AIR Delay Pro is a versatile and feature-rich delay plugin developed by AIR Music Technology. This dual-engine delay offers both digital and analog-style delays, along with an impressive array of sound-shaping tools. At its core, AIR Delay Pro provides up to four seconds of delay time, fully syncable to your DAW’s tempo. The plugin boasts three stereo modes for creating complex offset and bouncing delays, plus width control for enhanced spatial manipulation. What sets AIR Delay Pro apart from many other delay plugins is its unique set of features. The Auto-clear function allows users to create massive delay effects that stop precisely when needed, such as when the next note hits. This feature gives producers unprecedented control over the decay of their delay effects. The Diffusion section adds a reverb-like quality to the delays, smearing the edges of the sound and allowing for subtle washes. Users can adjust the size of the diffusion space and widen the stereo image, blurring the line between delay and reverb effects.
Pros:
• Unique Auto-clear function for precise control over delay decay
• Powerful envelope follower for dynamic, evolving delay effects
• Versatile modulation options with three distinct modes
• Intuitive interface with visual feedback
Cons:
• Some users may find the learning curve steep due to the abundance of features
AIR Delay Pro’s interface is clean and intuitive, with a circular visual representation of the delay times and feedback. The plugin is divided into several sections, including delay controls, feedback, modulation, EQ, and output. Each section is clearly labeled and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced producers. The plugin also includes a powerful envelope follower that can be assigned to time, feedback, and mix parameters. This feature enables the delay effect to evolve over time, creating dynamic and responsive soundscapes. The modulation section offers three distinct modes (Wobble, Stereo, and Chorus) with slow and fast modulation controls, perfect for emulating classic tape delay effects or creating more experimental sounds.
The feedback section of AIR Delay Pro is particularly comprehensive, offering high and low-pass filters, a resonant filter with resonance and LFO controls, distortion, and a limiter. This allows for extensive sound sculpting within the delay line itself, enabling users to create everything from clean, pristine echoes to gritty, distorted repeats.
The plugin’s EQ section features a parametric band with controls for frequency, gain, and Q (bandwidth). This allows for precise tonal shaping of the delayed signal. The output section includes additional high and low-cut filters, balance control for adjusting the pan position of the delayed signal, and a width control for further stereo manipulation.
AIR Delay Pro shines in its ability to create complex, evolving delay effects. The combination of the envelope follower, modulation options, and Auto-clear function allows for the creation of unique, dynamic delays that respond to the input signal in musical ways. This makes it particularly useful for electronic music producers, sound designers, and anyone looking to add movement and depth to their productions.
The plugin comes with a wide range of logically categorized presets, providing a solid starting point for users to explore its capabilities. These presets showcase the plugin’s versatility, from subtle tape-style echoes to wild, experimental soundscapes.
Compared to other popular delay plugins like Soundtoys EchoBoy or FabFilter Timeless 3, AIR Delay Pro holds its own in terms of sound quality and feature set. While EchoBoy is known for its vintage emulations and Timeless 3 for its modulation capabilities, AIR Delay Pro stands out with its Auto-clear function and envelope follower. The Diffusion feature also gives it an edge in creating reverb-like effects, blurring the line between delay and reverb plugins. AIR Delay Pro may not have as many delay models as some competitors, but its dual-engine approach and extensive sound-shaping options make it highly flexible. The interface, while comprehensive, is generally more straightforward than some of its more complex competitors, potentially making it more approachable for less experienced users.
This plugin is best for:
• Electronic music producers seeking dynamic, evolving delay effects
• Sound designers looking for a versatile tool for creating unique textures
• Mixing engineers who need precise control over delay decay and stereo image
• Musicians experimenting with ambient and experimental genres
AIR Delay Pro is a powerful and versatile delay plugin that offers a unique set of features for creative sound design and mixing. Its standout Auto-clear function provides unprecedented control over delay decay, while the envelope follower and modulation options enable the creation of dynamic, evolving effects. The plugin’s intuitive interface and visual feedback make it accessible, despite its depth of features. While it may have a steeper learning curve for some users due to its extensive capabilities, the results are well worth the effort. AIR Delay Pro is a valuable tool for any producer or sound designer looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible with delay effects, offering a blend of traditional functionality and innovative features that set it apart in a crowded plugin market.