DigiTech Obscura Altered Delay Pedal Review (March 2024)

$39.99

Last updated on March 26, 2024 5:31 pm Details

Description

In this review post, we’re going to be discussing the DigiTech Obscura Altered Delay Pedal , including an overview of its unique features.

Product Description

The Obscura Altered Delay from DigiTech allows you to turn your delays upside down and inside out. Obscura’s four delay types can be darkened, degraded, and distorted on the fly with the stacked Tone and Degrade controls. Combine these controls with the Obscura’s Repeat/Hold feature and lose yourself in long, trippy, gurgling repeats or backward-manipulated sonic mayhem.

In addition to its Tone and Degrade controls, the Obscura features independent Level, Delay Mode, and stacked Time and Repeats controls. Complimenting those versatile controls, the Obscura offers four excellent-sounding Analog, Tape, Lo-Fi, and Reverse types, Tap Tempo mode with Beat Divisions, Stereo Inputs/Outputs, a Delay Tails On/Off Switch, and True Bypass circuitry.

With its compact size and vacuum-style footswitch, the Obscura furthers DigiTech’s evolution in pedal design. We’ve put years of experience into every detail of its mechanical and sonic blueprint. The Obscura uses a 9V DC power supply to easily integrate into your existing pedalboard.

Product Features

  • True Bypass
  • Repeat/Hold
  • True Stereo I/O
  • Tap Tempo with Beat Divisions
  • Weight 1 lb; 0.453 kg
  • Power Supply Output 9 VDC 1.3 A
  • Current Draw 75 mA (typical at 9 VDC)
  • Power Consumption 675 mW (< 75 mA @ 9VDC)
  • Input Separate Left and Right ¼” Unbalanced (Tip-Sleeve)
  • Output Separate Left and Right ¼” Unbalanced (Tip-Sleeve)
  • Output Impedance Effect on 1 k; Effect off: True hardwire bypass
  • Switches Soft Click, Vacuum Style Footswitch; Reverb Tails On/Off Toggle Switch
  • Power Requirements 9 VDC external power supply (required)
  • Power Supply Model PS0913DC-02 (AU, UK); PS0913DC-01 (US, JA, EU)
  • Dimensions 4.40” (L) * 2.65” (W) * 2.0” (H); 11.18cm (L) * 6.73cm (W) * 5.08cm (H)
  • Input Impedance Effect on: >1 M (stereo), >500 k (mono); Effect off: True hardwire bypass
  • Controls Level, Delay Type, Time, Repeats, Tone, Degrade, Delay Tails On/Off, Effect On/Off

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Stereo in/out
  • Portable
  • Strong build
  • Worth the price
  • Incredibly reliable
  • Favorable consumer feedback
  • Great for modified retro delay sounds
  • Great sound output
  • Lots of control over delay parameters

Cons

  • Quite Expensive
  • Limited reverse mode
  • Laborious tap tempo control
  • Control can be difficult to read
  • Reverse mode is wet-signal-only
  • It has no clean digital delay setting

DigiTech Obscura Altered Delay Pedal Demo

Our Verdict

The first three algorithms have characteristics that are unique to the technologies they model: the first analog mode has a little top end; tape is very true to the original signal but warmer and more rounded, and lo-fi is bright and crisp. When you adjust the repetitions control, analog fades off into warm, soupy oblivion, tape softens gradually, and lo-fi adds gritty distortion. It’s as if you had three new, completely functional retro delays with the lowest degrade setting. When you advance it, all of the circuits begin to misbehave.

Tape goes off into synthesized, but realistic, impersonations of wow and flutter to create a dense, chorus-like vibe; analog creates a beautiful receding filter effect that surrounds your playing with warm pulsations, and analog creates a beautiful receding filter effect that surrounds your playing with warm pulsations. Lo-fi amps up the grit, making it sound if the repeats have been processed by a distortion pedal. The opposite is more difficult to deal with; it’s impossible to play anything that doesn’t sound like hazy prog lead, but that might be your thing! Then there’s the sound mayhem you can produce by twiddling knobs live. There’s even a repeat hold function (accessible by fully clockwise twisting the repeats knob) to ensure your sonic magic lasts forever.

Rather than delivering specific emulations, this is a pretty fun pedal that allows you to generate a variety of sounds. It doesn’t take long of an exploration of the Obscura to know that it’s all about how it handles the degradation of the delayed signals. It pushes the boundaries of the original technologies to tremendous musical effect.

Where to Buy

The best place to buy this product has to be Amazon, due to their competitive pricing and fantastic customer service.

DigiTech Acoustic Guitar Effect Pedal, Off-White, Regular (Obscura)

$249.99
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2024 8:28 pm

Pricing History

Price History for DigiTech Acoustic Guitar Effect Pedal, Off-White, Regular (Obscura)

Statistics

Current Price $249.99 March 18, 2024
Highest Price $249.99 August 10, 2023
Lowest Price $229.99 November 16, 2023
Since August 10, 2023

Last price changes

$249.99 December 16, 2023
$229.99 November 16, 2023
$249.99 August 10, 2023

Buyers Guides This Product Is Featured In

Best Delay Pedals

Additional information

Item Weight

1 pounds

Product Dimensions

4.7 x 3.2 x 2.4 inches

Item model number

OBSCURA

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer

No

Date First Available

April 15, 2015

Color Name

Off-White

Size

REGULAR

Voltage

240 Volts

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