MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay Settings Guide
The MXR Carbon Copy is one of the most popular BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) analog delays on the market — warm, dark repeats that degrade naturally with each echo and modulation when engaged. Up to 600ms delay time, a Regen (feedback) control, and a Mod switch that adds LFO modulation to the analog repeats. The Carbon Copy is the standard recommendation for players seeking analog delay warmth without the complexity or cost of tape echo alternatives.
The best MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay settings start with: Delay at 4/10, Mix at 4/10, Regen at 3/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Blues / Classic Rock: Delay 5/10, Mix 4/10, Regen 3/10.
⚡ Start Here — Recommended Settings
| Control | Starting Position | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Delay | 4/10 | Short → 600ms |
| Mix | 4/10 | Dry → Wet |
| Regen | 3/10 | None → Osc |
These are universal starting points. Adjust based on your amp, guitar, and room. Scroll down for genre-specific settings and artist-documented positions.
What Each Control Does
Recommended Starting Settings
Safe starting positions for any style. Adjust from here based on your amp and room.
All values on a 0–10 scale. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear.
Settings by Genre
Moderate delay time and Mix — the Carbon Copy at these settings adds a warm, natural-sounding echo that enhances sustain and space without the clinical precision of digital delay. The BBD high-frequency roll-off means repeats sound slightly darker and more organic than the dry signal.
Short Delay with low Regen — single warm slapback. The Carbon Copy's analog character gives slapback a warmth that digital slapback doesn't achieve. Mix at 5 keeps the slapback prominent — traditional country slapback is louder and more noticeable than ambient delays.
Long Delay with Mod switch on — modulation adds subtle pitch wobble to the analog repeats, creating a chorus-adjacent movement in the delay tails. Regen at 6 produces multiple repeats before dying away. The combination of long analog delay with modulation suits ambient and atmospheric playing contexts.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- The Mod switch activates an internal LFO that modulates the BBD delay time slightly — this creates the tape-flutter or chorus effect within the delay. The mod rate and depth are fixed (not user-adjustable on the standard model) but are well-chosen for musical modulation without being excessive.
- The Carbon Copy is true bypass — engaging it switches the circuit into the signal path. The transition between bypassed and engaged sounds is instantaneous and there is no buffering when bypassed. In long pedal chains, consider position relative to other true bypass pedals for optimal signal chain management.
FAQ
MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay — Common Questions
Best starting settings for MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay: Delay at 4/10, Mix at 4/10, Regen at 3/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Blues / Classic Rock: Delay 5/10, Mix 4/10, Regen 3/10. Moderate delay time and Mix — the Carbon Copy at these settings adds a warm, natural-sounding echo that enhances sustain and space without the clinical precision of digital delay. The BBD high-frequency roll-off means repeats sound slightly darker and more organic than the dry signal.
For Country (slapback): Delay 2/10, Mix 5/10, Regen 1/10. Short Delay with low Regen — single warm slapback. The Carbon Copy's analog character gives slapback a warmth that digital slapback doesn't achieve. Mix at 5 keeps the slapback prominent — traditional country slapback is louder and more noticeable than ambient delays.
Delay: Delay time — BBD analog circuit (Short to 600ms). Mix: Wet echo level in the mix (Dry to Wet). Regen: Feedback — low = 1 repeat; high = oscillation (None to Osc)
The Mod switch activates an internal LFO that modulates the BBD delay time slightly — this creates the tape-flutter or chorus effect within the delay. The mod rate and depth are fixed (not user-adjustable on the standard model) but are well-chosen for musical modulation without being excessive. The Carbon Copy is true bypass — engaging it switches the circuit into the signal path. The transition between bypassed and engaged sounds is instantaneous and there is no buffering when bypassed. In long pedal chains, consider position relative to other true bypass pedals for optimal signal chain management.
Got the MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay? Build the rest of your rig.
Use the Rig Builder to find matching guitars, pedals and cables for your genre and budget.