The Laney BCC-TDE The Difference Engine is a stereo delay pedal from Laney Amplification, the UK maker trading since 19671. It measures 59mm x 150mm x 121mm (HWD) and weighs 0.6kg1. It sits alongside other delay designs on the site's Delay Pedals page.
The delays it is modeled on
The pedal's three modes each reach back to a different period of delay design1:
- Analog era: delay times up to 1250ms1
- Digital era: based on the crisp sounding digital delays of the 80s, with tap tempo and freeze functions, and a straight digital delay of up to 2500 ms1
- Dynamic era: based on the power delays of the 90s with modulation and ducking features, a straight ducked digital delay of up to 2500 ms1
Within those eras, Laney points to specific hardware lineages. The ducked digital delay mode is "Based on the legendary 2290", and the tape echo era is "modelled around the RE space echo family of delays", which Laney says captures "all the warmth and analogue nuances of tape"1. Ducked delay means the repeats drop in level while you play and rise when you stop, a design associated with rack delays of the late 80s and 90s.
Controls and display
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Feedback | Controls the duration of the delay repeats1 |
| Modulation | Controls the amount of modulation of the delay repeats1 |
| Balance | Controls the overall level of the delay repeats1 |
| Edit (multi-function rotary encoder) | Selects the unit of values to be edited; when editing MS values, press once for seconds, again for tens, again for hundreds; pressing enters or selects a parameter to be edited, and rotating adjusts the selected parameter1 |
The display is an ultra-sharp 2.43" OLED screen, which Laney describes as perfect for all types of performance environment and vantage point1.
Presets, MIDI and stereo routing
The Difference Engine holds 100 patches and is preloaded with 50 artist patches created by the players themselves, including what Laney calls "some remarkable presets in the style of players such as EVH, Slash, Andy Summers, to name but a few"1.
For integration with a larger rig, the pedal offers full featured MIDI input and output supporting both MIDI CC numbers and Program Changes, and a high quality MIDI to USB cable is included in the box1. Players using an expression pedal can take control of various delay parameters in real time1, and the Expression Pedals page covers pedal options.
Stereo routing is flexible: true stereo in and out means you can use a single input to produce a stereo output, or run stereo in and out1.
Reception and history
The Difference Engine is built by Laney Amplification, a company trading since 1967, and carries the item dimensions of 59mm x 150mm x 121mm (HWD) at an item weight of 0.6kg1.
Laney Amplification, the UK maker trading since 1967, built the BCC-TDE The Difference Engine as a compact pedal: 59mm x 150mm x 121mm (HWD) and 0.6kg, figures that matter to players fitting it onto a crowded board1.
Videos
Pete Thorn
Guitar World
Laney Amplification
Questions
How long can the Laney Difference Engine delay be?
In Digital mode the pedal offers delay times up to 2500 ms of straight digital delay. The Dynamic mode also gives up to 2500 ms, in a ducked digital delay design. Laney's product page also lists delay times up to 1250 ms for the analogue era mode, so the maximum delay length depends on which of the three modes you are using.
Does the Laney Difference Engine have MIDI?
Yes. Laney describes full featured MIDI input and output supporting both MIDI CC numbers and Program Changes. A high quality MIDI to USB cable is included in the box, so the pedal can be connected to a computer or MIDI setup without extra purchases.
Is the Laney Difference Engine stereo?
Yes. The pedal has true stereo in and out, which means you can use a single input to produce a stereo output, or run stereo in and out. That makes it usable with a mono rig as well as a full stereo pedalboard or two amps.
How many presets does the Difference Engine hold?
The Difference Engine holds 100 patches. It ships preloaded with 50 artist patches created by the players themselves, including presets in the style of players such as EVH, Slash and Andy Summers, leaving the remaining patches for your own sounds.
Does the Difference Engine have tap tempo?
Yes. Laney describes the digital era mode as based on the crisp sounding digital delays of the 80s with tap tempo and freeze functions, so tap tempo is built into the pedal.
Can I connect an expression pedal to the Difference Engine?
Yes. Laney says you can take control of various delay parameters in real time with the use of an expression pedal, which lets you sweep a chosen delay parameter live while you play.
Sources (1)
- BCC PEDALS BCC-TDE THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE BOUTIQUE EFFECT PEDAL, Laney Amplification
