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4. Multitap delay

1

Sticking with our stabby piano sound, we still have UltraSpace loaded as an insert. Let’s now investigate the multitap effect. To get started, we’ve loaded up the preset TAP__LR. You’ll see that this multitap preset already has the reverb mix at 0% and tap mix at 100%. Adjust the global mix to taste (35%). 2

Multitap is a tempo-synced effect and will always sync to the DAW tempo. However, the division of the taps and how the tap display determines them is controlled by the time control. Understanding this is vital to creating effects, and for the preset we’ve loaded, we can see this is set to 1/2 beat. 3

The delay taps are defined using the step format display to the right; top row is the left channel, bottom row is the right channel. Each bar can be adjusted on the display to set the level of each tap, and you’ll see the display includes 17 steps, with lighter shading highlighting beat division. 4

With time set to 1/2 beat, the middle highlighted step is half a beat and the highlighted bar on the far right of the tap display a full beat. Try removing the tap settings and raise just the right hand end bar on the top row. Play some audio and you should hear a ¼ note delay in the left channel. 5

The other key delay parameter is the feedback. At 0% this creates a one-shot effect that’s great for creating clattery early reflections. Try this at lower time settings (¼ or ⅛). Meanwhile for regular feedback delays you need to remember that the whole step section is the feedback delay line, not just each individual tap. 6

Finally, the multitap delay line can be modified. Try adjusting the detune to add subtle richness or obvious pitchiness, and use the high and low damp controls to set the rate at which high and low frequencies are dampened in the delay feedback. Once again, the duck option can be used to keep the effect clear of the dry signal.