Mad Professor Deep Blue DelayFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 37 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment75%
PROS 75%
CONS 25%

Rank based on 37 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a simple, musical analog-voiced delay with no bad-sounding settings
  • You need clear, uncluttered repeats for solos and slapback without muddying your tone
  • You're willing to pay a premium for boutique build and Echoplex-like character

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need tap tempo with adjustable intervals for live playing
  • You're on a tight budget and cheaper analog delays like Carbon Copy or NUX clones meet your needs
  • You want lots of extra features or modes beyond basic delay

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
You are here
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Tone and musicality are the pedal's biggest strengths. Commenters repeatedly describe the Deep Blue Delay as sounding analog, musical, and echoplex-like, with repeats that don't cloud or step on the guitarist's notes. Several say it beats far pricier rack units and boutique pedals like Strymon, and that its EQ makes it nearly impossible to dial in a bad sound. Long-term owners note it has stayed on their boards for years, some running two units simultaneously for extra depth.

Simplicity and flexible placement make it easy to use. Users praise the straightforward three-knob control set with spot-on decay and repeats, requiring no complicated tweaking. It performs well both in an effects loop and in front of an amp without a loop, though a few feel it sounds best in the loop or at the end of a pedal chain. This plug-and-play usability is repeatedly cited as a major selling point.

Price is the most persistent point of contention. Multiple commenters balk at the roughly $260-450 price tag, pointing to cheaper alternatives like the MXR Carbon Copy, NUX clone, and Boss Waza that offer similar or additional features for far less. Others counter that compared to vintage Echoplex units and their tape maintenance costs, the price is reasonable. Some also note the absence of tap tempo as a limitation for live performance.

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