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Description

Transform your studio recordings with the Roland SDD-320 Dimension D, a legendary effects processor cherished by audio professionals for its lush, spacious chorus effects. Originally released in the late 1970s, this classic unit has been a secret weapon in top studios worldwide, adding depth and dimension to a wide range of musical styles. Revered for its subtle yet effective modulation, the Dimension D offers a unique sonic character that stands apart from typical chorus effects.

The SDD-320 utilizes an innovative BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) circuit to achieve its distinctive sound, producing chorus effects that enhance the spatial characteristics of your audio without overwhelming it. Its simplicity and elegance make it an ideal choice for musicians and producers seeking a straightforward way to add warmth and depth to their mixes. The four distinct preset modes provide versatile options, allowing you to tailor the effect to match your creative vision effortlessly.

Built to withstand the rigors of studio use, the Roland SDD-320 Dimension D continues to be a sought-after piece of gear for those who value vintage sound with modern reliability. Whether you're looking to infuse your tracks with the classic shimmer of the '80s or aiming to craft something entirely new, this effects processor delivers with unparalleled quality and ease of use.

Key Features:

  • Iconic BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) circuit for authentic chorus effects
  • Four switchable preset modes for diverse sound shaping
  • Simple control interface for easy operation
  • Durable construction for long-lasting performance in studio environments
Retrosonic Pro Audio

Retrosonic Pro Audio

Roland Dimension-D SDD-320 Vintage Analog Stereo Chorus.

Video thumbnail for Roland Dimension-D SDD-320 Vintage Analog Stereo Chorus. by Retrosonic Pro Audio

Roland Dimension-D SDD-320 Vintage Analog Stereo Chorus.

Retrosonic Pro Audio

Retrosonic Pro Audio

Video thumbnail for Roland SDD-320 Dimension-D TEST:Synthesizer/Noise by METEORSOUNDjp

Roland SDD-320 Dimension-D TEST:Synthesizer/Noise

METEORSOUNDjp

METEORSOUNDjp

Video thumbnail for Roland Dimension-D SDD-320 Vintage Analog Stereo Chorus. by Retrosonic Pro Audio

Roland Dimension-D SDD-320 Vintage Analog Stereo Chorus.

Retrosonic Pro Audio

Retrosonic Pro Audio

Video thumbnail for Roland Dimension D SDD-320 with Dreadbox Erebus v2 by Benjamin Dehli

Roland Dimension D SDD-320 with Dreadbox Erebus v2

Benjamin Dehli

Benjamin Dehli

Video thumbnail for Roland System-100 & Roland SDD-320 Dimension D by Danalex

Roland System-100 & Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Danalex

Danalex

Video thumbnail for Roland DIMENSION D SDD-320 by Rec Gear Demos

Roland DIMENSION D SDD-320

Rec Gear Demos

Rec Gear Demos

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland SDD-320 Dimension D.

Comparisons

  • The Dimension D is less intense than the Juno chorus, suitable for subtle widening in vocals without overwhelming them.

    Source
  • The Boss CE-20 and Boss MD-500 are noted for having algorithms that emulate the classic Dimension D sound.

    Source
  • The Behringer Chorus Space C and TC Electronic 3rd Dimension share identical circuits, essentially making the latter a rehoused Behringer pedal.

    Source
  • The Alexander Chesepeake, although discontinued, had a "Dimension" setting resembling the Dimension C with two opposite vibrato signals.

    Source
  • Line 6's M series multi-effects and MM4 include a dimension chorus setting, offering another digital emulation of the Dimension D sound.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Dimension D offers different settings that allow users to dial in subtle or more pronounced chorus effects.

    Source
  • The Sonicake Matribox II Pro multi-effects pedal includes a "D-Chorus" setting inspired by the Dimension D's four-button stereo chorus.

    Source
  • The Boss Katana's recent update added a dimension-style chorus effect, enhancing sound fullness with minimal effort.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • It's mentioned that the Dimension D is excellent for creating an 80s vibe on synths.

    Source
  • The Dimension D can be used on various instruments, providing space and depth without excessive modulation.

    Source
  • Despite being perceived as a studio tool, some users successfully employ the Dimension C in mono setups for styles reminiscent of The Smiths' clean tones.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland Dimension D (HSR Jun 84)

muzines.co.uk

The Roland SDD-320 Dimension D is a psychoacoustic enhancer that subtly widens stereo images without the extreme modulation of a typical chorus. Its sound quality is high, with no noticeable background noise, making it ideal for professional recordings. However, its lack of adjustable parameters and relatively high price—double that of a standard stereo chorus—might deter budget-conscious users. Despite its enigmatic function, it's a worthwhile investment for serious studios seeking subtle yet effective stereo enhancement.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
john_tebbitt

Nice effect but a little dated now

I remember being very excited to own this effect unit back in the day. I never seem to use it anymore, but bear the thought of letting it go.

jimmarchi1

if you change your mind I will buy it from you

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kee Marcello uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Kee Marcello

Singer, Guitarist

Europe

...
Verified via YouTube

Kee Marcello used Dimension D live when touring with Europe from 1988 onwards. You can see Kee's guitar tech point to it at 13:03 in the Milan 1989 soundcheck video.

"I have a Dimension C or D - I get the two confused - but that sounds really nice with slightly distorted parts, but when I try it on the solo sound it does take away some of the bottom end" - Kee interview from Guitarist magazine, July 1989 issue.

See how Peter Hammill uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Peter Hammill

Singer, Guitarist

Van der Graaf Generator

...
Verified via Muzines

"Well, it's a Soundcraft one-inch 16-track and the little Soundtracs 16-in, 16-out desk which is great value money-wise and for what it can do. It's pretty much the ultimate for home studios and I suppose it's just about workable as a commercial studio. That's my basic set-up, with Dolby Noise Reduction on the 16-track, Little Red monitors and a Quad amp. I don't have many mics, just the UH7, C451 with C85 capsule and a PZM. I've got a few other things in operation, but as it's basically a one-man operation, I'm unlikely to need more than those three mics. If I'm doing drums I have to beg, borrow or whatever. I've also got a Drawmer compressor/limiter and Drawmer Gates - which are the best - and an Ursa Major Space Station, a Rebus rack and a couple of gates and a delay package. Then there's a Dimension D, a TC stereo parametric, Klark Technik Graphic and a Sony PCM F1 for mastering."

See how Nik Kershaw uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Nik Kershaw

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Muzines

"As far as desks go, at home I've got an RSD 16 into 16 which is basically ample for what I require. That's patched into a Fostex B16 tape recorder. I've got a rack full of effects which I use on stage for guitar anyway but they're useful for this set-up too. It's got the Roland SDE3000 digital delay unit, an Ibanez harmoniser, a Yamaha compressor, and a Roland Dimension D."

See how Wyclef Jean uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Wyclef Jean

Singer, Guitarist

Soul Assassins

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"Jerry has a lot of acoustic drums that we recorded sampled to the MPC,' Grassi says. 'It's a good sampler when you go in through the digital input; the analogue ones tend to sound kind of grainy. So I try to get Jerry to record digitally. I also keep an amp head set up in the control room with a cable running to a speaker cabinet in the studio. I always want to try to have things that actually move air on the tracks. Even when we're using digital drums — which is most of the time — I use a few reverb tricks, like very short setting and fast slaps, to give the sense that there's some air around the drums. The [Roland] Dimension D unit is especially good for making a digital kick drum sound like it has four walls around it.'"

See how Paul Epworth uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Paul Epworth

Keyboardist

Band Aid 30

...
Verified via Miloco

According to the "equipment list" found on Church Studios, owned by Epworth, one of the things listed is Roland SDD320.

See how Robbie Chater uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Robbie Chater

Guitarist, Music Producer

The Avalanches

...
Verified via Soundonsound

At Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne, Tony Espie and the Avalanches began to get to grips with the initial mixes of the tracks. Further processing of the sounds was done using Neve 3315 EQs and a Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, and Espie employed an Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x tape simulator and Roland Dimension D chorus to add different characters and dimensions to the samples.

See how Freemasons uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Freemasons

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video by Point Blank Music School, the Freemasons are shown using the Roland SDD-320 Dimension D, an effects processor, during a discussion on the history of house music.

See how Tom Bailey uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Tom Bailey

Singer, Guitarist

Thompson Twins

...
Verified via Muzines

In this 1983 article, Tom Bailey mentions the Oberheim OB-Xa is rarely disconnected to an AMS reverb and Roland Dimension D.

See how Alan Murphy uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Alan Murphy

Guitarist

Go West

...
Verified via Alanmurphy

Alan Murphy preferred rack effects over pedals, and the Roland SDD-320 Dimension D is prominently featured in his work with Kate Bush and Go West, as detailed on the Alan Murphy Equipment page.

See how Chris & Cosey uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Chris & Cosey

...
Verified via Soundonsound

The March '95 Sound On Sound article lists studio gear that was used by this artist. This is mentioned in paragraph 16 line 6

P

Pete Namlook

Music Producer

Pete Namlook & Richie Hawtin

...
Verified via Discogs

The runout groove for Pete Namlook's "4Voice 4" EP mentions his use of the Roland SDD-320 Dimension D, as documented on Discogs.

See how Gazelle Twin uses Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

Gazelle Twin

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via MusicRadar

"I try to keep plug-ins to a minimum if I can, and prefer to use samples for as much as possible where I can. For Unflesh, I wrote, recorded and produced everything at home, then took it to an analogue studio in London called MemeTune to work with Benge on bringing some aspects out of the digital realm and into another dimension for extra production and mixing. We replaced a lot of the digital parts with real hardware, mostly vintage synths and effects units like the CS80, Linn-1, and Roland SDD-320 Dimension D Chorus.

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 Roland SDD-320 Dimension D, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Yamaha DX7
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3
Roland SDE-3000
Roland SDE-3000 Effects Processors
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Roland TB-303
Roland TB-303 Synthesizers
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Lexicon PCM-70 Reverb
Lexicon PCM-70 Reverb Effects Processors
3
Ableton Live
Ableton Live DAW Software
2
Drawmer DS201
Drawmer DS201 Effects Processors
2
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools DAW Software
2
Oberheim OB-Xa
Oberheim OB-Xa Synthesizers
2
Yamaha SPX90
Yamaha SPX90 Effects Processors
2

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