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How to Use Delay on Vocals

Updated October 2026 · Vocal recording fixes

Quick answer

Use a short slapback delay of roughly 60 to 120 ms for thickness, or a tempo-matched delay (a quarter or an eighth note) for space. Send it from the vocal, filter the echoes so they are not bright or boomy, and keep the feedback low so only a few repeats are heard.

Two common uses

Slapback (about 60 to 120 ms, one repeat): thickens the voice without an obvious echo.
Tempo delay (a quarter or eighth note): adds rhythm and space behind the lead.

Settings

Send the vocal to the delay and keep the delay return below the lead.
Set the time from the tempo. The BPM finder gives you the beat’s tempo.
Filter the echoes: high-pass to remove low rumble, low-pass to soften the top.
Use low feedback for a few repeats, more for a trail at the end of a phrase.

Limits

Too many repeats on a busy part blur the words. Automate the delay to open on the last word of a line instead of leaving it on all the time.

Try it free: Vocal Checker

Spot clipping, noise, rumble and level problems. Runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.

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Frequently asked questions

What delay time should I start with?

A quarter or eighth note of the song’s tempo, or about 80 to 100 ms for slapback.

How do I get the tempo?

Use the free BPM finder on the beat.

Should delay be on the vocal track?

Usually on a send, so the dry vocal stays clear.

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