I had the opportunity to explore and review the free and innovative delay plugin called Deelay by Sixth Sample & Integraudio, and I am excited to share that with you all.
Delays in mixing and production are as important as seasoning in cooking. Without them, your mix might sound like boiled chicken, which is technically fine but utterly uninspiring. And just like a good seasoning, too much delay can overwhelm your mix, leaving it muddled and messy, like pouring hot sauce on everything (even dessert).
However, despite that, you will hear artists like Tame Impala, early Strokes, Lana Del Rey, etc., break even those barriers and embrace a unique delay and reverb sound. The point is that delay is essentially a time-based effect that, most times, is necessary but sometimes can also be a signature.
For these purposes, it’s important to have versatile delay plugins in your toolbox. I personally switch between Waves H-Delay, Valhalla Delay, and Arturia’s colorful delay plugins like Tape, Brigade, and Eternity. After using Deelay, I could confidently say that this is a very versatile and reliable delay plugin, which also happens to be free and is definitely one of the best free delay plugins.
Let me walk you through it and explain how I come to this conclusion.
Features
Deelay is packed with all the essentials you’d expect in a delay, plus a few nifty tricks up its sleeve that make it stand out. Whether you’re after subtle ambiance or full-on space vibes, this plugin has you covered. Let me walk you through some of the highlights because, trust me, you’ll want to know why this freebie punches way above its weight.
- Delay Time That Syncs to Your Groove
The delay time slider lets you adjust it anywhere from 0 to 1000 milliseconds, which is perfect for anything from quick slapback echoes to those long, dreamy trails. If math isn’t your jam (it’s definitely not mine), you can sync it to your project’s BPM using Normal, Triplet, or Dotted modes. That can make your delays dance perfectly with your track; no guesswork is required!
- Ducking: The Unsung Hero of Clarity
Here’s a feature that made me go, “Wait, why don’t all delays do this?” The ducking slider lowers the volume of your delays whenever a new signal comes in. This means your mix stays clean, and your delays don’t step all over your vocals or lead instruments. You can tweak how fast it ducks in (attack) and how quickly it comes back (release). It’s basically the audio equivalent of a polite roommate who knows when to back off.
- Diffusion for Instant Reverb Vibes
Deelay also moonlights as a reverb plugin, thanks to its diffusion settings. There’s a slider for diffusion amount, another for size, and even one for quality. Turn these up, and suddenly, your echoes feel like they’re bouncing around in a massive concert hall or a tiny box, depending on your mood. It resembles a built-in reverb pedal that saves you from hunting down another plugin.
Bonus: There’s a quality slider to balance CPU usage and sound fidelity. (Translation: you won’t fry your computer.)
- Modulation & Tape: For When You Want Personality
Now, let’s talk character. The modulation section lets you add subtle (or not-so-subtle) movement to your delays by wiggling the delay time. Crank it up, and you’ve got a psychedelic wobble that feels alive. And then there’s the Tape slider which adds some tasty analog imperfections like wow and flutter. If you’re chasing that vintage, lo-fi vibe, this is where it’s at. Think “old-school charm” meets “modern control.”
- Reverse & Chaos Modes, Because Why Not?
So, hear this out! Deelay has a Reverse mode that flips your echoes backward, while Chaos and Reverse Chaos turn them into unpredictable, pitch-shifting madness. The Echo Offset slider lets you fine-tune where these chaotic echoes land so they still fit your mix even when things get weird.
- Filters & Feedback
Deelay has high-pass and low-pass filters to help you shape the sound of your delays. Want warm, bassy echoes? Roll off the highs. Need bright, crisp trails? Cut out the lows. The feedback slider determines how long your echoes stick around. No feedback gives you one lonely echo while cranking it up gets you a crowd of endless repeats. You can even make them fade naturally using the pre-feedback filter mode.
Interface and Workflow
Let’s talk about what you’ll be staring at (and clicking on) while using Deelay. Spoiler: it’s as fun and functional as it is stylish. The interface is colorful, clean, and packed with thoughtful design touches to make your delay tweaking a breeze.
- A/B Testing
Sometimes, you’re torn between two different settings. Do you want a subtle ambiance or to go to a full space-time continuum? With Deelay’s A/B split mode, you don’t have to choose. Test two setups side by side, switch between them instantly, or even automate the change in your DAW. It’s like having two versions of your brain working in parallel. Also, the interface is completely resizeable.
- A Wardrobe of Skins
If you’re someone who loves customizing, you’ll appreciate this: Deelay comes with 10 different interface skins to match your mood (or your studio vibe). There’s even an option to create your own custom skin if you’re feeling artsy. Whether you’re into sleek minimalism or funky colors, there’s a look for everyone.
- Frame Rate Options: Smooth or Lightning Fast
For those who like buttery-smooth visuals, Deelay supports multiple frame rate options: 30, 60, and even 144 FPS. If you’ve got a high-refresh-rate monitor, you can finally make those delay tweaks at gamer-level smoothness. Who says plugins can’t look this good?
- Everything at Your Fingertips
The interface includes all the controls you could possibly need, presented in a user-friendly layout. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s on the panel:
Control | Description |
Diffusion Amount, Size, and Quality |
Control the reverb-like tail and texture of your delays.
|
Ducking Options (Attack & Release) |
Keeps your mix clean by making space for new sounds.
|
Low Cut and High Cut Filters |
Sculpt the frequency range of your echoes.
|
Modulation Amount and Rate |
Add life to your delays with subtle (or wild) pitch variations.
|
Spread & Mono Toggle |
Create a wide stereo image or keep it dead center.
|
Feedback and Delay Time |
Adjust how long and how far your echoes go.
|
Distortion |
With 11 different types (including Pixelated, Tube, and Crackly), you can go from warm saturation to glitchy chaos.
|
Tape Control |
Add analog-style imperfections like wow and flutter.
|
Post Dist Button |
Process distortion after everything else for even more character.
|
Modes |
Choose between Normal, Reverse Forward, Pure Reverse, Chaos, and Reverse Chaos, each offering unique sound design possibilities.
|
- Presets
You get various preset categories in this plugin. Some of these are creative, and some are more utility-based. According to my estimate, I could see about 100 presets. And mind you, these presets are quite well-thought-out and not just put there randomly for the sake of it.
- Distortion Modes and Presets
One of the standout features of Deelay’s interface is its 11 distortion modes. Now tell me which other delay plugin gives you these types of colors and customizations with these colors. And don’t forget, this is a free plugin.
Distortion Mode | Description |
Saturation |
Adds warmth and richness to your echoes for a smooth, analog feel.
|
Asym |
Introduces subtle asymmetrical clipping for a gentle distortion.
|
Clip |
Offers more aggressive clipping for sharper, edgier sounds.
|
Tube |
Emulates warm tube-style distortion with natural harmonics.
|
Rectify |
Creates a crunchy, electronic vibe for modern and edgy effects.
|
Crackly |
Delivers a lo-fi, broken-tape aesthetic for nostalgic, degraded textures.
|
Lightning |
Sharp and electrifying distortion, perfect for experimental sound design.
|
Amp |
Provides amp-style overdrive for raw, gritty, and powerful echoes.
|
Bumpy |
Adds uneven and unique imperfections for a character-rich sound.
|
Razor |
Produces aggressive and cutting distortion for bold and striking echoes.
|
Pixelated |
Adds a glitchy, bit-crushed flavor, great for retro or futuristic soundscapes.
|
First Impressions and Sound
Right out of the box, this free delay plugin delivers an impressively clean, versatile sonic palette, whether you’re after subtle ambiance or out-of-this-world chaos. The presets alone showcase its range, from lush, dreamy echoes to aggressive, glitchy textures.
We already discussed the distortion section. With 11 distortion types, you can shape your delays into warm, analog echoes or pixelated, otherworldly artifacts. Want tube warmth or need a crackly, lo-fi edge? Check. How about razor-sharp digital chaos? It’s all here.
Deelay’s sound design isn’t just bold. It’s smart. Features like ducking keep your mix clean by automatically adjusting the wet signal, ensuring your delays enhance rather than overwhelm. The Diffusion Amount and Size controls blur echoes into lush, reverb-like tails, perfect for adding depth to pads or vocals. Meanwhile, the high and low-cut filters let you sculpt the frequency range with more control and accuracy.
I also believe that the five delay modes deserve high praise. “Normal” mode covers traditional delays, but “Reverse Forward” and “Pure Reverse” open up creative possibilities for ambient and cinematic soundscapes. “Chaos” and “Reverse Chaos” are especially exciting, introducing unpredictable, pitch-shifting echoes that feel alive and dynamic. These modes make Deelay a fantastic choice for experimental producers and sound designers looking for something fresh.
Compatibility
Sixth Sample & Integraudio Deelay is available in AU, VST3, or AAX plugin formats and is compatible with macOS 10.13 or newer (Universal Binary) and Windows 8.1 or later operating systems.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High Customization and Versatility
The plugin offers a range of controls, including modulation, diffusion, filters, and distortion modes, allowing you to craft both subtle and experimental soundscapes.
- Multi-Purpose Functionality
With its built-in diffusion settings, Deelay can function as both a delay and a reverb plugin, adding depth and ambiance without requiring additional tools.
- Free Yet Feature-Rich
Despite being a free offering, Deelay rivals paid plugins with its extensive feature set and sound-shaping capabilities.
- User-Friendly Interface and Self-Documentation
Hover-based descriptions make it easy for beginners to understand controls, while advanced users can dive straight into detailed customization.
- Performance Optimization
Options to adjust quality and frame rate ensure smooth operation on various system configurations without compromising performance.
Cons:
- Learning Curve for Beginners
While self-documenting features help, the plugin’s extensive customization options might initially overwhelm novice users.
- Potential for CPU Strain with Complex Settings
Despite optimization options, high diffusion, modulation, or distortion settings might impact performance on older or less powerful systems.
- Minimal Documentation Beyond UI Tips
While the hover-over feature is helpful, more detailed written or video tutorials could benefit those aiming to master advanced functions quickly.
Conclusion
As I have explained and emphasized, Deelay provides the basics but also goes beyond it and offers functionalities and features that I didn’t know I needed in a delay plugin. As a minimalist, I usually prefer cleaner and simpler plugins and don’t usually like “overstuffing,” but Deelay somehow does it all subtly and elegantly.
Despite the extra features, the interface remains simple and straightforward, and I enjoyed using it. I would have honestly paid for it, so as a free plugin, I think there’s no harm in keeping this plugin in your arsenal. Moreover, it will benefit you a lot! If you’re a producer who uses only free plugins or doesn’t have a budget for expensive plugins, this is the best free delay you’d find.
I love how versatile yet creative it is!

Shaurya Bhatia is a versatile content writer with a strong focus on music production, composition, and the technical aspects of audio engineering. With a deep understanding of the music industry, Shaurya specializes in creating insightful and engaging content around music production techniques, songwriting, audio engineering, and the intersection of technology and art in music. He loves to create content for musicians, audio engineers and sound designers.