Overview
80s Sync Delay is an individual effect included with 80s Suite and extracted from the 80s Rack wet effects block. It can run from manual millisecond times or host-tempo note values.
The current front panel exposes three delay modes: 42 12-BIT, 22 DUCKED, and Pan Delay. 42 12-BIT is the warmer, more colored mode. 22 DUCKED lets repeats build silently under active playing and bloom after the phrase. Pan Delay creates a moving stereo echo.
Formats
80s Sync Delay is included as Universal 2 VST3, AU, and AAX on macOS 14 or later. The Windows 80s Suite 1.0.2 release includes native x64 VST3 and AAX.
Quick Start
- Insert 80s Sync Delay on the track or effects return.
- Leave BYPASS off.
- Choose 42 12-BIT for colored repeats, 22 DUCKED for a post-phrase delay bloom, or Pan Delay for a moving stereo echo.
- Turn on SYNC BPM when you want TIME L and TIME R to use note values.
- Set TIME L, TIME R, FEEDBACK, and MIX.
- Open the Advanced panel when you need tone, modulation, filtering, or ducking controls.
Controls Table
| Control | Range / Choices | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| BYPASS | Off / On | Bypasses the sync delay processor. |
| MODE | 42 12-BIT, 22 DUCKED, Pan Delay. Default: 22 DUCKED | Selects the delay voice. |
| TIME L | 40-2400 ms, or note values when SYNC BPM is on. Default: 500 ms / 1/8D | Sets the left delay time. |
| TIME R | 40-2400 ms, or note values when SYNC BPM is on. Default: 750 ms / 1/4 | Sets the right delay time. |
| FEEDBACK | 0-100%. Default: 30% | Sets repeat regeneration. |
| MIX | 0-100%. Default: 25% | Blends dry signal with the delay return. Double-click returns to 100%. Mode changes and Factory Default preserve the current setting. |
| Mix Lock | Off / On | When locked, loading ordinary factory or user presets and using A/B comparison preserves the live MIX value. The lock is stored with the DAW session, not inside presets. |
| SYNC BPM | Off / On. Default: On | Switches TIME L and TIME R between milliseconds and host-tempo note values. |
| R PHASE | Normal / flipped. Default: flipped | Flips the right delay return polarity. |
| TONE | 0-100%. Default: 72% | Shapes the repeat brightness. |
| MOD RATE | 0.01-8.0 Hz. Default: 0.18 Hz | Sets modulation speed. |
| MOD DEPTH | 0-100%. Default: 14% | Sets modulation depth. |
| LOW CUT | 20-2000 Hz. Default: 20 Hz | Filters low frequencies from the delay path. |
| HIGH CUT | 1000-20000 Hz. Default: 20000 Hz | Filters high frequencies from the delay path. |
| DUCK THRESH | -72-0 dB. Default: -35 dB | Sets the input level where ducking begins in 22 DUCKED mode. |
| DUCK AMOUNT | 0 dB to -INF. Default: -20 dB | Sets how strongly the audible delay return is reduced while the dry input is active. |
| DUCK ATTACK | 1-2000 ms. Default: 5 ms | Sets how quickly ducking responds. |
| DUCK RELEASE | 1-2000 ms. Default: 500 ms | Sets how quickly repeats return after ducking. |
| Preset strip | Factory/user presets | Loads, saves, compares, and deletes presets for 80s Sync Delay. |
| Licensing | Settings menu | Shows demo time and imports or removes the 80s Suite license. |
Available sync note values are 1/32, 1/16T, 1/16, 1/8T, 1/8, 1/8D, 1/4T, 1/4, 1/4D, 1/2, and 1 BAR.
Tips
- Use different left and right times for width and motion.
- Turn SYNC BPM on before choosing note values, so TIME L and TIME R display musical divisions.
- In 22 DUCKED mode, the audible return ducks while the feedback loop continues to regenerate, allowing repeats to bloom after the dry phrase.
- Lower DUCK THRESH or make DUCK AMOUNT more negative if repeats are covering the dry part.
- Use LOW CUT and HIGH CUT to keep delay repeats out of the way of the main tone.
- If a mode switch or phase switch changes the feel, let the short transition settle before judging the level.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Time controls show notes instead of milliseconds | SYNC BPM is on. Turn it off to edit TIME L and TIME R in ms. |
| Ducking controls do not seem active | Ducking is designed for 22 DUCKED mode. Confirm MODE is 22 DUCKED and DUCK AMOUNT is below 0 dB. More-negative values produce deeper ducking. |
| Repeats are too bright or too dark | Adjust TONE, LOW CUT, and HIGH CUT in the Advanced panel. |
| The right side feels hollow in mono | Try toggling R PHASE. |
| No delay output | Confirm BYPASS is off, MIX is above 0%, and input signal is present. If the 20-minute demo ended, restart the host or import the signed Suite license. |