When it comes to compact, simple delay pedals, you usually only have the option for one specific sound for each pedal: analog, digital, warm, crisp, dark, etc., resulting in the delay section of your pedalboard constantly having to expand. Well, the crew at Alexander Pedals and Chicago Music Exchange have created a pedal that will trim down that portion of your board immensely, with a full spectrum of delay tones from classic decades past. Let’s check out the History Lesson Tap Tempo Delay!
Time, Feedback, Mix and Mod make up the main control panel on this versatile delay, basically what you’d find on any delay, except the Modulation. This control adds either chorus or vibrato into the delayed signal, depending which way you turn it (there’s no modulation when this knob is set at noon). You can also use the History Lesson as JUST a chorus or vibrato pedal, simply by turning the Time knob all the way down. Having this option immediately makes this delay different from others in the same category, adding in a new dimension to the echoes, producing lush and warm tones throughout, and instantly transforming this pedal into basically a 3-In-1!
The true beauty of this pedal is the Mode toggle switch, which lets you select from 3 different delay modes, opening up the possibilities and expanding on some already genius sonic features. The 1963 Mode sounds like your classic tape echo, warm and rich, with the Mod knob acting as a control for the virtual tape heads. The 1977 Mode gives off an analog delay vibe, dark and saturated throughout. Finally, the 1984 Mode represents the digital delay era, producing bright and crisp delay tones, slicing through the mix and instantly transporting you back to your youth (or, my youth, anyway, I have no idea how old you are).
The History Lesson’s features don’t stop there, as it features a Tap Tempo/Subdivisions footswitchfor on-the-go adjustments, as well as the option for either standard bypass or “trails” modes, letting you further customize any and everything you need from a small, normal-sized delay pedal. With a delay time range of 10ms-950ms, there’s plenty of delay on tap for just about any situation you could think of. Available exclusively at Chicago Music Exchange, the History Lesson from Alexander Pedals is a breath of freshly delayed air, with a ton of options and sounds to propel your tone to the next level.
Submitted by Mike B, Website
Demo Rock pedalboard by West Coast Pedalboard
October 4, 2016
Thanks for the awesome review. Any chance you guys could do a demo comparing this to the Strymon stuff?
October 4, 2016
We don’t really compare pedals side-by-side, we try to give examples of how the pedals themselves sound, and then let you experiment with others in your setup to find the sound that works for you. Cheers!