Best effects units of 2020

2020 was a difficult year, but it also blessed us with some outstanding new studio equipment releases. As we prepare for 2021, we take a look back at some of the best releases of the last 12 months, picking out our favourites.

Runner-up: Bleep Labs Delaydelus 2

Designed in collaboration with LA beat scene veteran Daedelus, the Delaydelus is somewhere between a sampler and a delay effect, albeit leaning heavily towards the kind of experimentalism and sound mangling you’d expect from its co-creator. With a quirky combination of banana plug sockets and Eurorack-friendly patch points, it’s a creative little 16-bit box.

Read our full review of the Bleep Labs Delaydelus 2 here.

Winner: Erica Synths x Ninja Tune Zen Delay

A collab between Erica Synths and Ninja Tune was always likely to be a big deal. We’re unashamed fans of the Latvian brand’s output, so we were curious to see what also Ninja Tune would bring to the table. The result is a tactile, creative and lush valve-based effect module that can do everything from clean and clear to dirty and scuzzy, combining filtering and delays with modes including tape emulation and stereo ping-pong. Whether for studio or live use, it’s a beauty.

Read our full review of the Erica Synths x Ninja Tune Zen Delay here.