Digital Delays – A Basic Overview
A Digital Delay samples input signals through Analog to Digital converters, and is recorded to a digital storage buffer (temporary storage medium) – and then is played back according to the settings that are set by the user. When mixed with live or recorded music, instruments, or vocals the delay creates an “echo” type effect.
Although Digital Delays are mainly used for Vocals (Live and Studio related), Guitarists commonly use digital delay effects to enhance their overall sound and tone.
Here is an example of a Digital Delay being used with a Guitar – Sample Audio
Tech Notes Regarding Time Delayed Speaker Systems
You will eventually come across “Delayed” speaker systems in larger rooms or Theaters. Here is a quick Example: There are “Main” speakers at the stage area, and more speakers further out in the “house” area. If these “House” speakers are over 50-60 feet away – the listeners at these speakers will hear an “Echo” effect (which is from a delay between the Main and House speakers). Adding a Delay on the House speakers, and setting it up with a 50-60 millisecond delay (since the speakers are 50-60 feet away) will allow the audio from the Main speakers to hit the ears of the listeners at the House speakers at the same time.
