All user reviews for the Boss DD-20 Giga Delay

The BOSS DD-20 is a digital delay featuring a straight forward looper along with 10 different delay types from standard delay to other unique sounds like tape emulation and reverse.

It can store 4 user presets and has an extra spot for a manual set-up for on the fly tweaking.

Tap tempo with the option to use an external button, millisecond or BPM readout, 1/4" stereo ins and outs, headphone jack, and the ability to use it at line level for rack applications or standard guitar level makes it easy to integrate into many setups

UTILIZATION

What I like best about this delay is how simple it is to get a good sound that works within a song. There are no sub menus or complicated settings to program and the BPM readout makes it a breeze if you use a click track in your band. It is laid out like a typical single delay stompbox but with the added flexibility of multiple delay types accessible with a quick turn of a knob. The manual easily explains how to get the unit up and running and once you've determined your level setting (+4 or -10 db) it remembers them so you can plug and play the next time. If you use a stereo set-up you can also change how the delay signal is sent to the two outputs allowing you to create some nice wide sounds.

SOUND QUALITY

I use this pedal in the loop of A Framus cobra and it works great. I don't hear any significant degradation in sound although there is a slight volume drop when compared to having the amp's loop level at 0. I believe this is the amp's fault because it uses a parallel loop at an odd return level.

I mainly use the standard, tape, and modulate modes along with the looper. The standard mode is just a regular digital repeat very clean basically what you put in is what you put out. The analog and modulate modes have more character. Analog has a nice high end roll off to emulate old delays and the modulate allows you to add movement to the delay time creating a chorus effect. Sure there are better actual analog delays but 90% of your crowd probably can't tell the difference. The looper is very simple. Some people may want more options but if all you're looking for is a simple way to layer loops this one is very easy to time and does not drift.

I found the other more special effects to be rather useless. The twist mode is supposed to emulate the spaceship sounds you'd get from playing with the time knob on an old analog delay but it lacks the character and sounds cheesy. Warp same deal minus the pitch modulation. The smooth just sounds like the analog with more high end rolled off and I've never been able to use a reverse mode to much success.




OVERALL OPINION

Overall this is a great bang for the buck type pedal that's not too much more than the single stomp boss delays (dd7 etc..) . There are other delays with more features but if you just need a few simple sounds in a good sized box it's hard to beat. I personally run mine along with an Eventide Timefactor to get the more wild sounds and also because I really like having all my presets ready to go. I've got enough pedals to fiddle with and I don't want to be entering delay times before every song. If it ever broke which is doubtful I would definitely buy one again.

The Boss DD-20 Giga Delay is one of the most powerful delay pedals for the price. The features on this machine are remarkable. Stereo ins and outs are cool as well as the option for an external tap tempo and headphones. The backlit screen is great for reading the display in a live setting and the twin pedal set up is rather convenient.

UTILIZATION

The Giga Delay has a boat load of modes, that are all easy to use and very manageable. The pedal can be configured to work a couple different ways and with 23 seconds of delay you will alway have enough delay time. The different tempo types are something not commonly seen on cheaper units and the 4 presets are easy to use and very convenient to switch through. The "Sound on Sound" feature is very nice and works great as well.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound quality on these units are very nice. Some say there is a dark quality to them, but I noticed it doesn't affect my tone when the pedal is active. Some of my other delays I have own didn't work too well with dirt pedals. This one keeps your signal clean and clear. I have used this delay for vocals, bass, guitar and keys since I've had it and it fairs well with all of the above.

OVERALL OPINION

The Boss DD-20 Giga Delay is one of my favourite delay pedals on the market. It has a nice price and a ton of very usable features. Delay in itself is my favourite effect, and this thing nails just about all of my delay needs. Really great delay, I would get a new one if this one ever got stolen or destroyed. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a really nice delay with lots of features on a pretty solid budget. It truly is a great delay.

It y 'all the above, well almost ... What interested me is being able to juggle its analog / digital, tap tempo foot while being able to make loops and presets.

UTILIZATION

Pretty simple, you just read a little user manual in order to be comfortable with the gear.

SOUND QUALITY

I give a 6 because the sound is not as pure and warm as her little sister DD3, it sounds a bit small for my taste, but the number of possible sounds are interesting and raise the average (Tape mode is my preferred) and so that the continued delay when switching off the effect (inducing that there is no tru bypass).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month and I think it's a good alternative if you do not afford separate components such as memory man, a jamman and DD3 for example ...

I think they hand these units out to when you start playing the electric guitar and guitar shops. They come standard with guitar purchases at Guitar Center. Maybe not but it sure seems like it though. I think everyone who has ever played the guitar at least that I know has either owed or has used this pedal at some point in their career. It simply is the most frequented pedal besides a DD2 on the planet. All kidding aside this is great unit for getting all kinds of delay effects to you guitar.

Layout as follows....
* Up to 23 seconds of delay
* 11 delay modes including classic tape delay and sound-on-sound recording
* New Smooth and Twist modes for subtle or radical delay effects
* Memory function for changing delay modes seamlessly
* New push-button knob for setting delay time in fine or coarse adjustments


UTILIZATION

It can be hooked up in stereo or used as looper or just classic echos tones. The different foot switches gives you a chance to choose from 4 different saved preset patches or use as the looper function or a tap tempo feature. The cool thing about this pedal is that you can use a external foot pedal to control modulation throughout the modes. The different modes are modeled off other Boss or classic delays boxes of the past. So it kind of is a simulator in that it is based off of different type delays.

You can use this in front of a clean amp or in the effects loop on your amp. Either way it doesn't change the tone of the unit. However, I have found that putting this is front of a clean amp but being pushed by an overdrive pedal makes this thing come alive.

SOUND QUALITY

I generally like to stay on a modulated delay when using these types of delays because it sounds like U2 with the chorus added in that mode. I also enjoy using the tape echo since it has a very usable vintage tape echo suitable for slap back echos repeats. The smooth mode gives a great reverb delay great for playing stuff without much delay coverage. The reverse delay is fun when one wants to get some crazy wacky delay sounds. Crank the level and feedback in this mode and you get a string or synth type character to your tone.

I use this with a Strat into a Vox AC30 and also a Marshall JCM2000. It compliments your guitar tone rather than confuse it with cloudy delay repeats. It to me is more of a subtle delay sound and doesn't push your sound rather than it just hangs back a bit giving you the room to play.

OVERALL OPINION

This thing I like most about it is that Boss made it. I like most things that Boss does since they really live up to abuse and torture that gigging can put on equipment. The next thing is that the price is around $230 which is a great price compared to a Timefactor by Eventide or a Empress delay. I'm know those pedals have a great sound, but I have found myself going back to economically priced gear gear. I love the way this thing sounds in the guitar chain. If I ever needed to replace my Timefactor I would look at getting this pedal again.

I recommend this to anyone who wants a fine delay unit with many sound options who is on a budget. There are better sounding ones out there but for the price it doesn't get any betters than this pedal.