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Erica Synths Zen Delay Delay Effects Unit with Tube Overdrive

Delay Effects Processor, with Stereo Signal Path, Tap Tempo, 5 Delay Modes, Multimode 24dB Filter, and Analog Tube Drive Circuit
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Item ID: ZenDelay
Erica Synths Zen Delay Delay Effects Unit with Tube Overdrive
Price:$649 and 00 cents
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Erica Synths Zen Delay Delay Effects Unit with Tube Overdrive
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Price:$649 and 00 cents
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Your Custom Dub Delay Effects Unit

Designed with the English independent record label Ninja Tune, the Erica Synths Zen Delay is designed to excel at one thing — creating the richest, dubbiest delay lines you've ever heard from a single unit. Combining a tempo-synced stereo delay line with a multimode 24dB synth filter, plus a tube circuit for analog overdrive, the Zen Delay is optimized to be used as a send/return effect from your console or DJ mixer. Complete with an extreme feedback range for endless dub echoes, and large, high-quality knobs that encourage hands-on interaction, the Erica Synths Zen Delay effects module is all you need to turn any track into a dub mix.

Legit dub effects without sacrificing mixer channels

Using the Zen Delay as a send/return effect from your mixer is fast and efficient, compared to the traditional method of creating dub-style delay lines. If you're not familiar with the technique, you would normally send signals from your mixer via aux output to a delay unit, and return that delay's output to a channel on your mixer. By returning to a channel instead of the aux return, you can then send the delay line back into itself to create extreme feedback (while also manipulating the channel's EQ and gain for creative effect). The Zen Delay packs an extreme feedback range, a gloriously rich multimode filter for tone shaping, and an analog tube drive circuit for harmonic enrichment, giving you all the tools you need for dub echoes without complex routing schemes.

Ample hands-on control

Dub delays are all about sonic manipulation — swelling up the intensity by turning up the feedback, tweaking EQs and filters to create timbral interest, changing the delay time for pitch effects, and so on. Sound designers at Sweetwater are pleased to report the Zen Delay effects unit is packed with high-quality knobs for hands-on control, including a tap tempo button for syncing your effects. You can even switch delay modes and filter modes at the flick of a knob, and once you've played with the Zen Delay for a bit, you'll probably be making tweaks without even looking at it.

MIDI and CV input for external control

The Zen Drive is perfect for hardware-based electronic music production rigs, and it's ready to integrate with other gear via MIDI and CV. Hook up a MIDI connection from your sequencer and sync tempos.

Erica Synths Zen Delay Effects Unit Features:

  • Dub-echo effects unit with stereo delay, analog tube drive circuit, and 24dB multimode filter
  • Designed in collaboration with English independent record label Ninja Tune
  • Comprehensive hands-on control with high-quality knobs for input level, delay time, feedback, delay mode, dry/wet blend, filter cutoff, resonance, filter mode, analog drive amount
  • Tap tempo button makes it easy to sync delays with your mix as you perform
  • Analog tube drive circuit adds vibrant harmonic richness all the way up to full distortion
  • Huge delay time range (1ms-5,000ms), with 1/8 to 8x clock division, for up to 50 seconds of delay
  • Offers a full dub-delay workstation without complex mixer routing schemes
  • Full stereo signal path
  • MIDI and CV inputs for external control from other hardware, your DAW, Eurorack modular synthesizers, and other devices
  • Five delay modes include tape, tape pingpong, digital pingpong, digital, and crossover
  • Delay Off mode allows you to use the filter and tube drive for processing signals without the delay

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Tech Specs

  • Processor Type: Delay, Tube Overdrive, Filter
  • Number of Channels: Stereo
  • Analog Inputs: 2 x 1/4"
  • Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4"
  • Other I/O: 1 x 1/4" (CV in)
  • MIDI I/O: In
  • Power Source: 12V DC power supply (included)
  • Height: 1.96"
  • Width: 8.26"
  • Depth: 5.9"
  • Weight: 1.91 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Zen Delay

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Reviews

Transform any sound into something different and amazing!
Some of the sounds in my ASM Hydrasynth were just too thin for what I wanted to achieve. Then I watched a few YouTube videos of the Zen Delay in action, and was very impressed. After ordering, and receiving it promptly from Sweetwater Sound, I hooked it up in-line with my Hydrasynth, and was amazed at the transformation. Thin sound became warm, and thick, and has transformed many unusable patches, into very unique custom sounds, that sonically blow my mind.
Highly recommended!
Music background: Music/Soundscape Composer - Musician
I was not expecting this….
This is the best decision I've ever made. The fact that I can turn the delay off and use this strictly as a color box makes it permanently useful in my workflow.

So let's start with the delay. Both the tape and digital delay modes are great. The image is nice and wide on the ping pong. Shifting the delay speed on tape sounds nice and natural, unlike some other pedals that sound too digital and grainy when pitching up or down. The vintage delay mode is kinda lame. If they had just toned it down a bit and made it less harmonically busy it would've been fine. I'm not gonna be in many situations to use this mode.

But let's be honest. Good delay pedals are easy to find. A free delay plugin gives you more features and control than the delay section of this unit. You're not buying this just for the delay section. You're buying it for the filter and drive. This unit sounds so good that I've been running everything through it to see what I could get out of it.

Synths, basses, pads, vocals, keys, etc…. It all sounds great. That digital high end harshness you get out of working in-the-box can easily be tamed with this unit. The high end gets rounded off very nicely and everything warms up without losing too much of that crispness. BUT, this unit does not handle transients very well. If you have some chiller lo-fi hip hop style drums that need a bit of sanding, then this actually sounds very nice. But if you have very precise transients that need to cut through, do not use this. It will round them off.

The filter section is also very nice. I absolutely love the fact that the resonance knob doesn't kill my low end. Filter sweeps very nicely. All 3 filter modes sound great. I just wish they put a CV in so I could modulate the cutoff. It's such a wasted opportunity. That would've been insanely cool.

The drive section is really really nice. It's applied to both the dry and wet signals, and I wished they could've let me switch it on or off on the dry signal, but other than that, it's a great tube drive! And everything coming together into that drive section makes for an extremely versatile and useful experience.

All in all, this is 100% worth the tube tax price tag. It's definitely got me inspired to get more work done. If you're on the fence, just jump off and buy this thing. You won't be disappointed. It just sounds great.
Music background: Pro Artist/Engineer
Performance Delay
The Zen Delay works very well in my studio providing classic tape and digital delays. The features that make it stand out are its beautiful analog filter and overdrive. They sound great and the knobs provide a performance oriented interface. You are drawn to manipulate the filter, drive, feedback and time to create those warped sonic artifacts that we all crave. Build quality is top notch.
Music background: Composer, Electronic music
The Dub Delay King Of Pedals
Awesome mind-blowing dub delay pedal that is ideal for reggae dub, ambient music, electronica, and probably any genre if you try. First of all, this delay pedal is fun to play. It has simple controls and is hands-on. Although Chase Bliss Audio pedals are awesome, like the Mood, this pedal has a sweet spot from the moment you turn it on. No need to waste time trying to find that magic parameter. The tape delay is groovy, the digital ping pong is nuts, and the drive is like a jet engine. You can lower all the settings and use the drive and line in to add some heft to a mix. I sold a Hologram Microcosm to buy this if that tells you anything. The Ninja Tune Zen Delay is a wicked instrument in its own right for live sets or studio work. Its a bit on the pricey side but well worth the investment. Highly recommended!!!
Chills....
Not even a day into playing with this and I don't think I've ever experienced anything like it. Played through a MOOG Grandmother & Guitar staked w/ Analog Delay. It's on another level - self oscillation takes you through a wormhole that you don't want to come out of. I can't stop smiling and the hairs on my arm are permanently erect... WOW. You have to see it for yourself. Just buy it.