Boss DD-7 Digital Delay

Besides the Boss DD-3, the DD-7 has to be one of the most recognized digital delays on the planet. You'll see this on almost every guitar player's pedalboard, regardless of the level he or she is at. Players ranging from home rockers to arena guitar heroes.
It does this because it's sturdy build and is really easy to use. You get an effect level, feedback time, delay time and mode switch. On top of that, you get an expression pedal input on the side, along with stereo inputs and outputs. Of course you can still run it using mono only, but also from mono input, to stereo output. No wonder it's a favorite amongst so many people!

UTILIZATION

Tweaking this legend is easy. The effect level knob (labeled as E. Level) is essentially a mix knob, controlling how loud the delay (echo actually) signal is. The feedback knob (labeled F. Back) controls the amount of repeats you get. Pay attention, that if you crank it up to much, the pedal will oscillate. Some find this effect useful, whilst others prefer not to reach that level of repeats.
The delay time controls how long each repeat is. Delay time is then controlled by the mode knob, determining what range you can choose the repeat length.

As if this wasn't enough. With the DD-7 they give you an analog emulation mode along with a modulation mode. Analog mode is rather self explanatory, while the modulation mode ads a tiny bit of chorus effect to the delay signal. Reverse mode is also available on the DD-7 plus a hold model, giving you 40 seconds of loop time (in mono).

Finally you have the Tap Tempo mode. Hold down the pedal for two seconds and the mode switches to Tap Tempo. The expression jack is connected directly to the tap tempo.



SOUND QUALITY

I actually only used the analog mode once I discovered it. But man does that one sound good! The sound of the delay pedal is widely determined by the processing chip installed, this is also what sets the different delay pedals apart from each other. Does this one then stand out compared to others - hard to tell. It depends upon the ears listening to it.
It's not the newest digital delay any more, so it may not sound as good as the new digital ones like TC Flashback delay etc.


OVERALL OPINION

All in all, you can't go wrong with the DD-7. You can find them for a decent price on the used marked, as it is actually rather old, but still extremely useful. After all, so many persons around the world use it, so I think it's a pedal that's worth holding on to.

This is the white Boss Digital Delay model DD-7 delay pedal. Boss has in the past had the DD-3, DD6, but really won with the DD-7. All the features of the DD-3 with tap tempo, longer delays and a looping option which allows you to loop something for up to 40 seconds.

I bought this online I think from Musicians Friend. $149, free shipping, but it is a Boss pedal, they are pretty much available at any guitar shop. Don't be afraid to buy them used either, Boss builds a tank of a pedal!

Tap tempo (you need a separate pedal like the FS-5L footswitch to use it) but it is cool and makes things easy.

Reverse does exactly what is says it does.

Analog gives it sort of a quieter/dirty delay tone similar to the great analog and tape delays.

None besides having to buy a footswitch to use the Tap Tempo option, but it only set me back $25 and an extra patch cable so I won't fuss too much.

Great. I will sound like a broken record, but Boss builds very durable and giggable quality gear. Is giggable even a word?

Plenty of delay options for $150 in one pedal with a format you are already familiar with.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

- Stereo input and outputs
- Up to 6.4 seconds of delay time
- 40 seconds of hold
- Multiple delay modes, including reverse, modulated, and analog simulation
- Expression pedal and tap tempo compatible
- Controls for delay time, decay, and mix level
- Buffered bypass
- Powered by 9v battery or boss style adapter
- Easy battery access
- LED indicator
- Boss construction and reliability


UTILIZATION

Pretty simple to use, especially for the number of features that Boss managed to cram into this pedal. I still have no idea why they included so many different delay time parameter modes, but with 6.4 seconds of delay time, it makes more sense than with previous boss pedals. Having to hold the pedal to start tap tempo can be a little annoying, I’d definitely recommend an external TT switch. The hold function is a really great addition with 40 seconds of loop. You can’t overdub or save, but it can still double as a loop pedal in a pinch.

SOUND QUALITY

It actually sounds pretty good. The standard boss digital delay sound is unmistakable, perfect digitized repeats. On the other hand, it also has an analog delay simulator that does a pretty good job. The modulated delay is another cool setting, but unfortunately you don’t get any control over the depth and rate of the modulation. The reverse delay is a really cool addition, limited uses, but still very cool. The buffered bypass is standard boss issue, and not great, but definitely usable.

OVERALL OPINION

The flagship of the compact Boss delay line, the DD7 does digital delay very well. In fact, it might be one of the more usable digital delays that I’ve come across. Pick up an external tap tempo switch and you are set. Boss managed to cram an impressive number of features into this one, while maintaining its compact size. I’m not really one for digital delay, but this might be the one to have. On the whole I tend to find most boss products sub-par, but this the DD7 definitely holds its own.

Ah, the Boss DD-7. This, and it's brother, the DD-3. are probably the most common digital delays out there. You'll see it on the pedal board of just about every level of player, from garage rockers to arena-players, and for good reason. It provides solid digital delay tones in a sturdy package right out of the box with pretty minimal tweaking, and is very easy to use. It has "E. Level", "F.Back", "D.Time" and "Mode" controls on the pedal itself, and it has a jack for an external tap-tempo switch or an expression pedal. It's full stereo, and runs about $180 new.

Overall? Not a bad feature set for a $180 delay.

UTILIZATION

Tweaking to get a delay sound you like really couldn't be easier. The "E. Level" (Effected Level) knob controls how loud the delayed signal is. The "F. Back" (Feedback) knob controls how many repeats there are, the "D. Time" (Delay Time) knob controls how long the delay is, and finally the "Mode" knob does exactly what it says, controls what mode you are in. The modes are as follows: 3200ms, 800ms, 200ms, 50ms, HOLD, MODULATE, ANALOG, REVERSE. The number modes are just a standard digi-delay with a set time, but I assume moving the Delay time knob would override the setting on those.

The "HOLD" function is very nice, it allows you to loop around 40 seconds of playing, and it allows you to overdub as well. Great practice tool there!

The ANALOG and MODULATE modes are simulations of analog and modulated delays, which can be controlled by the delay time or Tap-tempo (More on that in a second). They both sound great, and I personally find myself using the Analog mode the most.

REVERSE is just... strange, heh. Can't say I've found a use for it yet, it is just more to screw around with.

Now, Tap-Tempo. BOSS did a great job on the implantation of this. You hold down the switch for two seconds, and then tap in the tempo. Works great as is, but if you want, you can add a dedicated tap-tempo switch that plugs in the jack on the side. Or if you prefer you can use an expression pedal that plugs into the same jack that can control the delay time, your choice.


SOUND QUALITY

The DD-7 sounds great. I can't say that it really stands out among the other similar priced digi-delays, but it does sound good for what it is. The Analog mode is decently convincing, and is what I use the most. Does it sound as good as the newer TC Electronics delays? Probably not, but it has some great features that make it what it is. I do love how crisp it is, which may put some off, but sometimes you just need a perfect repeat which analog delays cannot provide.

I run it through the effects loop of my Peavey Ultra that pushes my 5150 straight cab with V30's and G12T-75's, using a Warbeast NJ Deluxe with EMG's. I play mainly Thrash metal, with some drop-tuned stuff thrown in. I love that it can add another dimension to my solos, and some fullness to non-distorted clean parts. Definitely sounds great all-around.

OVERALL OPINION

What do I like the most about it? Probably the versatility and the sound. The Hold function is very useful for practice, and the Modulate and Analog modes sound great. What don't I like? The Analog mode could indeed sound a little more, well, analog, heh. I also wish BOSS could have added a couple of different modulated modes, but that may be asking for a little much.

Do I think it's worth the cost? Well, I got it in a trade, but I do think I would pay the $180 retail for it if I didn't have a choice. That being said, I think I would go for the TC Electronics Nova Delay or Repeater if I had to buy another digi-delay. I don't normally give an item such high marks in all categories, but this really is one of BOSS's great pedals.