The MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay is an MXR delay pedal, currently around $140. Close alternatives include the Dunlop Way Huge WHE701 Aqua Puss and the Electro-Harmonix Nano Memory Toy. It pairs well with the Marshall Bluesbreaker and the Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt.
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
MXR · pedal
The MXR Carbon Copy is a bucket-brigade analog delay known for clear, warm repeats with a natural, dark-tinged decay rather than the bright trail of a digital-chip delay. Even at longer delay times it stays musical and never turns clanky or brittle, while tight, quick slapback settings suit country-style echo without muddying the attack. Its repeats fade softly and progressively, sitting behind the dry signal instead of competing with it. Up to 600 milliseconds of delay time and a straightforward delay, regen, and mix layout make it equally suited to subtle slapback and longer, ambient trails, and it remains one of the most widely used analog delays for players wanting warm, natural-sounding echo without digital clarity or complexity.
What stands out
“Up to 600 milliseconds of delay time and a straightforward delay, regen, and mix layout make it equally suited to subtle slapback and longer, ambient trails, and it remains one of the most widely used analog delays for players wanting warm,…”
— from the listing
“The MXR Carbon Copy is a bucket-brigade analog delay known for clear, warm repeats with a natural, dark-tinged decay”
— from the listing
“this pedal is , especially for people who enjoy modern styles”
— from the community notes
“• warm and simple analog delay”
— from the community notes
“Even at longer delay times it stays musical and , while tight, quick slapback settings suit country-style echo”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“However, it's worth noting that the repeats can occasionally sound too dark or even mushy, especially if you're used to using digital delays”
— from the reviews
- delay
- analog delay
- warm
- echo
- subtle
- slapback
- mix
- clear
Good for
- Live
- Studio
Price updated Oct 25, 2026
Genres the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay is commonly used in
- Country
- Ambient
- Soul
- Lo Fi
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rockabilly
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Electronic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Marshall Bluesbreaker
Marshall
26% matchUsed together by 1 artist
fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (dark → glassy)
Run Marshall Bluesbreaker after it and the dark edge settles into something more glassy
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt
Diezel
25% matchWhat Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Fuchs ODS Classic 25/50 Combo
Fuchs
8% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay's analog warmth voice goes in Fuchs ODS Classic 25/50 Combo's effects loop — it's not there to compete with Fuchs ODS Classic 25/50 Combo's own transparent character
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Laney L5 Studio
Laney
6% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay in Laney L5 Studio's effects loop, clear of Laney L5 Studio's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Blackstar HT-5C
Blackstar
6% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay in Blackstar HT-5C's effects loop, clear of Blackstar HT-5C's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Put Synergy SL2 Module in front of MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt goes in front of MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay in the chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H goes in front of MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay in the chain
Pedals that stack with the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler
Dr Scientist
25% matchDr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler's own fuzzy character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas
EarthQuaker Devices
24% matchEarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas's own fuzzy character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Monument CS
Walrus Audio
18% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Walrus Audio Monument CS after MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
18% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Boss BF-2 Flanger after MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Comes earlier in the signal chain
MXR MC-402
MXR
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay's analog warmth voice goes after MXR MC-402 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR MC-402's own transparent character
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Catalinbread Callisto Mk. II
Catalinbread
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay after Catalinbread Callisto Mk. II in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Catalinbread Callisto Mk. II
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Empress Germ Drive
Empress
8% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay after Empress Germ Drive in the signal chain, clear of Empress Germ Drive's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Jackson Audio Asabi Mateus Asato Signature Overdrive/Distortion
Jackson Audio
8% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay's analog warmth voice goes after Jackson Audio Asabi Mateus Asato Signature Overdrive/Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Jackson Audio Asabi Mateus Asato Signature Overdrive/Distortion's own smooth character
Comes earlier in the signal chain
See all 30 pedals that pair with the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay →
Cheaper alternatives
Dunlop MXR M299 Carbon Copy Mini
Dunlop
64% similarityShared character: delay, repeats, analog delay
JHS 3 Series Oil Can Delay
JHS Pedals
61% similarityShared character: repeats, analog delay, true bypass
Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
Boss
59% similarityShared character: repeats, delay, durable construction
Walrus Audio Fundamental Delay
Walrus Audio
58% similarityShared character: delay, ambient, modulation
JHS 3 Series Delay
JHS Pedals
96% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS Pedals JHS 3 Series Tape Delay
JHS Pedals
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Fairfield Circuitry Meet Maude
Fairfield Circuitry
61% similarityShared character: delay, repeats, analog delay
Carl Martin Echotone
Carl Martin
61% similarityShared character: delay, rich, true bypass
Maxon AD10 Analog Delay
Maxon
60% similarityShared character: delay, repeats, analog delay
Strymon Brigadier dBucket Delay
pedal
60% similarityShared character: modulation, repeats, durable construction
Keeley Eccos Tape Flanged Delay
Keeley
60% similarityShared character: controls, delay, analog delay
JAM Pedals Delay Llama Mk.3
Jam Pedals
60% similarityShared character: analog delay, digital, delay
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Dunlop Way Huge WHE701 Aqua Puss
Dunlop
63% similarityShared character: analog delay, rich, delay
Electro-Harmonix Nano Memory Toy
Electro-Harmonix
63% similarityShared character: delay, repeats, analog delay
Boss DM-2W Delay Waza Craft
Boss
61% similarityShared character: delay, repeats, analog delay
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
61% similarityShared character: repeats, analog delay, dark
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Boss
61% similarityShared character: durable construction, delay, dry signal
Strymon Brigadier
Strymon
61% similarityShared character: analog delay, dry signal, dark
See all alternatives to the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay?+
The closest matches in character are the Dunlop Way Huge WHE701 Aqua Puss, the Electro-Harmonix Nano Memory Toy, the Boss DM-2W Delay Waza Craft. Budget picks: Dunlop MXR M299 Carbon Copy Mini, JHS 3 Series Oil Can Delay, Boss DD-2 Digital Delay. Boutique upgrades: Fairfield Circuitry Meet Maude, Carl Martin Echotone, Maxon AD10 Analog Delay.
What pairs well with the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall Bluesbreaker, Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt, Fuchs ODS Classic 25/50 Combo — Run Marshall Bluesbreaker after it and the dark edge settles into something more glassy.
How much does the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay cost?+
Around $140 (live listing price, updated Oct 25, 2026).