The Mesmer Astral Delay is an arpeggiated delay pedal from Keeley Electronics, unveiled in April 2017. MusicRadar called it possibly the company's weirdest pedal yet, and reported that Keeley described the out-there delay as "for stoners"1. It arrived with a trippy graphic and, in a touch that made the press coverage, a pair of 3D glasses1.
What the pedal actually does is harmonize. It carries two delay lines that Keeley says respond to single notes or chords, expanding what you play in fifths or octaves, and an arpeggiator that turns a single note into billowing chords2. Premier Guitar's coverage of the announcement quoted Keeley's own description: "There are two delay lines that are like bong hits, blow single notes or chords and the room's lungs expand in 5ths or octaves"2.
Controls
Four knobs shape the effect. Time, feedback, ramp and blend controls adjust what Keeley calls the "pitch and mind-bending weirdness" of the pedal1. The ramp control in particular points to the pedal's shifting, evolving character: rather than a plain repeat, the Mesmer's echoes move through pitch as they decay.
Release and price
The Mesmer was announced by MusicRadar on 25 April 2017, with availability from Robert Keeley from 27 April 2017 at $1791. When Keeley Electronics issued its formal announcement at the end of May 2017, alongside the Rotten Apple and Oxblood Germanium pedals, the street price was given as $1992. Keeley stated the pedal was available at Keeley Electronics and dealers worldwide2.
Where it sits in Keeley's delay range
The Mesmer is an oddity in a delay lineup that runs from conventional echoes to more elaborate designs. Keeley's other delay pedals include the Halo Andy Timmons Dual Echo, the Eccos, the Multi Echo ME-8 and the RK2000 Funk Siren Delay. Where those pedals cover tape-style echoes, stereo routing and rack-delay recreations, the Mesmer's territory is pitch-shifted, arpeggiated echoes built around fifths and octaves.
Videos
Keeley Electronics
Keeley Electronics
Keeley Electronics
Questions
What is the Keeley Mesmer Astral Delay?
The Mesmer Astral Delay is an arpeggiated delay pedal from Keeley Electronics, announced in 2017. It has two delay lines that harmonize single notes or chords in fifths or octaves, and an arpeggiator with octave up, octave down and fifth modes. Keeley described it as one of its most unusual pedals, and MusicRadar reported that Keeley called it a delay pedal 'for stoners'.
What intervals does the Mesmer harmonize in?
The Mesmer's two delay lines harmonize what you play in fifths or octaves. It also offers octave up, octave down and fifth modes through its arpeggiated delay section, so the echoes can sit above or below what you are playing.
Does the Mesmer have an arpeggiator?
Yes. Keeley announced the Mesmer as an arpeggiated delay with octave up, octave down and fifth modes. The arpeggiator works alongside the two delay lines, and Keeley says it can turn a single note into billowing chords.
How much does the Keeley Mesmer cost?
MusicRadar reported in April 2017 that the Mesmer would be available from Robert Keeley from 27 April 2017 for $179. When Keeley Electronics formally announced the pedal in May 2017, the street price was given as $199.
Can the Mesmer harmonize chords as well as single notes?
Yes. According to Keeley's announcement, the two delay lines respond to single notes or chords, expanding them in fifths or octaves. The arpeggiator takes a single note and turns it into chords, so both single-note lines and full chords work with the pedal's harmonizing delays.
Sources (2)
- Keeley's Mesmer Astral Delay pedal delivers arpeggiated echoes, MusicRadar, 2017-04-25
- Keeley Electronics Launches New Guitar Pedals 2023, www.premierguitar.com, 2017-05-26
