October 2024: Fractal Audio's VP4 Virtual Pedalboard added to the wiki.
Multitap Delay block
Contents
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.
More information in the Owner's Manual
Factory presets
The MTD block is showcased in some factory presets. Search the Factory presets page for "multitap".
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. For similar effect, use the Multitap Delay block.
"You can use the Multitap Delay block as four choruses." [2]
Adding ring modulation to delays
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.
Built-in 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.
Parameters
| Parameter | Axe-Fx III / FM3 / FM9 |
|---|---|
| Type | yes |
| Config | yes |
| Input Select | yes |
| Global Mix | yes |
| Master: | |
| Master Time | yes |
| Master Feedback | yes |
| Master Level | yes |
| Master Pan | yes |
| Master Frequency | yes |
| Master Q | yes |
| Master LFO Rate | yes |
| Master LFO Depth | yes |
| Master Filter Freq | yes |
| Master Filter Q | yes |
| Master Chorus Rate | yes |
| Master Chorus Depth | yes |
| Master Comb Time | yes |
| Master Comb Depth | yes |
| Master Ring Mod Freq | yes |
| Master Ring Mod Mix | yes |
| Drive | yes |
| Diffuser: | |
| Diffusion Mix, Time, LFO Rate, LFO Depth | yes |
| Ducker: | |
| Threshold | yes |
| Attenuation | yes |
| Release Time | yes |
| Envelope Follower: | |
| Threshold | yes |
| Attack Time | yes |
| Release Time | yes |
| Delay: | |
| Time 1-4 | yes |
| Tempo 1-4 | yes |
| Feedback 1-4 | yes |
| Level 1-4 | yes |
| Pan 1-4 | yes |
| Feedback Send | yes |
| Feedback Return | yes |
| EQ: | |
| Type | yes |
| Frequency | yes |
| Q | yes |
| Gain | yes |
| Low Cut, High Cut | yes |
| Low Cut Slope, Hi Cut Slope | yes |
| Modulation: | |
| LFO 1,2 Type | yes |
| LFO 1,2 Rate | yes |
| LFO 1,2 Tempo | yes |
| LFO 1,2 Depth | yes |
| LFO 1,2 Phase | yes |
| Frequency 1-4 | yes |
| Q 1-4 | yes |
| Filter LFO Type | yes |
| Filter LFO Rate | yes |
| Filter LFO Tempo | yes |
| Filter LFO Depth | yes |
| Filter LFO Phase | yes |
| Chorus 1-4 Rate | yes |
| Chorus 1-4 Depth | yes |
| Chorus LFO 1-4 Rate | yes |
| Chorus LFO 1-4 Depth | yes |
| Comb Filter Type | yes |
| Comb Filter 1-4 Time | yes |
| Comb Filter 1-4 Feedbck | yes |
| Ring Mod 1-4 Freq | yes |
| Ring Mod 1-4 Mix | yes |
