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Average Price: $130

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$100

$251+

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Description

Meet the trailblazer of guitar pedals, the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay. Born in 1983, this revolutionary stompbox was the first of its kind to bring digital delay to the fingertips of musicians everywhere. By harnessing the power of the same integrated circuit chip found in the Roland SDE-3000, it delivers long, crystal-clear digital delay. Offering mono input and mono/stereo output, the DD-2 ensures maximum sound versatility. And with up to 800ms delay time, you can get lost in the endless sonic possibilities.

Key Features:

  • First digital delay stompbox, a pioneering creation from 1983
  • Uses the same integrated circuit chip as the Roland SDE-3000
  • Provides long and crystal-clear digital delay
  • Features mono input and mono/stereo output for varied sound output
  • Offers up to 800ms of delay time for extensive sound layering possibilities

Product specs

Brand Boss
Model DD-2 Digital Delay (Blue Label)
Finish White
Year 1983 - 1986
Made In Japan
Categories Delay Pedals

FAQs

What is the maximum delay time of the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay?

The Boss DD-2 Digital Delay offers a maximum delay time of 800 milliseconds, providing a wide range of delay effects from short slapbacks to extended echoes.

Is the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay suitable for both mono and stereo setups?

Yes, the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay is designed to integrate seamlessly into both mono and stereo setups, making it versatile for various live and studio applications.

How does the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay compare to analog delay pedals?

The Boss DD-2 Digital Delay features a digital circuit that provides clearer and more precise delay effects compared to the typically warmer and more saturated sound of analog delay pedals.

What is the sound quality like on the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay?

The Boss DD-2 Digital Delay is known for its high-quality sound with a bandwidth of 7kHz, offering clear and articulate delay effects with minimal noise.

Is the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay easy to use for beginners?

Yes, the Boss DD-2 Digital Delay is user-friendly, with straightforward controls that make it easy to dial in a variety of delay effects, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players.

shnobel

shnobel

Boss Digital Delay Shootout DD2 DD3 DD5 DD6 DD7 DD20

Video thumbnail for Boss Digital Delay Shootout DD2 DD3 DD5 DD6 DD7 DD20 by shnobel

Boss Digital Delay Shootout DD2 DD3 DD5 DD6 DD7 DD20

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for BOSS DD-2 Digital Delay Demo by Pepe Music

BOSS DD-2 Digital Delay Demo

Pepe Music

Pepe Music

Video thumbnail for Boss DD-2 vs DD-3 Digital Delay by shnobel

Boss DD-2 vs DD-3 Digital Delay

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for VintageModified: Boss DD-2 Digital Delay,  80's pedal review. by VintageModified

VintageModified: Boss DD-2 Digital Delay, 80's pedal review.

VintageModified

VintageModified

Video thumbnail for Boss DD-2 Digital Delay demo by Depotgear

Boss DD-2 Digital Delay demo

Depotgear

Depotgear

Video thumbnail for Boss DD2 Digital Delay Japan | Demo [NO TALKING] by Dean Wingerter

Boss DD2 Digital Delay Japan | Demo [NO TALKING]

Dean Wingerter

Dean Wingerter

Video thumbnail for Strymon DIG vs. Boss DD-2 Digital Delay Comparison by DelayDude

Strymon DIG vs. Boss DD-2 Digital Delay Comparison

DelayDude

DelayDude

Video thumbnail for Why the BOSS DD-2 is Great by Leon Todd

Why the BOSS DD-2 is Great

Leon Todd

Leon Todd

Video thumbnail for 1980's Boss DD-2 Digital Delay Guitar Pedal by Laughing Buffaloes

1980's Boss DD-2 Digital Delay Guitar Pedal

Laughing Buffaloes

Laughing Buffaloes

Reviews

PROS

  • Warm, musical sound with clear repeats

  • Simple, easy-to-use interface

  • High headroom and analog-dry-through feature for signal clarity

  • Durable and built to last

  • Vintage tone with "long chip" technology

  • Compatible with fuzz and maintains clarity

  • Provides up to 800ms of delay time

  • Mono input and mono/stereo output options

  • Unique darkening of repeats for musical versatility

CONS

  • Lacks modern features like tap tempo

  • Becoming harder to find due to being out of production

  • Pricier than some alternatives due to vintage status

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss DD-2 Digital Delay.

Features and functionality

  • The Boss DD-2 uses the same chip as the SDE-3000, providing clear digital delay repeats and a unique feel compared to similar models.

    Source
  • The DD-2 is praised for its warm, tape-like delay quality that suits vintage rock and ambient genres.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The DD-2 requires 12V power for optimal performance, but can function with a 9V supply when daisy-chained due to a common ground bypassing an internal resistor.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners find the DD-2 superior to the MXR Carbon Copy for clearer repeats and simplicity, despite the latter's reputation as a popular analog delay.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer the DD-2 over the Ibanez AD9 for its more accurate and less colored delay repeats.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • It's noted that converting the DD-2 from ACA to PSA power is a simple modification to improve compatibility with modern power supplies.

    Source
  • A recommended mod involves replacing the stock footswitch with a soft-touch switch for quieter operation.

    Source

User experience

  • Enthusiasts appreciate the DD-2 for its simplicity in control, providing excellent sound without extensive tweaking, contrasting with more complex delay pedals.

    Source
  • Users report that the pedal integrates seamlessly into complex pedalboards without signal degradation.

    Source

Build quality

  • Users highlight the pedal's robustness, noting that the footswitch remains reliable even after years of heavy use.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for achieving U2-like delay effects, particularly in songs from "The Joshua Tree" era.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Boss DD-2 Delay review! | Rig-Talk

rig-talk.com

The Boss DD-2 Digital Delay is celebrated for its warm, pleasant tone, blending the long delay of digital with the warmth of analog. While not as warm as some analog models, its unique 12-bit sampling offers a distinct character. The pedal's four modes, including a versatile hold function, enhance its appeal. Simple yet effective, the DD-2 is praised as a standout digital delay.

positive

Boss DD-2 review - JCFonline.com

jcfonline.com

The Boss DD-2 Digital Delay impresses with its warm, almost analog-like sound, defying typical digital precision. Offering up to 800ms of delay, it trumps traditional analog delays in versatility. Users praise its ability to work well in front of an amp, delivering a volume boost that negates the need for additional pedals. The DD-2 stands out as a solid investment, maintaining high resale value for its vintage Japanese models. While newer models like the DD-5 offer more features, the DD-2 remains a reliable, warm-sounding choice, making it a beloved classic among delay pedals.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 33 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
crazedfandango

Great Sounding & Simple to Use

This is a great sounding pedal for those that want something with minimal fuss; just set and forget.

There aren't a plethora of options like one would expect on a modern pedal (no tap tempo), just: mix, feedback & delay time (up to 800ms). What you do get is a very natural, warm-sounding delay, that doesn't get in the way of your playing.

Long out of production, so only available used.

cwirus88

DD-2 for the win!

I have Boss DD-3 from 1988 with the same "long chip" that DD-2. Yesterday I finally acquired DD-2 from 1984 and what can I say... the best digital delay on this planet, period. Very bright, pristine and warm - kind of perfect potion of digital and analog delay in one box. DD-2 becomes quite pricy these days, so if you are looking for the same circuit but much cheaper, then get Japanese DD-3 / DSD-2 / DSD-3. They all sounds the same.

ajmarquez

Beautiful

This is a 1984 (my year) pedal, the repeats get dark in a very beautiful way. It's so special that it's not part of my main board, I use a DD-5 and bring only the DD-2 when it's needed. But it's an amazing pedal.

rmerrill2470

old school Digi Delay

The Boss DD-2 Digital Delay was first made in 1983, offering the first digital delay jammed into a stompbox. Using the same integrated circuit chip as the Roland SDE-3000, the Boss DD-2 brought long and crystal-clear digital delay to the masses. It features mono input, mono/stereo output, and up to 800ms of delay time.

jimmarchi1

the original

I came late to digital delay. People were stoked about digital everything back then. This pedal still sounds good today. You know, not TOO hifi.... bright and crispy. I remember being in an indsutrial band with this guy who couldn't play the guitar at all but was a master of playing the DD2 if you know what I mean.

jimmarchi1

sold

skylinerr

Its a good delay

It's just the delay pedal I've had for a while and have stuck with it.

Genres:
anonymoose

One of its kind

Simply put, analog sounding delay with very nice hold function. Unlike other digital delay pedals, the repeats are clear, but very warm.

gary_x_wei

The Tone is real

My oldest piece of gear out of everything, hahah. It's an all original vintage 1984 DD-2. Pretty much identical to the DD-3s that are still out there, except DD-2s were made with better components, which is why they still work great despite being >30 years old.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ben Monder uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Ben Monder

Guitarist

Theo Bleckmann and Ben Monder

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

It's one of the pedals he mentioned in this interview with GuitarPlayer

See how Paddy McAloon uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Paddy McAloon

Singer, Guitarist

Prefab Sprout

...
Verified via Sproutology

The Definitive Prefab Sprout Gear List I’m currently mining a rich seam of photocopies of old paperwork, and having previously posted a partial 1985 gear list, I’ve come upon the entire carnet for the 1986 Italian tour, which has some fascinating detail.

Boss DD-2 Digital Delay Pedal (featured in the gear list photo)

See how Shane Parsons uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Shane Parsons

Guitarist

DZ Deathrays

...
Verified via YouTube

You can see the digital delay in the start of the video on Shane's pedal board.

See how Kyp Malone uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Kyp Malone

Guitarist

TV on the Radio

...
Verified via YouTube

The White pedal used in this performance

See how Al McKay uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Al McKay

Guitarist, Composer

Earth, Wind & Fire

...
Verified via YouTube

One of the pedals on his all Boss pedalboard.

See how John Jorgenson uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

John Jorgenson

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Premierguitar

This PG article lists the gear John Jorgensen used on the CD titled „Gifts from the flood”. The list includes this item too.

G

Grace Bowers

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this youtube video [https://youtu.be/9RdsuA4Rd6M?si=lyIw_g70Y_rzKKI4] Grace is playing the Boss DD-2.

See how Ronni Le Tekrø uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Ronni Le Tekrø

Guitarist

Vagabond

...
Verified via Photo

The picture is posted by Ronni's tech on facebook Ronni uses this live as a short delay between amp 1 and 2

See how Dave Wakeling uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Dave Wakeling

Singer, Guitarist

General Public

...
Verified via Muzines

"It was the most expensive rehearsal I've ever been to," sighs Wakeling, who alternates between a new Fender Telecaster and his old Gretsch Tennessean, both strung with Fender 10 gauge strings and put through a Roland JC-160 Combo amp. Wakeling uses Ernie Ball picks and his only effect is a Boss DD-2 delay pedal.

See how Terje Rypdal uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Terje Rypdal

Guitarist, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Guitarmoderne

From Barry Cleveland article: "The guitarist’s distinctive vocal tone came from the bridge or bridge and middle pickups of a new, bright red Fender Stratocaster, with gold hardware, run through a t.c. electronic Sustainer/Equalizer, a pair of Boss Super Overdrives, a pair of Boss Digital Delays, and a Boss FV-50 volume pedal, into a Fender Twin Reverb and a 4×10 Fender Blues DeVille."

See how The Art of Guitar uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

The Art of Guitar

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

At 0:00 in the video, Mike is using a Boss DD-2.

See how Sergey Golovin uses Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Sergey Golovin

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Sergey Golovin's pedalboard is shown to consist of the following pedals: -Dunlop JP signature wah -Dunlop Mini Volume Pedal -MXR SmartGate -EHX PitchFork -MXR Studio Compressor -TC Electronics SCF pedal -MXR EchoPlex delay pedal -Boss DS-1 -MXR Carbon Copy Delay -MXR Phase 90 -Boss DD-2 Delay -MXR Reverb -MXR ISO-Brick

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss DD-2 Digital Delay, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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