AIR Delay Pro
by AIR Music Technology · Delay · Dual-engine delay
Not rated yet
AIR Delay Pro is a dual-engine delay with analog and digital modes, diffusion, auto-clear and an envelope follower.
Delays reach 4 seconds with BPM sync, and it costs $99.
Best for: Vocals, Guitars, Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: tempo-synced, electric guitar, ducking, vocals, keys, synths, wide, analog delay, bass, chorus, clean, creative, digital delay, drums, dub, hardware emulation, mixing, sound design, pads, wobble.
What it does
AIR Delay Pro is a stereo delay with analog and digital engines, built around three extras that most delays lack: an envelope follower, auto-clear and a diffusion stage that smears the repeats toward reverb.
- Dual engine: switch between a digital delay and an emulated analog delay, with up to 4 seconds of delay time, fully synced to host tempo.
- Delay modes: Single, Dual and Cross, with three stereo options for offset and bouncing delays, plus a width control.
- Envelope follower: the input level can drive delay time, feedback and the wet/dry mix, so repeats duck, swell or bend with the playing.
- Auto-clear: clears the feedback buffer once the input crosses a threshold, so old repeats stop when new notes arrive instead of bleeding into them.
- Diffusion: a diffusion section with a size control and a stereo switch that blurs the edges of the repeats into a reverb-like wash.
- Feedback loop: high- and low-pass filters, a resonant filter with its own LFO, distortion and a limiter, all inside the feedback path.
- Modulation and output: Wobble, Stereo and Chorus modulation with slow and fast settings; the output has high/low-pass filters, a parametric EQ band, width, balance and mix.
- Presets: a categorised library covering guitar, keys, drums, bass, atmospheres and modulation.
Version 1.2.0.5. A 10-day demo is available. Launch prices in reviews were lower than the current store listing.
Source: AIR Music Technology product page
When to use it
AIR Delay Pro is the better pick when you want a delay that reacts to the performance: its envelope follower and auto-clear do things that EchoBoy and ValhallaDelay don't offer as dedicated controls. Compared with EchoBoy, it has far fewer vintage echo styles and less tape character, and reviewers found it less warm. Compared with ValhallaDelay, it costs more but adds the feedback-loop distortion, limiter and resonant filter in one panel. FabFilter Timeless 3 goes further on modulation routing and filtering, while Delay Pro is simpler to set up.
- Best for: vocal and synth throws that stop cleanly, ducked or swelling delays, diffused echoes on pads, and tempo-synced delays on beats and guitar chords.
- Genres: EDM, chillout, dub and other electronic styles, and general pop and rock production.
- Look elsewhere if: you want deep tape and vintage character (EchoBoy) or a cheaper delay with many modes (ValhallaDelay).
- Tip: Computer Music suggests using the presets as starting points and backing off the mix rather than running them fully wet.
What producers say
Reviewers liked its creative extras; the main reservation is that it has less character than vintage-style delays.
- Sound On Sound (Paul White, 2023) praised the envelope follower, the "quite surreal" auto-clear effects, the diffusion and the presets, and said EDM, chillout and dub producers would love it.
- Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2023) called it "a transformative delay", praising auto-clear, the envelope follower, diffusion and the MPC integration.
- Criticisms: Computer Music felt it lacks the character and warmth of some competing delays.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $29
- PluginFox: $29 (regular $99)
- Plugin Boutique: $31 (regular $99)
- AIR Music Technology: $99 (list price from KVR Audio; airmusictech.com shows prices only in its shop)
- AudioDeluxe: $99
Tutorials and reviews
- AIR Delay Pro - Walkthrough
- AIR Delay Pro - A Sonic Explorer's Guide
- AIR Delay Pro Features And Sound
- AIR Delay Pro - Can your Delay Plugin Do this?
- AIR Music Technology Delay Pro -Revisión Oficial en Español-
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