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tap & hold : the story of one man's addiction to digital delay and tape echo

It all started with a Casio SK-5.

The Zoom 505 is fun, but the top delay time on it is only 2 seconds with no hold feature.

Then I got a Zoom 508.  If you have a Zoom 508 Delay, you should definitely get the Zoom FP-01 foot-pedal (or a much cheaper Yamaha-type pedal.) You'll need it to use the Hold/Tap Function (Parameter 8) effectively. Hold/Tap is my favorite feature on the 508 because it allows me to record looping 4 second backing tracks and then play over the top of them in an entirely different tone. It's very Space Rock, but after a while, 4 seconds is no longer enough and it's time to start looking for a unit with more delay time.

To be honest, I still haven't figured out all of the available parameters on the 508, but I love the ease with which I can switch between presets in a live setting.  Here's what I've figured out so far.

Zoom 508 Delay Effect Parameters

the ZOOM GFX-707II has a more limited palette of delay options, but has an expandable sampler setting.

then there was the AKAI headrush which allows some cool galloping offset tape-head effects as well as sound-on-sound capabilities.

then the ROLAND loop station.

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