Multitap Delay block

Available on which products

• Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
• FM3: 1 block
• FM9: 1 blocks
• Axe-Fx II: no
• AX8: no
• FX8: no

Channels or X/Y switching

• Axe-Fx III and FM9 and FM3: 4 channels

What is the Multitap Delay

The Multitap Delay is a dedicated effect block in firmware Ares and later.

On the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8, its functionality is part of the Multi Delay block.

In firmware 17.01 for the Axe-Fx III (FM3 and FM9 followed) several types were added to the block, partly provided by forum member and effects guru Simeon.

More information in the Owner's Manual.

Types

Current firmware for the Axe-Fx III, FM3 and FM9:

1. 1210 — based on TC's 1210 Spatial Expander / Stereo Chorus Flanger
2. A.H. Clean Long: based on Allan Holdsworth's use of Yamaha's UD Stomp
3. A.H. Clean Short
4. A.H. Lead Long
5. A.H. Lead Short
6. A.H. Swell Long
7. A.H. Swell Short
8. Aerosol: based on a chorus preset in the Lexicon MPX 1
9. Ambient Quad Tape
10. Ambient Tape Delay
11. Aurora Delay: based on the "Halo" of a Keeley HALO Andy Timmons delay pedal
12. Circular Delays
13. Comb Filter Delay
14. Dub Echo
15. Filtered Mod Band Delay
16. L-C-R-C
17. MD Chorus
18. Mono Diffusor
19. PCM Circular: based on Lexicon's PCM
20. PCM Pan: based on Lexicon's PCM
21. Pealing Bells
22. Quad Chorus
23. Quad Diffusor
24. Quad Parallel Delay
25. Quad Series Delay
26. Quad Tap Band Delay
27. Quad Tape Delay
28. Quad-Tap Delay
29. Rhythmic Bands
30. Shadows Taps
31. Space Tape: based on the Roland Space Echo Tape Delay
32. Stereo Shadows
33. Swing Ping
34. Ya-Ya Delay

Factory presets

The MTD block is showcased in some factory presets. Search the Factory presets page for "multitap".

Spillover

In older firmware, this block did not support spillover between presets, but it does in current firmware.

Parameters

Diffusion

Diffusion has its own LFO modulation parameters.

Ring modulation

Single-sideband (SSB) ring modulators can be used to create strange and interesting echo sounds. To defeat the modulators, turn Master Ring Mod Mix to 0.

Envelope follower

The Multitap Delay has its own Envelope Follower, allowing volume swells.

The Owner's Manual recommends these settings: Threshold -70, Attack 400, Release 15.

Tips and tricks

Aurora (Halo)

The Aurora type is based on the "Halo" mode of a Keeley HALO Andy Timmons delay pedal. Robert Keely personally offered some insight and a diagram.

Tutorial by Leon Todd

Using the Multitap Delay as a chorus

Individual delay lines in the Multitap Delay block can act a choruses. Each delay line has a LFO. The rate and depth of each LFO is individually adjustable. These add to the main LFOs which modulate each delay line at the same frequency but different phases. By using short delay times the Multitap Delay block can act as four parallel choruses, each with independent rate and depth.

"Four fully independent chorus voices, each with its own LFO and fully parametric control of time, level, pan, and tone, plus two global LFOs? It's a more versatile and powerful unit than a Tri-Chorus or the previous Fractal Audio "Quad Chorus", and in my quick experiments, easy to dial in so it sounds GREAT. Did I mention Feedback? It's actually a QUAD-CHORO-FLANGE! And you have two of them? audio I'm also thrilled to be using just one block to recreate my trust Ibanez BC-9, which was simply a 2-voice chorus with separate rate and depth on the left and the right. That unit has some very cool sounds." [1]

The Quad Chorus block in the previous hardware generation has not been migrated to the Axe-Fx III, FM3 and FM9. In firmware 17.01 and later, the Multitap Delay block provides a "Quad Chorus" effect type.

The Multitap Delay block in firmware 17.01 and later also provides chorusing effects. Try the "1210" type.