In today’s crazy world of delay pedals, with all the tricks and secrets and incredible things they can now do, it’s sometimes nice to have a simple, laid-back delay pedal, capable of subtle tones and monstrous adventure at the same time. Today’s featured pedal is just that, as are most of the pedals from Mantic Effects. The Isaiah Delay is a three-knob echo beast, producing an over-the-top amount of noise and fun, while keeping it simple and straightforward, too.
The Isaiah is a classic sounding PT-based digital/analog hybrid delay, which offers warm characteristics and subtle artifacts of analog and tape with the consistency and diversity of digital. The Mix, Rate and Feedback control knobs seem fairly basic, and they are to an extent, but dig a little deeper, and you will discover a whole new grab bag of other-worldly delay sounds at your fingertips. The Feedback range is quite extended, allowing for more than enough self-oscillation for experimentation, and the preamp section is completely analog, and uses the infamously tasteful 4558 IC with the “Mix” control being fairly conservative to avoid over saturation and/or “muddying” of the original signal.
Developed with the now-departed and world renowned keyboardist, prolific producer, and 2-time Grammy winner Isaiah “Ikey” Owens (Jack White’s Buzzards, The Mars Volta, Free Moral Agents), the Isaiah Delay is something we here at Pedal of the Day have not encountered often: a free-wheeling, guns-blazing, balls-to-the-wall delay pedal, with only 3 controls. With so much range and experimentation harnessed inside this funky enclosure (a rarity, for sure, for those of you familiar with Mantic’s usual plain silver trademark boxes), the sonic possibilities will keep you guessing, and happy the entire time you’re doing it. Thanks to the Mantic Effects crew for letting us check out an unusual and instantly classic one-of-a-kind delay, look for more reviews of their gear soon!
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