What this article covers
Cloud Delay from Ronan Fed Plugins was shared as a free plugin deal. Details such as price, formats and features can change, so this guide focuses on what delay effects do and how to get good results with any delay, then points you to the developer for the specifics.
Confirm it is still available
Free promotions can end without notice. Visit the developer's official page or store listing to check whether the plugin is still free and which formats and systems it supports. Do not use unofficial downloads.
Delay basics
A delay repeats a sound after a set time. Those repeats create echo, width and rhythm. Almost every delay has these controls:
- Time: the gap between repeats, often synced to the tempo.
- Feedback: how many repeats you hear.
- Mix: balance between dry and repeated signal.
- Filter: shapes the repeats so they sit behind the source.
- Modulation: adds movement for a tape or chorus feel.
Starting settings
| Source | Time | Feedback | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead vocal | 1/4 or 1/8 note | 15 to 25 percent | Filter repeats and keep the mix low |
| Synth lead | Dotted 1/8 | 30 to 40 percent | Add gentle modulation |
| Snare accent | 1/8 note | 10 to 20 percent | Automate the delay only on selected hits |
| Guitar | 1/8 or slap | 20 to 30 percent | Use a short slap for depth |
These are starting points. Adjust by ear until the repeats support the groove instead of cluttering it.
Use a send, not an insert
- Create a send or aux track with the delay on it.
- Set the plugin to 100 percent wet.
- Send only as much of each track as you need.
- High-pass and low-pass the delay return so it does not clash with bass and hats.
- Duck the delay under the vocal with a compressor if repeats mask words.
For compressor ideas, see how to use Fruity Compressor which explains the same sidechain-friendly principles.
Delay versus reverb
Reverb blurs a sound into a space; delay repeats it clearly. Use delay when you want rhythm and clarity, and reverb for glue and depth. Many mixes use both. If you need a free reverb to pair with your delay, try Valhalla Supermassive.
Key takeaways
- Check the official page for current price and formats.
- Use tempo-synced times for rhythm and free time for ambience.
- Filter the repeats and use sends for control.
- Automate for special moments.
Creative delay tricks
Delay is more than an echo. Try these ideas once you are comfortable with the basics:
- Ping-pong: bounce repeats between left and right for width on a lead.
- Throw effects: automate the send so only the last word of a phrase gets an echo.
- Filtered build-ups: raise feedback and sweep a high-pass filter before a drop.
- Stereo widening: use slightly different times on the left and right, such as 1/8 and dotted 1/8.
- Rhythmic gating: pair a delay with a short gate so repeats stutter in time.
Tempo maths for manual delay times
If your plugin lacks tempo sync, you can calculate time in milliseconds. Divide 60,000 by the tempo in BPM to get a quarter note. At 120 BPM a quarter note is 500 ms, an eighth is 250 ms and a dotted eighth is 375 ms. Entering these values keeps repeats locked to the groove even without sync.
Installing safely
When you get the plugin from the official page, follow the developer's install notes. Place it in the plugin folder your DAW scans, rescan, and test it on a spare track before adding it to an important project. Keep the installer and your licence details in a folder so you can reinstall after a system change.
Delay for different genres
Genres use delay in characteristic ways. Dub and reggae lean on long, filtered feedback throws on snares and chords. Pop often uses a subtle tempo-synced delay under the lead vocal so the words stay clear. Ambient music prefers long times with heavy modulation and reverb. Rock guitarists reach for slapback or dotted-eighth patterns. Listen to a few reference tracks in your genre and notice how loud, how long and how filtered the repeats are; then copy the approach rather than the exact settings.
When in doubt, mute the delay and unmute it again. If the mix feels emptier without it, the level is probably close to right.
Quick troubleshooting
If the plugin does not appear in your DAW, confirm the format matches what your host supports, rescan the plugin folder and check that a 64-bit version is installed. If audio crackles, raise the buffer size. If repeats sound out of time, check that tempo sync is enabled and that the project tempo is correct.
FAQ
Is Cloud Delay free right now?
Check the developer's official page; promotions are often time-limited.
What delay time should I choose?
Start with a tempo-synced 1/4 or 1/8 note and adjust to taste.
Why does my delay sound messy?
Lower feedback, filter the repeats, and use less mix or more ducking.
Can I use delay on drums?
Yes, sparingly. A short delay on a snare or clap can add character; keep kicks mostly dry.
