Analog Man AR20DL Analog Delay

Very easy to use. 3 knobs. Delay speed, number of repeats, and volume. I bought mine used (they are not currently in production so I had no choice), and it did not come with a manual, but I wouldn't need one. I got mine for cheap because the previous owner had problems with the switch not always working. I emailed Mike at Analogman and he suggested I replace the small .01uf ceramic disc capacitor marked "103" near the switch wires. I did this and the pedal works perfectly.

I use this delay with an Epiphone '56 Gold Top LP with P90's and a 1965 Ampeg Gemini 1. It sounds great! It's the most transparent delay I've ever heard. Doesn't change/color your signal and doesn't muddy things up at all. This is the 300ms version (there is also a 600ms version called the XL) and there is more than enough delay time for my uses. If you turn the number of repeats knob all the way down, it gives you just one slapback echo. If you turn that same knob up past 12 noon, it starts to self-oscillate in the very best way possible. I've used other delays that self-oscillate and they tend to get out of control real fast- the volume goes up and your amp sounds like it's going to explode. This AR20DL does not do that. It's very control-able and pleasant. Plenty of volume on tap. I can't thin kof anything I would change about it. Perfect analog delay in my book.

I took a point off here because the switch wasn't working all the time when I got it. But I got it used and it appears to have been gigged with often so who knows what kind of abuse it has taken. But I emailed Mike at Analog and he answered me very quickly. I told him I am handy with a soldering iron and he told me just what to do to fix it. Very easy fix and now it works perfectly. When I had it open, I checked everything out inside and it looks like a well-made pedal. Nice little Analogman stamp and signature inside.

As I've said- Mike was VERY helpful. Great customer service.

I play rock music- bluesrock, dronerock, psychedelic rock, classic rock, hillbilly rock, etc. This analog delay is perfect for my uses. I wouldn't use a battery with it- but that goes for all delay pedals. they need an AC adapter unless you plan on replacing batteries often. This delay is replacing an Ibanez DE7 that I had. The Ibanez is good, but this Analogman is better- hands down. Plus I got one hell of a deal on it. If I had paid full price, I might rate the value slightly lower but not by much.

No brainer. This is a very easy pedal to setup and use. Three knobs. Set the level knob once and then never need to change it so two knobs; one for delay and other for repeat rate.

Great sounding analog pedal, but... I can duplicate the sounds on my TF digital delay pedal. Now wondering if I will keep this one. Not noisy at all. Usually set at mid point for delay level and repeat level.

It's an analogman unit. What more needs to be said?

Mike is a nice guy. I am sure he will stand by this pedal if I need service or have concerns.

My original plan was to get an analog delay and digital delay pedal for their variation in sound. The analog for a warm, shorter delay sound and the digital for longer pristine delays, reverse delay and other delay types. I am thoroughly impressed with this pedal and the digital pedal I bought. While I've found that I can get the same delay sounds from my digital delay I plan to this pedal because it offers great sound. Its price is very reasonable. It's very easy to use and adjust. I am sure the reliability is there. Mike is a nice guy and I am sure I can count on his customer support if needed.

Like most stomp delays - you have simply Delay Time, Repeat, Delay Level.
Using them you have lot's of possibilities in resulting sound. Nothing more is needed.

First of all - I have XL version, I haven't 300ms in my hands. Having more time is very usefull, and 600ms is great range, more than Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man (I have original , dated around 1982). Here is first thing. I have noticed - hudge difference comparing it to EH DMM. I coudn't get clear long delays on DMM - they got easly distorted. Not nice oscillation and quite dull itself (I modded it to true by pass, otherwise it killed my tone). Ive tried with inside trim pots... Brigade buckets chips in EH DMM from early 80' dissapointed me at that time. Now history is changing for me once I got this beauty. AR20DL XL is just outstanding. Finally I got pure small analog delay that can run almost like my Maestro Echoplex EP-3 or even better in some other areas! First what came to my mind and inspired me to play was Jimi's All Along Watch Tower (solos). Very strong, warm, clear, long clean repeats. Analog delay that has that vintage tape sounds ! What is more, it gets fantastic oscillation, the only i can compare is Echoplex. Fantastic!! Good for Tommy Bolin stuff!

My basic setup is Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop '69 -> Roger Mayer Classic Fuzz -> Roger Mayer Band Of Gypsys Wah -> Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz -> Roger Mayer Octavia -> AnalogMan TS808 Silver Mod -> Roger Mayer Univibe -> Analogman Beano Boost -> RC Booster -> Analogman AR20DL XL -> Maestro Echoplex EP3 -> Marshall Plexi (All Tube) / Vox AD50VT (good Plexi and other amplifiers modelling combo).

I have tried lot's of other boxes in my life. I will add Analogman BC108c soon to my rig. I was searching long time for good silicon fuzz. The only option could be Roger Mayer Stone Fuzz. But for that classic Hendrix/Old Pink Floyd sound Analogman (for me) is much better.

What I can say more. Not noisy at all. Warmth and warmth - the only delay beside Echoplex I felt in love :)

But remeber - always other equipment takes part in your sound - it can ehnance your sound or it can destroy. Be careful and check all things you have connected together.

The most important things in equipment is guitar and amp. Of course soul, feeling and hands - just you - this is music. Then you can go further and add some boxes.

What I feel after some time, Analogman went even further that Roger Mayer in his products. Lucky we that there are few guys making good such stuff in our world.

P.S. contact me if you want discuss or talk about music guitars and so on: jaceknovak@wp.pl
I can have some boxes for sale (Now I am gonna to sell old - early 80's, true by passed in original box EH Deluxe Memory Man and Boss SE-70 (Henderson Scott has nice delays from it, but I preffer analog delays).

Well, on the pictures looked, well hard to say what to think at first look. Not european or US (talking about looking) design indeed. But once you have it in your hand. It is very nice. I was very surprised. Sturdy, all metal (I guess this is aluminium) small pedal with untypical, nice knobs. Electronics inside are modded by Mike - the best quality. I guess it will live longer than me (I am 32 ;) ). Much better and smaller box that Roger's boxes. I love that. I have some other Analoman effects and no problems at all. Top notch!!!

Great! Drop him a mail - and you are directly in touch with Mike!

I play mostly old rock stuff like Jimi Hedrix (lots of), Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Tommy Bolin (learning from him how to use delays). SRV as well (yes, Analogman TS808 Silver for that). Some standards (Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis). Listen to almost everything including jazz, funk (i am funky head as well). Less classical music but respect it very much. Playing 17 years (with some breaks or less intense like during studies).
Finally I found my delay pedal (together with Maesto Echoplex, but it is quite clumsy and hudge tape box that needs lots of maintenance!)

Thank you Mike and Ohbayashi-san! Good there are such people in the world! You make me happy!

Very easy. Repeats knob has a nice response to it. Easy to get it to self-oscillate, but it keeps a good sound.

If you like the sound of analog delay, this is a great one. Can be used to add beautiful dark space to your sound, or for great slap-back.
I use a tele with a mesa rectifier combo.

The switch , jacks and pots are good quality. I can't see there being any problems.

Fast response to emails, which is nice.

I play a spacey type of rock music, and as simple as this pedal is, I've found it to be quite versatile. I used to use a line6 dl4, but I found the sound of the analog delay model on that pedal to be a little muddy. I prefer the simplicity and the sound of the analog man.

3 knobs, very easy.

Ah yes, analog. Warm, cool tone.
Great for a basic slap to a space delay, very nice indeed!
This has a permanent spot in my gear, I love the tone.

Mikes stuff is always bullet proof, I have no worries.

It's AnalogMan, he only does things one way, always professional and generaous!

AAA+++ Built like a tank, cool Japanese Characters on it. Oh yea, and it sounds killer.

I use it with a vintage super for various styles, mostly a short to med slap. But at times I play it through a Clark Beaufort, for either a rockabilly slap or a longer delay for a sort of Eric Johnson style. It's very versatile.

I replaced a Boss DD6 with this, the DD^ was nice, but I like the warmth of the analog much better.

Pretty straight forward, 3 knobs time repeat level and regen

To be honest I'm not super impressed, i don't understand how people can say it doesn't mess with their original tone...it does, when the pedal is engaged it brings up the lows a BUNCH. It actually sounds nice...and gives it warmth BUT it messes with the original tone so i have to score it lower. The repeats are nice, better than a lot of 300msec delays out there. But watch out, there isn't much headroom on this thing so it'll distort easily. People have been talking this pedal up lately so i bought one...eh...there's way better delays out there

In my research, i found a few people having trouble with theirs...Keep in mind it's not REALLY an "Analogman" delay it's an Analogman MODDED Tiwan delay. I've only had mine for a couple of days...it's holding up just fine...we'll see

mine will be up for sale soon...the delay search continues.

Very easy to use - controls for delay time, delay level and regeneration.

I was looking for a delay that doesn't mess with the original sound of my guitar and sounds the same whether on or off. I had previously tried the Maxon AD9 modified by Analogman and didn't care for it as there was a volume change when turning it on. The Analogman AR20DL gives a seamless transition with no change in volume or the original note.

I use it for a pretty subtle effect to fill out my sound. I have the delay level set pretty low (a little below 9 o'clock), the timing set to a relatively low slapback (around 1-2 o'clock) and the regeneration set to just two repeats with the second one being pretty low.

My setup is:

Foxrox Captain Coconut 2 -> Analogman King of Tone - > delay ->
Mesa Stiletto Deuce with a Mesa 2x12 cab

Guitars are Fender Strats, Gibson LP Custom and Fender Telecaster.

The housing is much like an Ibanez or Boss pedal and those hold up pretty well so I would expect the delay to be pretty sturdy. Time will tell but I've never had a problem with any of my other Analogman pedals.

Mike Piera is always friendly and easy to deal with.

This is one of the few pedals that has found a permanent place in my setup and I would replace it in an instant. You can spend a lot more on an analog delay with possibly more features, but if you're looking for basic echo, this one is a real champ.

Other stuff from the questionnaire...

I play rock and roll.

Been playing for around 25 years.

Love the pedal's sound and simplicity.

The delay is very easy to use. There are three knobs, delay time, repeat (feeback), and delay level... It runs off a standard boss style 9V dc jack, or a 9V battery. The pedal is easy to switch on/off, although i find myself wanting to just leave it on :)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I tried out this delay, but I know mike's other stuff is great. The sound of this delay floored me, i knew right away this one was a keeper. The delay'd repeats are voiced so perfectly they thicken the sound while staying articulate and clear. The original sound is perfect to my ear, no change to the tone with it inline. The repeats are clear and distinct yet sooo smooth they dont get in the way... i'm amazed...

It's a new pedal, but the construction seems sturdy, and the jacks and knobs feel solid. I don't have any hesitation about gigging with it, although i may want a backup since who knows how long these will be available to buy!

Mike has been great every time i've ever dealt with him. I have no doubt he will stand by his products every time. He is a stand up guy with a real talent for creating toneful tools!

Three knobs, basic delay(about 300mS).

You could plug your toaster, cat, even a guitar into this thing and it would sound great. Warm and smooth. I love what ever comes out of this pedal. This is a better sounding delay than the Boss DM2/3 and at what half? a third of the cost?

It is built by Analog Mike and his gang I don't expect problems.

I sent him tons of emails about this and other pedals with prompt responses.

If you want a basic(short) analog delay look no further. Not only does it sound the best but it is a steal at $150.

piece of pie to use. mix, repeat, delay time. pretty straightforward

Very disappointed with the sound of this pedal. When using the longest delay time i was getting additional random rogue notes almost like an synthisized octaver coming out when i hit a string. I'm no expert but i think the delay time has been set too long for the chip. I have an Electra analog delay with a 3005 chip and i was a/b ing them using a switch selector. whilst the output is hotter and the tone is cleaner (including the repeats) on the ar20dl, the electra has smoother darker delays and no rogue note. inside my electra pedal there are 3 trimpots which i've tuned over the years (had it 15 years), i maxed the repeat trimpot so I can contro l the self oscillation from the outsode. When setting the delay time trimpot if you go too far on the long side than the repeats sound like a synthesizer straight off the bat. you have to turn it down so that you don't get this weird sound occurring. Also as you turn down the delay knob on the ar20dl, the rogue note disappears but by the time i got rid of it, the delay time was shorter than my electra so it was a bit pointless.
I tried it through 3 different tube amps and DI'd it to make sure it wasn't a property of the amps or mic's i was using. I used monster pro 500 guitar cables (2 x 6' runs), no other effects in the chain and the amps were set for super clean sound.

looks very solid

Well before he shouts at me, i'm sure i could've gone back to him and complained, shipped the pedal back and had it worked on, but i don't have time. so i just went back to using my Electra and sold the delay for what i paid (karma).

well before people hit me. i have both a comprosser which i love and a dod 250 with mojo mod from analogman which i also love. that i guess is why i was so disappointd with this pedal. i was expecting long smooth delays and i didn't get them. i recommend you try it first or talk to mike about changing the settings.