Delay effects

> Step by step 1. How to apply delay with PSP cmDelay

1

You can use your delay effect on either an insert or auxiliary and the latter works well for simple echoes. Let’s try a simple synced delay first. To get started, fire up cmDelay on a fresh auxiliary and load some demo audio from FileSilo. We’re using Beats Blend 2, Guitar Slide Down and Guitar Riff.

2

Switch cmDelay to Sync mode and make sure your DAW is set to the correct tempo for the audio (140bpm for us). Now use the dial or display to set the Delay Time to 1:4. This is a quarter note delay at the current tempo. Also set the Dry level to its minimum.

3

Now use the Auxiliary to send some of both guitar parts to the delay. We’ve set ours at -5dB for the slide and -8dB for the riff. Then adjust the Feedback to taste (50 for us). That’s your basic shared delay on an auxiliary. Now try some other timings. 1:2, 1:8 and 3:16 all work well.

4

For our next delay effect we’re going to use it as an insert. Load up an instance of PSP cmDelay on a fresh track, and if you want to follow along, grab the demo audio Guitar Chord Hang. Now from the preset bar at the bottom load up the Synchro Sustain preset.

5

The first thing we’ll do is change to Ping Pong mode. This makes the delay alternate left and right, and if we turn the knob to the left, it starts on the left. Next, adjust the Feedback. To give the delay a more spaced out feel we’ve turned this up quite high to about 95.

6

Now take a look at the filters just below the display. The preset settings are quite dark. Why not try increasing both? We’ve set ours to about 700Hz and 7kHz. Remember, these affect the feedback loop of the delay. To finish up, adjust the effect balance using the Dry and Wet controls.

7

For our next sound we’re sticking with the insert idea and we’re going to use the Guitar Riff demo audio. With the plugin loaded up, make sure the Sync switch is off, and then set the Delay Time to 14.5ms.

8

Now make sure the image is set to stereo and set the Feedback to about 20. Increase the LFO depth to 30 and set the LFO spread to about a quarter past. Now adjust the Wet (4dB) and Dry (-4dB) levels. Now bypass to A/B the effect. These settings have turned the delay into a reasonably good doubler.

9

cmDelay is designed for real time manipulation. Try out the Feed control which lets you manually control what gets sent to the delay. Try using the Tap button to change the delay in real time and hear the great tape emulation. Finally, for ideas check out the great list of presets.