The delay core is analog, built on three 3205 BBD (bucket-brigade) chips, which gives the pedal its 800 ms maximum delay time12. Premier Guitar's reviewer described the pedal as building on the original's analog foundation:
"Extrapolating from the delectably rich analog foundation of the original Delay Llama, the Delay Llama Xtreme adds a boatload of functionality"
The pedal was presented at NAMM 2020 as the latest addition to the Delay Llama series4, and it is built in Greece2.
What it does
JAM Pedals positions the Delay Llama Xtreme as a "delay with presets and modulation": the repeats themselves come from the analog BBD circuit, while a digital control layer stores settings and generates the modulation effects6. Delicious Audio's write-up called it "what looks like a truly inspiring analog delay" and said it "emulates tape machine wildness but also paves new ground"4.
The four presets store time, repeats, level, subdivision, Xtreme mode settings and the Xtreme on/off state, so a saved sound recalls the whole delay, not just the basic three knobs6. Factory preset examples are included for all four Xtreme modes10.
The controls and footswitches
Three knobs, Time, Repeats and Level, cover the main delay sound1. Around them sit the switching and setup controls:
| Control or switch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time, Repeats, Level knobs | Set the core delay sound1 |
| Middle footswitch | Cycles between manual mode and the four preset slots; a prolonged press turns the selected Xtreme mode on or off1 |
| Right footswitch | Tap at least twice to set tempo; hold it for oscillation1 |
| TRLS switch | Selects buffered trails or true bypass1 |
| KD switch | Activates kill-dry operation5 |
| Subdivision control | Eighth-note, quarter-note and dotted-eighth subdivisions1 |
GuitarPlayer's review noted that holding down the tap-tempo switch sends the effect into Hold mode2. Delicious Audio lists the three footswitches as On, Preset/Momentary and Tap Tempo4.
The four Xtreme modes
The Xtreme modes are the pedal's distinguishing feature. GuitarPlayer explains the common principle: "The four Xtreme modes work by shifting the delay time in a controlled manner"2. Because pitch and delay time are linked in a BBD circuit, moving the delay time bends the pitch of the repeats, and each mode moves it differently.
| Xtreme mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vibrato | Modulation affecting the repeats4 |
| Tape-Age | "Creates random, worn-tape-style pitch variation"1 |
| Random | "Changes delay time at fixed intervals for abrupt pitch and rhythmic shifts"1 |
| Pitch-Shift | "Offers five interval pairs and five playback patterns, including a five-mode sequencer"1 |
The Pitch-Shift mode is the deepest of the four, with its interval pairs and playback patterns giving sequenced, stepped pitch effects on the trails1. Pedal of the Day's review concluded that "the Delay Llama XTREME appeals to traditional delay users and sound explorers alike"11.
Power and connections
The pedal draws a maximum of 130 mA9, which is worth noting for anyone planning a power supply: that is well above what a simple analog delay typically draws, so a dedicated output is the safer choice.
Connections on the pedal cover remote control and expression:
- TAP input: accepts a normally-open TS momentary remote switch for tap tempo1
- PS input: accepts a TRS preset controller1
- Expression input: passive 10 kΩ, for delay time control by expression pedal or CV14
Input and output are in phase, with 1 MΩ input impedance and under 1 kΩ output impedance1. The kill-dry option on the KD switch suits wet-only setups, such as running the pedal in an amp's effects loop1.
Where it came from
The pedal has since appeared in a range of JAM Pedals finish variants, including the Delay Llama Xtreme "May the 4th" B-Stock, the "Eye in the Sky", "Tutti Frutti", "Spirit of the Sword", "Relic" and "Achenbach multi-head" editions, all sharing the same circuit and feature set19.
Who uses it
Videos
Premier Guitar
Guitar World
JAM pedals
Questions
Is the JAM Delay Llama Xtreme analog?
Yes. The delay core is analog, built on bucket-brigade (BBD) chips rather than digital processing. JAM Pedals describes it as a three-BBD analog delay, and the presets and Xtreme modes are layered on top of that analog repeat path.
How many BBD chips are in the Delay Llama Xtreme?
Three. The pedal uses three 3205 BBD (bucket-brigade) chips, which is what allows it to reach its 800 ms maximum delay time while keeping the repeats analog.
Does the Delay Llama Xtreme have tap tempo?
Yes. The right footswitch sets tempo when tapped at least twice, with eighth-note, quarter-note and dotted-eighth subdivisions. Holding that switch sends the delay into oscillation, and a TAP input accepts a normally-open TS momentary remote switch.
Is the Delay Llama Xtreme true bypass?
It is selectable. A TRLS switch on the pedal chooses between true bypass and buffered trails, so you can have the repeats fade out naturally when you disengage the pedal, or a fully hard-wired bypass.
What is the maximum delay time of the Delay Llama Xtreme?
800 ms. That is an increase over the original Delay Llama's 600 ms, made possible by the three 3205 BBD chips in the circuit.
Who uses the JAM Delay Llama Xtreme?
JAM Pedals lists Bruce Arnold and Brandon Seabrook among its artists using the Delay Llama Xtreme. Reviewers have noted it appeals both to traditional delay players and to players looking for more experimental sounds.
Sources (11)
- Delay Llama Xtreme, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- JAM Pedals Delay Llama Xtreme Review, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2020-06-25
- Analog Delay's Secret: Ear-Twisting Textures Revealed, Premier Guitar, 2020-05-22
- JAM Delay Llama Xtreme, Delicious Audio, 2023-07-13
- “Relic” Delay Llama XTREME, JAM pedals (jampedals.com)
- "Eye in the Sky" Delay Llama XTREME, JAM pedals
- "Tutti Frutti" Delay Llama XTREME, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- “Achenbach monohead” Delay Llama XTREME, JAM pedals (jampedals.com)
- "Spirit of the Sword" Delay Llama XTREME, JAM Pedals (www.jampedals.com)
- Delay Llama Xtreme "May the 4th" B-Stock, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- JAM Pedals Delay Llama XTREME, Pedal of the Day, 2021-06-02
Greg Koch
