A1PrimeDelay
by A1AUDIO · Delay · Analogue-style tape delay
Not rated yet
A1PrimeDelay is an analogue-style tape delay modelled on 70s and 80s units, with resonant filters in the feedback loop and wow and flutter.
It adds a ducker, transient softening, saturation, chorus, room reverb and a widener, for $29.99.
Best for: Guitars, Vocals, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: tape, ducking, tape echo, flutter, wobble, 70s, 80s, advanced, chorus, room, vocals, wide, electric guitar, synths, classic, CPU-heavy, hardware emulation, low latency, mixing, oversampling, resizable UI, simple, zero-latency.
What it does
A1PrimeDelay is "an analog-style Tape Delay Plugin" from Alex Hilton's A1AUDIO, modelled internally on classic delay devices of the 70s and 80s. It can be used as a simple three-knob delay or opened up in an Expert mode for detailed tone shaping.
- Two views: the main panel has just Feedback, Time Sync and Mix; Expert mode reveals the full set of parameters.
- Feedback filters: an analog-style resonant filter in the feedback loop with low-pass, band-pass and high-pass options, plus separate low and high cut.
- Tape movement: wow and flutter modulation for tape-style pitch drift on the repeats.
- Ducker and transients: a built-in ducker keeps repeats out of the way of the dry signal, and the Nova Soft Transient engine softens the attacks of the repeats.
- Extra effects: oversampled saturation, chorus, room reverb and a stereo widener, with stereo delay options.
- Interface: resizable UI, with presets included.
KVR lists version 1.2. It works without latency in its regular mode but is fairly CPU-heavy. Its price varies, according to Bedroom Producers Blog.
When to use it
A1PrimeDelay is a good-value all-in-one tape-style delay: one window gives you filtering, ducking, transient softening, saturation and reverb. Compared with EchoBoy and Galaxy Tape Echo, it doesn't model specific vintage units, but it costs a fraction of the price and adds a ducker and reverb they lack. Compared with Comeback Kid, it offers a similar ducked, characterful modern delay with more filter and tape options, though it has fewer users and less third-party support. ValhallaDelay remains the broader all-rounder with more modes, while A1PrimeDelay is quicker to set up from its three-knob main view.
- Best for: affordable tape-style delays with ducking for vocals, guitars and synths.
- Genres: any; pop, indie, rock and electronic in particular.
- Look elsewhere if: you want detailed emulations of specific vintage echo units (EchoBoy or Galaxy Tape Echo) or a light CPU load.
- Tip: start on the main panel with Feedback, Time Sync and Mix, and only open Expert mode once the basic delay sits right.
What producers say
The few user reviews are all positive, with the ducker, tape modelling and transient engine singled out; CPU use is the only noted drawback.
- KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 3 reviews (version 1.2, 2025); one called it "very good-sounding and preset-wise truly convincing" and praised the Nova Soft Transient engine, others praised the ducker and tape module and its complete feature set.
- Bedroom Producers Blog (2025, when it was briefly free) called it "a plum freebie" and a full-featured plugin with unique features, praising the transient detection and the wow and flutter.
- Criticisms: Bedroom Producers Blog noted it is "computationally demanding".
Where to buy
- A1AUDIO: $29.99
Tutorials and reviews
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