The Alabs Timeslip is a stereo delay pedal from ALABS Audio that packs nine time-based effects into one box. Four of the modes cover familiar ground, tape echo, digital, analog and reverse, while five more, Warp, Granule, Octave, Sweeper and Swell, push into creative territory1. It is a digital pedal, running on a 32-bit floating-point DSP that ALABS calls its W.A.V.E. (Wizard Audio Virtual Engine)23.
For a player, the appeal is range: one pedal covers classic echo sounds and granular glitch textures, in true stereo or ping-pong, at a budget price. It listed at $99.99 in December 2023 and moved up $10 to $109.99 by February 202445.
Nine time-based modes in one stereo delay
The Mode knob selects between the nine algorithms2. Delicious Audio groups them as traditional (Tape, Digital, Analog, Reverse) and creative (Warp, Granule, Octave, Sweeper, Swell)1. Several modes carry their own modulation parameters, which the Tone/Mod knob then shapes2.
| Mode | What it adds | Mod parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Tape | Tape echo emulation | Tone/Mod |
| Digital | Clean digital delay | Mod Depth + Rate |
| Analog | Analog-style delay | Tone/Mod |
| Reverse | Reverse repeats | Mod Depth + Rate |
| Warp | Chorus and pitch modulation on the repeats | Choral Depth + Rate |
| Granule | Glitchy grains | Mod Depth + Rate + Granule Size |
| Octave | Octave-shifted repeats | Tone/Mod |
| Sweeper | Lowpass filter plus modulation | Sweep Rate |
| Swell | Swell-type repeats | Mod Depth + Rate |
The stereo side is flexible. The pedal has true full stereo input and output operation, with the output selectable as true stereo or ping-pong stereo2. Pedal of the Day notes that all nine effect types work in either stereo mode, with independent algorithms running on the left and right channels3.
The controls
The control set is compact: Time, Repeat, Dry/Wet Mix, Mode, and a Tone/Mod knob24. The Time knob sets delay time across two ranges, Short (20ms to 1100ms) and Long (40ms to 2200ms)2. Beat and tap divisions of 1/4 and 3/8 are available6.
- Time: Delay length, Short or Long range2
- Repeat: Feedback, how many repeats6
- Dry>Wet Mix: Balance of dry and delayed signal24
- Mode: Selects one of the nine algorithms2
- Tone/Mod: Tone shaping, or modulation parameters depending on mode24
There is a single footswitch: tap it for the effect, hold it for tap tempo. Tap tempo has two selectable rhythm modes3. Bypass is selectable between relay-based true bypass and analog buffered bypass, which Guitar Pedal X calls dual universal bypass modes alongside Pedal of the Day23.
Explore Mode gesture control
The toggle on the right side of the pedal, marked with an infinity sign, selects Explore Mode, and in that position it replaces the tap tempo functionality21. With the toggle set to infinity, holding the footswitch activates gesture control over Time, Repeat, Mix and Mod2.
Delicious Audio describes Explore Mode as a programmable 5-second momentary effect involving all five pedal parameters: Time, Repeat, Mix, Tone and Modulation1. In practice it works as a performance tool: hold the footswitch and the pedal sweeps its parameters for a five-second burst, which you can set up ahead of time rather than manipulate live.
Explore Mode and tap tempo share the same toggle. With the switch in the Tap position you get Tone/Tap Tempo behavior; in the infinity position you get the 5-second gesture control instead21.
What reviewers said
Reviewers were positive, especially given the price. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, reviewing it in February 2024, praised the sound quality324:
"the sound design is pristine - and the output and mix and interaction of core Dry/Wet is really at a level far above this price point"2
He had earlier named it his second favorite of the ALABS Audio pedals, writing in December 2023 that "the more unusual Modes are what makes this pedal great"4. Pedal of the Day, in April 2024, called it an exceptionally versatile digital pedal and wrote that "it's quite amazing how they provide all of these options and sounds at such an affordable price"3. In December 2024, Delicious Audio added the Timeslip to its guide to multi-algorithm delay pedals1.
The pedal's popularity had a practical consequence: Guitar Pedal X reported the ALABS Audio pedals sold out for a while after the Christmas and New Year period because of demand2.
Availability
ALABS Audio pedals are mostly sold through Amazon1. The TimeSlip carried a $109.99 Amazon listing price as of February 2024, up $10 from its original $99.9925. Given the earlier sellouts, stock at that price has not always been steady2.
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Questions
Is the Alabs Timeslip true bypass?
Yes, and it is selectable. Guitar Pedal X describes it as relay-based true bypass with an analog buffered bypass option, so you can choose either mode depending on whether you want a fully disconnected signal path or a buffer in line when the pedal is off.
What is the longest delay time on the Alabs Timeslip?
The Time knob has two ranges. In the Short setting it spans 20ms to 1100ms, and in the Long setting it spans 40ms to 2200ms, so the maximum delay time is 2200ms, or 2.2 seconds, in Long mode.
Does the Alabs Timeslip have tap tempo?
Yes. Holding the footswitch engages tap tempo, with two selectable rhythm modes and beat divisions of 1/4 and 3/8. Note that switching the side toggle to the infinity position trades tap tempo for the Explore Mode gesture control.
Can the Alabs Timeslip run in ping-pong stereo?
Yes. It has true full stereo input and output operation, and the output can be configured as true stereo or ping-pong stereo. Pedal of the Day notes that all effect types work in either stereo mode, with independent algorithms running on the left and right channels.
Where can you buy the Alabs Timeslip?
ALABS Audio pedals are mostly sold through Amazon, and the TimeSlip carried a $109.99 Amazon listing price as of February 2024. It sold out for a while after the 2023 holiday season because of demand, so availability can fluctuate.
Sources (6)
- Alabs Timeslip Stereo Delay, Delicious Audio, 2024-12-17
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-02-02
- ALABS Audio TimeSlip Stereo Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2024-04-25
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-20
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-02-09
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-11-27
