Delay is one of the oldest and most versatile audio effects. At its simplest, it creates an echo — a repeat of the original signal after a specified time gap. But with feedback, filtering, and modulation, delay can produce everything from subtle spatial depth to wild, self-oscillating textures.
Common delay types:
- Digital delay — clean, precise repeats
- Analog delay — warm, degrading repeats that darken over time
- Tape delay — emulates tape echo machines with wow and flutter
- Ping-pong delay — alternates repeats between left and right channels
In game audio, delay is used for environmental effects (echoes in canyons), weapon impacts, and UI feedback sounds. It's also a core sound design tool for creating rhythmic textures from simple source material.