This patch uses two delay modules, one a clean digital delay that is tap tempo controlled, the other a tape delay that is controlled by rate.

They can be set in series or parallel, with the delays serially feeding each other (delay 1 can be fed into delay 2, or delay 2 can be fed into delay 1), and the series/parallel can be mixed.

The tap tempo-controlled digital delay can also be looped; more on this in a moment.

Then, there is the third delay. Called an “ambiance,” it combines a potentially very long (up to 16s) delay with a reverb lite module. Taking a cue from the EHX 16 Second Delay, it is always listening, and it draws its output from the delays, rather than the input.

Stompswitches:

Left, momentary–tap tempo for the digital delay

Middle, momentary-ish–tapping this SW loops the digital delay. Pressing again it clears the buffer (empties the loop). Pressing it for 3.5s will take the delay out of looping mode. There is an indicator above the delay to show when it is in ‘loop’ mode.

Right, latching–switches on the ambiance’s output (again, it is always listening to the delays). There is an indicator above the ambiance controls to indentify when it is on.

Controls:

Down either side are familiar controls for delay modules: time (except for delay 2, the digitial delay, which utilizes tap tempo), feedback, mod rate and depth, and mix.

At the top of the middle column is a control titled “Series – Para – Series.” At .5, the two delays are parallel to one another. As the control is shifting toward 0 or 1, they begin feeding into one another. As you turn to the right, toward 1, delay 1 is fed into delay 2 (whose controls are on the right). As you turn to the left, toward 0, delay 2 is fed into delay 1 (whose controls are on the left).

Below this are controls for the ambiance.

At the top is an “Ambiance Mix” control. It determines how “present” the ambiance is in the mix. At 0, when the ambiance is engaged, it will be unheard. At 100%, only the ambiance will be heard.

Below this is a control for “Ambiance amount.” Or maybe I called it length? It’s a macro control that governs the reverb mix and the length of the delay line. At 0, the reverb is mixed to 100%, and the delay line is relatively short (~2 s). As the control is increased, the delay gets longer, and the reverb mix decreases. At its maximum, the delay is 16 seconds, and the reverb mix is 20%.

Beneath this is a control for the feedback of the ambiance’s delay lines. At 1, it will loop its input, which can lead to oscillation at when the delay is short. At 16 seconds, it might also eventually lead to oscillation, but it will take its time getting there. Still, at ~.95, it will seem to loop for some time.

Sound clip:

0:00-0:50–At the beginning, the delays are in parallel. Then I begin feeding delay 1 into delay 2. And then… delay 2 into delay 1.
0:50-4:04–Ambiance is on. I begin with the “ambiance amount” near 0, so that it is mostly a wash of reverb. Then, I increase the amount, increasing the length of the delay and decreasing the reverb mix. After that, I demonstrate the digital delay’s looping characteristics.

Then, I turn it the ambiance off. We’ll come back later and see how it’s doing.

After that, I change the tap temp of the digital delay while it’s still looping, which has an… interesting effect. Finally I turn it off.

Oh, look, out ambiance control is back. And it’s still chewing over what we left it with, because it’s always listening.