The Guyatone MDm5 Micro Delay is a digital delay pedal in Guyatone's Mighty Micro line, built into a very small enclosure. Despite the footprint, it offers delay times from 30 to 2600 milliseconds1, with a control set that goes beyond the usual blend, time and repeat knobs. It belongs to the delay pedals family, and Guyatone's Micro Series, of which Pedal of the Day called the MDm5 one of the maker's most popular models2.
The controls
The MDm5 carries the standard delay controls, blend, delay time and feedback, plus a sliding switch that selects among three time ranges: short, medium and long1. Pedal of the Day details each knob and switch:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time | Sets the overall delay time, up to 2600 ms2 |
| Level | Controls the effect's output volume2 |
| Repeat | Adjusts how many times the delayed effect repeats after a note or chord2 |
| Hi Roll Off | Acts as a sort of tone control, dialing in the high or low frequencies you want present in the repeats2 |
| Mode switch (S/M/L) | Selects three delay modes: Short (20 to 60 ms), Medium (80 to 650 ms) and Long (330 to 2600 ms)2 |
| Effect On/Off switch | True bypass switching for the effect2 |
The three ranges overlap, so a given delay time can sit in more than one mode. The Short range covers the quickest settings, territory closer to doubling or thickening than to an audible echo, while the Long range covers the 330 to 2600 ms band for longer, more pronounced repeats2.
There is also an internal input switch with -14 dB and 0 dB positions, which pads the input level down for hotter signals2.
Power and connections
The MDm5 runs on DC 9V, either a 006P (6F22) battery or Guyatone's AC-2 adaptor, and draws 49 mA with the effect on2. It has three jacks: Input, Output and DC IN2. Measured impedances are 470 kOhm at the input and less than 10 kOhm at the output2.
At 49 mA with the effect on2, the MDm5 sits above what many low-current daisy-chain outputs comfortably supply alongside other pedals. A dedicated 9V DC outlet on a pedalboard power supply is the straightforward choice.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar, reviewing the pedal in a digital delay roundup, summed up its appeal in terms of size versus sound1:
"the MDm5 will sit sonically with many boutique pedals, while leaving room to cram a few more on your board"
Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, was similarly positive about how much Guyatone fit into the small box2:
"Small but powerful, with a decent amount of potions crammed into a tiny enclosure"
Videos
John Gorbe
Pedal of the Day
DeMontGuitars
Questions
Is the Guyatone MDm5 true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day lists the MDm5's Effect On/Off switch as true bypass, so when the effect is off, your guitar's signal passes through the pedal without buffering or tone alteration. The same footswitch, together with a mode switch, handles the S/M/L range selection.
Can the Guyatone MDm5 run on a 9V battery?
The stated power requirement is DC 9V 006P (6F22), which is the designation for a 9V battery, or the AC-2 adaptor. The pedal draws 49 mA with the effect on, so a battery is an option, though a regulated 9V DC supply is the usual choice on a pedalboard.
What does the Hi Roll Off knob do on the MDm5?
Pedal of the Day describes the Hi Roll Off knob as acting as a sort of tone control, letting you dial in how much high or low frequency content you want present in the repeats. It shapes the character of the delayed signal rather than the delay time or volume.
What is the stomp guard on the Guyatone MDm5?
The MDm5 includes what Pedal of the Day calls a special stomp guard, designed to protect both the pedal and your settings at the same time. In practice it means accidental knocks at the footswitch are less likely to damage the switch or disturb the knob positions you have dialed in.
How long is the longest delay on the MDm5?
The longest delay time is 2600 milliseconds, available in the Long range (330 to 2600 ms). Premier Guitar notes the pedal offers 30 to 2600 milliseconds of delay overall, which the reviewer found impressive for a pedal of its size.
What does the internal input switch on the MDm5 do?
Inside the pedal there is an input switch with -14 dB and 0 dB settings. It lets you pad the input level down for hotter signals, such as an active pickup or a pedalboard with a strong output, so the delay circuit is not overloaded.
Sources (2)
- Top Digital Delays: DigiTech, Guyatone & EH Reviewed, Premier Guitar, 2009-05-20
- Guyatone MDm5 Micro Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2015-12-08
