Delay effects come in all shapes and sizes, from vintage-style tape delays to innovative effects with multi-node echoes. We tested and picked the best free delay VST plugins to help you find the perfect echo for your song.
Likewise, delay plugins are indispensable sound design tools. You can use a delay plugin like Valhalla Super Massive to create cinematic soundscapes and other types of monumental sounds that will dominate the sound stage.
Super Massive by Valhalla DSP is a freeware delay VST plugin that will make any piece of audio sound larger than life. The plugin delivers fourteen monumentally large delay algorithms with wildly different tonal characteristics.
Like many other sound designers, I use Super Massive as the main delay/echo plugin for cinematic sounds. It is one of the most important tools in my sound design toolkit, capable of turning boring sounds into never-ending soundscapes.
NastyDLA mkII by Variety of Sound is the updated version of an old classic. The developer recently released 64-bit versions of their legendary freeware plugins, and this lovely delay effect is now compatible with modern DAW software.
NastyDLA mkII produces a more convincing analog tape delay effect than the original. The interface offers a wide range of parameters to control the delay, making it more versatile than most other free delay VST plugins.
I still use Nasty DLA mkII on vocals. The built-in ducking is essential for allowing the vocals to cut through the echo. Also, the Aged mode adds a nice vintage vibe that sounds great on more aggressive vocals.
HY-Delay 4 Free by HY Plugins is a free delay plugin based on the full version of HY-Delay 4. It features independent left and right delay time adjustment, an onboard ducker, and a ping-pong stereo delay.
Hysteresis by Glitchmachines is a delay plugin for modern sound design. The plugin features a unique stutter effect and various standard delay settings such as delay time, filter, and modulation.
CHOW Matrix by ChowDSP is a node-based delay plugin. Its internal processing chain is freely scalable, letting you build anything from simple delay effects to complex multi-node echo setups.
VariSpeed by GSi is a delay plugin designed to mimic the WEM Copicat IC-400 Belt Drive VariSpeed hardware delay as closely as possible. It has the same controls and a hardware-inspired GUI.
If you need a vintage-style analog tape delay plugin, VariSpeed is one of the more unique free options available. It captures the sound of its hardware counterpart while bringing a slice of that tape delay magic to your DAW.
Spaceship Delay by Musical Entropy is a versatile delay plugin with six main control parameters, each with several sub-controls. The plugin gives plenty of fine-tuning options to the user, but the interface does look a bit dated.
TapeDelay by Airwindows is a peculiar delay plugin intended as a Christmas gift from Airwindows to its fans. It became somewhat of a cult classic (as most Airwindows plugins do) due to its excellent sound quality and simple controls.
This is a bare-bones plugin with a simple slider interface that yields interesting results due to its unique code and architecture. It does maintain an old-school analog delay vibe. TapeDelay has simple controls with six parameters that can make fun swerving delays.
HZ Delay combines delay, reverb, chorus, filtering, and saturation effects, offering a powerful sound design combo. It features three echo stages with different control parameters, allowing for complex delays with multiple delay lines.
Thank you for choosing to integrate with ETC's Unison Echo architectural lighting control system. Please click here to learn more about Echo's product offerings. Please contact aesu...@etcconnect.com with any technical questions you may have regarding this Q-SYS plugin package.
The Q-SYS plugin package consists of five *.qplugx files and an example Q-SYS Designer file. The modular design of the plugins allow you to have virtually unlimited scaling ability for your project design. Directly control Echo presets, zones, channels, spaces and sequences. Each control plugin has the capacity to control up to 16 Echo objects with the exception of channels which has an 80 object limit. If you need more controls of a specific type simply drag in another control plugin instance into your schematic.
Once the plugins are properly installed drag in an instance of the I/O Handler plugin into your schematic. There must be at least one I/O Handler present within your schematic as this plugin is responsible for UDP/IP communication to/from the other three control object plugins and Echo. Next, drag in the desired control plugins into your schematic. Feel free to drag in multiple control plugin instances of the same type. The control plugins will automatically connect to the I/O Handler that have the same Plugin Group ID assigned...more on this below.
Configuration of elements within the plugin UI can be done in runtime by either entering emulation mode (F6) or loading the design to the core (F5). Plugin properties that can be found within Designer located near the top right of the window can only be configured in designtime (e.g. not in emulation mode or connected to the core).
The Pulsar Echorec plugin gives you a faithful emulation of this legendary echo unit; furthermore, many workflow improvements have been added to the original, such as the ability to change the motor speed (and so the delay time) in real time or to sync it to any tempo, including a tapped tempo.
These additions and the signature sound of the Binson Echorec 2 make this echo a must-have tool for any mixer who wants to add the subtle analog life, which is sorely lacking in digital delay plugins.
Delay effects are the cornerstone of so much modern music. Combining a simple delay with a filter to control the band of each echo can yield rewarding results and soundscapes with ... Developer : Stagecraft Software Type : Plugin OS : Win 32Bit, Win 64Bit, Mac 64Bit Format : VST, VST3 Tags : Delay, Filter Kilohearts - Delay While large echoing cavernous chambers seldom are the first pick for a good acoustic space, Delay effects have been ubiquitous in sound processing for a long time.
The kHs ... Developer : Kilohearts Type : Plugin OS : Win 32Bit, Win 64Bit, Mac 64Bit Format : VST, VST3, AU, AAX Tags : Delay, Synth, Host Wave Arts - Convology XT Convology XT is a free convolution reverb, the result of a collaboration between Impulse Record and Wave Arts. Convology XT comes with 70 vintage impulse responses, a sampling of ... Developer : Wave Arts Type : Plugin OS : Win 32Bit, Win 64Bit, Mac 64Bit Format : VST, VST3, AU, AAX Tags : EQ, Reverb, Convolution Reverb, Modulation, Reverse GSI - VariSpeed GSi VariSpeed is a new plugin that GSi offers free of charge to everybody. It's a simulation of the WEM Copicat IC-400 Belt Drive VariSpeed model, the first tape echo machine made ... Developer : GSI Type : Plugin OS : Win 32Bit, Win 64Bit, Mac 64Bit Format : VST, VST3, AU Tags : Delay, Drive Max Project - TRex Proyecto Return T.Rex 64 - Proyecto Return is a rompler with the sounds of the legendary Commodore 64C with the SID 8580 sound chip.
Eleven algorithms allow you to get through-zero flanging, barberpole flanging, detuning, doubling, strange echoes, reverbs, ... Developer : Vallhalla Type : Plugin OS : Win 32Bit, Win 64Bit, Mac 64Bit Format : VST Tags : Flanger, Modulator, Reverb Nusofting - Sinnah "Sinnah the sinner, is its sin to be free, or is its sin to sound so lush?"
Meanwhile, with my reference monitors off, a totally empty project with nothing but the performer track and talkback mic, and listening on my headphones, I am getting significant latency that is mimicking an echo. How do I eliminate that?
Echoboy by Soundtoys is arguably the most capable delay plugin on this list. With Echoboy, not only do you get a great sounding delay plugin with plenty of control over various settings, but Soundtoys has done a great job, including 30 built-in styles modeled on real, vintage gear.
ECHOSON by Overloud is my favorite plugin in this category. Based on the legendary Binson Echorec, ECHOSON recreates the sound of a magnetic drum delay, which offers a unique sound compared to more common tape-based delays. The sound of the Binson Echorec was made prominent by Pink Floyd in the 70s. Once you learn the nuances of ECHOSON, you can get some very interesting and unique sounds. Highly recommend!
If you already have UAD hardware that can run UAD plugins, the AKG BX 20 is quite possibly my favorite reverb. It is an authentic recreation of the famed 1960s spring reverb unit from AKG and it does not disappoint. It is incredibly lush, dark, and dense in a way that only spring reverbs are.
I have thought about just putting an echo in the events already, but this is about having all SFX that appear in the SFX bus to receive some echo, and that echo being spacialized in the game, not just a stereo effect.
I gave this example as a simple explanation. To elaborate further, in the game I am working on, there are a lot of very open mouthed like caves, and the echoes would emit from the back face of the cave, not all encompasing the player, so I want the echoes to keep emiting from a spacialised position in the open mouthed cave like the back wall, not all around the players head which is what the stereo echo does.
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