The Moog MF Delay is a compact delay pedal from Moog's Minifooger line, first announced in October 2013. It is an all-analog delay built on bucket-brigade (BBD) chips, the same class of delay chip Moog used in its larger Moogerfooger delay models, and it was positioned as a smaller and cheaper alternative to the Moogerfooger MF-104M Analog Delay12.
Moog's launch announcement described the pedal as offering "35mS-700mS of completely analog delay time," with a Drive circuit that lets the player shape tone and feel as well as push the delay line and amplifier input1. A later review measured the Time control reaching 750ms, so the two figures differ slightly; either way the range runs from short slapback to long, dark repeats3.
An analog bucket-brigade delay from 35ms to 700ms
The MF Delay gets its repeats from four bucket-brigade chips, the analog delay technology that passes your signal along a chain of capacitors, one step at a time, which gives the repeats the progressively darker character associated with vintage analog delays2. Moog's announcement described how this plays out across the Time control: at shorter settings the repeats are fast and bright, suited to classic slapback and plate-style sounds, while at medium and long settings they darken and trail off into a reverb-like state1.
The pedal also includes a Drive circuit. Moog says it lets the player adjust the tone and feel of the delay, overdrive the bucket-brigade delay line itself, and push the input of a guitar amplifier for a bigger sound1. MusicRadar put a number on this side of the pedal, noting 22dB of driving preamp alongside the delay2.
The controls and expression input
The control set is built around three knobs:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time | Sets delay time, from 35ms up to 750ms as measured by Pedal of the Day, covering slapback through long dark analog repeats3 |
| Feedback | Controls the amount of repeats; at maximum it becomes self-oscillating, pulsating and mutating4 |
| Drive | Adjusts the tone and feel of the pedal, and can overdrive the BBD delay line and the input of a guitar amplifier1 |
The Feedback behavior is worth knowing for anyone who likes experimental sounds: Pedal of the Day's earlier review of the Minifooger MF Analog Delay found that at maximum the Feedback control goes beyond simple repeats into self-oscillation4.
On the rear of the pedal is an expression pedal jack, which lets you control either the Time or Feedback functions in real time3. MusicRadar highlighted this as "an expression pedal option for real-time control over time or feedback," and noted that an expression/CV input at the rear was a feature shared across the Minifooger range2. Sweeping delay time by foot is where this kind of pedal gets expressive: it turns the Time knob into a performance control rather than a set-and-forget setting.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar rated the MF Delay 4.5 out of 5, noting its 22dB of driving preamp and describing it as a way to get vintage analog tones for a more modest outlay2. Pedal of the Day's Mike B, reviewing the pedal in December 2015, wrote:
"This little delay is sure to surprise you, and though smaller than its bigger brothers, the Minifooger MF Delay has some great features, and that signature Moog sound as well."3
His review summed up the Time control's range as running "from 35ms up to 750ms, allowing for everything from beautiful slapback sound" to longer, darker repeats3.
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Questions
Is the Moog MF Delay analog?
Yes. The MF Delay is an all-analog delay pedal built around bucket-brigade (BBD) chips, the same class of chip Moog used in its larger Moogerfooger delay models. MusicRadar described it as a route to vintage analog tones, and Pedal of the Day called it an all-analog delay with the signature Moog sound.
How long is the delay time on the Moog MF Delay?
Moog's launch announcement specified 35ms to 700ms of completely analog delay time. Pedal of the Day's review measured the Time control as running from 35ms up to 750ms, so the two sources differ slightly, but either way the range covers slapback through long, dark analog repeats.
Can you use an expression pedal with the Moog MF Delay?
Yes. The pedal has an expression pedal jack that lets you control either the Time or Feedback function in real time. MusicRadar highlighted this expression pedal option as a way to sweep delay time or feedback live, a feature shared across the Minifooger range.
How much does the Moog MF Delay cost?
The MF Delay carried a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $209 at its launch in October 2013, according to Moog's announcement. That positioned it well below the larger Moogerfooger MF-104M analog delay, which MusicRadar noted cost more than 500 pounds at the time.
Sources (4)
- Moog Introduces Minifooger Analog Effects Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2013-10-08
- Six of the best vintage-inspired delay pedals, MusicRadar, 2015-03-03
- Moog Minifooger MF Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2015-12-14
- Moog Minifooger MF Analog Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2014-11-26
