The Line 6 DL4 is widely considered the ultimate delay pedal - and it's easy to see why. Featuring 15 distinct delay types, the fabled "green box" captures some of the most classic delay tones and puts them all in one chassis.
- 16 Modes
- 15 Distinct Delay Types
- 14 Seconds of Loop Sampling
- True Bypass
- Stereo In/Stereo Out
- Expression Pedal Input (Line 6 EX-1 Recommended)
- Runs on Line 6 PX-2 Power Supply (Not Included) or Included Batteries
Tube Echo: Tube Echo is emulates a delay type inspired by the original tube-driven Maestro Echoplex. Control the amount of tape "wow" & "flutter" with the tweak control, and control the "tube drive" sound with the tweez knob. Max delay time is 2.5 seconds.
Tape Echo: A cleaner take on the tape delay design than the Tube Echo model, the Tape Echo setting features controls for bass and treble via the tweak and tweez knobs.
Multi-Head: The Multi-Head setting is a very spacey echo design. Emulating a 4-head tape echo machine, the Tweak knob controls heads 1 & 2 - the Tweez knob controls 3 & 4. This allows for wonderfully textured, ambient delay sounds.
Sweep Echo: Sweep Echo is a Line 6 original creation. The tone is based on the Tube Echo setting, but the Tweak and Tweez knobs control the speed and depth of a filter-sweep effect on the repeats. This leaves your original tone intact while adding a delightful filter (think wah/phaser sounds) to the repeats.
Analog Echo: Based on a coveted vintage compact analog delay stompbox, the Analog Echo provides warm repeats and produces killer space-noises, racecar sounds and all the whooshy warbly oscillation madness you could want - especially when coupled with the Line 6 EX-1 expression pedal. Use the Tweak and Tweez knobs to control bass and treble on the repeats.
Analog w/Mod: The mack-daddy of analog delays. This one is based on an old big box "bucket brigade" delay. Control chorus/vibrato speed and depth with the Tweak and Tweez knobs (modulation affects repeats only). The big box BBD pedal-o-inspiration had 550ms of delay time - the Analog w/Mod setting has 2.5. Oh yeah, get the expression pedal out for this one.
Lo Res Delay: Early digital delay units featured a much lower bit rate than new ones (like the DL-4). They were often 8-bit, which typically resulted in less-than pristine repeats. Technology has come a long way since then, but sometimes those grunchier, glitchy repeats are exactly what the doctor ordered. The Lo-Res delay setting allows control of the bit rate, from 6 up to 24 via the Tweez knob & the Tweak knob controls tone.
Digital Delay: Crystal clean delay with full control of bass and treble (repeats) via the Tweak and Tweez knobs is yours with this classy Digital Delay setting. 24-bit processing and true stereo audio path make this one of the best delays available in a stomp unit.
Digital w/Mod:: A variant of the Digital Delay setting, this is the same pristine delay but with the ability to add chorus to the repeats. Use the Tweak and Tweez knobs to control modulation speed and depth.
Rhythmic Delay: This setting has 6 different modes within it, each of which represent a different note value. Add modulation and control the rate/depth with the Tweak and Tweez knobs.
Stereo Delay: Arguably one of the most common uses for delay is available on this setting - Stereo Delay. Go for that big stadium rock guitar solo tone, that Edge "Streets" sound - or something totally new of your own. Control modulation rate/depth with the Tweak & Tweez knobs.
Ping Pong: To take full advantage of the Ping Pong delay, you should use a two amplifier rig (guitarists). The control surface of the DL4 completely changes to allow mixing of delays between the left and right outputs. This effect is amazing for creating space and atmosphere.
Reverse: An effect that takes whatever you play and repeats it to you - sdrawkcab. That's right, backwards. A very desired effect heard on some of the most famous rock'n'roll records of all time, reverse delay on the DL4 can be modified by adjusting delay time, wet/dry mix and modulation rate/depth.
Dynamic Delay: Delay with intelligence. The Dynamic Delay setting takes a players dynamics into account and adjusts the volume of the repeats accordingly. So when you play soft, the repeats don't get in the way - and when you really dig in, the repeats are right there with you. Tweak sets the threshold and Tweez adjusts the level of the auto "ducked" repeats.
Auto-Volume Echo: Two distinct effects in one. The first is an "auto-volume" swell function, which gives you a "fade-in" attack kinda like an old synth, slow gear - or the effect you get when turning your guitar volume up from zero right after hitting a note. The second effect is a great sounding echo, complete with tape "wow" & "flutter." Tweak controls the modulation depth and Tweez controls the attack of the auto-volume.
Loop Sampler: The Loop Sampler features 14 seconds of record time at normal speed - switch it to half-speed mode and you've got 28 seconds! With easy-to-use foot controls for record, playback and 1/2 speed/reverse, you can really get creative right away. The Loop Sampler is a great tool for stage as well as the practice room. Many live acts (such as Minus the Bear) use the Loop Sampler for inserting cool effected sample into songs - tapping the play once function to create interesting rhythms and textures. Use the Loop Sampler at home or in the writing room to layer and compose your material, or simply to practice leads over chords. It's really up to you and the extent of your imagination.
