Delays and other echoes are effects often associated with electronic music or more vintage sounds.
Too often neglected in favor of reverbs, they prove to be very effective in many situations.
And when they are free, they become even more enjoyable. 😉
Here is a selection of the best delay plugins (VST, AU…): basics, “ping-pong”, analog simulations, granular… there’s something for everyone!
1. Valhalla Supermassive
Developer: Valhalla DSP
Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Is it possible to make a list of delay plugins without mentioning Supermassive by Valhalla?
Even if we were also listing paid plugins, this excellent reverb/delay effect would more than deserve its place!
Inside, you will find no less than 18 reverb and echo algorithms that will allow you to shape your sound as you wish, with a focus primarily on very wide sounds (like ambient).
Moreover, the plugin is regularly updated, with new algorithms among other things.
A must-have that should be paid for given its quality.
► Click here to download Valhalla Supermassive
2. Readelay
Developer: Cockos (like the DAW Reaper)
Format: VST (32 and 64 bits)
Undoubtedly the least attractive on this list, but probably one of the most configurable.
It is a multi-tap delay. So basically, several combined delays.
The strong point of this plugin is that each “tap” can be configured differently. For example, with a duration, an equalization (there is always a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter) or even a different stereo position.
And on top of that, even if the interest is debatable, you can create “taps” at will.
In short, a real Swiss army knife, but certainly not very stylish 😉
► Click here to download ReaDelay
3. Sanford Delay
Developer: Leslie Sanford
Format: VST (32 and 64 bits)
Sanford Delay is a fairly old plugin that Leslie Sanford made available on his site some time ago.
Rather simple with a limited number of settings, I find it gets to the point and allows for generating good quality echo effects.
Particularly ideal for anything that is “ping pong delay”, it does the job very well. Note the presence of low-pass and high-pass filters, which allow you to control the character of the repetitions at will.
It may not be the best plugin in the world, but it’s a good tool.
► Click here to download Sanford Delay
4. Tempo Delay
Developer: Voxengo
Format: VST, AU, AAX (32 & 64 bits)
I have already recommended the Voxengo editor several times in my other lists of free plugins. Unsurprisingly, the brand also has an excellent quality delay called “Tempo Delay”.
It is simply a stereo delay that can be operated in “ping pong” mode.
It is particularly adaptable to many mixing situations. Indeed, it is possible to individually set the effect applied to the Left and Right channels, and many options are available as you can guess from the screenshot above.
A filter including a distortion module is present, as well as a useful tremolo effect that complements the delay.
Therefore, it is a very nice plugin, both for modern productions looking for a neutral yet adjustable effect and for those wanting a slightly more colored effect.
► Click here to download Tempo Delay
5. Cocoa Delay
Developer: Tesselode
Format: VST (32 & 64 bits)
Little known, Cocoa Delay is nonetheless a qualitative open-source delay plugin, with a very clear interface and aiming to provide a sound that is both clean and pleasant.
Synchronizable to the DAW’s tempo, the plugin integrates a number of interesting features such as an LFO, a “delay drift” to create wow/flutter effects, and a saturation section based on the code of another plugin from Airwindows (which is also open-source).
If you are looking for an easy-to-use delay but with enough options to sculpt your sound, I invite you to download this plugin for free.
► Click here to download Cocoa Delay
6. HY-Delay4 Free
Developer: HY-Plugins
Format: VST, VST3, AU
HY-Delay4 Free is a toned-down version of the complex delay plugin HY-Delay4, from the very good plugin brand HY-Plugins.
Despite this, it is a very usable plugin that includes the usual echo options (duration setting, feedback amount…) but also some additional highly appreciated tools, especially for doing more advanced sound design:
- Three-band equalizer;
- Ducker so that the delay is less audible when the original signal plays, but comes back up afterwards;
- Randomizer, to randomly modify the plugin parameters (which may seem unnecessary but can easily lead to original creative sounds).
► Click here to download HY-Delay4 Free
7. Echobox D7
Developer: Senderspike
Format: VST (32 & 64 bits – Windows only)
Sender spike is a very small brand, which probably explains why this plugin is only available in VST format for Windows.
However, their delay Echobox D7 is an interesting tool with a lot of character, as it is inspired by a Japanese guitar effect pedal.
The settings are quite simple: delay duration, panning, synchronization to the DAW’s tempo.
But it is a plugin that you will choose more for the sound than for versatility: Echobox D7 indeed has a very particular texture, quite dirty or even “lofi”, which will not always work but will be very useful whenever you are looking for a not-too-clean echo effect.
► Click here to download Echobox D7
8. NastyDLA mkII
Developer: Variety of Sound
Format: VST (32 and 64 bits – Windows only)
Speaking of coloration, indeed.
NastyDLA is a well-known plugin from the developer Variety of Sound, an excellent programmer but whose plugins are unfortunately only available in VST format for Windows.
It is an Echo/Chorus effect that includes a tape simulation. When we talk about tape, we mean vintage/analog simulation.
The big advantage is that this plugin contains a huge amount of options, allowing you to adjust the color of the effect exactly as you wish: modulation, background noise, “feel” to have a delay slightly ahead or behind, saturation… everything is there.
A must-try if you’re in the right setup!
► Click here to download NastyDLA mkII
9. TAL Dub 1, 2 and 3
Developer: Togu Audio Line
Format: VST, AU (32 and 64 bits)
Still in the somewhat “old school” effects, we find the famous TAL Dub 2, as well as the two other “TAL Dub” and “TAL Dub 3” versions of the plugin (which all have their own specifics)
It’s a somewhat old plugin, but still very effective.
The delay effect is adjustable in a rather classic way, notably with the possibility to link or not the settings of the Left and Right channels.
However, two very appreciable features should be noted:
- It has a distortion stage to enhance the vintage impression
- It includes a sine LFO that can modulate the delay time or the EQ filter operation.
Typically, if you’re looking for an echo effect for reggae, dub, or dub techno, I highly recommend testing this plugin (perhaps by equalizing the low mids a bit, though).
► Click here to download TAL Dub 1, 2 and 3
10. Lagrange
Developer: Ursa DSP
Format: VST/VST3 (32 bits and 64 bits), AU
Lagrange is an absolutely phenomenal though experimental plugin.
Lagrange is a stereo delay quite unique in its kind as it is one of those rare plugins using granular techniques. In other words, each grain comes from a different piece of the reverberated signal.
As a result, it is possible to create both a simple echo and a true ambiance (notably thanks to the feedback control… try turning it up to the max…).
To be experimented with right away!
► Click here to download Lagrange (via KVR)
11. Valhalla Freq Echo
Developer: Valhalla DSP
Format: VST, AU, AAX, RTAS
I mentioned Valhalla DSP a bit earlier with Supermassive. Well, here is another plugin from Sean Costello, the famous reverb creator (ValhallaDSP), that you should also try.
Freq Echo actually contains two effects: an analog echo simulation as well as a frequency shifter.
Everything can actually be synchronized (or not) with the DAW tempo, as you wish.
So yes, the plugin offers relatively few parameters, but the sound is really excellent (as always with the brand), so I find it useful to have in your toolbox.
► Click here to download Freq Echo
12. DLYM
Developer: Imaginando
Format: VST, AU, AAX, AUv3, App
DLYM is a somewhat special echo effect, as it also integrates flanger and chorus functionalities.
Two processing modes are available: “Analog Emulation” and “Dimension style”, for two different textures.
6 modulation waveforms are integrated, and you can adjust the stereo spacing.
It may not be the delay to use by default on all your productions, but it can be useful to have it on hand.
13. HZ Delay
Developer: Higher Hz
Format: VST, VST3
Once again, a somewhat special free delay plugin, as it combines several effects:
- Echo — simple and multi-tap
- Chorus — Bucker Brigade
- Reverb — simple early reflections
- Saturation
Different parameters are adjustable to control the sound character and adjust the style of the effect, thereby adding depth to your mixes.
While it sounds really good (especially on synthesizers), I find it a bit difficult to grasp at first. Don’t hesitate to read the documentation in detail before you start manipulating it, so you don’t end up lost.
► Click here to download HZ Delay
14. CHOW Matrix
Developer: ChowDSP
Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX, LV2
Finally, to conclude this article, we had to talk about CHOW Matrix.
This is a somewhat special free echo plugin that requires some time to manipulate correctly.
In fact, it’s a delay that can extend infinitely, with complex modulation and feedback options.
This means you can click in the upper area of the plugin to add infinite repetitions, which derive from one another.
Also note the integration of pitch-shifting, diffusion, and distortion features, allowing you to create both classic delays and original reverbs.
► Click here to download CHOW Matrix
Do you also love plugins?
Don’t wait any longer and head over to my article gathering all my lists of free plugins similar to this article (VST, AU, etc…).