The IdiotBox Effects Quickstep Momentary Delay is a compact delay pedal built around a momentary footswitch. Instead of the usual latching switch that turns a delay on until you stomp again, the Quickstep only delays while you hold the switch down, which makes it an effect you play: quick bursts of repeats, or a held wash for as long as you keep your foot on it. IdiotBox describes it as "a simple delay that goes from minimal to self oscillation freakout!"1
How the momentary switch works
The defining feature is the momentary switching. As IdiotBox puts it, "the neat thing about it, is that it uses a momentary switch so can do quick bursts or hold it at long as you'd like"1. Tap it for a short slap of repeats behind a single note or phrase, or keep it held and let the delay build. Pushed far enough, the circuit reaches self oscillation, where the repeats feed back on themselves and keep going on their own1.
If you want a more conventional always-on delay from the same maker, the 3D Triple Delay takes that route, while the Repo Man chains a delay into an overdrive into another delay. For the wider field, see Delay Pedals.
Controls and power
The pedal carries a Trails control alongside its delay settings. IdiotBox explains: "It also has a -TRAILS control for how much the delay signal will trail when clicked off which can be set from maximum to" minimum1. In practice that decides whether repeats stop dead when you release the switch or fade out naturally.
The Quickstep uses buffered bypass switching, not true bypass1. The buffer keeps your tone consistent on long cable runs, but it is a different design choice from pedals that remove all circuitry from the signal path when off.
Power and hardware details:
- 9VDC center negative power, on a common 2.1mm BOSS style input1
- Battery snap included1
- Current draw is not published by the maker1
- 125B sized enclosure, 4.7" x 2.6" x 1.5"1
Questions
Does the IdiotBox Quickstep take a battery?
Yes. IdiotBox Effects includes a battery snap with the Quickstep, so it can run on a battery as well as a standard 9VDC center negative 2.1mm BOSS style power supply. The maker does not publish a current draw figure for the pedal, so check your supply's budget against other pedals on your board.
Is the IdiotBox Quickstep true bypass?
No. The Quickstep uses buffered bypass switching, according to IdiotBox Effects. A buffer keeps your signal strong through long cable runs, which some players prefer, though it differs from the untouched signal path of a true bypass pedal.
What does the Trails control do on the Quickstep?
The Trails control sets how much the delay signal continues after you click the pedal off. IdiotBox Effects says it can be set from maximum to minimum, so you choose whether repeats cut off immediately or fade away naturally behind your dry signal.
What size is the IdiotBox Quickstep enclosure?
The Quickstep is built in a 125B sized enclosure measuring 4.7 by 2.6 by 1.5 inches, which IdiotBox Effects describes as smaller than its standard housings. That keeps it compact on a pedalboard while leaving room for the footswitch and controls.
Sources (1)
- Quickstep Momentary Delay, IdiotBox Effects
