TIME-BASED EFFECTS: DELAY - STEREO DELAY

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STEREO DELAY

Stereo Delay is a dual-channel delay processor that allows you to set different delay times, feedback amounts, and filter settings for the left and right channels. While the standard Echo plug-in treats the signal as a single unit, Stereo Delay treats your speakers like two separate canvases. This is the primary tool used by producers to create "space" and "movement" without making a mix feel cluttered.

Key Features

Dual Delay Lines: Independent "Note" and "Time" controls for the Left and Right channels.
Feedback (L & R): Separate controls to determine how long the echoes last on each side.
Crossfeed: A unique feature that "bleeds" the echoes from the left side into the right side (and vice versa), creating a more cohesive, swirling effect.
Filters (Hi Cut / Low Cut): Built-in frequency filters for each side to help "shape" the tone of the echoes.
Deviation: A slider that subtly offsets the timing of the left and right channels to create a more natural, "human" stereo feel.

Best Use Cases

Ping-Pong Delay: Setting one side to 1/8 notes and the other to 1/4 notes to make the sound "bounce" between speakers.
Widening Mono Sources: Giving a mono synth or vocal a massive stereo footprint by using slightly different delay times on each side.
Atmospheric Depth: Using "Crossfeed" to create a complex web of echoes that fills the background of a track.

Popular Song Examples

The Killers – "Mr. Brightside"
Ed Sheeran – "Shape of You"
Daft Punk – "Get Lucky"
U2 – "Bad"

LISTEN to this POD about the STEREO DELAY Plugin

Workflow Tips

The "Ping-Pong" Shortcut: If you want a classic "left-to-right" bounce, set one side to a 1/8 note and the other to a 1/4 note, then turn up the Crossfeed.
Mono Compatibility: If you have different timings on the Left and Right, always hit the "Mono" button on your Master Track to make sure the echoes don't "cancel out" or sound messy when played on a phone or a single speaker.
Filter for Focus: Keep the Low Cut around 300Hz-400Hz. This ensures your delay doesn't add "mud" to the bass and kick drum.

STEREO DELAY EFFECT ONLINE MANUAL

FAMOUS USES

(These songs didn’t use Logic’s Stereo Delay specifically, but they are strong examples of different reverbs.)

Mr. Brightside

The Killers – "Mr. Brightside"

Song Duration: 3:42

Timestamp: 0:00

Use: Guitars in Stereo – The opening guitar riff uses a stereo delay to "fill" the speakers. The left and right sides have slightly different timings, making a single guitar part sound like a massive wall of sound.

The Shape of You

Ed Sheeran – "Shape of You"

Song Duration: 3:53

Timestamp: 0:00

Use: Percussive Bounce – The signature marimba sound uses a short stereo delay to give the rhythm a "shuffling" feel that moves slightly between the ears.

Get Lucky

Daft Punk – "Get Lucky"

Song Duration: 4:08

Timestamp: 2:21

Use: Vocal Space – During the robotic vocal sections, stereo delay is used to move the "talk box" sound around the listener, preventing it from sitting static in the center.

Bad

U2 – "Bad"

Song Duration: 6:08

Timestamp: 0:30

Use: The "Double" Delay – A masterclass in setting the left channel to one rhythm and the right to another (e.g., 1/8 and 1/8 dotted) to create a hypnotic, driving atmosphere.

LOGIC VIDEO TUTORIALS

Stereo Delay Tutorial

Joe's Logic provides tutorial on how to use Logic Pro's Stereo Delay. (5:29)

Stereo Delay Bus

Timothy Charles Fehling demonstrates how to use Logic Pro's Stereo Delay on vocals with a bus (4:41)

Vocal Mixing

Unlock Your Sound gives this walk-through on mixing vocals with Logic Pro's Stereo Delay plugin. (15:03)

Delay Designer Melodies

Sounds Like This demos multiple presets from Logic Pro's Stereo Delay plugin. (4:05)

DELAY VIDEO TUTORIALS

Delay Fundamentals

AV Audio explains the basics of delay. (2:00)

Delay Masterclass

Sage Audio's Delay Masterclass. (8:01)

10 Ways to Use Delay

Woochia explains the concepts of reverb. (18:11)

3 Main Delay Types

Third Fret discusses the three main delay types. (10:27)

Which Delay?

Antoine Michaud describes which delays to use for different circumstances. (10:32)

History of Delay

Audio University delves into the history of delay in music production. (24:15)

Delay in Vocals

George Couling uses Logic Pro's Stereo Delay plug-in to add depth to vocal tracks. (12:14)

Reverb v. Delay

Waves Audio discusses the difference between reverb and delay (6:29)

SENDS/BUSSING VIDEO TUTORIALS

Time-Based Bussing

MusicTechHelpGuy demonstrates how to bus time-based effects (reverb and delay). (25:44)

All Bussing

The Band Guide outlines important information for using bussing in Logic Pro. (7:39)

Signal Chain

Jono explains signal chains in Logic (14:17)

All About Logic Bus

Sam Loose provides an in-depth tutorial on bussing in Logic Pro. (16:26)

SOURCE ARTICLES

SOURCE ARTICLES YOU CAN READ:

Stereo Delay Controls in Logic Pro: Official Apple technical documentation for the Stereo Delay interface.

How to Use Stereo Delay for Width: A guide on using delay to enhance the stereo image of your mix.

Stereo Delay vs. Mono Delay: A helpful explanation for students on when to use which tool.

VOCABULARY

Dual-Mono: A setup where the left and right channels are processed entirely independently.
Crossfeed: Routing the output of the left delay back into the input of the right delay (and vice versa).
Ping-Pong: A delay effect where the repeats alternate between the left and right speakers.
Deviation: A slight time difference (often in milliseconds) between the left and right delay to add "width."
Stereo Field: The perceived 3D space between your speakers (Left, Right, and Center).
Phase Correlation: The relationship between the L and R channels; important for ensuring the mix sounds good in mono.
Dotted Rhythm: A rhythmic value that is 50% longer than the original note (e.g., a dotted 1/8 note equals three 1/16 notes).

QUIZZES

MANUAL

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