You just can’t imagine how many times I wished my Memory Boy had a tap tempo function… I looked on forums, watched countless YouTube demos, searched for mods regarding this pedal, to finally ending up empty-handed. My ignorance about this pedal capabilities and what I could actually achieve with it is evident by now, but back in the day, I just wanted my repeats to be in sync with the song being played.

After some frustration and resignation, I realized it was better to move on and start looking for a delay unit that actually had a tap-tempo function. I ended up getting a BOSS DD-7 and for me, it is still one of the best compact digital delays out there, no regrets about this one.

Because of this, I thought it would be a good idea to present a list of the best delay pedals with tap tempo out feature. The premise would be simple: the list will be divided into three sections: tape, analog and digital. I will put a brief description of some characteristics of these units as well as some other aspects I may consider important.

Another relevant thing to mention is that the list will feature a realistic approach to the terminology of the technology. This simply means that when it is stated that a delay unit is an analog one, we’re talking about a real analog unit and not a digital delay trying to emulate this particular type of technology. Same applies for tape echo/delay. With that being said, here’s the list with 24 delay pedals that has tap tempo.

What is Tap Tempo?

Before getting to the list (sorry for the delay, no pun intended :)), perhaps is a good idea to actually define what tap tempo is. Simply put, tap tempo means that the delay unit will allow you to select a particular tempo/time for the repetitions by tapping into it. Some pedals have a dedicated switch for that, some allow you to insert an external tap-pedal, and some have both (like the JHS Lucky Cat).

Usually, a delay pedal with tap tempo will also grant you the possibility to select the sub-division of the repetitions (quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted eighth, etc.). If you are interested in understanding delay times properly and how to calculate them, I suggest you check this post. Now, to the list!

Tape Delays with Tap Tempo

Tape Delay could be considered as the first attempt to have a portable unit capable of replicating a signal and thus, producing delay. As you can imagine, tape units have this name because, well, they used magnetic tape reels to record and reproduce the guitar signal.

The first well-known product was the Echoplex from the late ’50s. In the following years, it was upgraded and updated according to the advancements of the era and even until this day, it is considered the gold standard on tape units.

Here there are not too many options:

• T- Rex Replicator Tape Echo:  This unit made by T-Rex Engineering in Denmark represents a great achievement. Not only is a real tape unit, but it is also pretty portable (if you compare it an old tape machine) comes with two playback heads, three modes of operation and of course, it has tap tempo functionality. They also provide the tapes, so it’s a no-brainer at the moment of getting a new one. I only wish Paul Reynolds had something like these back in the day…

• T-Rex Replicator Junior: It is the stripped down version of his big brother. It is smaller (this one is really portable), with one playback head, three classic delay controls (level, feedback and time) and tap tempo. I’ve been listening to some demos and it sounds really good. No wonder why there are so many pedals in the market that try to emulate the nuances and characteristics of tape delay, I mean, there’s nothing like it.

Analog Delays with Tap Tempo

Analog technology was a big of a deal because allowed the delay units to become more reliable and handy to transport. In the early days, it was produced with BBD chips. You can read more about that here, but in essence, this chips didn’t make an exact copy of the signal and thus degradation in the quality of the sound became more an more apparent each time a repetition was heard. Contrary to what most people believe, this is sometimes a desirable feature because it sounds more “organic” so to speak.

Here the options are broader:

• EHX Deluxe Memory Boy. Remember my quest for Memory Boy with tap tempo. Well, there you have it ;). As with the regular Memory Boy, this pedal takes the technology from the Memory Man as a base and gives you added features like selecting the time subdivision, a gain knob and 4 expression modes that can further be controlled with an external pedal. My only complaint is that it doesn’t allow you to have an external tap tempo pedal, you have to use the onboard switch. Although I’ve seen people who can mod that.

• Deluxe Memory Man with Tap Tempo. The legendary pedal itself. Since its introduction around 1976, this pedal became the synonym of analog echo. You have two options here. The green version with a max delay time of 550 ms (the same as the original Deluxe Memory Man) and a blue one with a maximum delay time of 1100 ms. Both pedals have an onboard tap tempo switch and also the possibility of having an external tap tempo pedal. This has to be one of the best analog delay pedals ever made.

• MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe. The Carbon Copy is well known for delivering warm and dark repeats. Imagine having all that plus a tap tempo function (both onboard and through an external pedal). Not only that, but this pedal also allows you to choose the time sub-division and fine-tune the modulation effect. It also comes with an additional “bright” setting that makes the sound of this pedal not so dark. Some users complain that the controls do not respond in the same way as the normal three knob version but like a lot of things with effects pedals, you just have to give it a proper try and decide for yourself.

• DOD Rubberneck Analog Delay. This pedal boasts on the fact of delivering 1.5 seconds of analog delay time as well as some features that are kind of unique like the two concentric knobs that gives the power to tweak the gain/tone of the repeats and the rate/depth of the modulation. It also has onboard tap tempo and the option to control this feature from an external tap pedal. But I have to say the feature that most people tend to like about this box is that the tempo switch also works as a “regenerator” whenever you keep it pressed down, and this can give you really cool and crazy oscillation effects.

• JHS Panther Cub V2. This company makes really great pedals and this one is not the exception. They started making this box around 2011 (The Panther Delay) and it quickly became a very sought after pedal because of the warm dark tones it was capable of delivering. The Panther Cub is faithful to his older brother legacy’s but it’s a lot smaller. It has both onboard and external tap tempo functionality, as well as a modulation setting. It has 4 BBD chips and also gives the possibility of choosing a 4-time subdivision for your repeats. Great little pedal.

• Chase Bliss Tonal Recall. I’m not very familiar with this pedal, but one thing is certain about this one: it has a ton of features and tweakable options! It has 3 basic modes which are Short, Long and Both. The Short mode is based on the Boss DM-2, the Long mode is based on the Deluxe Memory Man and Both as you can already guess, combines the first two resulting in a more than interesting interaction. This pedal also has 3 modulation options and 6 sub-division alternative for you to choose. And yes, it has both onboard and external tap tempo functionality. I’ve been listening to some demos and man, this thing is legit. Check it out.

Digital Delays with Tap Tempo

Analog technology had its drawbacks (at least during the beginning) and players soon realized they needed more in terms of accuracy and time functions. Digital signal processing (DSP) allowed that providing more delay time, clear and exact repetitions and more tweakable options. With a digital delay, the soundscapes possibilities are pretty endless.

I do have to give some advice here. My opinion is that one can easily divide digital delay units into two main categories: the regular size stomp-boxes (“small” units) that offer you a digital delay with some other options and the big do-it-all (“big” units) delay pedals that will give you a lot of parameters, emulation, and other fancy features to play with. I will present both on separate lists so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.

Small Sized Digital Delay Pedals

• BOSS DD-5. This pedal was first introduced in 1995 and was the first BOSS delay to feature reverse delay. Up to this day, it’s a favorite among many guitarists and as I mention on this post here, it has some nuances that make it very desirable. This pedal has tap tempo, but to access it you have to use an external footswitch. Not a big deal I would say. I’ve seen this pedal on a lot of boards and I know it has some interesting mods that can give it an analog type of sound. Sadly, it’s not produced anymore, but you can always buy a used one for a fair price.

• BOSS DD-7. The DD-7 was introduced in 2008, thirteen years after the DD-5. I think this is one of the best compact delays out there. It has onboard tap tempo (although I don’t like this option that much) and of course, it has an external footswitch input jack to control this feature. This jack can also be used with an expression pedal to control some of the other parameters. The DD-7 has 8 modes including an analog delay emulation (based after a DM-2) and a modulated one, which gives you a chorus effect. Great little unit.

• TC Electronic Flashback 2. Another great compact digital unit. The Flashback 2 has the big added feature of creating your own presets with the Tone Print technology. Basically, it’s an editor that allows you to craft your own delay sound. It also has the SMASH technology included; whenever you keep pressing down the footswitch, you get access to control some parameters of the 8 type of delays included. This doesn’t have onboard tap tempo; you need to add an external footswitch on the Stereo input jack. Again, not a big deal. I think this pedal deserves a little bit more attention, so check it out.

• JHS Lucky Cat. The Lucky Cat is simply fantastic, it’s compact, has the right amount of features and sounds awesome. It offers you onboard tap tempo as well as the possibility to have an external footswitch to control this function. One of the things I like the most is that you can select between two modulations settings. The first one will give a nice subtle type of chorus effect and the second one is a more aggressive warbly sound. It also has a dedicated knob to adjust the darkness of the repeats (it’s basically like an EQ), so you can also achieve a less digital precise sound in case that’s what you desire.

• Strymon DIG Dual Digital Delay. When one delay is not enough, you can get a pedal like the DIG from Strymon. As you can imagine it offers two digital delays that you can cascade to add more expression to your repetitions (you can go crazy with the rhythmical effects with this one). I think that what makes this pedal special (besides the fact that you have two delays that can work together or independently) is the option to choose between 3 types of digital delay: early ’80s, mid-’80s and modern. It also offers onboard tap tempo and the possibility to control this parameter through an external footswitch. This is pedal is high-end and expensive but it has a sound quality and secondary features that make it really great.

• T-Rex Replay Box. This pedal is very straightforward. You get up to 3 seconds of delay and the option of choosing between 3 main subdivisions: quarter note, triplets and dotted eighth. If I’m not mistaken this has to be the smallest digital delay with onboard tap tempo on the list (is it smaller than the Flashback 2 and Canyon? I dunno, I’ll leave that to you :)). For such a size, the fact that you have both stereo ins and outs is remarkable. This pedal is a little expensive but because of its small footprint, might be the perfect addition to an already crowded pedalboard.

• Providence Chrono Delay. I didn’t have a clue about this pedal up until recently, but I’m glad I stumbled upon this pink marvel. What I really like about this pedal is the small LED screen that gives you in situ the selected delay time. Even more, you can select between setting the time in BPMs or milliseconds. I mean, for me that right there is pure gold. It also has a dedicated knob called “Echo Hardness” which allows you to adjust the clarity and warm of the repetitions. This pedal has up to 2.7 seconds of delay time, 8 note subdivisions and of course, onboard tap and external tap tempo. An all-around workhorse for sure.

• TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay. I caved in and assigned the ND-1 to this list. Because is a sort-of-do-it all type of pedal, I thought it should have belonged on the Big Sized section down below, but it is so compact for what it has to offer, that it will stay here, at least for now :). The ND-1 has been on a lot of pedalboards during the last decade and for a good bunch of reasons: it’s not huge, gives you up to 9 presets and offers 6 types of delays. It also has something called “Audio Tapping” which enables you with the possibility of selecting the delay tempo by just strumming your guitar. As you can already tell, it offers an LED screen with the milliseconds/BMP. It has onboard tap tempo, but sadly doesn’t have an external footswitch input jack, but I’ve seen people who can mod that. Great pedal, lots of features, convenient size, and for a great price I would say.

• Electro Harmonix Canyon. This might be EHX’s more compact feature delay pedal ever created. I do not plan on describing all the aspects of this little guy here, but the 11 modes (including a DMM emulation and Bill Rupert’s famous Shimmer Delay effect) are more than enough to keep anyone entertained. It also has an onboard and external tap tempo, tempo subdivision (quarter, dotted eighth and eighth notes) and of course… a 60 seconds looper. You can definitely get big sounds out of this tiny pedal.

Big Sized Digital Delay Pedals

• BOSS DD-20 Giga Delay. Josh Scott from JHS pedals mentioned once that this is his favorite programmable delay ever, and there’s a reason for that. Back in the 2000’s BOSS introduced the Twin Pedal series and this digital delay was one of the most renowned products of that line. It offered 23 seconds of delay,(yes, 23 seconds!) plus 11 modes featuring BOSS’s standard sounds as well as some interesting innovations (like the Warp Mode from the DD-6). I first saw this pedal on the board of guitarist called Ben Gowell and my first impression was, “ok, what is this thing?”, but later on, I realized it had a simple and intuitive functionality (at least for him :)). The DD-20 offers both internal and external tap tempo capabilities and my only complain is that for such a great product, BOSS decided that 4 memory preset slots were enough… The pedal is discontinued but you can still get it online on sites like reverb.com, eBay and Amazon.

• Line 6 DL4. This “Hulk” type of pedal has been around almost two decades now and unless Line 6 comes with a game changer product, this situation won’t divert much. This pedal boasts on the fact of having great emulation of iconic delay pedals such as the 2290, DMM, RE-101, among many others, plus a 14-second looper. But one thing I’ve noticed about this box is that people love to mod it, and for various reasons. Some users complain that the standard switches are not top-quality, so they go for that first. Another common mod is to add an external tap tempo jack; the pedal offers onboard tap tempo but having the external option is a must for some players. Some people even like to change the colors of the knobs… My main concern (not complain) about this pedal is that requires some time on behalf of the user to properly learn how to get the most out of it (for instance, having dotted eighth repetitions is not as simple as with other pedals). I’ll put a link at the bottom of the post with some resources you can check to learn more about the capabilities and mods available for this one.

• Eventide TimeFactor. We’re playing with the big boys now. This pedal has the main characteristic of having two delays that you can combine to your taste. You get even dedicated knobs for the time, and feedback on both of them. It has 100 presets (!), 10 modes and the possibility to keep working on your perfect delay effect through the H9 Control app. It has onboard tap tempo and you can configure the pedal so the auxiliary switch can be used with an external footswitch for that as well. Another big plus is that the pedal’s software can be updated every time Eventide has something new to offer, so that’s something not be overlooked. It might seem that this pedal can look very complicated from the surface but most users have stated that the functions are actually designed very intuitively. I think this pedal is overloaded with hidden features so if you like to experiment, tweak your sounds and need a do-it-all type of delay, this could be the one.

• Empress Echosystem. Another dual delay pedal. With 11 modes and two specific dedicated knobs to control specific parameters on each of those options, the Echosystem can give you a lot more of what you can expect from a delay pedal. You can also save up to 35 presets with your favorite creations, that can be accessed with the 3 available switches. A big plus for me is that the pedal has a dedicated knob for selecting time subdivisions, which comes really in handy. And of course, this one offers you onboard tap tempo and a specific input jack called Control Port in which you can insert an external footswitch for having that too (among other things). It also offers the possibility to update the firmware of the pedal. Again, this is something really good, because it means that new features are always being added; the only thing to consider is that you need an SD card for doing that, so keep that in mind. This delay has a lot more things to offer (like for example, cabinet simulation) so I encourage you to check it out.

• Free The Tone Flight Time FT-2Y. Wait! No knobs? Yes, this pedal is unique in many aspects but not having knobs has to be the most curious one. It also looks like it was taken straight out from the cockpit of a plane (or from the DeLorean). The premise of this pedal is simple: a pristine digital delay that you can tweak with some parameters (HPF, LPF, Modulation) to find your preferred voice and add it to one of the 90 slots available; it also comes with 9 factory presets so you can get a taste of what can be done. But the most remarkable thing about this pedal is that adjust your tempo on the fly; it has a built-in mic that listens to what you’re playing and with that input, proceeds to change your repetitions to the proper time. This pedal also offers you onboard tap tempo, but as far as I’m concerned, it does not have an option to control this parameter with an external footswitch, so that’s something to be aware of. This machine has more features than the ones mentioned here, so if you’re interested, listen to some demos and give it a try.

• Strymon TimeLine. Here you have it. The famous do-it-all delay from the guys at Strymon. Since its introduction in 2011, this pedal has been featured in lots of pedalboards. For some people it has to be the best digital delay out there: 12 modes (the Ice mode is incredible), up to 200 presets (!) and a 30-second looper is more than enough to keep anyone entertained. Add to that the midi connections and you have a “Señor Pedal”. As you can imagine, it has onboard tap tempo and expression input jack that can be used not only for controlling any knob (or a combination of them) but also for having an external tap footswitch. As with many big delay units, it is sometimes not very straightforward in terms of adjusting certain parameters. Nonetheless, most of the tweaking is done with the Value knob, so once you get used to it, shouldn’t be a problem. Because this pedal is so popular (even in the midst of the recent competition on this field) a used unit can still be expensive (around 80 to 90% the original price), so again, a proof this guy is for real and offers a sound experience that’s hard to match. Definitely check it out.

• BOSS DD-500. I left the DD-500 at the end on purpose. If there’s a pedal that can beat the TimeLine it has to be this one. It was made public in 2015 as a part of a new product series and as you will notice, it moves away from the classic BOSS stompbox design. It offers 12 delay modes (with the infamous Tera Echo), 99 banks (with 2 patches per bank!), a looper and a very intuitive user interface. As expected, it has onboard tap tempo and the possibility of adding an external footswitch for that; in addition, an interesting feature is that you can assign the onboard tap switch as delay preset, very cool. The DD-500 also has software editor to keep working on your preferred sound. Early users complained it wasn’t that easy to use, but nowadays BOSS made some upgrades and the editor looks clean, nice and has a lot under the hood; you can pretty much tweak everything you want, including patches names and internal controls. Will this pedal dethrone the TimeLine as the new do-it-all delay? Only time will tell…

What About Tap Pedals?

Yes, you’re right! You need one to use the external tap function on your delay. You have many options on the market and you can get away with really cheap products. Your cheapest solution will be to use a regular foot pedal from an electronic keyboard.

I used a Casio SP pedal for a couple of years and it was fine. However, I recommend you using something like the Ernie Ball 6186 Tap Tempo. It is practical, small and has a soft touch switch, so it doesn’t “click” when you tap into it. You can check the current Amazon price here, but it’s around 28 $.

Another great product (but more expensive) is the one made by Nose Pedal/Westminster Effects. They have a Multi-Tap Tempo pedal with 3 pedal outputs;  this means you can connect the pedal up to three other delays (or time-based units) so in that way whenever you tap, all three units get in sync at the same time. You can check this product on their website here.

My Recommendation

*Some affiliate links down below

Having a lot of options it’s really overwhelming (at least for me :)), but yes, at some point someone has to make a choice. I will mainly set my recommendations keeping in mind a good price/quality ratio on the pedals. This simply means that if you can afford for a high-end product like the Tonal Recall, then go for it, but if you’re not trying to break the bank, then, you might find thoughts down below appropriate. Without further due, here are my recommendations concerning your options on delay pedals with tap tempo.

On the tape delay realm, the Replicator Junior is the way to go. It’s expensive, but you’re dealing with real tape delay, and that feeling is hard to beat. I do have to say though that if you’re ok with emulation (something not covered on the list), then El Capistan from Strymon may be the perfect solution for you; this pedal is often highly reviewed and probably might be the best high-end tape emulation you can get. You can check the prices of both products here and here and decide which fits you best.

Going to analog delay, my choice is simple: the Deluxe Memory Boy. I think for the options and the sound quality it has, this pedal is legit. EHX intended to enter the affordable analog delay market with the Boy series and I think they’ve succeeded.

Another great option would be the DOD Rubberneck. I think it’s even cheaper than the DMB and has an external tap tempo, so that’s always a big plus. But of course, if you can go for the Deluxe Memory Man, that would be awesome. The DMM has the famous Panasonic MN3005 chips (the older “Tap Tempo” version, check this post for more info), so it sounds fantastic. Plus the green version (the one with 550 milliseconds and the Xvive MN3005 replica chips) has a very good price range. Either way, I will suggest you check these pedals on reverb.com and enjoy their dark, warm and organic echoes.

Concerning the compact digital delays, I’m going to expand myself a little bit here; for me, it’s safe to say all the pedals on that list are great on their own thing; I’m not exaggerating, they’re great products.

But being reasonable, it’s a fight between the DD-7, the Flashback 2 and the Nova Delay. My biggest drawback from the Nova Delay is that it doesn’t offer external tap tempo. You can mod that function, but still… The Flashback 2 has the advantage of using the Tone Print technology, so you can always find new stuff and add your own “color” to the sound of this pedal. And the DD-7 for me is easy to use, very straightforward and built like a tank. So, the choice is yours. I have a DD-7 and trust me, it does not disappoint.

But, but… If you’re looking for something special, The Canyon is the way to go. It has interesting modes, it’s compact and as to this date, it’s cheaper than the options mentioned before. Again, check the links above and just pick the one that suits you best.

Finally, the big digital delays! I’m going to be really straightforward here. If modding your pedal is not an issue (in fact, you like it) and you have a thing for Line 6 products, then go for the DL4. It’s big, it’s great, it’s mean, it’s a Hulk of a pedal. If having just 4 presets is not a problem but you still want a pedal with lots of features, the DD-20 is still the way to go. In fact, rumor has it that the DD-500 is still not getting a lot of favor from the players because most of them are still using their old DD-20, who knows, maybe it’s just a rumor. I suggest you go to reverb.com to find a good deal on this one.

And speaking about the DD-500, yes, for me it’s the option to go if you want a do-it-all delay. My prediction is that in time, people will start leaning a little bit more on this one. I asked a few weeks ago about this box to a particular Reddit user (you can read the thread here) and he said it best:

“Can’t say, I didn’t try the Timeline. I decided myself mainly because of price. Reading and listening the differences, I didn’t find much for me in the Timeline that justifies that 100€ jump. DD-500 has way more things that I will ever even explore.”

Some Final Thoughts

Usually, I use the last section of the post to play with some final conclusions and personal experiences. But now, I’m really interested in what you have to say. Do you think having a tap tempo delay is very important? Do you think that big-do-it all delays are necessary? Are you willing to acquire and maintain a tape echo machine? Do you prefer the sound of analog technology or digital technology?

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the post as much as I did writing it. Wish you all the best finding your new tap tempo delay and let me know in the comments if the article was helpful. By the way, did I forgot about an interesting pedal that should have made it into the list?

Until the next time,

M.M

Credits:

• Featured Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sumlin/
• Pedal thumbnails from the official website of their respective manufacturers.

Gear Mentioned:

• EHX Memory Boy
• T-Rex Replicator Tape Echo.
• T-Rex Replicator Junior.
• EHX Deluxe Memory Boy.
• EHX Deluxe Memory Man w/ Tap Tempo.
• MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe.
• DOD Rubberneck Analog Delay.
• JHS Panther Cub V2.
• Chase Bliss Tonal Recall.
• BOSS DD-5.
• BOSS DD-7.
• TC Electronic Flashback 2.
• JHS Lucky Cat.
• Strymon DIG Dual Digital Delay.
• T-Rex Replay Box.
• Providence Chrono Delay.
• TC Electronic ND-1.
• EHX Canyon.
• BOSS DD-20 Giga Delay.
• Line 6 DL4.
• Eventide TimeFactor.
• Empress Echosystem.
• Free The Tone Flight Time FT-2Y.
• Strymon TimeLine.
• BOSS DD-500.

Resources:

• Follow this links to learn about some mods and presets about the DL4:
  • https://www.guitarchalk.com/line-6-dl4-settings-cookbook-detailed-guitar-presets/
  • DL4 Worship Guitar Essentials
  • DL4 Dotted Eighth/Double Preset Mod Kit
  • Various Dl4 Mods
  • https://thatdelaypedal.com/2018/12/09/how-to-get-dotted-eighths-on-the-dl4-learn-the-3-main-ways/