2021 Best of new Delay and Reverb Pedals for the Year

Controls - Model / Back, Preset / Save, Parameter / Setup, Time, Feedback, Filter, Modulation, Mix, A|B|C Footswitches including Tap-Tempo - Bank Down/Up.

Obviously this carries over the excellent usability and build-quality of its X-Space Reverb Sibling. Decent Delay Algorithms here - not quite as appealing as the mix on the X-Space but really solid - Vintage Tape, Modulated Tape, Analog, Digital, Ping-Pong, Pattern, Dual, Reverse, Reverse Pong, Swell, Duck, Pitch, Harmonizing, Dirty, Slapback, Arctic. My main love is for Tape style delays - in particular Space Echo types, and my favourite all-time delay is the dual-action Empress EchoSystem - which makes the X-Time not quite as appealing to me - but I may still get it at some stage. These are really well put together, really intuitive and very reasonably priced - I don't see what's not to love here - this is right up there with the other big box Delay workstations of yore!

Controls - Mix : Dry/Wet Blend, Feedback/Repeats, M/Sec : Delay Time 130ms to 720ms, Tone: Dark > Bright, Tap Divisions : .8th/Quarter/Triplets, Modulation : Rate/Intensity, Tap/Hold Fooswitch : Tap Tempo for short presses, and Hold for maximum feedback and self-oscillation.

My good friend Christos has been somewhat on a roll this year - first with this cool 70's rack-style delay, then the superb Phi Golden Ratio V2 Compressor, and most recently with his impressive Crossfire Dual Overdrive / Peamp. The TI:ME is of course another of those killer PT2399 chip delays - voiced this time to sound like those earliest of rack-mounted delay units like the MXR Model 113. Just a really smart mix of controls - with second footswitch for tap tempo. I am of course more of a Stereo Workstation guy - so this does not really match my preferences - while it's undeniable appealing to most!

Controls - 3 large knobs - Preset (x8), Length (Decay), 8 x Modes (as below), then 4 mini knobs - Depth (Intensity of Chorus Effect), Rate (Rate of Chorus Effect), Tone (Treble Boost/Cut), and Mix (Wet Level Control), Activate Right Footswitch, Stretch / Hold Left Footswitch.

This is a pretty great octave-y and shimmery type reverb with 8 modes and extended controls, the algorithms being - Abyss, Shimmer, Sub, Sub Shimmer, Astral, Ascend, Descend and Cosmos. This apparently was the runaway bestseller of all the new pedals released this year - on Reverb.com. Which I found somewhat surprising as the 'Shimmer Reverb' is often maligned and disparaged by your average reverb pedal fan. I actually happen to quite like Shimmer Reverbs, where I universally take my Reverbs in Stereo Workstation units typically - while his is only Mono output. Obviously has high appeal, which doesn't necessarily match up to my own preferences - kudos to EQD though for another solid year - and I really loved their Hizumitas Fuzz!

Controls - Blend (Dry>Wet Mix), Feedback (Repeats/Oscillation), Delay Time (30ms - 550ms), Level (Input Gain), Rate (Modulation : Chorus at 9 o’c, Vibrato at 2 o’c), Depth (Modulation).

I've always had a soft spot for the Memory Man Modulated Analog Delay - as it has a very distinct tone and timbre that is such an unmistakable sound signature. So while I usually steer clear of mono compact delays - I'm kind of tempted by this one a touch. I'm not sure the price is necessarily right on the sweet-spot - but I guess close enough. I was hoping that it would be a touch less - also I was hoping that EHX would one day wake up to second tap-tempo footswitches - which would be great here. Of course this is a great engineering achievement to get the Deluxe Memory Man from Large into Nano (Compact) enclosure. I'm still very heavily considering this one - there are lots of little 4-knob mini versions of it around - but this is the first 6-knob compact I've seen. And of course J Rockett did its own super-sized take on the format with it's new Clockwork Delay. I still think there's a space for an even more clever compact edition of DLX Memory Man - with tap-tempo and a few more added bells and whistles!

Controls : Mix/Tone | Pitch A/Delay A | Pitch B/Delay B | Alt Button / LED | Depth/Modulation | Rate / Sensitivity / Feedback | A/B Pitch Mix/Out Level | Active Footswitch | Tap-Tempo Footswitch.

I actually really like these formats of boxes - as the control topologies / interfaces are much more intuitive and easy to use than the H9 Max. While that of course has Bluetooth connectivity and that smart app. Moreover - all these new stand alone pedals exist as algorithms within the H9 Max - so as an owner / user of an H9 Max - I pretty much have all these effects already - so this is something of a moot release for me - even though those algorithms are undeniably impressive and effective. Each of the Blackhole, MicroPitch, TriceraChorus and UltraTap already exist as plugins and H9 algorithms - meaning that the only reason to get them is that you don't get along with the H9 app. For sure it's nice to have more granular hands-on controls - I feel they should update the H9 instead - and stick more knobs and a better display on that. Otherwise this exercise is too much like new money for old rope! If you don't have the H9 Max - then all of these are of course valid in their own right!

Controls : Mix/Tone | Taps/Slurm | Length/Predelay | Alt Button / LED | Feedback/Chop | Spread / Speed / Rise / Relativity | Taper/Out Level | Active Footswitch | Tap-Tempo Footswitch.

Similar to the MicroPitch really - great if you don't have the H9 Max, and sort of surplus to requirements if you do. I see my Meris Hedra as being very close to the Micropitch really - where the UltraTap is more like my Strymon Volante or Boss RE-20 - a multi-tap / multi-head tape style delay really. Nothing wrong with this algorithm - and cool and usable hands-on controls - on a pretty great interface. But nothing new really for H9 Max owners. All the new dot9 series of Eventide Pedals are well-made and have great hands-on interfaces - and we already know how great those algorithms are from use in other parts of that ecosystem. Possibly cool to have one or two as stand-alone examples - but the costs soon mount up - and you're then better off with the H9!

Controls - Repeats Tone, Age of Damage, Motor Adjust, Volume, Length of Swell, 4 Tape Head Selections x 12, Mode Selector : Echo/Repeats/Swell, Bypass Footswitch, Swell Footswitch.

This is actually a really good fit for me - a proper stereo Echorec Tape style delay - a good alternative to my favourite Strymon Volante and Boss RE-20 Delay pedals. I had actually considered getting this early in the year - but my congested schedule kind of got in the way. I'm always up for checking out devices that match my criteria - and this is right there in the ballpark - only thing it's missing really is presets. But for the price you cannot really quibble - lovely looking pedal with clear and elegant control topology! It's still down as a 'nice-to-have' and I may just snag one if there is a lull in my schedule and I can get one for a 'nice price'!

Controls - Delay, Gain, Volume, Repeats, Tone, Reverb, Warp, Shift, On Footswitch, Preset Footswitch 1-3, Trails Switch, SubDivisions Switch : Eighth, Dotted Eighth, Quarter, Tap Tempo Footswitch.

Another cool Echorec Tape Style Delay with extended controls. Really nice control arrangement - this pedal was brought to my notice by Andy Martin - a decent alternative to the Strymon Volante, Boss RE-20 and Dawner Prince Boonar for sure - if you're after an extended range tape-style delay. I'm currently kind of ambivalent about this one - it's a cool pedal for sure and sounds pretty great - not sure though if it is likely to oust my other current favourites - an interesting addition to the genre no doubt!

Controls - PRIMARY > Time, Repeats, Level; SECONDARY > Mod Speed, Mod Depth, Tone, Ping-Pong

I quite like GFI System's new compact series - where ironically the Rossie Filter is the one I like the most - but couldn't quite fit that into the final selection of the heavily congested 'Modutility' category. Each of these has 4 algorithms onboard with some smart controls - and cool screen etc. While the Orca doesn't quite compare to my favourite pedal in this sort of format - Boss's DD-200. For the Orca Delay the algorithms are Digital, Tape, Diffuse, and Ambiental - all pretty decent and in particular the last two - which are pretty distinct. I just don'f feel that this competes adequately with my already favourite Boss DD-200 or say Source Audio Nemesis - which each have quite a bit more about them!

Controls - PRIMARY > Modulation, Decay, Level; SECONDARY > Lows, Highs, Predelay, Panorama

Similar to the Orca really - in having some cool algorithms - Spatium, Shimmer, Plate and Tremble, but not quite enough about it to dislodge something like a Source Audio Ventris. Of course there is no Boss RV-200 yet - so that extends the usefulness of this device for a while - but in the workstation stakes - this is not quite fully rounded enough for my preferences - and there are stronger candidates out there for me - Source Audio, Walrus etc.. Again nothing wrong with the algorithms or functionality here - just not sure why they limited these to just 4 algorithms?

Controls - Pitch / Vol 1: -12 > +12, Pitch / Vol 2 : -12 > +12, Pitch / Vol 3 : -12 > +12, TIme / Size, Regen / Mix, Preamp.

Malekko never take a straight path - all their effects typically have a unique approach to them, and this Harmonizing Delay is no different - kind of a miniature Meris Hedra in some ways - at least that side of its functionality. This is a cool different kind of delay that you could only imagine Malekko or OBNE doing.  For sure worth consideration - while not stereo output, so of minimal use to me!

Controls - Mix, Time, Repeats, Speed, Depth, Level, On/Off Footswitch, Modulation Footswitch, Tap Tempo Footswitch.

While EHX went the opposite direction this year with their Deluxe Memory Man Delay and made a more compact Nano edition, J Rockett took the more maximalist approach - adding Stereo Output, Tap Tempo, and Footswitchable Modulation. This is just a touch too large for my liking - but justified by those 3 footswitches and stereo output - certainly worth it for Memory Man fans - while I really want all of this in a smaller package - stick in a digital control layer and you can cover 3 button functions with just 2! Great sounding example of the genre though and highly commended!

Controls - Tweak.1, Tweak.2, Mix, Time, Feedback, Select/Save Button, Tap Tempo Footswitch, Bypass/On Footswitch, Press-hold both to access Foot-switchable Presets Scrolling Mode. Bank LED changes from Yellow to Purple for 2nd Bank.

I've said before that Flamma and Mooer are playing some sort of game of tag - where Mooer first introduced the 7 series concept with 7 modes / presets onboard in mini format. Flamma then upped those to compact enclosures and added stereo output. And now Mooer has added even more features and doubled the algorithms to 14! So for the D7 X2 Delay we get - Digital, Analog, Tape, Dynamic, Liquid, Mod, Mod-Verse, Galaxy, Dual, PingPong, Crystal, Rainbow, Low-Bit, and Fuzz flavours. Mooer's thing has always been a lot of bang for your buck - and here you get maximum versatility and innovation in a compact enclosure. I've singled this out for acquisition at some stage - while these still don't seem to be that widely in distribution yet. Really appealing devices all-round for sure.

Controls - Hi-Cut, Mix, Low-Cut, Decay, Select / Save, Pre-Delay, Infinite Footswitch, Bypass / On / Tap-Tempo, Press-hold both to access Foot-switchable Presets Scrolling Mode. Bank LED changes from Yellow to Purple for 2nd Bank.

Another really cool innovative compact Stereo Reverb Workstation with 14 algorithms - Room, Hall, Church, Cave, Plate, Spring, Mod, Studio, Reverse, Warp, Shake, Crush, Shimmer, Dream. I have plans to get this pair eventually - sort of down as a nice-to-have for me currently. I'm hugely impressed with Mooer's X2 series - and there is mow a Preamp Model X2 also with 14 different gain types. These are obviously space-saver pedals with full workstation algorithm coverage in a relatively tiny enclosure - of course won't have quite the great / intuitive user experience of say the new AmpliTube workstations - but there is a considerable saving here in price and size!

Controls - Menu / Sub-Menu, Param / Save, Preset Up | A/B Footswitch, Preset Down | Engage Footswitch

When I first saw this device I was a little apprehensive about the minimal controls - just 2 push/twist knobs and Dual Footswitches, Yet Brian has really brought out the innovation here to compete fully with all those larger 3-Footswitch Big Box Workstations. The Navigation / Control is actually really intuitive and I've gone for the Press/Hold 'On' and using the two Footswitches to default navigate through the Presets. There are 17 amazing algorithms onboard - including the initial trio of Pristine 'Wet' Reverbs - Wet Plugin, Wet V3, Wet V1, Plate, Hall, Vintage Digital, Spring, Shimmer, Rumble, Octaves, Wet-Echo, Wet+Detune, Bloom, Swell, Infinite Hold, Sustain, and Gated Plate. A fantastic mix of algorithms - which is only missing really the Reverse and Lo-Fi options - but surely those can be easily added later as this pedal is incredibly flexible and upgradable. This is a brilliant Studio Reverb - every bit as Pristine and exacting as the CBA CXM 1978 and UAFX Golden Reverberator. And there are some fantastic presets onboard - albeit more in a conventional mode - versus the sci-fi ones on the X-Space. Each of those Reverb Workstations is state of that art - but quite distinct too. That Brian got it all to work so well in this BB-size enclosure is an incredible technical achievement. It really is very intuitive and natural to use - despite limited controls. I also really like the feature where you can simple switch off the presets you don't want to use - to give you clean access to a perfectly assembled sub-set - for live playback purposes - just disable all bar the 5 or 6 you need for your gig - really clever all-round!

Controls - Rate, Depth, Mix, Decay, Mode : Tape (Blips of Movement) / Comb (Flange-ish) / Pass (Bubbles), Input.

I totally missed this when it came out for whatever reason - just had my eye on other things I suppose - while this is actually a really cool and distinctly different kind of reverb which has cool and quirky movements within the modulation which yield very unique results. This is noting like your typical reverb - and for me it's really a superb texturizer and even glitch machine to a degree. I normally don't go for Mono Reverbs - but this is something quite different and actually really appealing. The artwork here is also particularly gorgeous. This is kind of a Reverb but Not-Really-a-Reverb pedal that you didn't know you needed - but you really do! I will be looking to snag one in the new year!

Controls - (6 knobs + 9 switches/buttons) are - Shift, Feedback, Delay, Blend, Rate / Wave-shape, Depth / Wave-shape, Modulation Type, Preset / Save, Direction/Loop, Wave / Alt, Range / Divisions, Momentary / Latching / Tap-Tempo, Momentary / Latching / On/Off.

I really like the format of Red Panda's line of pedals - particularly since they're all now in V2 updated enclosures. I alas have only one of these to date - the Particle V2 Granular Delay - but I would happily own and deploy all of these. The Raster isn't necessarily that high on the wishlist - as I would probably take the Bitmap, Context and Tensor well before that - while it does still intrigue. All of Red Panda's pedals are really smartly configured with typically TRS Stereo In and Out - albeit I could not get that to work properly on my Particle 2, possibly I need a new firmware update. Each of these is at the leading edge of its respective category - with extensive controls, onboard presets and smart connectivity. Obviously each of these are priced at $299 - so prime Strymon territory really - and well worth it - pretty solid value actually although the costs quickly mount up. I will likely get the Bitmap next and then add these one by one at intervals - one or two a year until I have the full set! Exactly the kind of pedals I like!

Controls - Universe (Delay Time), Replicate (Repeats), Mix (Dry-Blend), Velocity (Speed/Rate), Depth (Intensity).

This quirkily named and labelled device is actually a beautifully elegant Modulated Delay. Ben Fulton has a fine ear for tone - while I don't always like the enclosure type / orientation he goes for - in this case Zvex-style horizontal compact - which just isn't very pedalboard-friendly. I love the sound of his new limited edition Nonpareil Overdrives - they sound amazing - while I really don't like that format of enclosures - with 4 knobs on the top edge facing away from you - just bad ergonomics and again not really pedalboard friendly - otherwise those pedals are real works of art - quite literally.The Binary Star is an amazing sounding sparkly modulated delay - truly celestial in its output - while I would so much more prefer it in a more conventional orientation - that would make it sort of worthwhile for me - in its current form though it just doesn't match up to my needs and preferences - besides of course the fact that it's mono output only.

Controls - Time (70ms > 1000ms), Repeat (Slapback > Infinite), Output Level, Flutter (Modulation Depth - increase Slow amount CCW and Fast amount CW), Head/Octave (< 1/2/3 + Octave On/Off >), Color (Dark > Bright).

I'm a big fan of SolidGoldFX - their compact enclosure pedals in particular - where this new EM-III is another really innovative classic in the making. Not many succeed in doing a full-featured Multi-Head Tape Style Delay in a compact enclosure - while this one is definitely one of the great takes on the genre. The either way central spring-loaded toggle that takes you through 3 recording head options and switches the Octave mode on and off is so clever - and you have a further Glitch effect activated by holding down the Bypass Footswitch - also with Tap Tempo / Warp on the Left Footswitch. There have been a slew of these compact delay pedals this year - and this and the CTC TI:ME really stand out for me - not really perfect for my own preferences but really great, smart devices for most players.

Controls - Speed, Decay, Level, Depth, Mod/Shimmer, Color (EQ/Character).

A nice matching pair for the EM-III with very similar control topology. Here you have two voicings - Modulated or Shimmer - seems like Shimmer is really a theme this year. Again cool for a compact, but not really entirely to my preferences. Still would be cool to deploy the EM-III and Ether together!

Controls - Mix : Dry > Wet, Repeats, Time (> 1.2 secs), Depth/Multi, Rate, Mode / Tap Divisions (1⁄4 note, dotted 1⁄8, 1⁄8, 1⁄8-triple) / Presets 1-3, Bypass / Presets Footswitch, Tap / Hold / Preset Select Footswitch.

A really compelling Analog Delay which has been somewhat overshadowed by other releases this year - but definitely deserves your consideration. Has 4 really cool modes onboard too : Micro Delay, Pitch Sequence, Pitch Bender, and Runaway. Definitely not your typical analog delay - and obviously there is some sort of digital control layer here for special functions and presets - actually not unlike there is on the Suhr Discovery Delay. I just wish they could make this in stereo!

Controls - Preset Select/Edit, Fine Tune Down/Up, Time (ms/BPM), Division : Dotted Eighth/Eighth/Triplet/Quarter/Sixteenth, Hold for BPM, Mix, Time (40ms-1100ms), Regen, Lo Cut, Hit Cut, Speed, Waveform Button : Triangle/Sine/Square, Depth, Bypass Footswitch, Tap-Tempo Footswitch / Hold for Presets.

Really smart Analog Delay - I love everything about it really apart from the lack of stereo output. Otherwise it's an incredible confection of core analog tone generation with some really smart digital manipulation and presets - which allows you to stretch the delay time to hitherto unreachable levels. Actually possibly size could be trimmed down a touch - while you can't really quibble when the core of it so good. It doesn't do the quirky modes of the Vapor Trail Deluxe - but it really extends elegant analog delay into entirely new territories. Please can we have a stereo version next!

Controls - Decay, Predelay, Mix, Mode : Spring 65 / Plate 140 / Hall 224 / Plate 224 / Chamber 224, Store, Variation : A | B | C, Bass, Treble, Mod, Preset Footswitch, On/Bypass Footswitch.

As I've said before I really like the look and build quality of the new UAFX series - and the quality of output is certainly right up there with the best. Yet as a Reverb Workstation it sort of fails for me in having too few algorithms really, and just a single Preset onboard. Considering all the Lexicon 224 voicings on here this is very much a competitor to Chase Bliss Audio's CXM 1978 - and it delivers a similarly pristine output. I still feel that these are a touch half-baked really - and don't for sure have the necessary practicalities for quick switching and live playback - probably perfectly fine as studio tool though!

Controls - Delay, Feedback/Repeats, Mix, Modes : Tape EP-III / Analog DMM / Precision / Cooper Time Cube, Store, Variations : A | B | C, Division : Quarter / Dotted Eighth / Eighth / Triplet / Quarter + Dotted Eighth / Quarter + Eighth, Color / EQ / Character, Mod, Tap Tempo / Preset Footswitch, On/Bypass Footswitch.

Very similar to the Golden Reverberator - just  4 Modes so far though, but does have Tap-Tempo. Similar form factor but not nearly as stand-out as say the similarly sized Boss DD-200 or Source Audio Nemesis for that matter. Some decent algorithms onboard and another great contender for that Deluxe Memory Man sound - so probably worth it for many just because of that option. Still mostly cool and a very high quality build - but somehow feels a little lesser than what it could have been!

Controls - Decay, Swell, Mix, Tweak, Tweak Options : Rate / Depth / Pre Delay, Program : Spring / Hall / Plate / Big F'ing Reverb / Refract / Air, Tune, Tune Options : LO / High / X (X = Warm Grit / Room Size / Warm Grit / Diffusion on Taps / Glitch Tone & Texture / % Wind & Shimmer - per Program), Presets : A | B | C, Sustain / Latch Footswitch, Bypass/On Footswitch } Press Both for Presets.

Funnily enough this was the first pedal down on my wishlist for the year - and for a long time one of the 3 Reverbs I intended to get this year - as Meat Loaf says - 2 out of 3 ain't bad - while I still intend to snag one of these at some stage, A really good mix of Algorithms, and with an innovative Swell control - foot switchable Presets etc. - full Stereo Ins and Outs - this pretty much checks off against all my preferences as probably the finest Compact Reverb pedal to date! Hugely impressive all-round - will for sure be added to the collection soon enough!

• Adventure Audio Occlusions Tremolo + Reverb Pedal - $199
• AmpliTube X-Space Stereo Reverb Workstation - $300
• AmpliTube X-Time Stereo Delay Workstation - $300
• Asheville Music Tools Analoger ADG-1 Analog Delay - $348
• Catalinbread Cloak Reverb + Shimmer - $210
• Catalinbread Montavillian Echo - $200
• Catalinbread Topanga Burnside Spring Reverb + Tremolo - $220
• Champion Leccy The Swan Hunter LoFi Echo+Reverb - $275
• Crazy Tube Circuits TI:ME 70's Digital Rack-Style Delay - €189
• Dreadbox Darkness Stereo Granular Reverb - €209
• Drunk Beaver Lighthouse Tape Voiced Digital Delay with Modulation - $175
• EarthQuaker Devices Astral Destiny Octal Octave Reverberator - $199
• Electo-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man Nano Analog Modulated Delay - $203
• Eventide MicroPitch Delay - $279
• Eventide UltraTap Multi-Tap Delay - $279
• Foxgear T7EBABY 4-Heads Vintage Italian Echo Unit - $219
• Gecko Pedals Gechoplex EP5 Delay/Reverb - $529
• GFI System Orca Stereo Delay - $199
• GFI System Skylar Stereo Reverb - $199
• J Rockett Clockwork Analog Stereo Echo - $399
• JHS 3 Series Hall Reverb - $99
• LPD Pedals Cascade Reverb - $225
• LPD Pedals Offset Delay - $225
• Malekko Polyamorator Harmonizing Delay - $189
• Mooer D7 X2 Stereo Delay - $175
• Mooer R7 X2 Stereo Reverb - $175
• Mythos Pedals Oracle Analog Echo - $259
• Old Blood Noise Endeavors Sunlight Dynamic Reverb - $209
• Neunaber Illumine Stereo Reverb Workstation - $399
• Old Blood Noise Endeavors Sunlight Dynamic Freeze Reverb - $209
• Pigtronix Constellation Mini Analog Modulated Delay - $179
• Red Panda Raster Pitch-Shift Digital Delay - $299
• Red Witch Binary Star Stereo Analog Celestial Time Modulator - $249
• Retroactive Pedals Dot Chaser Cassette-Style Echo with Modulation - $129
• SolidGoldFX EM-III Multi-Head Octave Echo - $209
• SolidGoldFX Ether Modulated Reverb - $209
• Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail Deluxe Analog Delay - $229
• Suhr Discovery Analog Delay - $549
• Universal Audio UAFX Golden Reverberator - $399
• Universal Audio UAFX Starlight Echostation - $399
• Walrus Audio Mako Series R1 High-Fidelity Stereo Reverb - $349