Don’t Delay: Picking the Right Delay Plugin for Your Tracks

Let’s talk delay plugins. You know, the echoey sauce you splash over a track to give it that little something such as space, depth, drama and even a bit of attitude.

Check out any plugin shop and you’ll be met with more options than a coffee shop that’s just discovered oat milk. So, how do you pick the right one?

Here’s the thing: delay isn’t just delay. Some are crisp and clean like a freshly ironed shirt. Some are warm and gooey like a toffee pudding. The right delay plugin doesn’t just bounce your sound but it brings a vibe.

Whether you’re working on synthwave, boom bap, or just trying to make your snare sound less like it’s been recorded in your nan’s airing cupboard then this is my take for three solid delay plugins worth parking in your plugin folder.

🛠 1. FabFilter Timeless 3

The Swiss Army Knife of Delay

👉 Buy it on Plugin Boutique

This one’s a beast. Not just a delay but a delay playground.

FabFilter basically said, “Right, what if delay was modular, musical, and just a bit bonkers?” and then actually made it work. You get:

• Dual delay lines with independent feedback

• Serious modulation tools such as LFO and envelopes which are all drag-and-drop)

• Filters that sound lush enough to sit on a vocal bus

Want subtle stereo widening on a lead? Timeless 3 can do that. Want a feedback loop that sounds like it’s being swallowed by a black hole? It can do that too and not crash your session.

This is a premium delay plugin and will step up your audio production game.

🎚 2. Soundtoys EchoBoy

The Studio Classic in Plugin Form

👉 Grab Echoboy Here

Ah, EchoBoy. The OG. This one’s been on more records than I’ve had hot dinners.

It’s the go-to if you want:

• Classic tape echo vibes

• Dubby madness with warmth

• Easy presets that actually sound good

There’s a reason producers keep coming back to this one. It’s like having a pedalboard of vintage echo units inside your DAW. I stick it on guitars, snares, vocals as it just works.

It’s like that one mate who always brings the right beer to a BBQ.

🎛 3. Baby Audio Comeback Kid

Delay That Doesn’t Overcomplicate It

👉 Check it out here

This one’s light, modern, and full of character. No bloated interface. No faff. Just solid delay with all the right extras:

• Stereo width controls

• Lo-fi colouring and saturation

• Built-in ducking (absolute game-changer for vocals)

Perfect if you want results fast, without diving into a maze of modulation tabs. It’s affordable, lean, and gets the job done. Kind of like the plugin equivalent of a good multitool.

🎧 Final Thoughts

Picking a delay plugin is a bit tricky but getting it right works wanders. You want something that complements your sound and doesn’t mask or muddy the mix.

• Need surgical control and mad scientist creativity? Go FabFilter Timeless 3.

• Want vintage character and just the right amount of wobble? Go EchoBoy.

• After a fast, modern all-rounder? You’ll love Comeback Kid.

Whatever your flavour, just remember that delay isn’t only about echoes. It’s rhythm, space, movement. It’s the supporter to your lead line.

Go wild. Or go subtle. But don’t delay getting one of these on your mix.

🎛 Got a favourite delay plugin I missed? Hit reply and let me know as I’m always up for a new toy to tinker with.