Budget Delay Pedals: The Best Value Alternatives For You
Cheaper pedals sound cool too you know...
3,8 / 5,0 | 
Are your solos missing that extra flair? Don’t want to break the bank? Well, it looks like you’ll need a budget delay pedal. Let’s check out a few options. You’ll be surprised what they can offer for minimal cash.
Budget Delay Pedals
Budget Delay Pedals: What even is a delay pedal?
So, before you start looking for a delay pedal, it’s probably best to get a rough idea of what you’re looking for. Initially, a guitar pedal is a musical device that can take on many responsibilities. Essentially, they provide you with a desired effect; such as delay, distortion or flanger.
Delay, by definition, is an audio-signalling processing technique. Whereby, an input sound is stored and then played back over a specified period of time, time, time, time. Therefore, there are plenty of ways to achieve this echo-like sound.
Here, we’ll be taking a brief look at some budget delay pedals. Overall, allowing you to explore the weird and wonderful universe of delay.
Behringer VD-400
Our first look at budget delay pedals comes from this *Behringer VD-400. This does what it says on the tin. Want cheap delay? Look no further!
Despite being one of the cheapest pedals online, this unit offers us a simple analog delay. We get three small control dials, comprising of the repeat rate, echo, and overall intensity.
An ideal way to start experimenting with delay, allowing beginners to refine their taste before progressing to something more advanced.
- More from Behringer
Harley Benton Digital Delay
Secondly, we’ve got another low-cost pedal, but with a few more toys. This digital delay pedal from *Harley Benton features three controls to help master the sound you’re looking for.
Within this cool blue casing, we’ve got the standard yet essential true bypass switch. Allowing you to completely cut out this pedal from your signal chain.
Moreover, we’ve got controls for the overall delay time, repeat and level. At this price point, you get a pretty good range from 25-600ms of delay time.
- More from Harley Benton
Electro Harmonix Slap-Back Echo
Secondly, we’ve got this cheeky throwback reissue of the *Electro Harmonix pedal from the 1970s. Benefiting from modern features in one compact box.
Here we’ve got twin knobs controlling the amount of gain and blend. Furthermore, there’s up to 20db of boost for doubling effects should you require.
This budget delay pedal also has an LED running light, along with the ability to be powered via a separate 9v battery. This has only been available for just over a year, so it’d be cool to check out a relatively new pedal.
- More from Electro Harmonix
T-Rex Replay Box
The best part about this budget delay pedal is that it is currently *31% off over at Thomann! Something for rhythmically concerned players, choose from quarter, triplets and dotted eighth delay patterns.
Unlike the other pedals we’ve seen so far, this Danish delay pedal uses stereo input and output jacks.
Providing clear delay sounds with studio quality. Additional hardware includes a Tap switch for an additional three seconds of delay. All housed within one pedal, powered via 9V DC power cable.
- More from T-Rex
Walrus Audio Fundamental Delay
Working our way up in price points somewhat, however, this *Fundamental Delay unit has a tap tempo! Allowing you to control how long you want your delay, literally at your fingertips.
There’s plenty of bang for your buck here. Comprising of three delay types, including digital, analog and reverse, this budget delay pedal still manages to stay under the three-figure mark.
I like the slide switches that easily allow you to switch things up and give a clear indication as to what’s going on. Moreover, the overall clear design ensures maximum sound quality.
- More from Walrus Audio
Boss DD-8 Digital Delay
Concluding our look at budget delay pedals is, naturally, the most expensive on our list. Don’t worry though, this digital delay pedal is one of *Boss’ most extensive compact pedals.
Visually, it’s pretty bland compared to the others that we’ve looked at. However, we get 11 different types of delay, and a looper function to work with!
Maintained by level, feedback and time controls, you’ll always have control of how much delay you want. Complete with a true bypass switch, indicated via LED.
- More from Boss
Budget Delay Pedals: Hard decisions ahead!
There we have it, a quick look at some of the delay pedals on the market that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Furthermore, you can be happy in the knowledge that these entry-level alternatives will be the perfect starting point for exploring delay.
Videos:
Further Information:
*This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
This might also interest you
6 responses to “Budget Delay Pedals: The Best Value Alternatives For You”
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Instagram. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from X. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information
Really budget?
Music gear is forever financially ruinous. However, if a pedal does what you ask of it, it’s undoubtedly a bargain.
DD-9? 🙂
I was afraid I had missed something.
That would be cool if there was a DD-9! Good spot, thanks! 🙂
I’ve been using a Rowen delay that is priced under $30 from Ali- Express. Sounds pretty decent.
I’ll throw in a recommendation for the TC Electronics Flashback 2. Costs around £100 and has similar specs to the Boss.
Has stereo in and outs, which makes it bit more useful in a synth / studio setup. It’s got a pressure control via the footswitch to modify parameters on the fly. Also has custom slots so you can put your own / alternative delay types on via a computer.