Boss DD3 / DD5 / DD7

**jorgemg1984** · 12-18-2011, 05:01 PM

Hi!

I need a cheap good souding digital delay for my small pedalboard that is going to replace my Nova System (already sold). I already have a GE-7 with Monte Allums mods for a little EQ and boost and a RV-7 for some Hall Lexicon reverbs - the delay will be the last item on the pedalboard.

I don't care much for analog settings and I will use this pedal in a digital setting it for adding space to reverb à la Rosenwinkel / Kreisberg / etc... I will go the used route - so Boss is the only option (otherwise TC Flashback and HW DL-8 would be my options; in fact I have the Flashback in the big pedalboard and love it).

I have three options:

1) DD-3 Japan for 80€ (he wasn't sure if a friend would kepp the pedal)
2) DD-5 for 75€
3) DD-7 for 90€

Anyone has experience with all these pedals? The DD-3 fits the bill nicely but I am affraid of the 800ms limitations for some possible other uses in the future. The DD-7 does a lot more than the DD-5 for more 15e but I would just use the expression pedal function (and I have read about the DD-5 souding better). I know Kreisberg used the DD-3, Lage Lund the DD-5 and Gilad Hekselman the DD-7 so they all should fit the bill nicely but I would like to make the best purchase.

All opinions are welcome, thanks in advanced!

**Dark Star** · 12-18-2011, 05:27 PM

DD-5. Once you get hooked on the tap-tempo feature, you'll be spoiled. And relatively speaking it is cheap.

**jorgemg1984** · 12-18-2011, 05:31 PM

I won't be using the tamp feature - I am specifically concerned about the quality of the digital repeats. Do you like them on the DD-5? Have you ever compared with the others?

(I also love Tim Reynolds sound with the DD-5 btw)

**Dark Star** · 12-18-2011, 08:21 PM

To be honest I have never tried them side by side. I have used each of them, & to my ears they all sound about the same. I once owned a DD-3. I have owned a few of DD-5s. I was going to get a DD-7, but the extra money was not worth it to me as it sounded (to my ears, anyhow) just like the DD-5. And that sound is "passable".
If I was going to spend more money I'd get a T-Rex Replica. But since delay is not a big part of my sound I just needed something that would work, & the DD-5 fills the bill.

**jorgemg1984** · 12-18-2011, 09:52 PM

The replica sounds good but I would go other route on that price range... Let's see what people reply to my e-mails, a cheap DD-2 would be perfect!

Any other opinions?

**mambosun** · 12-19-2011, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

The replica sounds good but I would go other route on that price range... Let's see what people reply to my e-mails, a cheap DD-2 would be perfect!

Any other opinions?

I've been using a DD2 since 1985 and sold it recently, then I tried the DD3, DD6 and finally bought the ultimate DD7.
Sound wise it's really a matter of personal taste; DD2 is a very sougth-after model because: it's vintage, made in japan, supposed to sound better than DD3, blah blah, blah...I always found the DD2 to be too digital sounding. Second hand DD2 are expensive, I sold mine at more than 100€ and got phone calls form people ready to pay more.
In fact, I vastly prefer the DD7 because of the sound and of the numerous features and settings on offer which the DD2, DD3 and DD5 couldn't dream of.
When I bought the DD2 back in 1985, It cost me 250€ which was a big money at that time; now you can buy a brand new DD7 at 130€ with 3 years of warranty.
If you like the analog delay, a DM2 or DM3 are better options but too pricey in the second hand market.
Make up your mind by testing first, give a try to the DD7, you should'nt be disappointed.

**jorgemg1984** · 12-19-2011, 07:23 AM

I really dig the DD2 sound but I like digital delay. I would never pay the prices I have seen them going most of the times (200€ or more) but I have seen them for 100€ and for that price I would buy one. I don't like analog delays at all... I don't really get the vibe about those pedals.

I can test the DD-6 or DD-5 at friend's houses and the DD-7 or DD-3 at a store but I cannot test them side by side. I don't need the extra features of the DD-7 - sound and price are my main concerns...

Thanks for your help!

**jmstritt** · 12-19-2011, 11:15 AM

Keep in mind with digital delays that the goal is to have the repeat maintain the same tonal qualities as the original note, as opposed to analog where there is some treble roll off on the repeats. With this in mind, once the repeat is the same tone as the initial note, there is no better or worse. The big difference in the delays you mentioned is features. The DD-5 and DD-7 offer longer delay times than the DD-3, but for most folks that will never be a deal breaker. The DD-7 has more features like an analog simulator, and a modulated delay. If you just want to add texture to your sound similar to a reverb, any of these delays will work for you, just keep your eyes peeled on ebay and craigslist and see what you can find a good deal on.

**jorgemg1984** · 12-19-2011, 06:45 PM

Thanks ,very good points! I think I will go with a cheap DD-5 and then had some Monte Allums mods with my tech for extra 10€.

**Insufferable_Rhythm** · 12-20-2011, 02:46 PM

If you don't much care for "analog settings", why would you have the Monte Allums modification done to the DD-5?

**jorgemg1984** · 12-20-2011, 04:32 PM

It's 10€ for the instructions and my tech will do it just for the fun - so no big cost. On the DD-5 the mod darkens all repeats on the same level so it's just a digital delay with darker repeats which would be nice according to my tests on the DD-6. On an analog the repeats are increasingly darker I think...

And the mod allows you to leave the pedal stock so no big risk.

**Insufferable_Rhythm** · 12-20-2011, 06:01 PM

Ah, I missed the note on the Monte Allums site concerning the DD-5.

Yeah, any delay in which the high-filtering is located in the feedback path will become progressively darker the more it repeats.

**mambosun** · 12-20-2011, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Insufferable_Rhythm

Ah, I missed the note on the Monte Allums site concerning the DD-5.

Yeah, any delay in which the high-filtering is located in the feedback path will become progressively darker the more it repeats.

... Which you could already have with a DD7 analog setting.

**jorgemg1984** · 12-20-2011, 07:18 PM

I was actually wondering about that... Is it the same? Having slightly darker digital repeats will turn your digital delay into a analog one?

**mambosun** · 12-20-2011, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I was actually wondering about that... Is it the same? Having slightly darker digital repeats will turn your digital delay into a analog one?

Not exactly, the DD7 won't sound like a DM2 or DM3 but it provides a convincing simulation of an analog delay, without the hiss and dirt usually associated with vintage echo stomp boxes.
Hence a clean, versatile & reliable digital delay but with darker repeats than a typical digital can produce like the DD2 or DD3.
Again, the result will depend on your taste and your usual delay settings.
Give it a try with your current rig prior to any purchase...

**jorgemg1984** · 12-20-2011, 08:34 PM

I have a DD-6 on a loan. Fine pedal - but my Flashback is much better. But it's ok for what I do - now I need to understand which one I can buy the cheaper. If I grab one for 60€ I will add the MA mod for sure, just an extra 10€. An Echo Park would also be an option but I am affraid of Line 6 reliability...

**mambosun** · 12-21-2011, 04:46 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I have a DD-6 on a loan. Fine pedal - but my Flashback is much better. But it's ok for what I do - now I need to understand which one I can buy the cheaper. If I grab one for 60€ I will add the MA mod for sure, just an extra 10€. An Echo Park would also be an option but I am affraid of Line 6 reliability...

Apart from some extra features, DD6 and DD7 sound the same, so price-wise if the DD6 is OK for you and if you don't need the additional settings provided by the ultimate model, go ahead.

**jorgemg1984** · 12-21-2011, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by mambosun

Apart from some extra features, DD6 and DD7 sound the same, so price-wise if the DD6 is OK for you and if you don't need the additional settings provided by the ultimate model, go ahead.

Thanks, that's what I needed to know. Apparently the DD5, DD6 and DD7 are similar soundwise but as the numbers increase the options also increase.

**jorgemg1984** · 02-27-2012, 06:20 PM

Update: the DD6 with the MA mod sounds great. The just a little darker setting puts this pedal very close to my TC delays, the stock Boss is a little brittle and metallic. it also lets me use the feedback knob a little higher and add more depth to my sound. If you score a cheap DD6 or DD5 it's a great mod (it works different on the DD3)

**Dark Star** · 02-27-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

...the stock Boss is a little brittle and metallic.

Yes, a bit like a printer that is running out of ink & so the images have definition but lack thepth.
imo

**jorgemg1984** · 02-27-2012, 09:53 PM

That's a good image actually... It's a detail but it counts. Another good thing about this mod on the DD5 and DD6 is that the repeats have always the same level of darkness so it still acts like a digital delay but only daker (not like an increasingly darker analog delay).

**mongrel** · 02-27-2012, 10:20 PM

I got a DD-3 made in Taiwan new around 2000 after hearing a local fusion player do a demo in a local music store with his new PRS Hollowbody. Just the guitar into the DD-3 into a Boogie, if I recall correctly. Its been in my simple chain ever since and wettens the tone quite nicely. I've tried the newer versions but they have more than I need and don't quite sound as organic. The only negative is that it really likes a Boss wall-wart and can cut out with other makes.

**tedro** · 05-25-2012, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

It's 10€ for the instructions and my tech will do it just for the fun - so no big cost. On the DD-5 the mod darkens all repeats on the same level so it's just a digital delay with darker repeats which would be nice according to my tests on the DD-6. On an analog the repeats are increasingly darker I think...

so then you buy the Analog Man Boss DD3.
http://www.analogman.com/boss.htm#dd3
"The Boss DD-3 is made with the same technology as the DD-2 which was the first compact stomp-box digital delay pedal. Introduced in 1982 using the same chip as the awesome rack mount SDE-3000, the DD-2 was very expensive. After a few years it was renamed DD-3 and lowered in price when the memory chips got cheaper. They are very warm and natural sounding for a digital pedal, as they use the same compressor/expandor chips as an analog delay, and redo the echoes each repeat unlike the newer pedals which just spit out the same bit samples for each echo with a sterile sound. Our HIGH CUT mod really makes this pedal sound great, as it cuts each repeat more and more, like an analog delay. See our delay mod page for more info.

"If you plug something into the DIRECT OUT on the DD3, the main output will be only the delayed signal. This can be very useful.

"If you don't need the features of the DD-6 (long delay time, stereo inputs, tap tempo, reverse mode) or if you want the ultimate warm tone with nearly one second of delay, the DD-3 with our high cut mod is the way to go. The price is excellent too."