Suhr Dark Discovery Analogue Delay

General

The Suhr Dark Discovery Analog Delay is Kevin Suhr’s modern reinterpretation of classic analogue reverb, but with the ease of use you’d expect from today’s top-of-the-range pedals. Under the bonnet, you’ll find a fully analogue signal path featuring four reissue MN3005 bucket-brigade chips, delivering those recognisable warm repeats with natural decay. In terms of delay time, you can range from 40 to 1100 ms, and with the subdivision functions, this can even be extended to 17 to 2000 ms. The dark casing also makes this ‘Dark’ version look particularly sleek on your pedalboard.

Presets and MIDI control

Where the Discovery really excels is in its combination of analogue character with digital control. You get no fewer than 127 preset slots to save and instantly recall your favourite sounds, ideal for live performances or sessions where you need to switch quickly. The easy-to-read 7-segment display lets you choose whether to view BPM, delay time in ms or preset number. In addition, there’s full MIDI functionality via 5-pin MIDI In and Out/Thru, so you can switch presets from a controller and even send programme changes to other MIDI-compatible pedals.

Modulation, EQ and routing

For added atmosphere, there’s a modulation section with Speed, Depth and three waveforms (triangle, sine or square), allowing you to create everything from subtle tape-like warble to distinct chorus-like movement. With the Hi Cut and Lo Cut EQ controls, you can shape the repeats to suit your amp and mix perfectly. Furthermore, the bypass can be set to true bypass or buffered bypass, and there’s a ‘kill dry’ mode for parallel effects loops. Add to that the soft-clipping limiter for ambient infinite feedback and controlled oscillations, and you have a delay that feels both vintage and extremely modern.