A couple months ago, we reviewed today’s featured pedal’s little brother, the 550-TT Analog Delay, and were quite impressed. The Deluxe Memory Man 1100-TT Analog Delay is very similar to it’s younger incarnation, but with one solid difference: Time. Since the control layout, Input and Output jacks, Tap Tempo capabilities and the FX Loop are all the same, head over here to get the skinny on all the controls and quirks of this pedal, as today we’re going to focus on the main reason this 1100-TT is so popular.
The classic analog delays we always hear about, or perhaps even own, used special bucket brigade delay chips, and the 1100-TT has been modeled after another great effect, also from Electro-Harmonix: the Deluxe Memory Man. Considered by some to be the finest analog delay ever produced, it bears a sound and tone that many have attempted to copy, and few have successfully replicated. This modern model features high-quality ICs as well, but this particular model is coveted for a specific chip-related reason.
The original 1100-TT pedals contain NOS Panasonic MN3005 chips, which are highly sought-after for that specific analog delay sound. Unfortunately, there are only so many in existence, and once they ran out, that was it. This version is the one we have for you today, as the newer models feature a different graphic that says “1100-TT” instead of “Tap Tempo”, plus they use different chips internally. These first run effects have become scarce, and their prices when they do show up definitely tell you you’ve got the right version.
Having not played the newer version of the Deluxe Memory Man 1100-TT Analog Delay, we can’t say how it compares to this one, but we sure had a blast listening to it in all its analog, bucket brigade glory. While the difference may be intelligible to only the keenest of eardrums, it sounds downright amaxing, and we’re glad we got our hands on one to hear the hype for ourselves. Check out the demo video below, and have a taste of what this special pedal can sonically produce!
Specs:
The sound of the Deluxe Memory Man with the addition of Tap Tempo
Five Tap Tempo subdivisions: dotted eighth, quarter note triplet, eighth note, eighth note triplet and sixteenth note
Five Expression Modes: Blend, Rate, Depth, Feedback and Delay
Send and return EFX loop allows effects to be added to only the delayed signal
Fully adjustable control over Rate and Depth of the modulation
Input for an External Tap switch
True Bypass
9 Volt power supply provided
Dimensions in inches: 4.75 (w) x 5.75 (l) x 2.5 (h)
Dimensions in mm: 146 (w) x 121 (l) x 64 (h)
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December 5, 2016
The new version features the Xvive MN3005 chips, the same ones used in the Tonal Recall delay that everyone is hyping. I suspect the differences in sound quality between the 2 DMM 1100-TTs are minimal; there’s a detailed thread online with people comparing them that has some people preferring the new ones for their brightness and clarity. And I’m sure that among those who prefer the old is some of that unobtanium wishful thinking.
A feature of both units that doesn’t get mentioned much is that holding the tap switch ramps up the feedback to an adjustable level. I always dig that sort of thing on a delay!