
Excellent value. Plenty of analog authenticity.
No tap tempo. Could benefit from a tone control.
$99
Fender Hammertone Space Delay
fender.com
An extremely affordable digital take on analog echoes.
Fender’s Space Delay, from the company’s recent Hammertone series, is a digital delay with a tape-echo’s soul. Back in June we reviewed the more conventional Hammertone Delay, which we noted was “ a lot more fun than most inexpensive digital delays.” That holds true for the company’s more analog-style—and equally affordable—Space Delay.
Echo Family Resemblance
Tape echo-inspired delays typically utilize rhythmic patterns and modulation to approximate the multi-head capabilities and tape warble in real tape delays. But there’s a secondary benefit to this kind of functionality: It’s fun! And I often found myself situating the Space Delay within arm’s reach rather than at my feet so that I could use each function to the fullest.
The Space Delay is configured a lot like the Hammertone Delay, except the Space Delay swaps the type switch for a pattern control which moves between quarter-note delay, pattern 1, and pattern 2, which are pre-programed rhythmic patterns. To some extent, the two patterns offer the ping-pong echo interplay that you hear in vintage multi-head echo units like the Roland Space Echo and the Binson Echorec. And playing to the gallop-style feel of each pattern is inspiring. Each pattern is made up of quarter and eighth notes, Pattern 1 situates the quarter-note first in the pattern, while pattern 2 situates the faster repeat first in the sequence. The pronounced attack on each initial delay is crisp and accurate, which helps drive the rhythmic push for each pattern and the phrases you create with them.
The other switch turns on the modulation and there are two small controls on the inside of the pedal to adjust modulation speed and depth. The factory setting is a nice, flowing setting that stops well short of seasick vibes. Still, it was a bit heavy on the depth, so I turned that down a bit to allow the modulation to sit more comfortably in the background. Extreme modulation depth settings are fun too if you’re in the mood to get noisy. Some of the chorus-like tones at these settings might be a bit metallic sounding in the high end for some, but they still mesh nicely with cleaner low-repeat, high-feedback settings.
Dirty Deeds
For many, the primary appeal of tape- and analog-style delay is how repeats degrade and lose fidelity as they repeat. The Space Delay nails that haze. There’s enough natural grit on the repeats to pass as an all-analog creation in many cases, and you can hear a lot of analog-style warmth in the audio clips that accompany the digital version of this article. As nice as those dark repeats can sound, I still wish there was a tone control to brighten those repeats up at times. Amid the swirling sound of a loud gig, darker repeats can go missing, and I tend to prefer digital delays in those settings for that reason. So, it’s worth trying the Space Delay before you buy to see how the darker repeats fit with the other elements of your signal chain.
There’s enough natural grit on the repeats to pass as an all-analog creation in many cases
The feedback is satisfying in very analog-like ways too. It’s especially cool to be able to use heavy feedback settings—right at the edge of oscillation—and then walk the line between a long wash of repeats and self-oscillation, simply by adjusting your picking dynamics. It’s not easy to coax that sensitivity out of more pristine digital units.
The Verdict
The Space Delay is a great gateway to the world of tape-echo ambience at a exceptional price. I do wish there was a bit more flexibility in the repeat patterns, a way to brighten repeats up, or maybe even tap tempo. But for $99 the Space Delay is a killer way to work a little warble, tape-style fog, and rhythmic drive into your delay textures.
Hammertone Space Delay Pedal
- Classic analog tape delay warble in a budget-friendly package!
- Pattern and Modulation switching provide stellar creative foundations
- Time, Feedback, and Level controls allow for maximum delay customization
- Analog Dry-Through technology expertly preserves your guitar tone while in use
- True-bypass switching for easy integration into your pedal chain
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Lutefish, the real-time music collaboration device and platform, is excited to announce a suite of new features designed to simplify setup, streamline collaboration, and offer more flexible subscription options for Lutefish Stream users. These latest updates, Audio Presets, Automatic Session Recall, Improved Scheduling with Contact Visibility, and a new Yearly Subscription Plan, are all about making it easier than ever for musicians to jam together, no matter where they’re based.
Save Time and Stay in the Flow with Audio Presets & Session Recall
Musicians can now save and reuse their exact audio settings, reducing setup time and ensuring every session sounds exactly as they want.
- Automatic Session Recall: When users leave a session, their current audio levels are automatically saved and restored when they rejoin.
- User-Defined Audio Presets: Each user can create and name up to five custom presets, like “Band Practice,” “Studio Mic Setup,” or “Quick Jam,” making it effortless to jump back in with the perfect sound.
“These tools are all about saving time and hassle,” said Patrick Finn, Business Manager at Lutefish. “Musicians want to make music, not spend time rebalancing levels every session. With presets and recall, we’re giving them time back and helping them sound their best, every time.”
Smarter Scheduling and Contact Visibility
The latest update to Lutefish also made it easier to find collaborators and book sessions. Users can now:- View all their contacts at a glance when scheduling a session.
- Instantly identify which contacts own a Lutefish Stream device—so they will always know who’s ready to jam.
Go Yearly and Save 20%
Lutefish now offers a Yearly Subscription Plan, providing users with the same great access as the monthly plan at a 20% discount.
This option is now available within the Lutefish app and web platform, and current monthly users are eligible for a discount with an upgrade to a yearly subscription.
Lutefish’s mission has always been to empower musicians to connect and collaborate without boundaries. With these new updates, Lutefish Stream continues to break down barriers—whether you’re jamming with a friend across town or collaborating with a bandmate 500 miles away.
For more information and to start jamming today, visitlutefish.com.
Few musical acts did more to put their fame and fortune to good use than punk rock icon Wayne Kramer. Known for his enduring commitment to activism, especially in justice reform, his life story embodies the defiant, DIY ethos of punk, directly inspiring generations of bands and musicians who followed. Now, fans and fellow musicians alike can attempt to emulate Kramer’s incendiary sound with the new, limited-edition pedal.
Designed before his death in February 2024, Wayne Kramer—together with friend Jimi Dunlop (Dunlop CEO) and Daredevil Pedals owner Johnny Wator —the pedal features artwork from artist and activist Shepard Fairey (Obey Clothing founder). A majority of profits from the sale of the pedal goes directly to Kramer’s charity supporting the rehabilitation of incarcerated people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
In honor of his close friend, Tom Morello—the innovative guitarist behind Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, the Nightwatchman, and more—demoed the pedal, showcasing its sound and shining light on Wayne Kramer’s incredible legacy.
Tom Morello Introduces MC5 Wayne Kramer-Inspired Pedal For Charity: MXR Jail Guitar Doors Drive
"What they've tried to bake into the MXR® Jail Guitar Doors Drive distortion pedal is not just Wayne's sound but Wayne's attitude, and the grit and the rawness of Detroit and of the MC5," said Morello, one of Kramer’s best friends, during his demo of the pedal. "This is the guitar pedal that was used on the song 'Heavy Lifting' that I recorded with Wayne for the last MC5 record.
"Named after the late rocker's charity—which provides instruments and art workshops to incarcerated individuals as rehabilitation tools—the MXR® Jail Guitar Doors Drive pedal aims to capture all of the high-voltage energy of Wayne Kramer's sound. It features two uniquely voiced gain circuits cascaded together with a singular pot controlling both the output level of each circuit and the overall saturation level of the distortion.
Music makers looking to capture Kramer’s raw, fiery sound can pick up the new MXR® Jail Guitar Doors Drive pedal, exclusively on Reverb via The Official MXR Jail Guitar Doors Drive Reverb Shop for $199, here: https://reverb.com/shop/the-official-mxr-jail-guitar-doors-reverb-shop.
Kiesel Guitars has introduced their newest solid body electric guitar: the Kyber.
With its modern performance specs and competitive pricing, the Kyber is Kiesel's most forward-thinking design yet, engineered for comfort, quick playing, and precision with every note.
Introducing the Kiesel Kyber Guitar
- Engineered with a lightweight body to reduce fatigue during long performances without sacrificing tone. Six-string Kybers, configured with the standard woods and a fixed bridge, weigh in at 6 pounds or under on average
- Unique shape made for ergonomic comfort in any playing position and enhanced classical position
- The Kyber features Kiesel's most extreme arm contour and a uniquely shaped body that enhances classical position support while still excelling in standard position.
- The new minimalist yet aggressive headstock pairs perfectly with the body's sleek lines, giving the Kyber a balanced, modern silhouette.
- Hidden strap buttons mounted on rear for excellent balance while giving a clean, ultra-modern look to the front
- Lower horn cutaway design for maximum access to the upper frets
- Sculpted neck heel for seamless playing
- Available in 6 or 7 strings, fixed or tremolo in both standard and multiscale configurations Choose between fixed bridges, tremolos, or multiscale configurations for your perfect setup.
Pricing for the Kyber starts at $1599 and will vary depending on options and features. Learn more about Kiesel’s new Kyber model at kieselguitars.com
The Sunset is a fully analog, zero latency bass amplifier simulator. It features a ¼” input, XLR and ¼” outputs, gain and volume controls and extensive equalization. It’s intended to replace your bass amp both live and in the studio.
If you need a full sounding amp simulator with a lot of EQ, the Sunset is for you. It features a five band equalizer with Treble, Bass, Parametric Midrange (with frequency and level controls), Resonance (for ultra lows), and Presence (for ultra highs). All are carefully tuned for bass guitar. But don’t let that hold you back if you’re a keyboard player. Pianos and synthesizers sound great with the Sunset!
The Sunset includes Gain and master Volume controls which allow you to add compression and classic tube amp growl. It has both ¼” phone and balanced XLR outputs - which lets you use it as a high quality active direct box. Finally, the Sunset features zero latency all analog circuitry – important for the instrument most responsible for the band’s groove.
Introducing the Sunset Bass Amp Simulator
- Zero Latency bass amp simulator.
- Go direct into the PA or DAW.
- Five Band EQ:
- Treble and Bass controls.
- Parametric midrange with level and frequency controls.
- Presence control for extreme highs.
- Resonance control for extreme lows.
- Gain control to add compression and harmonics.
- Master Volume.
- XLR and 1/4" outputs.
- Full bypass.
- 9VDC, 200mA.
Artwork by Aaron Cheney
MAP price: $210 USD ($299 CAD).