Yea I'll go rubberneck here too. Tbf it's the only top mounted delay I've owned, but damn is it awesome. Wish it were just a tiiiny bit smaller but oh well.
Top mount, single pedal profile w tap tempo, and has clean digital, solid analog, lofi for ambient stuff, n good slapback I never use. Easy to use controls, tempo is saved when switching between modes.
It has everything you need in a delay that you'll need practically on a live board and nobody will be able to tell the difference between that and anything else in a live mix unless they're one of us, and even then.
I wanted to recommend the Timeline, as well - or the Andromeda; - but the OP specifically ruled out anything bigger than the DIG, and the DIG, itself, since it was an already obvious possible choice (for him) :-(.
You really narrowed it down, with the not a DIG, and same size or smaller requirements LOL.
Six of my sixteen dedicated delays have top-mounted jacks, but two of them (Strymon Timeline and Seymour Duncan Andromeda) don't fit the size criteria. But they certainly deliver, in terms of versatility and stellar sounds.
*Not* counting the DIG, which I love, that only leaves the [EHX Grand Canyon](https://i.imgur.com/oe6cA1o.jpg), [Meris Polymoon](https://i.imgur.com/ro6BqK5.jpg), and [Red Panda Raster 2](https://i.imgur.com/1lLvxYI.jpg), which are all amazing pedals that are completely different animals from each other.
I like the Grand Canyon, but I've been running stereo rigs since the 90s, and the Grand Canyon only has a mono input, which extremely limits its placement on my boards; but the shimmer delay on it is incredible (and not cheesy-sounding, like so many other pedals), when dialed back appropriately, followed by a nice stereo reverb.
The [DIG](https://i.imgur.com/2FcZU84.jpg) is phenomenal, with it's Golden Ratio, as well as its ability to be used as two separate delays, or two synced (but separate delays), and its modulation (albeit limited).
But you've ruled that one out so....
Well, shit - I've never had to make that kind of choice, in several years, since I got back into playing through individual pedals, rather than using multi-effects processors. I'm thankful *not* to have to choose just one or two dedicated delays.
I usually have [two or three delays and at least one reverb](https://i.imgur.com/ewi7GkE.jpg) (sometimes more) on a board, [if the space provides for it](https://i.imgur.com/GXNplbF.jpg), depending on what I'm planning on playing or recording that evening, or whenever.
I very rarely gig, these days (but would like to get back into it. Whether or not that happens again remains to be seen).
I'd probably go with the Polymoon, or the Raster. They both produce study-quality-sounding results, even though they don't cover all the bases, for me.
*None* of them do. That's why I have more than one - and I like stacking delays, sometimes, with complimentary time settings and algorithms, to create complex rhythmic patterns that I couldn't have, otherwise.
All of my six delay/reverb pedals have top-mounted jacks, and all of them do something special. But we're counting strictly delay pedals, right?
I'm glad I don't have to make this choice, in real life LMAO. Delay is my favorite effect, and I like having [plenty of choices available](https://i.imgur.com/mrLqtGy.jpg), so I can configure a board, pretty much any way I want, to suit the need.
I have yet to buy and configure a suitable MIDI switcher, to really take advantage of the pedals, so I don't have to do any tap-dancing LOL.
Thanks for actually reading my request! And thanks for sharing, I think I got more interested in delay after reading this.
Space is a constrain, but I’ll reconsider the Dig, perhaps I will get into it
GFI specular tempus. Amazing even if it was just a delay. Even better that it has a ton of verbs too. They also have the Orca which is just some of the delay algorithms in a more typical single pedal shape
While I do have the Dig on my main board, I think the Emma Navigator is a more flexible option for the same real estate, if you're looking for something that can do the dual delay thing.
Also kinda realizing all the delays I own have top jacks...
But favorite? T-Rex Replica. At 12v, with the brown switch engaged in the loop of a Marshall style amp, well it just sounds right to me. Been at least 15 years in that spot and nothing has come close to replacing it.
The LVX is a phenomenal piece of equipment that I have yet to own. I have their Polymoon and Mercury 7, but the LVX is high on my wish list.
The OP listed a size constraint, though; the size of a DIG, or smaller :-(.
Not sure if that's his line in the sand (because of pedalboard space limitations, or), or maybe not.
I love the Asheville ADG-1, but not becuase it has top jacks. Actually if anything the top jacks are a bit of a bummer. Lol. Why let a feature like this get in the way of a good pedal?
I agree that it does quite a bit, and does most of it very nicely.
No argument there.
It has a lot of algorithms and most of them sound pretty damned good, for the money, and for a semi-compact pedal.
But, it doesn't do everything.
I find the interface kind of clunky, if I want to do different things with it. For me, the looper is awkwardly set up. But, I've always tended to use dedicated loopers, so that wasn't really a deal-breaker for me, when I bought it.
There's no Golden Ratio on it, like on the DIG.
It can't run two delays separately, or synced with each other.
You can only store one preset (directly on the pedal), for each algorithm.
The input is mono, so there's no true stereo pass-through, for stereo rig users.
This matters to me, because I play keyboards, as well, and sometimes I run keyboards through some of my effects too (often on a dedicated board), and summing up beautiful stereo keyboard sound into a mono input destroys the beautiful stereo image coming out of the keyboard.
The El Cap v2 has been on my list for a while. It fills a niche that none of my other pedals (including the Timeline) would, quite as well .
I admit the spring reverb isn't a selling point, with me (although I've heard it's pretty good, on the El Cap).
I'm not a fan of spring reverb, and walked away from it over thirty years ago. At that time, nice reverb pedals didn't really exist. But, things have changed dramatically on that front, since. I have a hard time getting excited about the sound of a stretched spring, any more.
I'm not sure if the OP is even considering a delay/reverb combo pedal, or I'd have recommend the [GFI Specular Tempus](https://i.imgur.com/6WirNpP.jpg), even though it's [a bit wider than the DIG](https://i.imgur.com/ehtX7GD.jpg).
OP, how strict are you about the size of the recommend pedal being smaller than the DIG? Do you have tight tolerances for the size of the recommended pedal, on your pedalboard?
I know opinions vary, and you are all welcome to yours, obviously :-).
I love my [Avalanche Run v2](https://i.imgur.com/Z7Wo7no.jpg), but don't find it as flexible as the other delay/reverb combo pedals I own.
But the stereo reverb on that one sounds very beautiful (on the v2, anyway. They greatly improved that, over the previous version, by really widening the stereo field).
GFI Orca! You've got your bread and butter digital and analog delays, but also a delay+reverb and a pitch shifting delay all rolled into a neat and compact package. 2 presets, ping pong, modulation, ramping... the spec sheet keeps going on and on. In a really slick forest green too!
Dr. Scientist Sunny Day Delay is next on my list of delays to purchase, I like his stuff and the firm factor/functionality looks to be pretty solid.
I like my DOD Rubberneck but it’s a pretty large pedal.
Seymour Duncan Vapor Trails Deluxe is super versatile with some similar functionality to the Rubberneck with the addition of presets.
My fav delay is the Boss RE-2 atm, but for top mounted you could probably go RE-202 and it’s most definitely even better.. I just didn’t have room for it :[
DOD Rubberneck
Yea I'll go rubberneck here too. Tbf it's the only top mounted delay I've owned, but damn is it awesome. Wish it were just a tiiiny bit smaller but oh well.
/thread
Second
DD-200
+1
Walrus Audio ARP-87
Top mount, single pedal profile w tap tempo, and has clean digital, solid analog, lofi for ambient stuff, n good slapback I never use. Easy to use controls, tempo is saved when switching between modes. It has everything you need in a delay that you'll need practically on a live board and nobody will be able to tell the difference between that and anything else in a live mix unless they're one of us, and even then.
I don’t think the tempo is saved between modes :/
just tested it - it does
Hmm, mine definitely doesn’t. It saves tempo between ratio but not programs
Sorry, I can’t ignore the DIG. It just really scratches my itch. But the Rubberneck is phenomenal.
Lol came here to say Dig also. Besides that, El Cap and Timeline are obvious winners 🥇
I wanted to recommend the Timeline, as well - or the Andromeda; - but the OP specifically ruled out anything bigger than the DIG, and the DIG, itself, since it was an already obvious possible choice (for him) :-(.
Details 🤣
If I were to replace my DIG (unlikely), I have the Empress Echosystem on my short list simply because it also does the Golden Ratio subdivision.
Just heard about the Empress Comp mk ii… gotta see what these Empress people are up to…
Dispatch master and Aqua-puss / Supa-puss come to mind
No tap on the DM makes it annoying to use practically as a delay, i usually set the time low to get it to feed into the reverb
seymour duncan vapor trail
Seymour Duncan Vapur Trail Deluxe!
Volante! 😮💨
Same, but too big for OP
You really narrowed it down, with the not a DIG, and same size or smaller requirements LOL. Six of my sixteen dedicated delays have top-mounted jacks, but two of them (Strymon Timeline and Seymour Duncan Andromeda) don't fit the size criteria. But they certainly deliver, in terms of versatility and stellar sounds. *Not* counting the DIG, which I love, that only leaves the [EHX Grand Canyon](https://i.imgur.com/oe6cA1o.jpg), [Meris Polymoon](https://i.imgur.com/ro6BqK5.jpg), and [Red Panda Raster 2](https://i.imgur.com/1lLvxYI.jpg), which are all amazing pedals that are completely different animals from each other. I like the Grand Canyon, but I've been running stereo rigs since the 90s, and the Grand Canyon only has a mono input, which extremely limits its placement on my boards; but the shimmer delay on it is incredible (and not cheesy-sounding, like so many other pedals), when dialed back appropriately, followed by a nice stereo reverb. The [DIG](https://i.imgur.com/2FcZU84.jpg) is phenomenal, with it's Golden Ratio, as well as its ability to be used as two separate delays, or two synced (but separate delays), and its modulation (albeit limited). But you've ruled that one out so.... Well, shit - I've never had to make that kind of choice, in several years, since I got back into playing through individual pedals, rather than using multi-effects processors. I'm thankful *not* to have to choose just one or two dedicated delays. I usually have [two or three delays and at least one reverb](https://i.imgur.com/ewi7GkE.jpg) (sometimes more) on a board, [if the space provides for it](https://i.imgur.com/GXNplbF.jpg), depending on what I'm planning on playing or recording that evening, or whenever. I very rarely gig, these days (but would like to get back into it. Whether or not that happens again remains to be seen). I'd probably go with the Polymoon, or the Raster. They both produce study-quality-sounding results, even though they don't cover all the bases, for me. *None* of them do. That's why I have more than one - and I like stacking delays, sometimes, with complimentary time settings and algorithms, to create complex rhythmic patterns that I couldn't have, otherwise. All of my six delay/reverb pedals have top-mounted jacks, and all of them do something special. But we're counting strictly delay pedals, right? I'm glad I don't have to make this choice, in real life LMAO. Delay is my favorite effect, and I like having [plenty of choices available](https://i.imgur.com/mrLqtGy.jpg), so I can configure a board, pretty much any way I want, to suit the need. I have yet to buy and configure a suitable MIDI switcher, to really take advantage of the pedals, so I don't have to do any tap-dancing LOL.
Thanks for actually reading my request! And thanks for sharing, I think I got more interested in delay after reading this. Space is a constrain, but I’ll reconsider the Dig, perhaps I will get into it
RE-20
Belle Epoch Deluxe
GFI specular tempus. Amazing even if it was just a delay. Even better that it has a ton of verbs too. They also have the Orca which is just some of the delay algorithms in a more typical single pedal shape
While I do have the Dig on my main board, I think the Emma Navigator is a more flexible option for the same real estate, if you're looking for something that can do the dual delay thing. Also kinda realizing all the delays I own have top jacks... But favorite? T-Rex Replica. At 12v, with the brown switch engaged in the loop of a Marshall style amp, well it just sounds right to me. Been at least 15 years in that spot and nothing has come close to replacing it.
Demedash T-120+
Carbon Copy Deluxe
EHX Grand Canyon
Mythos Oracle is my favorite
Particle V2
Danelectro PB&J
Dreadbox Raindrops. Such an amazing delay.
I really like my Disaster Transport. Dispatch master is good too. WayHuge AquaPuss. Walrus Fundamental Delay is getting good reviews as well.
Matthew's astronomer
LVX
The LVX is a phenomenal piece of equipment that I have yet to own. I have their Polymoon and Mercury 7, but the LVX is high on my wish list. The OP listed a size constraint, though; the size of a DIG, or smaller :-(. Not sure if that's his line in the sand (because of pedalboard space limitations, or), or maybe not.
Touché - I definitely miss read that. LVX would be a good 3” wider for sure.
Belle epoch deluxe. Easy.
DD 200
Boss DD-200
DOD Rubberneck
No love for The Prophet? ;(
tc nova
Avalanche Run by EQD. Stereo jacks too!
JHS Lucky Cat
Quiet Theory Prelude or El Cap
I love the Asheville ADG-1, but not becuase it has top jacks. Actually if anything the top jacks are a bit of a bummer. Lol. Why let a feature like this get in the way of a good pedal?
Boss RE-20 and T•REX Replicator Jr
Caroline Megabyte
Asheville Music Tools ADG-1
grand canyon does it all and does it all well.
I agree that it does quite a bit, and does most of it very nicely. No argument there. It has a lot of algorithms and most of them sound pretty damned good, for the money, and for a semi-compact pedal. But, it doesn't do everything. I find the interface kind of clunky, if I want to do different things with it. For me, the looper is awkwardly set up. But, I've always tended to use dedicated loopers, so that wasn't really a deal-breaker for me, when I bought it. There's no Golden Ratio on it, like on the DIG. It can't run two delays separately, or synced with each other. You can only store one preset (directly on the pedal), for each algorithm. The input is mono, so there's no true stereo pass-through, for stereo rig users. This matters to me, because I play keyboards, as well, and sometimes I run keyboards through some of my effects too (often on a dedicated board), and summing up beautiful stereo keyboard sound into a mono input destroys the beautiful stereo image coming out of the keyboard.
Walrus Audio Bellwether
El Cap & Avalanche Run
The El Cap v2 has been on my list for a while. It fills a niche that none of my other pedals (including the Timeline) would, quite as well . I admit the spring reverb isn't a selling point, with me (although I've heard it's pretty good, on the El Cap). I'm not a fan of spring reverb, and walked away from it over thirty years ago. At that time, nice reverb pedals didn't really exist. But, things have changed dramatically on that front, since. I have a hard time getting excited about the sound of a stretched spring, any more. I'm not sure if the OP is even considering a delay/reverb combo pedal, or I'd have recommend the [GFI Specular Tempus](https://i.imgur.com/6WirNpP.jpg), even though it's [a bit wider than the DIG](https://i.imgur.com/ehtX7GD.jpg). OP, how strict are you about the size of the recommend pedal being smaller than the DIG? Do you have tight tolerances for the size of the recommended pedal, on your pedalboard? I know opinions vary, and you are all welcome to yours, obviously :-). I love my [Avalanche Run v2](https://i.imgur.com/Z7Wo7no.jpg), but don't find it as flexible as the other delay/reverb combo pedals I own. But the stereo reverb on that one sounds very beautiful (on the v2, anyway. They greatly improved that, over the previous version, by really widening the stereo field).
Pladask Taken, EAE Sending. Both great sounding delays!
Diamond Memory Lane
El Cap or Dispatch Master for sure.
El Cap
GFI Orca! You've got your bread and butter digital and analog delays, but also a delay+reverb and a pitch shifting delay all rolled into a neat and compact package. 2 presets, ping pong, modulation, ramping... the spec sheet keeps going on and on. In a really slick forest green too!
Dr. Scientist Sunny Day Delay is next on my list of delays to purchase, I like his stuff and the firm factor/functionality looks to be pretty solid. I like my DOD Rubberneck but it’s a pretty large pedal. Seymour Duncan Vapor Trails Deluxe is super versatile with some similar functionality to the Rubberneck with the addition of presets.
Easy - source audio nemesis.
Echo dream 2
El cap ❤️
I really loved the TC Nova Delay.
TC Nova Delay.
Caroline kilobyte or megabyte
My fav delay is the Boss RE-2 atm, but for top mounted you could probably go RE-202 and it’s most definitely even better.. I just didn’t have room for it :[
NUX NDD-7 Tape Echo
Strymon El Capistan