The Dual Tap Delay ($249 street) is a hybrid pedal that features an analog dry signal path from input to output, and analog tone circuitry for each of the two delays. The delay, tap functionality, modulation, and subdivision technology are all digital. Most of the controls operate independently for each delay section, except for Modulation—which only affects Delay 2—and the shared Tap Tempo switch. Each delay also has its own bypass footswitch and a slide switch to set it for either manual operation or tap tempo.

By setting the delays to different subdivisions (quarter, eighth, dotted-eighth, or eighth-note triplets) you can have two different- length delays synched to one another. And if you don’t want them synched, you can choose Manual mode for either or both delays. An internal switch selects whether the delays cut off or continue when the effect is bypassed, and another switch sets Output 2 to be wet or dry. There’s also an input for an external tap pedal or a breakout box for external synch (both optional).

The most important aspect of any delay is its sound, and the Dual Tap sounds terrific. The dry path retained the tone of my guitar, while the delay added lush warmth at any setting without muddying the tone. Switching Delay 1 to a manual slap echo and Delay 2 to a modulated tap tempo allowed me to tap in David Lanois-style ambience or synched Edge-style rhythms and then easily return to a basic slapback. Setting both for tap-tempo let me create complex rhythmic echoes at any tempo.

The Dual Tap Delay is not a Swiss Army Knife effect: The analog dry signal path makes it impossible to eliminate the straight signal completely from either output, so you can’t use it in a parallel effects loop or for ping-pong effects. Also, the footprint is 9" x 5", so make sure there’s enough space on your board for it. These are minor issues, however, as the Dual Tap Delay offers the primary delay functions most often used by guitarists in a simple-to-use and beautiful- sounding pedal.

KUDOS Fantastic sound. Manual or Tap options.
CONCERNS None.
CONTACT Visual Sound, (931)487-9001; visualsound.net