The XFX Boutique Slow Pick Analog Delay (model SPD-001) is a hand-built analog delay pedal from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is fully analog, using a 'bucket brigade device' chip, the older chip design that gives analog delays their character, to deliver what Pedal of the Day calls "all the warmth and depth you'd expect from this kind of echo"1. It sits in the broader family of delay pedals.
The controls: Delay, Repeat and Level
The three-knob layout controls Delay, Level and Repeat1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Delay | Sets the delay time, from 10ms to 580ms1 |
| Repeat | Sets the number of repeats; produces some self-oscillation when almost or fully maxed1 |
| Level | Sets the output level1 |
The Repeat knob is where the pedal gets expressive. Pedal of the Day noted that it "will produce some self-oscillation when almost or fully maxed," meaning the echoes build on themselves into a swelling, endless repeat when the control is pushed to its top1.
"With the repeats at about 3:00, the echoes turn into almost a loop, stretching out beyond normal, but not getting into super crazy town, for a nice balance between sanity and chaotic madness."
Build and design
The Slow Pick is true bypass, hand-built and housed inside a heavy-duty metal enclosure1. The enclosure is bright purple, which Pedal of the Day pointed out means it will show up on the darkest of stages1. Being hand-built from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it is a small-run boutique pedal rather than a mass-produced unit1.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the XFX Slow Pick Analog Delay true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day describes the Slow Pick as true bypass, hand-built and housed inside a heavy-duty metal enclosure. True bypass means the pedal's circuit is removed from your signal path entirely when switched off, so it only colors your tone while engaged.
What is the delay range of the XFX Slow Pick?
The delay time runs from 10ms to 580ms, according to Pedal of the Day. That covers everything from short, tight slapback echoes up to longer, more spacious repeats, which is the typical range for a bucket brigade analog delay.
Does the XFX Slow Pick self-oscillate?
It can. Pedal of the Day notes that the Repeat knob will produce some self-oscillation when almost or fully maxed. With repeats set to about 3:00, the reviewer found the echoes turn into almost a loop, which they described as a nice balance between sanity and chaotic madness.
Where is the XFX Boutique Slow Pick made?
The Slow Pick is hand-built by XFX Boutique in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pedal of the Day reviewed it after it made the trip from Malaysia to their reviewer.
What is the model number of the XFX Slow Pick Analog Delay?
The model number is SPD-001, as given in Pedal of the Day's review of the pedal.
Sources (1)
- XFX Boutique Slow Pick Analog Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2020-01-14