QDelay

  • Delay
      • WindowsMacLinuxFree VSTAudioUnitLV2
QDelay | Audio Plugins for Free
Download QDelay Delay
    WindowsMacLinuxFree VSTAudioUnitLV2

QDelay

a “quick” dual delay that got seriously out of hand (free & open-source)

Looking for a dual delay that behaves like your favorite “big boys” (Replika XT, EchoBoy) but costs €0 and has no premium lockouts? QDelay (quick-delay) is a free, open-source stereo dual delay that snowballed into a full toolkit: ping-pong, tap/offset, swing/feel, per-tap accenting, EQs, diffusion, modulation, pitch-shift, tape wow/flutter, saturation (with tone controls), ducking, and more. The goal: a transparent, community-minded alternative to Deelay by SixthSample—no tiers, no online activation, no trimmed features.

Why you’ll care

  • Real stereo, real control: Two independent delay lines with classic, Ping-Pong and Tap modes (tap = offset, delay = main time).

  • Groove for days: Swing + Feel (line-wide offset up to a 1/16th) for human push/pull; accent odd/even taps to make patterns breathe.

  • Tone at the source: Parametric EQ on input and feedback paths; diffusion pre/post for smeared, reverb-like tails.

  • Movement & pitch: Delay-time modulation, pitch shifter on feedback or post for harmonized repeats and rising/descending throws.

  • Analog attitude: Saturation pre/post (optionally in the feedback loop), with Color, Bias (even harmonics), and Dynamics (level-sensitive drive).

  • Smear & wobble: Tape wow/flutter (from ChowDSP model) for vintage motion.

  • Mix smarter: Ducking to tuck repeats under the dry signal; tap-preview display to see what’s coming back.

Signal flow

Input → EQ (Input) → Saturation (Pre) → Diffusion (Pre) →
[ Delay ↔ Modulation ↔ EQ (Feedback) ↔ Pitch (Feedback) ↔ Saturation (Feedback) ] →
Pitch (Post) → Wow/Flutter → Saturation (Post) → Diffusion (Post) → Output

Flip locations for Diffusion and Pitch (Pre/Post or Feedback/Post) in Settings. Placing Saturation in the feedback loop = glorious decay into grit (easy does it).

Fast start (60 seconds)

  1. Time: Set independent L/R times or choose Ping-Pong.

  2. Tone: High-cut/low-cut with the Input EQ; use Feedback EQ to prevent boomy build-up.

  3. Feel: Add Swing (a little goes far) and Feel for micro-offset groove.

  4. Movement: Nudge Mod depth; try Pitch (Feedback) ±3–7 semitones for musical echoes.

  5. Control: Add Ducking so repeats sit behind the dry.

  6. Character: Tape Wow/Flutter + Saturation (Post); if you want decay that gets warmer each repeat, move Saturation into Feedback.

Recipes

Indie Vocal Throw (tempo-synced)

  • Mode: Ping-Pong • Time: 1/4 • Feedback: ~35–45%

  • Ducking: on (medium) • Mod: subtle

  • Feedback EQ: HPF 150 Hz, LPF 8–10 kHz

  • Pitch (Post): +5 st for a little fairy-dust lift

Guitar Tape Slap

  • Mono or very narrow stereo • Time: 90–140 ms

  • Saturation: Pre light, Post medium • Wow/Flutter: small

  • Diffusion: Pre low (smear pick); Feedback: 10–15%

Techno Hat Scatter

  • Dual times: 1/8 (L) & 1/12 (R) • Swing: 10–15%

  • Accent: odd taps • Mod depth: small random

  • Feedback EQ: notch 5–6 kHz if splashy

Cinematic Rising Repeats

  • Pitch: Feedback +3 st • Diffusion: Post high for bloom

  • Feel: slight negative to “pull” into the downbeat

  • LPF repeats at 6–8 kHz for distance

Design notes (for the nerds)

  • Saturation built on JClones TapeHead-style curve; Bias skews symmetry for even harmonics; Dynamics scales drive with input loudness.

  • Pitch shift is a zero-latency port of Saike’s Pitch_Shift (JSFX → C++/JUCE).

  • Tape wobble from ChowDSP AnalogTapeModel.

  • Swing/Feel implemented via serial delay lines and circular-buffer write offsets for tight, click-free timing.

Formats & downloads

  • Windows: VST3

  • Linux: VST3 + LV2

  • macOS: AU + VST3
    Download: Grab the latest release build for your OS/format.

Tips

  • Set ducking first, then raise feedback—you’ll get depth without crowding the dry.

  • Pitch in Feedback is musical; Pitch Post is cleaner.

  • Saturation in Feedback = compounding energy; keep feedback % modest to avoid runaway.

  • Feel shifts the whole line up to 1/16 note—great for subtle push/pull against drums.

  • If repeats get hazy, HPF 120–180 Hz and LPF 7–9 kHz on Feedback EQ is a lifesaver.

Download the latest QDelay build, set your times, add ducking, and sculpt repeats with the Feedback EQ. When you’re smiling, flip Saturation into the feedback loop and watch the echoes age like tape. Free, open, and feature-rich on purpose.

Sources :

github.com: https://github.com/tiagolr/qdelay
https://www.audiopluginsforfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/qdelay.zip

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