The Top 10 Best Delay Plugins You Need for Your Next Mix in 2024

Delay is an essential effect for creating space and atmosphere in your Mixing Session. Along with reverb, delay plugins are key tools for crafting the perfect ambience for your tracks. But with so many delay plugins available, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for your needs.

To make it easier, let's break down the main types of delay and look at some of the best delay plugins for different mixing scenarios in 2024.

Tape Delay

Tape delays were some of the earliest delay effects. They use magnetic tape to record the input signal and play it back after a short delay, with the delayed signal fed back to the input to create repeating echoes.

While intended to recreate natural acoustic echoes, the limitations of tape gave these units a distinctive warm and slightly modulated sound that is still highly sought after.

Best Tape Delay Plugins

• Soundtoys EchoBoy

• Waves J37 Tape

• UAD Galaxy Tape Echo

• Arturia Delay TAPE-201

Analog Delay

With the advent of bucket-brigade devices (BBDs) in the 1970s, delays became more compact and practical. BBD chips pass the input voltage along a series of capacitance stages, degrading the signal with each pass.

The dark, murky repeats of analog delays quickly became a hit with musicians. Their smaller size also allowed the effect to be put into a guitar pedal format for the first time.

Best Analog Delay Plugins

• KORG SDD-3000

• Arturia Memory Brigade

• Waves H-Delay

• Soundtoys EchoBoy (analog mode)

Digital Delay

The rise of digital technology in the 1980s brought a new generation of delays with pristine sound quality. However, the high cost of processing power meant the first digital delays had some limitations and a distinctive character.

The artifacts and subtle compression of early AD/DA converters gave these units a sound that is especially evocative of records from the '80s. Many of those classic units have been meticulously modeled in plugin form.

Best Digital Delay Plugins

• Valhalla Delay

• D16 Sigmund

• Eventide UltraTap

• Soundtoys EchoBoy (digital mode)

Modern Plugin Delays

Today, many delays go beyond modeling vintage hardware. Modern delay plugins are extremely powerful and flexible, capable of producing an infinite variety of creative effects.

With sophisticated modulation, filtering, and pitch shifting options, the creative possibilities are endless. Here are some of the best modern delay plugins:

Best Modern Plugin Delays

• Valhalla Supermassive

• FabFilter Timeless 3

• Native Instruments Replika XT

• Soundtoys PrimalTap

The Best Delay Plugins - 2024 Edition

To sum it up, here are our picks for the top 10 best delay plugins to use in 2024:

1. Soundtoys EchoBoy

2. Valhalla Delay

3. Waves H-Delay

4. FabFilter Timeless 3

5. KORG SDD-3000

6. Eventide UltraTap

7. D16 Sigmund

8. Arturia Delay TAPE-201

9. Valhalla Supermassive

10. Native Instruments Replika XT

Here's a more in-depth look at some of these plugins:

Each of these plugins offers something unique, from vintage emulations to modern creative effects. Soundtoys EchoBoy and Valhalla Delay are excellent all-rounders, while FabFilter Timeless 3 and Native Instruments Replika XT offer deep creative possibilities.

The UAD Galaxy Tape Echo and Waves H-Delay are great for adding character and vibe to your mixes. And the Valhalla Supermassive is fantastic for massive ambient washes and sound design.

While all of these delays are excellent, we want to highlight the Soundtoys EchoBoy as our top pick. Here's why:

EchoBoy is a veritable swiss army knife of delay. It packs an astonishing collection of echo tones inspired by decades of legendary delay devices into a single versatile plugin. At its core are 30 painstakingly modeled echo styles that capture the full gamut of delay tones, from warm analog BBD delays to the unmistakable wow and flutter of tape echoes, to pristine digital delays. Instantly call up the vibe of iconic units like the EchoPlex, Space Echo, Memory Man, DM-2, and more.

But EchoBoy goes beyond mere vintage emulation. Its Style Editor gives you deep control over every facet of the echo's character, from saturation and tape wobble to diffusion and EQ. It's like having a virtual dream rack of the most sought-after delays with the ability to tweak every parameter. EchoBoy also excels at musical, rhythmic delays. Its Groove, Feel and Accent controls let you effortlessly lock your echoes to the track's groove, add shuffle or swing, and emphasize certain repeats for complex, evolving delay patterns. You can also choose between Single, Dual, and Ping-Pong modes for rich stereo spatializing or activate the unique Rhythm mode, which gives you up to 16 independent delay taps to create intricate multi-tap effects. All of this power is packaged in a sleek, intuitive interface that makes it easy to dial in sounds quickly. Yet under the hood, EchoBoy offers immense depth for those who want to craft their ultimate signature delay tone. It's no wonder that EchoBoy has become an indispensable tool for countless top-tier mixers like Tony Maserati, Dave Pensado, and Trent Reznor. Its unparalleled combination of authentic vintage tones, deep creative control, and musical features make it a powerhouse delay that can handle any mixing task with aplomb. If you could only choose one delay plugin, EchoBoy is a top contender. Its expansive sonic palette and feature set make it one of the most versatile delay plugins on the market. Whether you need a classic slap-back echo for rock vocals, evolving rhythmic delays for synths, or abstract spatial effects, EchoBoy delivers with character and finesse. While it's one of the pricier delays at $199, its value is undeniable. With 30 distinct delay styles, each deeply tweakable, it's like getting a whole collection of the best delay units in one package. If you're serious about crafting professional delay effects, EchoBoy is an investment that will pay dividends in your mixes. Understanding the differences between delays and how they fit into a mix will help you reach for the right one at the right time. And with the Soundtoys EchoBoy in your toolkit, you'll be well-equipped for any delay task. Its combination of vintage mojo, precision control, and creative potential make it a top choice among the best delay plugins of 2024.

Understanding the differences between delays and how they fit into a mix will help you reach for the right one at the right time. So make space for one of these awesome delays in your plugin folder and add some new dimensions to your sound!