• From: Qc,Canada
  • Registered: 2009-01-24
  • Posts: 27

Topic: Talk me about Analog Delay

I actually use a Boss DD-3 digital delay in my gear. But lot of people talk to me about analog delay and find it just amazing, and digital owner will said keep the digital. It seems that analog delay have a special character and I want to know what is the big difference with digital. Does analog is just great for big ambiance lover, alternatif player or something like that. I know Joe is using DD-3 for a long time and of course there's a good reason to keep it in his gear. Can you give me information about that. By the way, I like what the DD-3 give to me to this day, it's a beautiful echo and easy to use, I set all button at 12 o'clock except the E.Level set near 8 or 9 o'clock most of the time.

I don't believe in psychology....I believe in good move - Robert James (Bobby) Fischer
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Talk me about Analog Delay

Digital delays are a little "cleaner" in that they more faithfully reproduce the original signal than an analog delay.  Inversely, analog delays are a little "warmer" and have a decaying quality to the signal after the original note that some find appealing.  The DD3 is a standard for digital delays but ironically it's one of the more analog sounding digital delays out there.  I would probably say that digital delays are more reliable than analog or tape echos.  I have had both and they are both great it just depends on what you plan to do.  I use to run a EH Deluxe Memory Man with a Fender TRRI (the EJ clean sound) and you could really hear the decaying modulation of the notes on a clean platform like that.  With a dirtier amp, the differences are less noticable due to the distortion.  I think Joe uses the DD3 for several reasons: They are easy to mod, they are durable as hell (must have for artists with touring schedules like Joe), sound great, and can be picked up at practically ANY music store.
BTW I run my DD3 with your exact settings wink

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Talk me about Analog Delay

I found the "everything at 12" setting a little over the top. Running through a loop of a DSL50.
Have managed to get a good setting though, 12, 10, 10, 12. Works great.

  • Registered: 2008-11-01
  • Posts: 103

Re: Talk me about Analog Delay

I used to use Boss delays and found they were pretty good. For the last year or so I've been using an MXR Carbon Copy delay and find it's much better for the sounds I like. It's clear and doesn't color your tone like the Boss delays do. It also doesn't distort when handling overdrives like a lot of analog delays do and doesn't sound sterile like I find the DD-3 does, even with mods.
The DD-3 is still a pretty good pedal and reliable as far as delays go. I used one for quite awhile years ago and I've modded a number of them but I could never get past the sterile quality they seem to have. In the late 80's to early 90's I was playing in a VH tribute and used the DD-3 because it worked well with high gain amps(heavily modded marshalls) and didn't mind being pushed with overdrives but tone wasn't my main issue at the time.
I liked the DD-2 as well because it's a little warmer sounding but not by much(different processing chip than the DD-3).
I just find the Carbon Copy has the best of both worlds so to speak. It has the clarity of the DD-3, and the warmth and transparency of a good analog delay without sounding soft or mushy.
If you get a chance it's one pedal you try out.