Best delay plugins: Give your tracks some depth

Delay effects are one of the best ways to add depth and dimension to tracks. Along with reverb plugins, you can give your productions the perfect amount of space. The best delay plugins for your library vary based on your needs.

Are you looking for a clean, modern delay or something vintage and darker? Do you want something simple or a large control set?

They can be complex to dial in depending on how many controls and parameters they offer. But no matter what your needs are, the perfect delay plugin is out there.

Best delay plugin overall: FabFilter Timeless 3

Modern delay plugins don’t get anymore versatile than this. Looking for clean? Done. Need something vintage with some dirt on it? You got it. It can do everything from simple echo to full blown modulation effects.

The signal gets routed through six filters and five effects, the routes back to the input so you can adjust the feedback. The modulation has a few different parameters like the wow and flutter of analog tape and dynamic diffusion.

FabFilter plugins are known for their extensive control parameters, and the GUI of Timeless 3 can be a little daunting at first. Especially if you’re in the beginning stages of your audio journey.

But considering how wide-ranging the sounds in Timeless 3 are, it’s hands down one of the best delay plugins.

Best tape delay plugin: Universal Audio Galaxy Tape Echo

The Roland Space Echo is an effect that managed to obtain legendary status. It’s been reimagined, shoved into a tiny guitar pedal, and cloned many times before. And if you’re looking for a delay plugin that recreates its unique sound, Universal Audio has you covered.

What makes this circuit unique is that it’s a tape delay and spring reverb that can go from warm echoes to all out chaos. The control set it unique considering it’s a delay and reverb combined. There are multiple parameters to adjust each effect as well as onboard EQ.

It only works with Apollo audio interfaces and UAD-2 hardware, which obviously won’t work for everyone. But if you happen to be using Universal Audio gear, you already know why their plugins are worth purchasing.

Easiest to use delay plugin: Waves Audio H-Delay

If you need a delay plugin that’s simple to use, H-Delay is one of your best options.

Two large knobs control delay time and feedback, and there are high and low-pass filters. You can dial in the dry/wet blend, modulation, and choose between four analog colors as well.

You can sync the repeats to the session tempo or a specific BPM. Each side of the stereo field can be disabled if you only want to delay one side. Visually the GUI is somewhere between modern and vintage, but it’s all about how it sounds.

It’s really affordable, but don’t think that means it sounds cheap. Waves Audio creates some of the best plugins in the world and H-Delay is no different.

Best vintage-sounding delay plugin: Soundtoys EchoBoy

Soundtoys took the best of multiple delay and echo units when designing EchoBoy. They analyzed the Roland Space Echo, BOSS DM-2 pedal, EHX Memory Man, even an “oil can” delay and EchoPlex!

All of these put together give you a warm, analog-sounding effect with modern day versatility. They even analyzed the holiest of grails when it comes to chorus pedals – the BOSS CE-1. They even have some tape emulation built in. 

That said, the GUI might take some getting used to. But with 30 different types of echo, tape emulation, saturation, modulation, and the great starting presets are the reason you’ll hear it on professional mixes everywhere.

Best dynamic delay plugin: Initial Audio Dynamic Delay

Dynamic delay is one of the newest types of the effect, and it can do some crazy awesome things to audio signals. Through an internal sidechain it ducks the loudness of the delay repeats based on how you have the settings configured.

Producers have been using this mixing hack for years, but it’s a little complicated to set up. Dynamic Delay speeds up your workflow and adds flexibility to the technique.

Onboard effects like distortion, reverb, EQ, and pitch shifting works on the delayed signal to add additional processing options. This not only provides convenience but saves precious processing power on your system.

If you’re looking to add a new type of delay to your plugin library this is an easy to use, affordable choice. The GUI is slick, it doesn’t take up many system resources, and it’s as dynamic as time-based effects get.

Most affordable delay plugin: Valhalla Delay

This plugin is modeled on a variety of delay types like BBD, tape echo, and 80s digital delays. 15 modes let you find the perfect feel, and you have five delay styles to choose from. Ghost mode adds pitch shifting 

The GUI is arranged in vertical rows, so even though it has a good amount of controls it’s easy to dial things in quickly. If you need affordable plugins and need a delay with a good amount of sounds and controls, this is it.

At just $50, there is a lot of value in this delay from Valhalla.

Most unique delay plugin: Eventide H3000 Band Delays

If you’re looking for something left of the normal, this is one of the best delay plugins.

It works by separating the source signal by frequency bands. You then set the filtering, and the plugin delays the chosen bands. The eight voices can all be changed by resonance, frequency, filtering, volume and panning.

Since this plugin is a dynamic delay, Eventide offers multiple ways to adjust how it reacts and behaves to the signal. A Function Generator lets you adjust different parameters and adjust how everything “moves”. If you prefer to work more visually, there is a beat grid that lets you really get your hands dirty.

A unique MixLock feature maintains the wet/dry balance while you scroll through presets and adjust settings so you can A/B properly. You can even route the filters through a MIDI keyboard and play the effect in real time.

Most creative digital delay plugin: Solid State Logic Software X-Delay

Delays are by nature a creative effect – some more than others. Few do it better than the X-Delay.

You can create novel sounds by pushing the feedback knob past 100%, and combine static delay taps with a ping pong effect to create movement that few other delays offer. It syncs to your DAW session tempo or you can tap in the tempo in real time during playback.

Freeze and Kill builds risers and drops perfect for electronic music styles like EDM. A Global Multiplier control lets you double the delay times or cut them in half.

There are built-in effects too like Diffusion with reverb, a de-esser, filtering, modulation, and SSL saturation. You’ll likely be spending a lot of time in the plugin, so SSL made sure the GUI inspired by classic hardware units from the 80s is easy to work with as well as look at.

What to look for in a delay plugin

Delay types and modes

Different delay plugins come with delay types, each with unique characteristics. Tape or analog-style delays emulate vintage hardware that add warmth, subtle distortion, and natural echo degradation.

Digital delays provide clean, precise repeats that makes them ideal for modern sounds. Some plugins are a hybrid, so it’s important to consider what types of delays you’ll need so you can choose the best one for you.

User interface and workflow

Well designed delay plugins should be intuitive and easy to use, even if they offer deep customization. A clean GUI with clear visual feedback like waveforms or delay time indicators makes fine-tuning the effect more intuitive.

Presets and randomization features are also helpful for quickly exploring different sounds or finding creative inspiration. Whether you prefer simple one-knob delays or fully customizable options, if you choose a plugin that suits your style it improves efficiency in music production.

Creative and experimental features

Modern delay plugins often include features that go beyond just echo effects. Ducking delay automatically lowers the delay volume when the dry signal is playing, ensuring clarity without overwhelming the mix.

Freeze or hold functions capture and sustain a delay tail indefinitely, which is great for creating atmospheric pads or drones. Some plugins also offer reverse, granular, or pitch-shifting delays that provide unique textures and sound design possibilities.

FAQ

What is a tape delay plugin?

This kind of plugin is designed to emulate the sounds of using an analog tape machine to delay the signal. Doing this in the analog world was a gamble on whether it would fit into the groove and tempo of the track. But tape delay plugins give you vintage sounds with modern options.

Which is the best delay plugin?

We went with the FabFilter Timeless 3 as our choice for the best delay plugin. It’s got a great amount of presets, intuitive controls, and great metering and visualization within the interface.

How does a delay plugin work?

In the simplest terms, a delay creates a copy of the signal and plays it back at the set delay time. It gets mixed with the original signal and creates the sound.

Is delay just reverb?

Delay and reverb are both time-based effects. While similar, they are not the same type of effect. Delay repeats a signal and reverb is designed to approximate acoustic spaces.

It’s not uncommon to find plugins and other types of processors that offer both types of sounds though.