Ibanez's new LD303 Layer Delayer uniquely combines Sixteenth and Triplet sort of multi-head delays with variable repeats levels

This is a really cool and unique delay - somewhat reminiscent of the Andy Timmons’ Halo Echo - as both use a combination of 2 different time signatures delays!

The control topology works a little like a Multi-Head Delay - where it combines 16th Notes (in Quarters) with Triplets.

You essentially set the level on each repeat / beat - where you have 1-3 LED indicators to indicate strength of each of those.

And by deploying those in different combination - you can achieve some really cool and unusual rhythmic delays. 

Essentially the intervals are seemingly mostly predefined - and you’re just selectively manipulating how those sound out - with some other smart variations covering 8 different Panning Modes - which include Ping Pong delays in two variations.

Initially this seems a little strange - but the topology is fairly easily understandable - and in many ways it’s not too different a mechanic as to what you find on the Strymon Volante - which is a Multi-Head delay - and you have 4 different button controls to set which repeats sound out and which have further feedback and resonance on them.

The device and colourway looks incredibly 80’s - kind of harking back to Ibanez’s glory days. This is actually a really smart way to achieve different timing signatures in a relatively straightforward manner - and foregoing complex Tap Division mathematics!

I’m not sure this is one for me necessarily - but I totally see the appeal. It offers a certain cool simplicity overall for a multi-tap delay - which marks it out as somewhat unique!

Controls - Mix : Dry > Wet, FILTER } Resonance, Cut Off (Click On/Off), Delay Time (40ms–1500ms | BPM: 40–1500), Feedback, Tone : Tape > Analog > Digital, Level : Line / Instrument, Pan Speed, Tail Decay, REPEATS : 1st Repeat, 2nd/4, 3rd/4, 4th/4, 2nd/3, 3rd/3, Preset / Pan Mode Down / Up, Start Footswitch, Bank/Preset Footswitch, Tap Tempo Footswitch.

Rear Panel - 1/4" Right TS Input, 1/4" Left / Mono TS Input, FXS Loop : Send, Return, 1/4" Righ TS Output, 1/4" Left / Mono TS Output, 5 Pin Din MIDI : Thru, In, USB-C, 9V DC [-] 300mA

DELAY SIGNAL VOLUMES - The delay time is set as the length of a quarter note, and delay signals corresponding to sixteenth notes and triplets are generated. 1st, 2nd/4, 3rd/4, and 4th/4 correspond to sixteenth notes, and 1st, 2nd/3, and 3rd/3 correspond to triplets.

BANK/PRESET - Pressing this switch increments the preset#. A long press advances the bank#. Layer Delayer has 50 Presets in total, 10 Presets in 5 banks (Bank# A to E).