Delays
The principle of delay is to repeat a sound after a variable time interval following its first occurrence.
If the delay is very short (less than 50 milliseconds) it is not perceived as a repetition, but rather as a spatial modification around the sound. In a stereo system, introducing a delay can create the impression that the sound is moving between the two loudspeakers. Short delays generally colour the sound, bring it into relief, and enrich its timbre.
Beyond 50 milliseconds, the original sound and its repeat are perceived as two distinct events.
Once a delay is applied, its output can be fed back into the delay line, meaning the delayed sound passes through the delay again, creating a feedback loop. This is another way of looping sound, although the result is less predictable than simple looped playback. If audio continues to enter the delay line, an accumulation and multiplication of events occurs.
Always monitor the feedback level to prevent saturation and distortion.
Applying delays to continuous sounds yields little effect because the delayed signal fuses completely with the original.