Behringer VINTAGE DELAY VD400

This is the least expensive simple echo/delay unit that's around right now. It isn't the smallest, there are units like the equally good Donner Yellow Fall that take up less pedal board space, but they don't take a battery.Despite its modest price the VD400 has no real shortcomings. The delay time goes from zero to plenty. There are no volume, tone or noise issues to speak of. It just works.You will need a standard 9V centre-negative power supply or a 9V battery.I own far more expensive FX pedals than this but, since I only use a short "slap-back" echo for Country music on the guitar, I see no benefit in spending a lot on a delay pedal. I wish I'd kept my Yellow Fall but I know I can trust Behringer kit.Always on, set-and-forget, job's a good 'un.

excellent

I bought this to add to my growing collection of cheap pedals. For what it costs, it's actually quite good, but caveats exist.The feel of the pedal is vague. This is probably because the switch is a micro-switch activated by a plug of rubber. Positive actuation would squish the switch through the PCB. The battery is mounted under the pedal lid, and I'm sure the pedal lid squishes it or affects the activation.Yes, yes yes. O.K, here we go. It is made of plastic. And?. This is tough stuff. The method of battery changeout is detailed elsewhere and all I have to add to that is check the lugs are fully engaged then you won't join the ranks of Behringer haters whose pedal top popped off after they, and this may be key to any reliability issues, stamp on the bloody thing as if they're roach-phobic and King Cockroach is within reach.Over stamping when run on external power may also kill the switch or detach/deform the rubber plug. Check for activation using just the pinkie ( owners will know what I mean as soon as you pop the lid ) first. I'm not fond on using a battery as a travel limiter.Sound wise. Well, I can't complain. It adds a little noise when switched in and a tad when just in the chain. True bypass?. Use Olde English vernacular relating to testicles is it true bypass. It does drain the battery when deactivated but left in the chain.It adds noise to supply rails so if you're planning on using a power brick with non-isolated outputs or daisy chaining. Not much, but some may object to the added hum.Fantastic for the price. I'm using this as a second delay unit because I can't be bothered altering the main one from slapback to couple of repeats mid set. I just click slapback out and this one in when needed.I've tried inducing radio noise by using my PMR walkie-talkie nearby and I have to get within 1' to get noise. Mobile phones don't trouble it much either, again, more than 1' away and no clickynoise badness when the phone rings or cell switches.That matters to some too.

This is a small unit but does the job pretty well. Only a couple of niggles. First the battery compartment is underneath the pedal and needs a bit of fiddling to fit. The pedal hinges have to be pushed in and the pedal sprung off to reveal the compartment. A fiidly job to do and needing something thin and strong to compress the hinges. Not a deal breaker but inconvenient.Secondly the effect is rather 'harsh'. I guess it is emulating older types of effect unit but it is very difficult to get a 'realistic' sound. I intend to try it with a microphone but using my guitar for a short test was a little disappointing. Perhaps my inexperience was a problem and more experimenting will produce better results.Build quality does seem extremely good and it should survive plenty of abuse I would think.

Excellent pedal especially for the price. I was so pleased with it that I have since bought several other Behringer pedals.

Unfortunately by the time I'd tested this unit and added it to my pedal board I'd missed out on the return date. There does not seem to be any delay - just a lot of reverb. Turn the intensity up and you get this awful feedback sound.