The Time Lapse from Thimble Wasp Effects is a multi-mode digital delay pedal, made in the USA, built around tap tempo and eight operating modes. It covers the everyday ground players expect, with a tap tempo switch and a dotted-eighth effect among its features, and it adds a set of less conventional modes of its own. Guitar.com's Richard Purvis summed up the design as "a digital delay with tap tempo and eight operating modes," adding that some are "a lot more unconventional than others"1.
The Time Lapse Delay+
Pedal of the Day reviewed a version called the Time Lapse Delay+ in October 2022, describing it as a delay pedal that "crams everything you love and would need about a delay pedal into one board-friendly enclosure." The eight modes on that version are listed as Tap Delay, Dotted 8th, Tape, Reverse, Inertia, Reactor and Hold2.
Under the hood, the Delay+ runs on an FV-1 chip. As Pedal of the Day put it, "An FV-1 chip was pushed to its extremes, to get both classic practical features and outside the box creative effects"2.
The reviewer's overall view was that "the Time Lapse is loaded with the most practical delay needs, plus some custom extras," and that "it easily glides onto any pedalboard and plays nicely with the rest of the gang"2.
Controls and modes
The front panel carries an eight-way rotary mode switch plus Character, Time, Mix and Feedback knobs, with two footswitches for bypass and tap tempo1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time | Sets your delay time2 |
| Feedback | Sets the number of repeats (for most modes)2 |
| Character, modes 1-2 and 5-6 | Takes you from warm repeats that sit back in the mix, to crisp pristine replicas of the input only capable with digital delay2 |
| Character, modes 3-4 | Adds modulation depth to simulate the warble in an old tape unit2 |
| Character, Reactor mode | Controls the 2nd Repeat Oct/5th2 |
The Character knob is the one that changes personality from mode to mode. On the conventional modes it shades the tone of the repeats; on the Tape-style modes it dials in tape-style warble; and in Reactor it switches jobs entirely, controlling the octave or fifth of the second repeat2.
Inertia, Reactor and Hold
The modes that set the Time Lapse apart from a straightforward digital delay are Inertia and Reactor, which Pedal of the Day describes as "two totally unique time/pitch bending delay effects which add immediate excitement and creativity, while remaining musical and easy to use"2.
Hold mode works differently again: it "allows you to hold a drone note or chord while soloing over top, perfect for solo playing or filling out sound in a keyboard-less band"2. In practice that turns the pedal into a simple looper-like sustain for one note or chord, letting a single player layer parts.
Power, bypass and build
The Time Lapse is true bypass, and Guitar.com notes it is "powered by 9V mains supply only (not supplied)," so a 9V adapter or pedalboard power output is required; there is no battery option1. The same review notes that the maker's pedals "share reassuringly tidy build quality, with true-bypass and pop-free soft switching"1. Pedal of the Day adds that the Delay+ has top-mounted jacks and true bypass soft switching, which helps with fitting the pedal into tight pedalboard layouts2.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com reviewed the Time Lapse in October 2021 alongside the maker's Space Camp and Anvil pedals, giving it a verdict score of 8/10 with the summary: "Covers most standard delay needs and adds an interesting selection of more elaborate effects"1. The review listed its UK price as £1751.
Pedal of the Day's 2022 review of the Delay+ closed on an enthusiastic note: "This is our first foray into the world of Thimble Wasp Effects, and if the rest of their lineup is as impressive as the" Time Lapse, the reviewer was eager to check out more of the maker's gear2.
Videos
Thimble Wasp Effects
Pedal of the Day
Questions
How many delay modes does the Thimble Wasp Time Lapse have?
Eight. Pedal of the Day lists them as Tap Delay, Dotted 8th, Tape, Reverse, Inertia, Reactor and Hold, with Guitar.com describing the set as eight operating modes, some a lot more unconventional than others. The classics cover most everyday delay needs, while Inertia and Reactor are time and pitch bending effects and Hold captures a drone note or chord you can solo over.
Does the Time Lapse have tap tempo?
Yes. Guitar.com's review describes it as a digital delay with tap tempo, and the pedal carries a dedicated tap tempo footswitch alongside the bypass switch. Pedal of the Day also notes a dotted-eighth effect and a tap tempo switch among the Delay+ features.
Is the Time Lapse true bypass?
Yes. Guitar.com lists true bypass among the pedal's features, and Pedal of the Day describes the Delay+ as having true bypass soft switching with top-mounted jacks. Guitar.com adds that the maker's pedals share pop-free soft switching build quality.
Can the Time Lapse run on a battery?
No. Guitar.com's review states the pedal is powered by a 9V mains supply only, and that the supply is not included. Players will need a 9V DC adapter or pedalboard power supply output to use it.
What do the Inertia and Reactor modes do?
Pedal of the Day describes Inertia and Reactor as two totally unique time/pitch bending delay effects which add immediate excitement and creativity, while remaining musical and easy to use. In Reactor mode, the Character knob takes on a second job, controlling the 2nd Repeat Oct/5th.
What does Hold mode do on the Time Lapse Delay+?
Hold lets you hold a drone note or chord while soloing over top. Pedal of the Day calls it perfect for solo playing or filling out sound in a keyboard-less band, since it effectively gives one player two parts at once.
Sources (2)
- Thimble Wasp Effects Time Lapse, Space Camp & Anvil review: pedals that sound as individualistic as they look, Guitar.com, 2021-10-11
- Thimble Wasp Effects Time Lapse Delay+, Pedal of the Day, 2022-10-01
