Flexible Stereo Delay with Modulation
Precision Delay Modulation is a high fidelity stereo delay processor with modulation capabilities. With five modes available for chorus, flanger, and three distinct delay types, Precision Delay Mod and Delay Mod L (Long) provide a huge palette of creative movement and shimmer for any source that needs some added excitement.
Features
- Dual delay processors with five operating modes
- Six LFO modulation options
- Tempo synchronization for delay times and modulation rates
- Precision Delay Mod L — long version for extended delay times
Precision Mix Rack Collection
Precision Delay Modulation is part of the Precision Mix Rack Collection, which provides modern, high-quality production tools for tracking and mixing. The Precision Mix Rack Collection includes the following UAD plug-ins:
- Precision Channel Strip – Five-band EQ plus dynamics processing
- Precision Delay Mod – High fidelity stereo delay processor with modulation
- Precision Delay Mod Long – Same as Precision Delay Mod with longer delay times
- Precision Reflection Engine – Small room ambience simulator
Precision Delay Modulation
Operational Overview
Precision Delay Modulation Plug-Ins
Precision Delay Mod and Precision Delay Mod L (Long) are two separate plug-ins. However, they have the exact same control set and are operated identically.
The only difference between the two plug-ins is Precision Delay Mod L has longer available delay times for extended echo effects. These longer delay times require more UAD-2 memory resources. Precision Delay Mod L may be used when delay times longer than one second are desired.
Note: All control references in this chapter refer to both the Precision Delay Mod and Precision Delay Mod Long plug-ins unless specifically noted otherwise.
The Precision Delay Modulation controls layout is illustrated below.
Delay Topology
Precision Delay Mod has two delay processors, labeled A and B. These delay lines are configured as five distinct modes: Dual, Crossover, Ping Pong, Chorus, and Flanger.
Each delay line has independent delay times, and available delay time ranges depend on the active mode. The single set of filter (high-pass/low-pass) and recirculation (feedback) controls are shared by both delays. Delay times can be synchronized to the tempo of the host application.
When used in a stereo-out configuration, the output of delays A and B can be independently panned in the stereo field. When used in a mono-out configuration, delays A and B have independent output level controls.
Modulation Topology
Each delay line has an LFO (low frequency oscillator) for modulating its delay time. The single set of modulation controls are shared by both delay lines. Sine and triangle LFO waveshapes are available, and the phase offset between the two LFOs can be changed for a variety of modulation effects. Modulation times can be synchronized to the tempo the host application.
Precision Delay Modulation Controls
Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section.
Mode
Mode defines the underlying topology of the plug-in and available delay time ranges. The mode can be changed using either of these methods:
- Click the selection arrows on each side of the mode display, or
- Click the mode display and choose a mode from the drop menu.
Five modes are available; each is described below.
Dual Delay
In DUAL DELAY mode, the recirculated signal is routed from the output of the delay line to the input of the same delay line.
Crossover (XOVR) Delay
In XOVR DELAY mode, the recirculated signal is routed from the output of the delay line to the input of the opposite delay line.
Ping Pong Delay
In PING PONG mode, the input is routed to Delay A only, and the output of Delay A is routed to the input of Delay B. Recirculate adjusts the feedback level from Delay B into Delay A.
Chorus
Chorus has the same topology as Dual Delay, with short delay time ranges that are more suitable for the chorus effect.
Flanger
Flanger has the same topology as Dual Delay, with very short delay time ranges that are suitable for the flanging effect.
Mute A, B
These buttons mute the signal at the input to the delay line. The delay's input is muted when its "M" button is lit.
By muting one or both delay inputs (either manually or via automation), creative effects can be "triggered" to apply only to specific musical or percussive passages.
Delay A, B
This control sets the delay time for the processor. Delay lines A and B can each have unique values.
The minimum available delay value is 0.14 milliseconds. The maximum available delay value depends on the plug-in and its current Mode. Maximum delay values for all modes and both plug-ins are in the table below.
Note: When switching Modes, if the new mode has a shorter maximum delay time than the current Delay value, the prior Delay value is lost.
Maximum Available Delay Times
|
Mode |
Precision Delay Mod |
Precision Delay Mod L |
|---|---|---|
|
Dual Delay |
1 second |
3 seconds |
|
Crossover Delay |
1 second |
3 seconds |
|
Ping Pong |
1 second |
3 seconds |
|
Chorus |
125 milliseconds |
|
|
Flanger |
45 milliseconds |
Link
The Link button gangs the Delay A, B time knobs and the Mute A, B buttons. Link is engaged when the button is lit.
When linked, as one delay time knob is changed, the other delay time knob follows. Any offset between the two values is maintained.
Rate
This knob sets the modulation rate for the delayed signals. The available range is from 0 to 30 Hz. Rate is synchronized to the tempo of the host application when SYNC is engaged.
Tip: Click the "OFF" label to quickly disable modulation.
Depth
This knob sets the modulation depth for the delayed signals. The available range is 0 - 100%.
Note: Depth is only audible when Rate is set to a non-zero value.
LFO
This menu defines the LFO (low frequency oscillator) waveshape and phase used to modulate the delayed signals. The LFO can be changed using either of these methods:
- Click the selection arrows on each side of the LFO display, or
- Click the LFO display and choose a mode from the drop menu.
The waveshape can be set to triangle or sine, each with a phase value of 0, 90, or 180 degrees.
Sync
When Sync is enabled, delay times and modulation rates are synchronized to the host's tempo. Sync is active when the button is lit. Sync is disabled by default.
When Sync is off, delay times are in milliseconds, and modulation rates are in Hertz. When Sync is on, delay times and modulation rates are displayed as fractional beat/bar values.
Note: For complete details about this feature, see the "Tempo Synchronization" chapter in the UAD System Manual.
Recirculation
Recirculation (feedback) controls the amount of delayed signal routed back to its input. Higher values increase the number of delays and intensity of the processed signal.
Recirculation allows both positive and negative values. With positive values, the polarity of the feedback signal is in phase with the original source signal. With negative values, the polarity of the feedback signal is inverted.
Tip: Click the "0" label to quickly disable recirculation.
In Dual Delay, Crossover Delay, and Ping Pong modes, recirculation values are displayed as T60 time (the time before the signal drops 60 dB). In Chorus and Flanger modes, values are displayed as a percentage.
High Pass
The 12 dB per octave high pass (low cut) filter reduces low frequencies at the input to the delays. The filter affects the delayed (wet) signals only. The available frequency range is from 20 Hz to 22 kHz.
Rotate the knob clockwise to reduce low frequencies in the delay lines. The filter is disabled when rotated to the fully counter-clockwise position.
Tip: Click the "OFF" label to quickly disable the filter. Click again to return to the previous value.
Low Pass
The 6 dB per octave low pass (high cut) damping filter reduces high frequencies at the input to the delays. The filter affects the delayed (wet) signals only. The available frequency range is from 20 Hz to 22 kHz.
Rotate the knob counter-clockwise to reduce high frequencies in the delay lines. The filter is disabled when rotated to the fully clockwise position.
Tip: Click the "OFF" label to quickly disable the filter. Click again to return to the previous value.
Output Controls
Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section.
Mix
Mix controls the balance between the original and the processed signal. The range is from 0% (dry, unprocessed) to 100% (wet, processed signal only).
Tip: Click the "0" label to quickly set the value to 0.
Mix allows both positive and negative values. With positive values, the polarity of the processed signal is in phase with the original source signal. With negative values, the polarity of the processed signal is inverted.
Note: When Wet Solo is enabled, the Mix value is ignored.
Wet Solo
The Wet Solo button puts the plug-in into "100% Wet" mode. When Wet Solo is enabled (when the "S" button is lit), it is the equivalent of setting the Mix control to 100% wet. The Mix value is ignored when Wet Solo is enabled.
Wet Solo is typically used when the plug-in is implemented in the "classic" delay configuration (placed on an effect group/bus that is configured for use with channel sends). When the plug-in is used directly within a signal chain (such as in a channel insert), this control is typically deactivated.
Note: Wet Solo is a global (per plug-in instance) control.
Pan A, B
When the plug-in is used in a stereo-out configuration, these knobs are labeled "PAN" and determine the placement of the individual delay line's output in the stereo panoramic field.
Tip: Click the "0" label to quickly center the signal in the stereo field.
Pan Link
When Pan Link is engaged (when the "L" button is lit), the Pan A and Pan B knobs are ganged, facilitating the ability to quickly narrow or spread the placement of the delay line outputs in the stereo panoramic field.
Note: When the plug-in is used in a mono-out configuration, this button is disabled.
Gain A, B
When the plug-in is used in a mono-out configuration, these knobs are labeled "GAIN" and determine the output level of the individual delay line.
Note: The Gain A, B controls cannot be linked.
The automation labels are "Pan" for these controls, even when used in a mono-out configuration.
Level
This knob adjusts the output level of the plug-in. The available range is -25 dB to +15 dB.
Tip: Click "0" to quickly set the value to 0 dB.
Power
Power is the plug-in bypass control. When set to OFF, all parameter and meter values are no longer visible, and the UA logo is dimmed.
Tip: Power can also be toggled by clicking the UA diamond logo.
Power is useful for comparing the processed settings to the original signal. Unlike the host application's plug-in disable switch, which can cause audio artifacts, the Power switch offers glitch-free bypass.
DM-1/DM-1L Migration
As of UAD v8.2, Precision Delay Modulation replaces the original DM-1 and DM-1L plug-ins. When a session containing DM-1/DM-1L is opened in UAD v8.2 and later, DM-1/DM-1L plug-in instances and settings are automatically migrated to the newer Precision Delay Modulation.
For additional information about how DM-1/DM-1L migration is handled, see Migrating Prior Sessions in the CS-1 chapter.