Is there anything Valhalla Delay can do that EchoBoy can't?

[zvenx]

Could be wrong - but don’t believe the EchoBoy does ducking which Valhalla now does.

I believe you are correct about this. VDelay has some modes that allow Ducking and the EchoBoy does not.
rsp

[markadak]

Looks like I'm not the only one with the dilemma I'm going to hold on to both for the time being until I get to know EchoBoy at least as well as VDelay. The ducking feature in VDelay is interesting but I have yet to get great results with it compared with traditional sidechaining. I know there's a lot of creative potential with the warbling/flutter of the tape delay, and the diffusion algorithm is certainly delicious. However, Sean recently put out SuperMassive for free which is by no means as capable as VDelay, but for creative experimentation it certainly has some potential as well for being free!

For 80% of my use cases I think I just need a bread and butter analog delay. Time will tell if the extra 20% of the time calls for one over the other. Thanks for all the interesting opinions!

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

I just love the dark, repeating, gooey delays of Valhalla (at least the BBD and Tape modes). Echoboy doesn't sound bad at all, but it doesn't sound anywhere as good IMO. But if you're into endless tweaking, or groove delay type features, yeah, Echoboy is the better choice. But if you want a delay that really does convincing analog delays for better or worse, I really feel like Valhalla nails that sound. And honestly, sometimes the modes are very heavy handed. I like the Past Tape mode in Valhalla but I dial the wow and flutter way down or else it's just too much. The noise in the BBD mode is legit (compared against my Boss DM-2w) accurate, but I still dial the age back because of it. The BBD modes are also great for dark, old-school chorus effects.

I dunno, just a huge fan of that plugin. It's my absolute go-to. Old go-to was Echoboy Jr. (even though I owned Echoboy, I prefered the UI and simplicity of Jr.).

[pbr985]

This is a good question. I have been testing both thoroughly and can’t decide. Both are amazing but I want to settle down with one.

I hear Valhalla Delay supposed to be more ‘analog’ but Echoboy somewhat sounds warmer. Maybe it’s just the wooden panel.

I way prefer Valhalla GUI though. If ST finally revamped their GUI then I think I would go with EB. But there is also the latency and aliasing which VD doesn’t have... So hard to decide.

[vitocorleone123]

If all you need is a bread and butter delay, go Valhalla all the way. Hey, a slogan!

Why? The UI!

Ok, I'll stop rhyming even though it was unintentional. Valhalla Delay is just so easy to use and can stretch or shrink to fit. Soundtoys will do bread and butter stuff just as easily. Given that, why not go with the one that's easier to use? Again, if you know there's features of Echoboy you'd really love to dig into, go for it.

There's also no harm in having both! I think more variety would be a better way to go at that point, though, such as adding Replika XT or Audiority Echoes, D16 Tekturon, etc. But some people do love their delays. I only just bought the Audiority one because it's different enough from Valhalla Delay and I liked it. I stopped using Replika and Tekturon for the most part unless I want some huge number of taps in a specialty situation.

[pbr985]

There is just something about the Soundtoys mojo. I think it’s the input and output gain behaviour on all of their plugins. That’s how real analog works too and it’s just gives the impression it’s more real. VD doesn’t have that. But as you said, the UI... Way easier.

[pekbro]

While I have the Valhalla delay (and the rest of his stuff), I can say as well, that it is not my favorite and not preferred over echoboy.

[vitocorleone123]

There is just something about the Soundtoys mojo. I think it’s the input and output gain behaviour on all of their plugins. That’s how real analog works too and it’s just gives the impression it’s more real. VD doesn’t have that. But as you said, the UI... Way easier.

Can also get that "mojo" outside of the plugin as an alternative, if the plugin itself is lacking for someone. Choices, choices.

[rod_zero]

I prefer Replika XT to Vdelay and echoboy, the UI is superior and faster to get what you want, the extra effects are quite good.

Vdelay sounds very good but the UI is slower to use the Replika XT, and echoboy is just outdated in this department.

Echoboy has the groove thing going for it but not enought.

ReplikaXT also can sound very modern and the diffusion algo is unique IMHO

[cryophonik]

These are my two go-to delays these days and all of my project templates have a delay send busses with each one already instantiated. I can't recall the last time I used another delay aside from EB and VDelay tbh. That said, I've owned EchoBoy for many years and I'm much more accustomed to it, whereas I'm still getting a feel for VDelay, so I tend to favor EB a bit more,.... I think?

[alexishere]

I think we’re reaching a consensus that ReplikaXT, VD and EB are go-tos and everyone has their favourites.. It seems impossible to reach a collective agreement on what is the best delay today!

[vitocorleone123]

I prefer Replika XT to Vdelay and echoboy, the UI is superior and faster to get what you want, the extra effects are quite good.

Vdelay sounds very good but the UI is slower to use the Replika XT, and echoboy is just outdated in this department.

Echoboy has the groove thing going for it but not enought.

ReplikaXT also can sound very modern and the diffusion algo is unique IMHO

I'm the other way around: Valhalla Delay is SO much easier to use I almost never use any other delay. The XT UI is kind of small and hard to use, like Echoboy - both feel like they're from a bygone era. Still sounds great. XT makes a great companion to Valhalla Delay and/or Echoboy. In fact, I'd say a person is better off with either Valhalla Delay + XT or Echoboy + XT. Of course, having all 3 covers a lot of bases.

[foosnark]

I just love the dark, repeating, gooey delays of Valhalla (at least the BBD and Tape modes). Echoboy doesn't sound bad at all, but it doesn't sound anywhere as good IMO.

This! I love Valhalla Delay for that.

[acousticglue]

Well Modnetic, Hi-Delay4 are also very good as wonderful analog sound and have reverb built in as well. I like these and ReplikaXT better. Valhalla still good as well.

[mholloway]

My 2 cents incoming....Delay is probably my favorite effect, so I've spent a lot of time using / learning / tweaking these things....

• I have nearly all the delays discussed in this thread. For actual, accurate Space Echo emulation -- which means getting that driven, high-feedback, starting to crack-up (distort) looping sound -- it's an instantly recognizable and wonderful sound! -- Modnetic from Surreal Machines is the only plugin I know that really nails it. I've actually tested Valhalla Delay in Tape mode against Modnetic, specifically just for high-feedback 201 emulation, and Modnetic wins every time. I'm not saying Valhalla can't sound 'analog' or whatever, I'm just saying: Modnetic makes for a much more authentic RE-201, imho, fwiw.

• Replika-XT has some really cool features I haven't found on most (or in some cases any) of the other delays mentioned here (Valhalla, Sandman, etc):

- You can pan the dry signal. This is especially cool when used with Ping Pong mode, because you can set the first ping to the opposite side from the panned dry signal, and achieve a 'side to side only' ping pong effect (nothing in the center). You can also swap which side, L or R, the first ping occurs on.
- It has a filter that far exceeds the possibilities of the filters in all the other plugins. Why? because it has resonance! and when you run the delay through the filter in 'feedback' mode (where successive repeats run through the filter again and again, rather than just everything going through once) and crank the resonance, then crank up the included LFO that sweeps the filter cutoff, you get some wild, Autechre-style effects that I honestly can't make with any other delay plugin. You specifically need a Resonant filter inside the feedback loop to do these kinds of sounds. Especially great for percussion.
- It has ducking. well, vallhalla delay got that recently too, but it didn't have it at first. The implementation in XT offers a lot more precision control on how it works though, and even gives visual feedback similar to using a compressor. Valhalla, you just get one knob, and no visual information..

So, yes, I really dig Replika XT, but that said, I actually LOVE Valhalla Delay, too. I use both the Tape mode and Digital mode all the time. What I love about Valhalla is the modulation: it works musically, offsetting the delay time, breaking up 'static' sounding repeats, allowing you to push up the feedback and have beautiful sounding 'musical' delay rather than cold, sterile delay -- even in 'digital' mode! In fact digital mode plus some modulation is probably my favorite. Sure, you can push the modulation high easily, but it's very 'controllable' and I'm always able to find the sweet spot where things sound musical (no wild detuning) but also not flat / sterile. It's lovely.

So it all comes down to the type of music I'm making, or the type of sound I'm making:

- Want -specifically- the RE-201 sound? Modnetic, every time.
- Want some highly-controlled ping-pong behavior and/or a resonant filter in the feedback loop? Or fine ducking control? Replika-XT -- it's a swiss army knife for delay.
- Want classic, long-feedback 'analog' gritty delay sounds OR digital delay (think Lexicon PCM-41) that can still sound Musical, with a wonderful drift to it? Valhalla Delay.

- Want the best 'freeze' mode of any delay plugin, plus the most extensive (while still VERY easy to use) modulation controls for warping time, creating buffer effects, and getting into really wild sound-design territory? Then the choice is SANDMAN PRO, easily!

/2 cents from a die-hard Delay Plugin Lover.