Let’s take your echoes into the next dimension with the best stereo delay pedals for your favourite application.
Quick answer:
Strymon TimeLine – you’ll get great sounding of analog-style echoes, with additional looper and spring reverb.
TC Electronic Flashback 2 – best affordable option, very well built for gigging, intuitive controls makes it great to use, plus 8 delay types and a looper.
Zoom MS-70CDR MultiStomp – very affordable, compact design, with additional chorus and reverb effects.
There are a number of other great little devices to choose from as well. So if the above is just not quite right for you, take a look at the others we’ve reviewed below.
We’ve taken the time to sort through every possible stereo delay pedals that exists on online marketplaces and sifted through the reviews as well as our personal experience to determine the best ones to even consider. Continue reading!
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Top 10 Best Stereo Delay Pedals
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Zoom MS-70CDR
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Strymon TimeLine
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Boss DM-2W Waza Craft
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Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine
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TC Electronic Flashback 2
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Boss DD-500
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Source Audio Collider Stereo Delay+Reverb Pedal
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Eventide TimeFactor
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Boss RE-20
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Universal Audio UAFX Starlight
Best Stereo Delay Pedals Reviews
Zoom MS-70CDR
Pros
- Additional chorus and reverb effects
- Extremely compact design
Cons
- Some might find it inconvenient to use it on gigs
- Some of the effects are too similar to others
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Zoom MS-70CDR is a very compact and extremely capable multi-effects processor that features 86 effects total. On top of various classic delays, you’ll have reverb, chorus, tremolo, and flanger.
User impressions
Users like Zoom MS-70CDR for being versatile and having high-fidelity reverb, delay, and modulation styles that one can find enough to satisfy their needs. Also, this pedal lets you have fun while creating and allows saving sounds.
What we think
Back in the day, Zoom 606 was not the most favorable pedal because of its obnoxious sound and shockingly bad build quality. But with Zoom MS-70CDR, you can immediately tell that those times are long gone and this pedal definitely earned a top spot.
Bottomline
Zoom MS-70CDR is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very capable and reasonably priced multi-effects processor that gives you 36 factory presets and the ability to save 50 of your own.
Strymon TimeLine
Pros
- Additional looper
- Pristine sound quality
Cons
- Too many settings
- Takes longer to dial in particular sounds
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Strymon TimeLine is a premium delay pedal that features 12 separate delay effects and a 30-second looper. In case you’d be overwhelmed by the number of settings, there’re 200 factory presets to choose from.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with Strymon TimeLine for being versatile, having top-shelf sounds, and being easy-to-use. Users add that you can lose track of time while being divided into the endless possibilities provided by this machine and exploring new sounds. Also, some say that when the stereo configuration is engaged, the pedal sounds even better.
What we think
There’s hardly any pedal that can beat Strymon TimeLine when it comes to sound quality. And although it offers you almost limited customization, it might take you a lot of time to actually learn everything that this pedal offers you.
Bottomline
Strymon TimeLine is a great choice for someone who is looking for a premium delay effect with exceptional sound quality and a shocking amount of customization. It’s on the pricey side of things, but nevertheless, it would be a great investment since with the TimeLine, you’re not going to need another delay pedal ever again.
Boss DM-2W Waza Craft
Pros
- Very simple and intuitive controls
- Exceptional build quality
Cons
- Not very versatile
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Boss DM-2W Waza Craft is a modern recreation of the original 1977 analog delay pedal that offers you very intuitive and simple controls and very thick and convincing sound. In addition to the stereo output, you have the ability to split your dry and delaying signal into separate outputs.
User impressions
Users say that Boss DM-2W Waza Craft has a solid build, sounds perfect, and works amazingly with cleans and high gain leads. Users add that repeats are clear and organically natural.
What we think
Sometimes versatility might be very far from what you’re looking for. Sometimes brutal simplicity works just fine and this is exactly what Boss DM-2W Waza Craft offers you. It’s very simple and straightforward to use and it has the most honest sound.
Bottomline
Boss DM-2W Waza Craft is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very simple and minimalistic analog delay pedal with extremely sturdy and robust build quality.
Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine
Pros
- A collection of analog-style echoes
- Additional looper
- Spring reverb
Cons
- Not very intuitive controls
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine features digital recreation of 3 of the most iconic vintage analog delays with the addition of very convincing spring reverb and a looper.
User impressions
Users like Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine for great sounds, being amazingly flexible, having a cool and user-friendly interface. You can easily get which knob does what as all of them are located on the face. Users add that this pedal probably won’t give a lot of satisfaction to the tweakers, but for those who seek surgical precision is definitely a great choice.
What we think
If you want more versatility, you probably would be better off with Strymon TimeLine, but if you prefer style over function, Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine is for you. This pedal has one of the most believable recreations of tape delay that we’ve ever heard.
Bottomline
Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine is a great choice for someone who is looking for a vintage analog delay pedal with top-shelf sound quality and thorough customization. Controls have a very steep learning curve, but once you’ve got used to them, you’ll be golden.
TC Electronic Flashback 2
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Additional looper
- Intuitive controls
- 8 delay types
Cons
- None that we know of
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
TC Electronic Flashback 2 is a very compact and durable delay pedal with 8 different types of delay and extremely simple controls. You also have the ability to load 3 custom-made tone prints from the official website.
User impressions
Users agree that TC Electronic Flashback 2 is versatile, reliable, durable and has a sleek design. Also, this pedal has an amazing sound effect and every delay mode creates crystal clear repeats.
What we think
To be completely honest, this would be our first and only choice out of every pedal on this list. It’s not that it’s the best one, it just ticks all the boxes for us personally.
Bottomline
TC Electronic Flashback 2 is a great choice for someone who is looking for an extremely versatile delay pedal with exceptional sound quality at a very reasonable price. A very simple but yet powerful looper is also a very nice addition.
Boss DD-500
Pros
- 12 delay modes
- Intuitive controls
- Deep customization
Cons
- A bit bulky
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Boss DD-500 is a digital delay pedal that features 12 delay modes that vary from analog emulations to highly experimental shimmers and textures. All of the parameters are deeply customizable and you have the ability to save and quickly recall your own presets.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with Boss DD-500 as it has a solid build quality, is versatile and gives you a lot of tweakable options. Users say that it is very easy to use and sounds great. The features that users like the most are that you can copy and paste patches and the possibility to use 3 delays.
What we think
The only downside we could think of is that Boss DD-500 is a rather bulky pedal, which means that you have to cramp up some space on your pedalboard. It’s not a big deal if you have a very minimal set-up, but if you’re a guitar pedal enthusiast, this can provide a challenge.
Bottomline
Boss DD-500 is a great choice for someone who is looking for an extremely capable and versatile digital delay pedal with a great variety of sound options and styles. If you’re willing to sacrifice precious space on the pedalboard, this pedal will fulfill all of your delay-related needs.
Source Audio Collider Stereo Delay+Reverb Pedal
Pros
- 5 delay engines
- 7 reverb types
Cons
- Some shared controls can be tricky to operate quickly on stage
- Tap tempo operation is a bit fiddly
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Source Audio Collider Stereo Delay+Reverb Pedal is a very powerful multi-effects processor that features 5 delay engines and 7 different types of reverb. Both effects can be used simultaneously and a toggle switch lets you dial in the settings on both effects with one set of controls.
User impressions
Users like Source Audio Collider Stereo Delay+Reverb Pedal for having two things in one and being amazingly versatile and mighty. Users say that you have plenty of control to dial it to your custom settings and if using midi, it’s possible to save up to 128 presets. Users like that it works in mono, stereo, dual mono.
What we think
Source Audio Collider Stereo Delay+Reverb Pedal feels like the greatest hits of time-based effects. It seems that it has all of the classic reverbs and delays that you can think of on top of a few experimental ones. But note that it wouldn’t be very easy to dial in the sound on the stage.
Bottomline
Source Audio Collider Stereo Delay+Reverb Pedal is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very versatile multi-effects processor that features both delay and reverb. If you’re not into deep customization and experimental sounds and just want to have a set of classic effects, this one is for you.
Eventide TimeFactor
Pros
- 10 delay modes
- Iconic Eventide sound
- Additional looper
Cons
- Sounds a bit too “digital”
- Rather pricey
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Eventide TimeFactor is one of the most iconic digital delay pedals you can think of. It has 10 delay modes with very deep customization, an additional looper, and the sound of legendary Eventide studio effects.
User impressions
Users say that Eventide TimeFactor gives you a lot of tweaking effects, sounds good, and is versatile. Users note that this pedal is very good at handling hot signals and still sounds correct.
What we think
It might be rather subjective, but we found that although the sound that Eventide TimeFactor makes is superb, it somewhat lacks analog voice. It’s hard to consider this to be a downside, but, nonetheless, sometimes the sound feels too pristine.
Bottomline
Eventide TimeFactor is a great choice for someone who is looking for a legendary digital delay pedal that offers great versatility and deep customization. Although it’s on the pricey side of things, it’s easily overcome by the value that this pedal will add to your pedalboard.
Boss RE-20
Pros
- Iconic Space Echo sound
- Additional reverb
Cons
- Not very versatile
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Boss RE-20 is a digital emulation of a legendary Rolland RE-201 Space Echo tape delay machine. The emulation itself is very thorough and extremely convincing, but the pedal also features an additional reverb that could be used separately and the possibility of very deep adjustments to the delay.
User impressions
Users like Boss RE-20 for being versatile and delivering crisp, clean repeats and rolling echoes. Users say that they use this pedal everywhere, even family get-togethers and as time passes, this pedal keeps delivering amazing sound.
What we think
It wouldn’t be very wise to expect great versatility from Boss RE-20 since it has only one trick on its sleeve. But with this pedal, it feels like one trick is all that you need.
Bottomline
Boss RE-20 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a digital emulation of a legendary tape delay with additional spring reverb and great customization. But if you’re looking for more versatility, you might as well look elsewhere.
Universal Audio UAFX Starlight
Pros
- 3 delay engines
- Pristine sound quality
- UAFX control app
Cons
- Can save only one custom preset
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Universal Audio UAFX Starlight offers you 2 vintage delay emulations and a digital delay with very deep and thorough adjustments that could be done both with a pedal itself and a dedicated mobile app. As with all UAD products, you can expect very pristine audio quality and very precise and thorough emulations.
User impressions
Users agree that Universal Audio UAFX Starlight has the best sound possible and is unbelievably user-friendly. Users say that this pedal isn’t for everyone but for those specifically who care about sonic quality.
What we think
What’s impressive about UAD is that no matter which of their products you can get your hands on, you will never be disappointed. And Universal Audio UAFX Starlight is in no way an exception.
Bottomline
Universal Audio UAFX Starlight is a great choice for someone who is looking for a top-shelf delay pedal with the highest quality of sound possible and very convenient customization.
Stereo Delay Pedals Buying Guide
Owning a delay pedal is quite viable if you’re looking for ways to add more space and depth to your sound while performing. This is especially if you are performing solo. Or, if you’re a singer and want to add delays and effects on the fly to your vocals. So are there any special features to look for in a pedal?
Important features
Features tend to be based on how you want to use your device. But we’re talking about a relatively simple device here.
First is the stereo feature. I’m assuming you know what stereo is, right? Hence you’ll want to be looking for delays with stereo capabilities exclusively. But note that to actually use it, you’ll need to have 2 separate amplifiers or a device capable of stereo output.
Secondly is customization. You can get stereo delay pedals that have other functions as well (reverb, distortion, etc.). So if you’re looking for something that you’re able to do more with, then by all means find the option that suits you best.
