Bel Delay BD-80

Early digital delay / hardware sampler from around 1984. These are great pieces of kit if you like your “primitive”, but cutting-edge at the time, digital tech (like us!).

Working well and in good vintage condition. Effects include chorus, flanging and double tracking, plus CV and trigger control.

2 second samples can be played back via the front panel controls, keyboard via CV input, or via a trigger input. Has controls for delay time, feedback and wet/dry signal mix plus some other interesting features including a filter that progressively attenuates high frequencies on multiple repeat echoes to give a more natural sound, a phase-invert feature, plus an oscillator sweeps the delay time up and down. Adjusting the Speed and Depth controls gives phasing and chorus effects and even a good Artificial Double Tracking (ADT) tape effect.

For more information on the history, use and features of this unit this Musictech.net Bel BD80 article is excellent.

Cosmetic condition is good with scuffs and scrapes showing up around the edges of the face. The face itself is generally good. The paint has worn away around some of the knobs and buttons, including some of the controls, see Vintage Digital’s site for more information on this unit’s controls and manuals.

UK 240v unit. Buyers in USA/Canada will need a good quality voltage transformer to use this item.