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Official effect

Smear Delay

Currently the same diffused echo wash as Diffusion Delay.

The current diffusion family feeds a conventional echo into two serial allpass-style diffuser stages and then blends the result with the dry source. `time` stretches both the base delay and the diffuser lengths, `feedback` raises the repeat density and diffuser recirculation, and `tone` opens the damping feeding the wash.

  • Delay & Echo
  • Library #151
  • Preview 8s

Waveform preview

Static peaks come from the compiled FAUST preview render. The live scope is drawn from the browser playback output in real time.

Timeline
0:00 / 0:08
Source
Compiled browser preview
Live oscilloscope from the browser playback output.AnalyserNode keeps the signal path unchanged while exposing the waveform.

How It Works

Technical view

The current diffusion family feeds a conventional echo into two serial allpass-style diffuser stages and then blends the result with the dry source. `time` stretches both the base delay and the diffuser lengths, `feedback` raises the repeat density and diffuser recirculation, and `tone` opens the damping feeding the wash.

  • Delay & Echo
  • waveshaping / saturation
  • delay processing
  • oscillator / LFO modulation
  • DC blocking

Signal Path

Compiled preview chain

Preview source: An internally generated picked-string phrase is widened to stereo with a 19-sample right-channel delay and slight left/right shelf-EQ offsets before it hits the delay core.

  1. 1internal picked-string demo phrase
  2. 2stereo spread with a short right-channel delay
  3. 3base feedback delay
  4. 4serial diffuser stages
  5. 5dry / processed blend
  6. 6DC blocker
  7. 7output gain trim
  8. 8final tanh limiter

Preview source

An internally generated picked-string phrase is widened to stereo with a 19-sample right-channel delay and slight left/right shelf-EQ offsets before it hits the delay core.

Effect core

Feedback echo feeding two serial diffuser stages for a smeared repeat field.

Signal path

The static waveform and the live player both reflect this compiled signal chain.

  • internal picked-string demo phrase
  • stereo spread with a short right-channel delay
  • base feedback delay
  • serial diffuser stages
  • dry / processed blend
  • DC blocker
  • output gain trim
  • final tanh limiter

Controls that matter

These are the currently active controls detected in the FAUST source for this effect.

  • mix: Blends between the dry source and the processed delay texture after the effect core.
  • output_gain_db: Applies final post-effect level trim after DC blocking and before the output limiter.
  • time: Sets the base echo delay and lengthens the diffuser stages that follow it.
  • feedback: Raises both the base echo feedback amount and the recirculation inside the diffuser stages.
  • tone: Raises the damping cutoff feeding the echo and diffusion network.

Code-backed analysis

The generated description is tied to the active helper blocks and routing found in the current DSP.

  • demo
  • fx
  • outputStage
  • leftDemo
  • rightDemo
  • channelFx
  • phraseMono
  • previewShiftSamples

Controls

Audible controls in this DSP

  • mix

    Active

    Blends between the dry source and the processed delay texture after the effect core.

    Lower settings stay more direct; higher settings move the patch toward the effected repeat field.

  • output_gain_db

    Active

    Applies final post-effect level trim after DC blocking and before the output limiter.

    Matches loudness without changing the actual delay structure.

  • time

    Active

    Sets the base echo delay and lengthens the diffuser stages that follow it.

    Moves the wash from tighter thickening toward a more expanded blur.

  • feedback

    Active

    Raises both the base echo feedback amount and the recirculation inside the diffuser stages.

    Builds a denser, longer cloud of repeats.

  • tone

    Active

    Raises the damping cutoff feeding the echo and diffusion network.

    Makes the wash darker at low settings and clearer at high settings.

Analysis

Code-derived notes

Current implementation shares the same diffused echo core across Diffusion Delay, Smear Delay, and Halo Delay.

Active blocks

  • demo
  • fx
  • outputStage
  • leftDemo
  • rightDemo
  • channelFx
  • phraseMono
  • previewShiftSamples
  • smear
  • pickedVoice
  • echoOnly
  • delayA
  • diffuser
  • fund
  • pickEnv
  • ampEnv
  • triggerAt
  • combLP
  • maxDelaySamples

Inactive helpers

  • synthVoice
  • organVoice
  • bellVoice
  • softsat
  • quantize

Warnings

No current warnings are attached to this effect.

Source

  • library/delay-echo/smear-delay.dsp
  • Output stage: DC blocker -> output gain trim -> final tanh limiter
  • Library position: 151

More In Delay & Echo

Continue through the library

Each effect page uses the same generated description pipeline and compiled waveform preview assets.

Tape Echo

Currently a clean stereo feedback echo rather than a worn tape model with wow, flutter, or saturation.

View How It Works

Ping-Pong Delay

Currently independent left and right stereo repeats rather than a true alternating ping-pong bounce.

View How It Works

Granular Delay

Currently a stepped short-delay texture with quantized fragments rather than a true grain-cloud engine.

View How It Works