Nord User Forum

Hi all

I own an Electro 3 (the first edition not the HP) and am a little cheesed off that I don't get a delay or echoplex effect!

What's the best and most affordable way to get delay onto my setup? Could I connect an effects pedal and what would you recommend?

Hello zarquon,
Welcome to the forums.

I too would have liked some type of echo/ delay effect on my Electro 3-61.
A spring reverb algorithm would have been welcomed as well.

Whatever the reason, it's just not there.

There are several good stereo delay pedals available.
The Behringer echo machine em600
is an economical choice.

Cheers, Hanon

Effect pedals are a dangerous thing to start a topic about. These things are religion to some and it's very difficult to for people to agree about when things are affordable! But a pedal or a rackunit will do the trick for you.

Things to consider.
Stereo in/out - do you normally run your keyboard in stereo you'll want it.
Different delay types - analog or digital. Digital is often crystal clear and analog more "dull". Analog is by some considered to be more musical. But it all depends!
Tap tempo - Do you need it. For some it's a must have, others are happy with just a knob for it.
Delay time - how long a delay do you need
Rack or pedal - pretty obvious difference - soundwise both will work.
Brand - Is a "no-name" pedal ok, or do you need the all knowing look of approvement and respect from your bandmates etc.
Multi-effect or "one trick pony"

I have a Boss DD-7 that I like. I use it mostly on guitar though. But it is not the cheapest of them all (far from the most expensive too). It has tap-tempo and both analog and digital sounds. It can do a lot of things and might be a bit to complicated for some...
I also like the Line6 Echo Park, but it's a bit large and heavy. Behringer makes a clone (EM600) that I think soundwise is almost the same. Don't buy the Behringer FX600 - no good!
Boss had a DD-6 model that they have discontinued. Maybe one of those can be found cheap on the used marked.
TC Electronic flashback - Never tried it, but should be good I've heard.
If you don't need stereo it's a lot easier - and cheaper. I have a couple of danelectro delaypedals that sound great (analogish) - but only in mono.

Many mixers have delay build in too.

Hope the above helps...

Thanks! I notice the NE3 provides no way of getting your pedal into the effects loop so this pedal would have to go between the keyboard and the amp?

I am keen for a delay pedal that I can quickly turn on and off with a tap of the foot and doesn't require an additional power source. (Everyone is scrambling for electrical outlets in the places where I play.) The Boss DD-7 sounds like a good idea!

I use an Eventide Time Factor and it sounds great w/ the E3.

Just went to the store today and tried out the Boss DD-3, admittedly with a non-Nord keyboard. They didn't have the DD-6. It does sound a bit too bright for my taste (although I can see how it would be good for guitar-strumming which is more snappy.) I then tried a few analog pedals and they are definitely more mellow and let the rhodes type patches breathe. So my inclination is, indeed, for an analog pedal - for now!

It will have to go between the keyboard and the amp. No way around it, unless your amp has an effects loop...

The DD-7, Echo Park and the Behringer all do "analog" very well and in stereo. If you don't need stereo and/or tap tempo have a look at the cheap cheap danelectro fab delay.
I did a mod to my danelectro fab echo pedal, and it sounds great. I'm pretty sure the fab delay is the same as the fab echo. Just with the added delaytime knob...