Electro-Harmonix Canyon

1
Number 7 of the ubiquitous
DD range touches all the
bases for musical
repetition. The original millisecond
range options are still there,
providing up to 6.4s of delay. In
combination with tap tempo
(internal/external) these four modes
switch time divisions (1/4, dotted,
1/8, triplet). The other modes are
Hold (40s looper with overdubbing),
modulated delay, analogue and
reverse. The stereo I/O can be
configured for a number of routing
options plus panning delay. Delay
time, level and/or feedback can be
controlled via an expression pedal.
The DD-7 may seem conservative
in the wider boutique-stuffed market,
but don’t be mistaken, this is a stone
cold classic. The analogue and
reverse options are excellent, the
Hold function is ample for basic
looping tasks, and the digital delays
are perfect.
www.boss.info
VerDICt 9.0
3
The Alter Ego focusses on
vintage echo – overt models
include the Space Echo,
DM-2, Echorec, Echoplex, Deluxe
Memory Man, Copicat, and Tel Ray
Organ Tone (wobble-tastic). The nine
‘modelled’ modes offer just the right
variety and are augmented with a
simple loop function – 20s in mono,
overdubbing, but no storage/undo –
and the awesome USB-accessible
TonePrint, a programmable slot with
a vast array of parameters.
The sound quality is great; its
feedback trails are the most
pleasing of the (digital) bunch.
The audio input tap tempo function
is a great alternative to foot tapping.
On the downside, there’s no
expression pedal input, and the
Reverse mode doesn’t kill the dry
signal (possible with Kill-Dry mode
in effects loop usage).
This is Tonehead friendly with
True Bypass and Analog Dry-Through
(DIP switchable).
www.tcelectronic.com
VerDICt 9.4
2
Of the four, the Canyon
possesses the most options:
3x digital, tape, BBD,
reverse, 2x octaving, reverberant,
Sample & Hold, and looping (62s!).
The Loop function is the best of the
bunch, with permanent storage and
undo/redo. The analogue models are
great and varied, feeding back with
the right sort of crunch and fuzz, and
the overtly digital octaving/shimmer
delays provide bags of twinkle.
The drawbacks are the tiny Mode
knob font, the tap input doesn’t take
expression pedals, and the mono-only
I/O. For the tonally conscious there is
no True Bypass (like the DD-7), so
power loss means signal loss too.
www.ehx.com
VerDICt 8.9
4
This all-analogue bucket
brigade ‘Time Repeater’ is
altogether darker and more
earthy. Though great in a guitar setup,
the MF Delay reaches its tonal apex
in a synth context, as its feedback
circuits roll off high frequencies. If
you want clean chiming repeats, this
isn’t your pedal, but if you want thick,
liquid atmosphere, it’s well worth a
look. Used subtly, it adds weighty
space, but closer to its extremes,
other-worldly textures can be conjured
in a way the digital-based delays
can’t match. Using an expression
pedal or CV for Feedback/Time
control unlocks its full potential.
True Bypass means no tone-suck
or power-loss, but of the four, this is
the most expensive and least flexible.
www.moogmusic.com
VerDICt 8.5
3
4
Electro-
Harmonix
Canyon
£149
Moog MF Delay
£195
FM VerDICt
BEST OVERALL TC Alter Ego V2: For overall quality
and range the Alter Ego V2 wins. Stereo I/O and
high headroom make it a great studio tool too.
BEST VALUE Boss DD-7: When all the other models
are long-gone, there’ll still be a Boss DD-## rocking
pedalboards worldwide!
Delay Pedals | Reviews
99
FMU318.rev_grouptest.indd 99 13/04/2017 15:35