Ibanez HD-1500 Harmonic Delay

How much easier does it get than an input gain knob, two switches for increment/decrement for digital parameters, "multi" to choose one of three multipliers of delay time, direct mode buttons for delay, harmonizer and bypass, knobs for coarse and fine tuning the harmonizer, width and speed controls to create chorus effects, feedback for number of delay repeats or flange effects and two for dry and wet effect output levels, all on the front panel?

I've owned my HD-1500 (and I bought it used) since 1987. After 20 years it's still working and I have a very different perspective of it now.

Back in 1987 I bought it for crystal clear delay repeats. It provides those in x1 multiplier (no multiplication) but this yields only 126ms of delay. The reduction in frequency response at x2 (252ms max) is liveable but I was never happy with the severe frequency response at x4 (504ms max). This was mostly because I already owned a Boss DM-2 analog delay. In this respect the only advantage of the HD-1500 over the analog pedal was that repeats didn't disintegrate so quickly.

But 20 years later it's that no-tweak, analog sound with digital integrity of repeats that makes the HD-1500 a somewhat unique delay.

The chorus sounds can be nice and thick, but I've certainly heard better. And you must be careful to dial back the speed and width controls when changing to longer delay sounds with no modulation. Flange sounds are adequate.

The Harmonizer function was always nasty. If you want harsh high octaves, great... this is your harmonizer. But it was pre- intelligent harmonization, so you can only get a set interval between notes. Harmonizing a scale requires different harmonies depending on what note of the scale the harmony is based on. If you want harmonization buy something with intelligent harmonization.

Still working after 20 years with no hiccups. I don't gig with it anymore but I did years ago. That's a tank!

Never had a reason to contact Ibanez about this piece of gear.

I've used the HD-1500 for rock, jazz, acoustic music and more. I think the low price one can get for an HD-1500 makes it a fun piece of gear for techno-heads looking to change parameters on the fly.

I can only say this is a fun piece of equipment for someone who appreciates the sound quality and likes direct access to all parameters of an effects unit. The dry/wet outputs provide some flexibility in processing other effects after the HD-1500, but the faux stereo effect isn't as rich as more modern effect boxes which process left and right separately.

One note: I found the footswitch at a used instrument store but they wanted $50 for it. For several years I'd show up annually (the store was on the opposite side of town) just to see if they'd take a $10 or $20 for it, but no... they insisted on $50. It's either still there or long since thrown out as I gave up asking years ago. The footswitch has three harmonizer presets that are preset on the footswitch. Not a big deal since I really wasn't happy with the harmonizer function anyway.

This processor is quite simple, I bought it from a music store for like 40 bucks no manual, no editing of patches needed, just full on realtime joy. Oh and there's a cheat sheet on the top, Yay.. but you don't really need it unless you really need one of those effects. It's coo.

I normally run a humbucker guitar or a fender mustang through: Electro-harmonix big muff pi, national fuzz wah, maxon phase shifter, the HD-1500 and a peavey classic tube amp. The delay does fine when I'm getting my fuzz on (quite often) but the harmonizer/octave part gets a little shitty, I don't think it can handle all the noise.

This thing is PERFECT for sounds that remind you of 1950's EC Sci-fi comics, if you want to bring in some alien life from other worlds, you can pretty much do it with the HD-1500, the Harmonizer with modulations added can give you some awesome sounds, especially if it's only the effect out.. it's unexplainable the amount of crazy noises you can make.

The delay leads a little to be desired, there's not much delay time.. 512 milliseconds I believe.. (unlike the guyatone md-3 which has 3 seconds).. the Hd-1500's delay is still pretty good.. you can do cool ambient sounds with the delay and a little reverb, or not.. you can also do some sweet flanging, the slap back echo is good. and with a few other effects (phaser, fuzz, et cetera) and a very low delay time and long feedback you can get your guitar (or bass) sounding oddly like a crappy synth.

Vocals on this thing are really neat. You can make yourself sound a lot like a manly woman with the harmonizer and a short delay time or slap back echo sounds great with vocals.

the slow "modulation pitch sweeps" with the delay sound great aswell.

Yeha, it was made in the 80s, so it's durable. It's a metal case, the buttons are a little crappy but they work, the knobs are good, but all knobs are good.

I'd figure it out myself I'm sure..

I play electronic/ experimental/ dancepunk/ weird/ et cetera, and this thing blows me away, I love it, if it died, I would cry make a beat or two then buy another one or two..

the two statement needs some explaining.. Seeing that I love this machine if there were two you could have one on delay and one harmonizing.. that's the only downfall, not really, more delay time would be nice..

I wish it had as good of delay as the Effectron II, and an Infinite Repeat button..

it's an exquisite machine.. did I mention it has midi capabilities? nope well for you controller heads out there.. holla.

good machine.. look into it.

Fairly ease to use. It takes a while to get use to the pitch and fine tune knobs, but after some time, you will adjust. Ibanez provides a graph display demonstrating how particular modulation effects, and harmonizing effects can achieved by tweaking all the appropriate knobs. In other words, you do not need a manual, but you will need an hour or two in order to figure out what your favorite setting are. Has a footswitch option, but mine did not come with it. Sigh, what a day.

Let me just say this will be completely subjective, and on that note, I still plan to express how much I truly love this unit. There has not been much said on this product, and the previous reviewers did little to truly explain the sound capabilities of the processor, so I will try very well.

I previously owned a DM 2000 and DM 500 (both rack delay units), and by far, this is the most versatile of the bunch. You do not get as much delay time as the 2000; however, this is made up for by having an equal amount of modulation options, like the 2000, and a stellar harmonizing section that rivals Digitech.

Here is my setup:
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue -> Boss TU-2 -> Ibanez TS9DX (stock) -> Ibanez TSilver 808 (silver mod by AM) -> Ibanez Compressor 835II (808 series) -> Dunlop 535Q wah -> EB mono volume pedal -> Ibanez HD-1500 - Fender Jazzmaster w/P90 CIJ (which is identical in to the American Reissue in every way, except the pu's and pots. You can upgrade these too). Sorry, just giving you a good finance tip. ;) Also, I'm sure you have noted by now that I'm an old Ibanez lover. Truly classic effects!

Anyway, I put the rack after the volume pedal, because it works so much better after my overdrive and wah. The delay is really nice and analogish sounding. It is 12-bit stylee' but it may be less. I'm not really sure about this fact, but I am sure that the delay sound is very different when compared with modern Boss delays. The Ibanez simply has warmer analog-esque warmth over than modern digital, in my opinion. I've owned the Boss DD-3, and I dearly loved that pedal, but it has nothing on this unit. The delay is broken up into 3 "multi" options. The first can be maxed out at .150ms, the second stops near 300ms, and the third option ends at 504 ms. of delay time. This is plenty for me, but if you need more, perhaps you should pick up a digital delay for more options in expanding time length. With the modulation and feedback controls you can create any modulation effect from flanging to wild bubbles. I prefer the chorus/fast leslie sound that is very easily attainable if you read the instructions on the top of the unit. If I use anything else, it is a hard reverb at 25ms. This gives a cool percussive sound to your playing that I truly dig. In general, for my purposes that is, this delay is perfect for all of my needs. The delay is very soft sounding. Not at all razor sounding or trebly. It has a gritty sound at times, but this is characteristic of this delay design. I truly appreciate this effect when you dig into your guitar.

Now for the Harmonizing section--
You are given pitch and fine tuning knobs, along with width, speed, and feedback which generally you should keep off; otherwise you will have slow detuning harmonies that are only useable for "Sugar Cube" or Sigur Ros type music. I love those bands, by the way, but they are out there. Anyway, the harmonizing/octaver pitch knob moves from -1270 to + 1270, and can be fine tuned to +/- 1390 in either direction with the "fine tune" knob. 1200 is one octave below, or of course, above the original note. Basically listen, move the knob around and you'll find half step increments to 7ths and more by using the pitch knob, and fine tuning it with the "fine tune" knob. Pretty simple, eh? Trust me, it is very easy once you know what your frequently used settings are. I like 7ths, +/- octave, and 4ths the best. But you may like others. Six or one half dozen the other, if you ask me. :)

Utilizing the input knob on the front of the unit will help you create a harmonizing, pitch shifting effect that rivals the infamous Whammy II. I owned one, and the $150-$200 price tag is slightly exaggerated because of Trey. Try this unit and you'll geta most of the settings that unit has. Minus, of course, the two pitch shifting down modes. Then again, many guitarists do not use these; therefore, not much difference. I felt, in my opinion, th

This is from the mid 80's, so it's doing very well. No problems so far!! :) I do not feel the need for a backup if you must know.

Please see the above section for sound quality. I sincerely do not wish to rewrite all of that again.

But I will write that I play emo-rock (lighter side and emo is somewhat vaguish, but that's what some say), hard rock, blues, jazz, and funk. This delay is used throughout all of those styles, and I never feel out-of-place using it. I do not play covers, nor does our band, so I can't help you there. But I think a good user example is Bob Weir. I'm pretty sure he used the DM 2000, which I owned, and like less than this unit. The sound is similar though. More delay time on that unit, but less effects and options overall. Get the idea?

These rarely pop up nowaday, but they do appear in pawn shops or on ebay, so grab one up if you have a chance. They are fairly cheap, and you should not pay more than $100 for this unit. It would be nice if I had the footswitch, but alas, I do not so that's a bummer. I have it in a rack stand that sits up front when I play. This allows me to tweak the settings on the fly. Very good setup idea. Takes away the immediate need for a very rare footswitch.

Try one though, you may be happy. It's a true gem of the old Ibanez/Maxon days.

chris

cake. the dial up suggestion are actually printed on top of the box, which is standard single rack size. the manual was pretty good as well. the optional footswitch actually allowed you access the delay and store 3 harmonic settings, which allowed for all sorts of possibilities.

it's only 8-bit digital delay with 500 ms max time, but the modulation delay made for a very nice chorus and flanger, and modulating the harmonizer at -5cents made for a beautiful detune chorus. and the harmonizer is very smooth, especially in octaves up or fifths, and plays nicely with chords. belew used one, i think.

the footswitch could be temperamental, but with just a bypass switch it was never a problem onstage or in studio.

never had a problem with anything i ever bought from these folks. don't know what else to say.

for its time, this was a great box and a great value. i never use it anymore because i don't use rackmount live anymore. still, with the footswitch it's great and extremely versatile. i relied on it for 5 years.