Essential Information About the Ibanez Layer Delayer Pedal
- Intelligent Layered Rhythms: Automatically generates 1/16 and triplet repeats from a quarter-note base tempo, with dedicated volumes to sculpt polyrhythmic patterns.
- Multiple Delay Colors: "TONE" control to navigate between digital, analog, and tape characters, from silky hi-fi to vintage grit.
- Built-in Musical Filter: "FILTER" section with variable resonance ladder-style low-pass filter, ideal for expressive sweeps and synthetic textures.
- Creative Stereo and Full Control: 8 auto-pan modes for spatial movement, dedicated effects loop, and full MIDI control (including MIDI Clock sync).
From Vintage Multi-Head Echoes to Modern Polyrhythms
The Layer Delayer captures the spirit of classic multi-head tape echoes from the 60s and 70s while reinventing them for contemporary playing. Rather than strictly emulating a single circuit, it stacks controllable rhythmic subdivisions, reminiscent of the ingenuity of tape machines while offering the precision and stability of digital technology. It thus stands as a next-generation delay within the Ibanez lineup, designed for rhythmic creativity.
Who It's For and Suitable Styles
Ideal for guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, and producers seeking rhythmic layers, cinematic atmospheres, or pulsing grooves. Perfect for
post-rock,
ambient,
math-rock,
pop, and
electronic music, it fits seamlessly on a live pedalboard or in the studio for precise and reproducible sound design.
Controls and Innovations Serving the Playing Experience
The pedal's core sets a
quarter-note base tempo, with added delay lines in
1/16 and
triplet, each with its own
Volume (boost up to +3 dB possible). The "
TONE " control morphs the delay character between clean digital, softer analog, and organically saturated tape modes. The ladder-type "
FILTER " section, with
Cutoff and
Resonance, ranges from classic low-pass to more aggressive resonant peaks. The "
TAIL DECAY " function adjusts the length of the repeats, up to very long tails; at 0, the behavior approximates an instant true bypass. In stereo, the
8 auto-panning modes (L->R sweeps, R->L, ping-pong, wide/narrow, adjustable speed) provide spectacular movement. The internal
effects loop opens the door to stacking (overdrive, modulation, pitch) within the delay chain itself, and
MIDI allows full parameter control with synchronization to
MIDI Clock.
Sound Character
Transparent when desired and warmly colored when pushing the "TONE" towards tape mode, the Layer Delayer combines clarity, musicality, and dynamics. The resonant filter adds a very expressive "synth-like" dimension, while the automatic panning widens the stereo field without drowning the playing. The response remains lively and nuanced, whether playing with a sharp pick, airy arpeggios, or sustained pads.
Technical Specifications
Controls
- Independent volumes for delay lines: Quarter (base), 1/16, Triplet (boost up to +3 dB).
- TONE: morphing between "digital," "analog," and "tape" characters.
- FILTER: ladder-type low-pass with Cutoff and Resonance adjustments.
- TAIL DECAY: repeat tail length from 0 (instant bypass) to very long sustain.
- Auto-panning: 8 modes, sweep width (wide/narrow), and adjustable speed.
Modes and Processing
- Automatic generation of 1/16 and triplet repeats from a quarter-note tempo.
- Selectable delay characters (digital/analog/tape) via the "TONE" control.
- Musical low-pass filtering with high resonance possible for pronounced effects.
- Effects loop (FX Loop) for inserting external pedals within the delay chain.
Connectivity and Routing
- Instrument input.
- Stereo L/R outputs for auto-pan and ping-pong effects.
- Dedicated FX Loop (send/return) for internal processing of delayed signal.
MIDI
- Full parameter control via MIDI controllers.
- Delay time synchronization via MIDI Clock.
Bypass and Tails
- Delay tails activatable and adjustable via "TAIL DECAY."
- True bypass behavior when "TAIL DECAY" is set to 0.
Included Accessories
- Ibanez Layer Delayer pedal.
- Original documentation.
- Power supply not included (optional AC adapter).
Power Consumption
- Required power: 9 V DC, center negative (standard pedal).
- Consumption: not specified by the manufacturer at time of writing; allow a comfortable margin on your isolated power supply.
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