ALABS Audio's TimeSlip Stereo Delay delivers a superb mix of 9 Classic and Futuristic Delay Algorithms - with added Gesture Control smarts and extended controls
The ALABS Audio Pedals were so successful over the Christmas / New Year period - that they were sold out for a while. So I thought it prudent to pause the action until ALABS were back in sync with the demand.
The TimeSlip is my second-favourite of the quartet and shares Cetus’s perfect mix of algorithms - mixing up classic and more traditional flavours with some more intriguing and unusual modern and futuristics ones. I really love this pedal in particular for superb sweep of algorithms - Reverse, Warp, Granule, Octave, Sweeper and Swell. Tape, Digital, and Analog are decent - while I had the most fun with more unusual varieties.
In keeping with all of these - the sound design is pristine - and the output and mix and interaction of core Dry/Wet is really at a level far above this price point. Of course we have the ∞ Explore Mode Gesture Control as on the other units, and Tap Tempo on the single Footswitch.
Besides having some fairly unique algorithms - we have everything here we would expect of quality delay - 2 x time ranges - 20ms-1100ms, and 40ms-200ms. We can also set whether the output is True Stereo or Ping-Pong Stereo - there are a number of start-up and secondary options here - including Tap Divisions - that you will need to consult the manual for.
There are some great compact Digital Delays out there - but there’s something a little extra special about this one and the ALANS Cetus Reverb too. This one will definitely be in significant rotation on the pedal-chain - as a secondary unit or tertiary unit. I tend to operate at least 2 delays in the pedal-chain - and often 3 at the same time - and this is totally worthy of being in that select rotation.
Controls - Time (Short : 20ms-1100ms | Long : 40ms-2200ms), Repeat, Dry>Wet Mix, Mode : Tape / Digital / Analog / Reverse / Warp (Chorus + Pitch Modulation) / Granule (Grains / Glitch) / Octave / Sweeper (LPF + Mod) / Swell, Tone / Mod knob,Toggle switch : Tap = Tone / Tap Tempo | ∞ Explore Mode 5s Gesture Control, Footswitch Tap : Hold for Tap Tempo | Footswitch ∞ + Hold activates Gesture Control for Time, Repeat, Mix, and Mod.
Key Features
- 9 Studio Quality Effects / Modes
- W.A.V.E. Wizard Audio Virtual Engine
- Analog Dry Through with Zero Latency
- True Full Stereo In/Out Operation
- 32-bit floating-point DSP
- Selectable highest quality relay-based true bypass with analog buffered bypass option
- Multi-Function / Multi-Mode Footswitch - including Tap Tempo, Freeze, Expression Ramping etc.
- Infinity '∞' Explore Mode - a 5 second Gesture Control / Expression Ramping of the 4 main parameters -
- Rate, Depth, Mix, and Tone
- 9V DC [-] 250mA Current Draw
9 Modes
MODE | MOD PARAMS
- Tape | Mod Depth + Rate
- Digital | Mod Depth + Rate
- Analog | Mod Depth + Rate + Clock-noise Level
- Reverse | Mod Depth + Rate
- Warp [+Chorus/Pitch] | Choral Depth + Rate
- Granule [Glitchy Grains] | Mod Depth + Rate + Granule Size
- Octave [Upper] | Mod Depth + Rate
- Sweeper [+LPF/Modulation] | Sweep Rate
- Swell | Mod Depth + Rate
Operational Overview
Considering how much is onboard here this device is remarkably easy to deploy. The only complexity here really is accessing some of the secondary features and configurations - Delay Time Range, Stereo Output Option, and Tap Divisions - so I will do a quick overview of those.
You switch between True Stereo and Ping Modes by unplugging all cables cables - power, and L and R In/Out patches. And then when you power up you hold down the footswitch and insert the Right In patch cable - if the Yellow LED flashes 3 times then you've just switched to True Stereo, if the Green LED flashes 3 times - it's Ping-Pong mode. If you're just connected up in Mono - i.e. just Left In - then by plugging the Output to Right Out activates the Long Time Range mode.
To select Tap Divisions - make sure the Toggle-swith is set to TAP - then with the effect engaged - press and hold the footswitch until the LED turns blue. By then rotating the Depth knob you will see the LED Changes colours - Green indicates 1/4 division, and Yellow denotes 3/8 division. For regular on-the-fly tap tempo - you simply press-hold until the LED turns blue - and then it at least a couple of taps to set the beat - that's about as complicated as this pedal gets.
Obviously you get to harness the ∞ Explore Gesture Mode on the 4 main controls - Time, Repeat, Mix and Modulation - and you can then in effect 'program' and ramp-express by holding down the Footswitch in ∞ Mode.
Beyond the hidden setup modes it's really just a matter of selecting your Mode / Algorithm and tweaking the dials in until it all sounds phenomenal - which really is a breeze. There's no dud Modes here - all of these work really well and sound great - it's just that some of the more unusual ones are a little more fun to deploy - I loved playing around with all of these - and in particular the last 6!
Of the initial ALABS quartet - this was me second favourite all - which goes to show just how brilliant the Cetus is - which I've saved until last - that review will be up next week! The TimeSlip and Cetus are a fantastic dynamic Delay * Reverb combo and I look forward to seeing those paired on a lot of pedalboards in future weeks ahead.
TimeSlip Amazon Listing ($109.99)
Explore further details on the : ALABS Audio Website.
Demos
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
