Sometimes, companies release different versions of pedals, ones that have basically the same layout, but maybe a few less gadgets and gizmos, and sell it at a cheaper price. The Deluxe Memory Man 550-TT Analog Delay retains all the power and prestige of it’s big brother, the 1100-TT, but pretty much just shortens the delay time. Also, the 1100-TT’s first version were made with the coveted NOS Panasonic MN3005 chips, but that a whole other story, and one that doesn’t have much bearing on today’s pedal.
The 550ms maximum delay time present here is the same amount that was available on the classic Deluxe Memory Man from Electro-Harmonix, so those familiar with that genius piece of gear will feel right at home. Yes, the longer delay times are nice, but the 1100-TT models aren’t always available, due to those special chips they use, so the 550-TT happily takes it’s place on your pedalboard. Along with the Blend, Feedback and Delay Time controls found on the original, the 550-TT forgoes the Level control and brings a couple of new ideas to the table. The Gain knob sets the Input Gain for this delay, with a range from -13dB to +20dB, to make sure this beauty is heard in all its glory to even the farthest reaches of the local pub you’re playing this weekend.
You can also control the modulation on the echoes as well, always a fun feature, and one that seems to be pretty standard on newer analog delays. Using the Depth and Rate controls, you get to adjust how fast and how intense the modulation is, from a subtle warble to an all-out, LSD-induced trippy freak festival, and all points in between. A Tap Divide selector also lets you choose between six different tap divisions: Quarter, Dotted 8th, Quarter Triplet, 8th, 8th Triplet and 16th notes are all available for you to choose from.
If all this wasn’t enough, the Deluxe Memory Man 550-TT also offers the ability to control all these parameters via an Expression pedal, and selecting which on is as easy as pushing one little button. An onboard Tap Tempo switch lets you dial in the perfect tempo on the fly, and if this delay ends up at the back of your board, you can use the Tap Switch jack to hook up an external tap and retain the same functionality. Finally, this delay also boasts an FX Loop Send and Return, allowing you to plug a distortion, fuzz, chorus or whatever pedal you like into it, and have those effects affect the echoes only, keeping your original signal in tact.
This thing is a beast, folks, make no mistake – everything you could want in an analog delay, with a ton of modern options and classic echo sounds. If you’ve got the extra cash, and absolutely NEED the extra delay time, go grab an 1100-TT (if they’re available), but if you can live with a maximum time that the majority of the classic analog delays featured, you’ll find this pedal an important piece to your tonal puzzle. We actually managed to get our hands on an 1100-TT with the Panasonic chips, so stay tuned for that review coming soon, but for now, check out the demo video we did, and hear some of the power this little green monster can produce!
Specs:
Deluxe Memory Man sound with Tap Tempo
5 Tap Tempo sub divisions: dotted eighth, quarter note triple, eighth note, eighth note triple and sixteenth note
NOS Panasonic bucket brigade ICs
Blend, Rate, Depth, Feedback and Delay Expression Modes
Send & Return FX Loop allows external effects to be added to the delay signal
True Bypass
Dimensions in inches: 4.75 (w) x 5.75 (l) x 2.5 (h)
Dimensions in mm: 146 (w) x 121 (l) x 64 (h)
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