Processor Delay

The s3g Processor Delay treats each active channel as a delay node. Each node can have its own time, feedback, tone, pitch, smear, and diffusion behavior. Its Echo Routes layer can then move regenerated repeats from node to node through the topology.

Instead of exposing every lane as a separate parameter list, the plugin uses a compact topology surface. Moving the surface changes relationships between lanes while keeping automation readable. See the Topology Framework page for the shared model.

Workflow

Insert the 8-channel or 24-channel build on a REAPER track of the appropriate width, route the source with the FX pins, then use the internal patch matrix to choose the active input lanes and their output destinations.
Route the result to the main speakers, a direct panner, or a stereo or quad fold-down, then begin playback. Another effect may precede that destination when its build matches the current bus width.
Place, displace, or animate the point field so the active lanes acquire useful relationships.
Set the delay engine, Echo Routes, wet mix, and output level while listening across the full bus.

Processing Layers

Patch Matrix

Routes plugin inputs to outputs. Active input rows set the topology lane count.

Point Field

Shape, displacement, animation, and variants place active lanes as points.

Delay Engine

The points become smoothed per-node delay settings and repeat routes.

Processor Delay 24ch patch matrix, dense topology field, per-node delay controls, and Echo Routes — Processor Delay 24ch with a dense topology, patch matrix, per-node delay controls, and Echo Routes.

REAPER Pins and Internal Matrix

There are two routing layers. REAPER's FX pin connector sends track channels into and out of the plugin. The Processor Delay matrix routes those plugin lanes after they arrive.

For topology, each active matrix input row keeps its physical lane identity and becomes an active point. If only rows 3 and 7 are active, the topology is a two-point graph made from nodes 3 and 7, even if those rows feed many outputs.

Goal	REAPER FX pin connector	Processor Delay matrix
Normal 8-channel lane processing	Track channels 1-8 feed plugin inputs 1-8. Plugin outputs 1-8 return to track channels 1-8.	Use diagonal routing: input 1 to output 1, input 2 to output 2, through input 8 to output 8.
Stereo source as 8 topology lanes	Set the track to 8 channels. Route left to plugin inputs 1, 3, 5, 7. Route right to plugin inputs 2, 4, 6, 8.	Use diagonal routing for all 8 lanes. All 8 input rows are active, so the topology uses 8 points.
Quad source as 4 topology lanes	Set the track to 4 or more channels. Feed source channels 1-4 to plugin inputs 1-4.	Use diagonal routing for lanes 1-4: input 1 to output 1, through input 4 to output 4.
6-channel source as 6 topology lanes	Set the track to 6 or more channels. Feed source channels 1-6 to plugin inputs 1-6.	Use diagonal routing for lanes 1-6: input 1 to output 1, through input 6 to output 6.

For sources narrower than the plugin, use REAPER pins to expand the source into the plugin inputs. Then keep the plugin matrix diagonal while shaping the topology.

Signal Flow

Each active input lane enters its local delay node.
The node's TIME, TONE, PITCH, CHAR, and SMR processing produces the audible local tap.
FDBK creates the node's regenerated return. At ROUTE zero, the return stays in the local topology-diffusion path; raising ROUTE crossfades it toward source-local feedback transported through Echo Routes.
When ROUTE is raised, a normalized portion of that return leaves the node and is distributed to topology neighbors or the centroid hub.
A routed repeat is written into the destination node and waits for that node's TIME before it is heard. Its color and pitch therefore develop at every node it visits.
The patch matrix collects the requested node lanes, followed by MIX, output gain, and safety.

Topology Map

The topology map shows how active lanes influence the delay. Point position, radius, lane phase, nearest neighbors, and centroid pull all feed the delay generator.

Delay-specific topology mapping for TIME, FDBK, TONE, PITCH, SMR, and DIFF.

Delay Engine Sliders

The engine sliders set the base delay sound. Topology then bends those values differently for each active lane.

Slider	How it relates to topology
TIME	Sets the base delay time. Topology offsets create different delay times per lane around that base.
FDBK	Sets the feedback amount and practical ceiling. Topology changes how feedback is distributed across lanes.
MIX	Global dry/wet balance. It is kept separate from topology so the whole effect can be blended predictably.
TONE	Sets the overall delay color. Topology shifts lane tone around this center.
PITCH	Sets the steady pitch-shift center. Topology can spread pitch relationships between lanes.
CHAR	Global character trim for saturation/instability behavior inside the delay engine.
SMR	Controls tap smear. Topology changes how smear is distributed through lane phase and radius.
OUT	Output gain trim after the delay engine.

Topology controls do not replace the engine sliders. They control how far each lane departs from the base settings.

Echo Routes

Echo Routes turns the topology graph into a repeat-scale transport. It does not add a second short propagation delay: every hop uses the destination node's existing delay time. An impulse can therefore appear first at node A after TIME A, then at node B after TIME A + TIME B, and continue along a longer rhythmic path while each visited node applies its own pitch and color.

ROUTE: moves a portion of each regenerated return away from its current node and into the graph. Set it to zero for local feedback without cross-node repeat travel. Because Echo Routes transports regenerated audio, FDBK must be above zero for a repeat to walk.
TURN: signed circulation bias around the topology's current orientation. Negative and positive settings favor opposite travel directions; zero leaves the graph reciprocal.
BRCH: route focus. Low values favor one strong continuation; high values divide the repeat among more of the eligible neighbors and centroid destinations.
LOSS: distance-dependent level and high-frequency loss. Long routes become quieter and darker while the node-level TONE remains the main delay color.

NN sets the maximum number of neighbor continuations, RAD determines connection reach and proximity weighting, and CENT opens a normalized virtual-hub route to nodes outside the immediate neighbor set. Topology shape and motion change the destinations used by future launches; repeats already waiting inside node delays are allowed to finish naturally.

On the TOPO page, edge brightness follows actual routed energy and moving markers show the current repeat traversal. Node activity shows arrivals rather than a static estimate of the diffusion setting.

Readout Terms

Term	Meaning
TIME	Base delay plus topology-derived per-lane time offset.
FDBK	Per-lane regeneration amount.
TONE	Per-lane delay color.
PIT	Steady pitch shift in semitones.
SMR	Delay tap smear amount.
DIFF	Cross-lane diffusion based on neighbor links and centroid influence.
ROUT	Measured Echo Routes activity leaving or arriving at the node.

Control Model

Patch matrix controls which lanes are active.
Topology controls generate per-lane differences.
ANIM and VAR provide motion scene behavior using the same topology controls.
Echo Routes changes where regenerated repeats go; it does not replace the node delay times.
Mix remains a global dry/wet control.
Per-lane details stay inside the plugin.