DeltaLab Effectron II ADM 1024

it's knobs and switches, couldn't be simpler.

i used this in the aux loop of my mixer. I do electronic music (drone) and i used this mainly to process vocals. In this application the device is really great for 2 reasons: the tone is very warm and the modulation adds a pleasant thickness.

The bad news is that the sampling rate is low so it's not going to get high frequency output (never tested its response exactly, but i'd guess it was something like 20hz-10khz).

I also noticed a faint digital hum/whirring way up in the high frequency and a kinda high noise floor generally which is annoying cuz the music i make sometimes has a large dynamic range, and I use digital recording devices, so the gremlins do make their appearance. I would say that the noise is at about -25db or so, and under most circumstances this will not be a problem, but for studio work it's not ideal.

Would have liked more repeats (I just used mixer feedback to get this effect...)

it obviously survived long enough to get to me, but the first time i gigged with it (it had been in use in studio), it was cold and i, perhaps foolishly, put it in the trunk of my car with other gear and when i plugged it in for soundcheck it was experiencing some kind of weird internal feedback (with no input, it clipped immediately when the input was up above zero, making a squealing noise that would respond to modulation - if you think this is user serviceable contact me!). Kaput, no more effectron :(

delta lab is no more, that link down there is some kind of recording studio, nothing to do with effectron.

Summing up, great analog-ish tone, analog style pitch bend effects results are easily achieved by varying the delay time manually or with the modulation.

The tone is quite good, and like i said, the noise went mostly unnoticed, and won't be a problem except in certain studio applications.

These things go for cheap on ebay, so if you spot one, it's a good value!

This unit is very easy to use. Be careful, just a slight adjustment of the knobs (especially the modulation) go a VERY long way.

The sound quality is OK. I can hear some digital noise especially when you have modulation incorporated into the effect. It's kind of a high pitched 16khz whine. I've used this for PA and for guitar/bass effects. My Lexicon MPX-1 is a much better sounding digital effect unit....but of course it's 15 years newer!

This thing is obviously built like a tank. I was the original owner and have used it for at least 20 years.

I have not dealt with customer support. In 20 years, it has never even hiccupped.

I've been playing guitar/bass/keys in bands for 35 years. Rock, R&B, Blues. Mostly single coil guitars: Fender, Tom Anderson. Recently I've been doing some "old school" research into guitar tones. As such, I've been revisiting a lot of old effects that have been sitting around for years. I now use a Fulltone CF-1 for chorus and a ElectroHarmonix Memory Man Deluxe for delay. I guess I've gone full circle and come back to the smooth sound of analog effects. I'll keep this for an occasional use where I need an infinite digital loop - but the digital noise makes this unusable for me.
If you can find one used for $50, buy it.

Extremely easy - play with the knobs for under 5 mins and you're set. I figured it out as a kid. Remember it's a rack-mount though - so foot pedal control requires additions.

I think it's excellent. I play it with either a Hagstrom Super Swede (Gibson copy) or an Ibanez Blazer (Strat copy) through a Fender Deluxe (tube) amp. Beyond the delay - there are some sounds that you can get that are truly amazing by fiddling a bit. I matched a theremin solo with weird chirpings using the effectron. I have used it both live and in the studio. I've also hooked it up to a mic for vocals and acoustic instruments (eg flute) with pleasing results.

Very reliable. I have never had problems using it and I've used it for many live shows. I've also owned it since the 80s. I finally broke the knob off a potentiometer by dropping it 5 feet - it still works fine - I just have to replace the pot or figure out how to effectively turn the stub that's left....

I assume the company doesn't exist anymore but I've never tried to find them.
Hmmm - I just did a quick web search and this is what I found - http://www.deltalab.dk/NAV_EQUIPMENT.htm

I bought this as a kid in the 80s in a pawn shop. I was looking for a digital delay and the guy suggested the Effectron - he actually more than suggested it - he said I'd never regret it...I hesitated as it was a rack-mount but ended up buying it and he was right.

If you understand the basics of signal routing for PA, this unit is ungodly simple to use. Even if you don't...play with the knobs until it sounds good.

Thanks to input and output level controls, you can get this unit to be almost completely noiseless...anyway, once the signal threshold is up, it doesn't matter. I've used this with instruments, PA, recording, and even as a freerunning sound generator.

Bought this used in 1985. It is bulletproof.

DeltaLabs was located in the next town over from where I live now. With a bit of searching, I could probably dig up the designers. However, the unit is based upon classic analog chips of the mid 80s. Any reputable technician should be able to troubleshoot and repair it...if it ever needs repair.

I have several friends that would NEVER think of getting rid of the Effectron.
If I find another, I'll buy it just to have a spare.

This Unit is so easy to use as there is no programmable(i.e.memory) featured and it sounds fabulous in a live vocal situation. I would love a copy of the original manual. Anybody know of one available? My audio repairer in Melbourne has a copy of the original ADM1024 Circuit Schematic which I sourced in the USA some years ago (US$40)

I use it in my live gig vocal rack with another "dinosoar", a YAMAHA R1000 Digital Reverb.The microphone system also in the rack is a Shure SC Marcad SM Beta 87A Wireless. NO noise unless you run your input levels to high!!The infinite repeat feature is so much fun....Great for Ads and Jingles. I would'nt part with it!!

I bought this unit back in 1988 (USED)and it has been repaired once,(hence the circuit diagram) and has never let me down since. With an Effectron what you see is what you get!! A great reliable unit. They should bring it back...Great for professional performers like me without a College degree in sound

Getting a Schematic Diagram out of a company that is no longer with us can be a nightmare,but the people in the US that I dealt with,(their name escapes me,)but they were terrific.Repair in Oz was carried out in Melbourne by Serge Branchev of Audio Oz, South Melbourne.. He's Fabulous!!PS.I have a damaged button (black) on the front panel,anyone out there know where i could buy one?? (cigarette burn of all things)

I have been playing for approximately 40 years, I own a BOSE 802E PA System, Jands Power Amp,Tapco EQ,Gallien Kruger RB400 Bass Amp, EV Bass Box loaded with a JBL E140 speaker (1983 USA Fender Jazz Bass) I would try a buy another Effectron again(there like hens teeth)if I lost mine..Wish List: Front Panel ON/OFF switch...User Manual would be nice....

Very easy to use. Push button range selector, fine tune, Input, Mix, feedback knobs, REAL MODULATION!!! - No progamming, just quick and easy to use (although, even without programming the quick select range buttons give you access to 6 different delays and infinite hold).

Used for live sound and some recording for that 'Classic' sound (just can't beat the modulation on it). Typically used as straight ahead delay though - very warm, great for vocals. No noise unless you overload the input - but this works great as a vocal effect in the studio as well, and the unit just can't be killed.
VINTAGE AMP OWNERS TAKE NOTE!!! Footswitchable and won't sterilize your sound like newer digital crap! If you own a Marshall (or any classis tube amp) and are tired of crappy pedals or that digital buzz, try one of these (if you can find one!) Also good to add some liveliness to a rack rig, and easy for any soundman to work with. A classic!

Very reliable. I gave it a nine because I had to clean the range buttons once (it's over 12 years old!), but have never had a even a scratch from the pots. Can't be killed!

Don't know - never needed it. I don't have a manual but that's irrelevant. If you can't get a time based effect you want from this, look into basic effects programming on the web

Again I'm only going with a 9 because of no memory locations but then again, that's what keeps the tone pure! When I first got this I was disappointed (it wasn't what was advertised - I bought it off the web) since I thought it would be programmable with memory locations. Now that my ear has matured, I can't live without it. These have been used for years in pro touring rigs, and if mine was stolen I'd cry. No transformer (120VAC cord), no MIDI, no crap! (Don't get me wrong I have other MIDI gear but once you start to digitize, all your tone is gone).