The Retro-Sonic Delay is an analog delay pedal from Retro-Sonic, designed around the circuit of the Boss DM-2. The maker states: "To create a vintage sounding analog delay, we used the famous DM-2 as the starting point for the design."1 The DM-2 itself is an older analog delay, described by Pedal of the Day as the "older sibling" of the later DM-3.2 If you are browsing this category, it sits alongside the Retro-Sonic 800ms Analog Delay among delay pedals.
Controls and footswitches
The Delay has three knobs and two footswitches. The knobs set the delay character, and the footswitches handle on/off and delay length selection1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Repeat Rate | Controls the length of delay. Rotate clockwise to shorten delay. |
| Echo | Adjusts the level or volume of the repeats. |
| Intensity | Controls the intensity or number of repeats. |
| Long/Short | Switches between the long and short delay paths. |
| Normal/Effect Switch | Stepping on the switch turns the effect on and off. |
The two footswitches give selection for effect/bypass (true bypass) and for the short and long delay paths, which sit at roughly 400ms and roughly 800ms1. Retro-Sonic also describes short and long delay paths as selectable by footswitch control, so the delay length can be changed from the floor rather than by reaching for a switch1.
Circuit and sound
The delay path is analog, built on two 3205 BBDs, the bucket-brigade chips used in vintage-style analog delays1. The maker states the unit delivers up to 800ms of delay time using two 4096 stage BBDs1. The DM-2 starting point is the design's stated aim: a vintage sounding analog delay1.
The Retro-Sonic Delay uses two 4096 stage BBDs and is powered by a 9V DC supply, with the adapter not included1.
Power
The Delay is powered by a 9V DC supply, and the adapter is not included, so plan to use your own supply1.
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Questions
Is the Retro-Sonic Delay true bypass?
Yes. Retro-Sonic fits the pedal with a heavy duty footswitch for true bypass switching, so when the effect is off, the pedal takes itself out of the signal path. The pedal has two footswitches in total: one turns the effect on and off, and the other selects between the short and long delay paths.
Does the Retro-Sonic Delay have stereo outputs?
Yes. Retro-Sonic lists mono and stereo outputs on the Delay, so it can feed a single amp or two channels for a wider delayed sound. The delay path itself is analog, built around two 3205 BBD chips.
Does the Retro-Sonic Delay come with a power adapter?
No. The pedal is powered by a 9V DC supply, but the adapter is not included, so you will need to provide your own.
How long is the maximum delay time?
The Retro-Sonic Delay delivers up to 800ms of delay time, using two 4096 stage BBDs. The two footswitch-selectable delay paths sit at roughly 400ms for the short path and roughly 800ms for the long path.
Is the Retro-Sonic Delay analog or digital?
It is an analog delay. Retro-Sonic describes an analog delay path using 2 x 3205 BBDs, the bucket-brigade chips that give vintage-style analog delays their character.
What does the Long/Short switch do?
The Long/Short switch selects between the pedal's two delay paths, a short one at around 400ms and a long one at around 800ms. A second footswitch can also make this selection, so you can change delay length without bending down.
Sources (2)
- DELAY | retro-sonic, retro-sonic.com
- Boss DM-3 Analog Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2024-02-24
