Electro Harmonix Memory Boy

Analog Delay Effect Pedal

Image Electro Harmonix Memory Boy

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Latest User Reviews

3 years ago

The MemoryBoy hasn't the longest delay but it sounds good and there are few nice options with the chorus/vibrato and wave shape toggles. The power supply is included but I would have preferred a cheaper price a no PSU. I sold it and now I regret it.

6 years ago

Good analog delay!

Nice pedal for the money.

7 years ago

So unique, bit bizzare, awkward and good...

In simple words? sound is so good but also so weird. This is not a typical kind of delay sound as you probably gonna expect. Especially modulations sound different and they're giving you awkward noises. It's a matter of your preferences and personal taste but I really like it just because everything in this pedal seems to be different. If I could describe the delay tone I would say it's very warm and deep. Just couple of words about built quality? It's very solid and durable. Looks cool as well. The only one thing I need to admit that the screws of the backplate were so tight that I couldn't open it and see how it looks inside.

All in all If you want a more classic and predictible delay sound you may want to look for sth else while it can create that sound it is quite hard to describe. Neverthless it's a piece of more bizzare and unique piece of my pedalboard now and despite the fact that it wasn't love from the first sigh I still have this pedal in my set and I really enjoy it.

8 years ago

A whole new instrument

It feeds your creatvity!

The fact that it has less features than "the bigger brother", it doesn't make it any smaller"!

It's a very good analog delay and it seems that the sounds it can offer are infinite! From pshychedelic sounds to the more "civilized" behaviour you can expect from it!

A very soft tremolo and a very good chorus!

Never tried it with the expression pedal, but I'm looking forward to it!

9 years ago

Electro Harmonix Memory Boy (Analog Delay)

About Electro Harmonix Memory Boy.

A medium size analog delay which i personally bought almost only for el. guitar use. Saying "almost" means that it's use is beyond only using it for a guitar.

A classic warm analog sound with 3 extra features which work absolutely perfect: a chorus modulation, a vibrato modulation and last but not least an expression pedal input which can handle the modulations or the delay in a very gentle and professional way. Of course depending on the expression pedal you use and its quality; i used a Hotone Soul Press which was more than enough.

About the delay of the pedal: an effect which will come in handy to any musician who thinks out of the box and is patient enough to explore the pedal to its full capacity. The sound, as i mentioned, is the classic analog warm sound which holds a character of its own and of the notes you play. The oscillation is just more than enough from a pedal of this range (regarding the size and cost).

The sound of the chorus and the vibrato is brilliant and turn your every sound into a very spacious and unique one.

The absence of tap tempo switch might be disturbing for some people who want a fast switch between delay speeds but if you are clever enough the expression pedal can do the job. Also have to mention that you save quite enough space on the pedalboard with the absence of tap tempo feature.

Regarding the hardware: the knobs are easy to spot on even from a standing position (excluding the modulation switch which you will have to have set before playing).

The main switch, and in my opinion the only foul of the pedal, but not very sure if it's a "lucky one" or it is the same on every pedal, is a little stiff when pressing. But again it is my taste which requires a little more soft press (some people find it normal).

Since it is the only "flaw" i have spoted i am not gonna deprive a "star of quality" and will close with that:

a very versatile delay pedal which is the money for value one and will keep every delay addict satisfied!

9 years ago

Good sounding Delay

Sounds great!

It's allmost everything I want in a delay.

Sturdy build, good sound, and it looks cool to.

If it could be set to a BPM by midi this would be the perfect thing.

10 years ago

Nothing bad to say about Electro Harmonix, Great pedals and a good sound.

10 years ago

As usual with Electro Harmonix this is a small rugged pedal. Built to last. I believe you can jump on it and it would still work.

This does everything expected from an analog delay. It's easy to set, and after messing mildly with it you can get great sounds with no effort. The analog is warm and on some settings feels like a deeper reverb filling the sound with warmth. On the other hand you can also do some extreme delay stuff, bearing in mind that the repetition interval is limited.

I think for any person (like myself) who wants to just mess at home but also have something for gigs this is a great choice and not much to go wrong with.

10 years ago

Best pedal ever!

So i've been using the Memory Boy for a few months now and I can honestly say this is the best pedal ever.

It took some getting used to, but the sounds you can make with it are fantastic. It's perfect for various types of music, and with it being an EHX pedal you can really tell the high quality.

If you're thinking about getting this pedal, just do it, it's perfect.

10 years ago

Memory Boy - flawed genius?

First the good news.

If you want ehx memory man 'style' analog delay at a bargain price then this is a pretty good pedal. Maximum delay is reported as 550ms (that is probably about right) and it sounds pretty dark but if you are looking at this then you already know that don't you? If you are looking for long delay times and super clear repeats then, as others have said look elsewhere, but if you want the 'lofi' analog decay within the half second parameter then, for the price, this is a pretty good bet. The delays sound warm, the controls are straightforward (as long as you are careful with the feedback control as the pedal as an eagerness to self-oscillate), it comes with a power supply and that's all you need to know...

BUT the not so good news.

The modulation controls are pretty crazy and whilst you can get a nice modulated delay sound with the depth control a fraction off zero and the switches on triangle wave and chorus, anything more and you are in head swimming territory. The faster speed and the square wave modulations continue further into this 'experimental' territory. I haven't tried it with an expression pedal to control the modulation but I suspect that anyone but the most psychedelically inclined sonic experimenters will end up leaving the modulation well alone or on a very minimal setting.

I have managed to get a useable, though quite intense, chorus and a vibrato effect by playing with the controls but it's not exactly easy to dial in and I like, most I suspect, have perfectly good pedals to do these jobs for me.

I bought this as an analog delay pedal and, whilst the issues with the usability of the modulation controls are a negative, they don't stop this pedal being a success as a delay. Though it is a compromised success and if you are looking for a cheap, straightforward analog delay, without too much weird modulation, then you may want to consider the 'memory toy' for a little less money. Although when you factor in the fact this doesn't come with a power supply there really isn't much in it and you can always leave the modulation off!

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Technical Data

  • Manufactured by Electro Harmonix
  • Released in 2009
  • Average price : $151
  • With controls for Delay - Depth - Blend - Feedback
  • Switch Vibrato / Chorus / Exp.Pedal
  • Delay Time: 30 - 550 ms
  • Connection for Expression Pedal
  • Dimensions (WxDxH): 102 x 120 x 57 mm
  • Included: Power supply
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