waves H-Delay
The Waves H-Delay is a delay plugin that can do a lot of things. With four different modes, each one comes with its own unique set of parameters. It's possible to use this plugin as a synth, create space, create movement and/or rhythm, or even add ambience.
There are 10 different modes available in the Waves H-Delay: Analog Tape Delay (classic tape delays), Linear Phase Digital Delay (for pristine repeats), Auto Filter Delay (for filtering out high frequencies), Multi Tap Delay (multiple taps at once), LoFi Digital Delay (stereo digital delay with sampling rate reduction), Reverse Digital Delay (inverted feedback loop creates reverse effects), Dual Freeverb Digital Echoes Compressor / Enhancer; Stereo Chorus Flanger & Panner; Mono Flanger & Panner; Modulated Reverb Plate Reverberation Room Simulator - Spring Reverb Machine Simulator - Hall Simulator - Plate Reverb Machine Simulator - Chamber Simulator
4. Soundtoys Little PrimalTap
Soundtoys Little PrimalTap is a delay, chorus and flange plugin that's easy to use and affordable. The plugin comes with 40 presets, including ones for vocals, guitars, bass and synths. Users can also create their own custom presets by using the included IR editor.
Soundtoys Little PrimalTap has an analog-modeled delay that's perfect for adding depth to your tracks without having them sound too digital or processed. The chorus effect is warm with plenty of movement in it—it's a great addition when you want to thicken up your vocals or create lush guitar tones! If you prefer vintage-style flanging (making whooshing sounds), then we recommend checking out the Soundtoys EchoBoy II plugin instead as it's similar but specifically designed around this type of effect only instead of being multi-functional like Little PrimalTap is
6. FabFilter Timeless 2
FabFilter Timeless 2 is a delay plugin with a lot of presets that can be easily edited. You can also create your own presets and save them for later use. The interface is easy to use, with simple sliders for all the parameters.
FabFilters Timeless 2 is great for creating rhythmic delays, echo effects and sound effects. It’s very versatile and easy to use, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you need a good delay plugin in your arsenal!
7. Waves H-Reverb
H-Reverb is a reverb plugin that has a lot of presets. It can be used to create ambient soundscapes, as well as a sense of space or depth in your mix. H-Reverb will give you the ability to create anything from realistic spaces to shimmering, ethereal ambience.
This plugin is also great for vocals and instruments, helping them stand out in any mix with its wide range of delay options and control over modulation settings.
8. Native Instruments Replika XT
Replika XT is a delay plugin that has the ability to record the input signal and use it as the feedback for the delay. This can be used in two ways: first, you can use it for slapback purposes; second, you can record your playing and apply it as your own personal delay effect.
You might be thinking that this sounds complicated but don't worry — Replika XT makes things extremely easy by allowing users to save presets of their favorite settings so they're always just a click away from getting back into the groove.
It also has a built-in noise gate that’s useful if you want to create a feedback loop with your instrument (and trust us—you do). In addition, there are nine different types of delays available on top of being able to control individual parameters such as attack time, release time, feedback amount and modulation speed.
9. UAD Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb and Effects Plug-In Collection
The Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb and Effects Plug-In Collection is a classic digital reverb, but it comes with Lexicon algorithms. This means you can choose from a library of presets that users have created over the years as well as create your own unique sounds. It's also worth mentioning that this plugin is compatible with UAD-2 hardware, which allows you to run it on Mac or Windows computers.
If you're looking to add depth and dimensionality to your music, then the Lexicon 224 might be just what you need!
Modern delay plugins can do so much more than simple echo.
In the studio, delay plugins are often used to create interesting texture and rhythm. However, they can also be used to create interesting soundscapes. Many people use delay plugins to create what is called a “ping pong” effect: a repeating echo that bounces back and forth between two speakers or headphones until it fades away. This effect was made famous by Pink Floyd in their album “Dark Side of the Moon” (1973).
Final words
We hope that this list has given you some great new options for your music production. From simple echo to complex tap delay, these are some of the best delay plugins available today. Whether you’re looking for something simple or something more advanced with a lot of customizability and flexibility, there is bound to be one on this list that will work perfectly for your needs!