Analog circuits are more commonly utilized in delay pedals and ambient effects than any other category or pedal type. Perhaps because delay pedals used to literally run off a tape deck, guitar players and manufacturers have tried to maintain that natural feel by using analog systems called bucket brigade circuits.
These physical circuits aren't exactly tape decks, but create delay by moving an analog signal along a series of capacitors.
This invokes the imagery of a line of people passing along buckets of water.
Here's an image that illustrates this in the context of electrons:
But that's enough of the science lesson.
This list highlight as many analog delay pedals as possible, both from current retail and the used markets. We've put together a list of the major ones, covering most analog delay pedals on the market, including a few that have gone out of circulation but remain popular used options.
But with a lot of these pages, we have an engaged community that helps us by recommending gear that fits the given criteria.
So in this instance:
If you know of an analog delay pedal that deserves inclusion in this list, drop it in the comments section and we'll add it below to the user-submitted list, with a shoutout.
Master List of Analog Delay Pedals
Delay | Name | Browse |
|---|---|---|
 | MXR Carbon Copy M169 | |
 | Boss DM-2w Waza Craft | |
 | MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe | |
 | Way Huge Aqua Puss Analog Delay | |
 | J. Rockett Audio Designs Clockwork Echo Pedal | |
 | EHX Deluxe Memory Man | |
 | T-Rex Replicator | |
 | Supro Analog Delay | |
 | EHX Deluxe Memory Boy | |
 | Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail | |
 | TC Electronic Bucket Brigade Analog Delay | |
 | DOD Rubberneck Analog Delay | |
 | Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay | |
 | Chase Bliss Audio Thermae | |
 | TC Electronic Echobrain |
Reader Submitted Inclusions
None submitted yet. Be the first!
The older version of the Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail, an analog delay with tremendous tone quality, but less control than the higher-end digital delay pedals.
Best for a Clean Signal
Most delay pedals are used primarily to add layering to a clean signal - to make it more interesting. In that regard, any of the listed pedals will be a good fit, especially considering the tone quality you get from the analog circuit. Though again, there's the consideration of flexibility. We'd go back to our two favorites - the Carbon Copy (preferably the Deluxe version) and Memory Boy.
Best for Slapback
A slapback delay is really short, with just a few echoes, almost creating a fluttering effect. You'll hear it a lot in country music and old school blues styles. For this implementation of the delay effect, a tap tempo is far less important. You can just set the speed really high and dial in two or three echoes, and you're good to go. For that, we'd recommend something like the Supro or Vapor Trail. Even the cheaper TC Electronic options are good fits for this style.
Best for Dotted Eighth Note Delay
For the dotted eighth note delay, you'll need to dial that in with a time division selector. From this list, the MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe and the EHX Memory Boy are - once again - your two best options.
Read more: Delay pedals with dotted eighth note setting
From this list, which one gives me the best value?
Analog delay pedals are usually more expensive, but that's relative to the quality you're getting in return. For the best value - lowest possible cost with best possible result - the Boss DM-2w and the Carbon Copy Deluxe are likely your best options.
Advantages of an Analog Delay Pedal
As we've mentioned it's usually tone, and - to a lesser extent - nostalgic appeal that attracts people to analog delay pedals.
Disadvantages of an Analog Delay Pedal
One of the emerging disadvantages of analog delay pedals is the quality of technology in digital circuits. Particularly in the past couple of decades, digital algorithms have made significant strides and have competed with the tone quality in analog delays. Add that analog delay pedals tend to have less functionality, and you can make a very strong argument for going digital. Companies like Strymon and Line 6 are leading the way on the digital front.
Are analog delay pedals always more expensive than digital options?
No. As we just mentioned, the Strymon pedals and the Line 6 Helix series are incredibly expensive. Analog delay pedals are more expensive in particular contexts and comparisons, but it doesn't always work out that way.
Conclusion
Hopefully we've covered all of the information about analog delay pedals you could need to make an informed decision.
If we missed something or you have additional questions, let us know in the comments section. Also remember that we're big fans of user-submitted additions to posts like this, so if you know of an analog delay that we missed, mention that in the comments and we'll add it to the user-submitted section.
Both mainline, boutique, and discontinued delay pedals are fair game.
We'll see you there.
More Delay Pedal Content
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Pedals & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Pedals & Reviews
We link to products on Sweetwater that help support our site and keep the lights on. If you click through our orange buttons, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you all for your generous support over the years! ~ Bobby and Danielle
Our disclosure↬
Comment Policy: You're down to leave a comment? That's awesome. Keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. Please avoid any spammy keywords or a domain as your name, otherwise your comment will be deleted. Let's stay on topic, keep questions relevant and have a meaningful conversation. All the best.