Boss Dimension Pedals Through The Years (DC-2, DC-3, DC-2w)

The Boss DC-2 Dimension C is one of the rarest, most collectable and misunderstood pedals they have ever made. It's successor the Digital Dimension was also overlooked for years and is now very collectable. This video examines these treasures and explains how they are different from a conventional chorus pedal like the Boss CE-2. As always, I'd like to know which is your favorite.
Guitar: I used my Deluxe stratocaster on the middle and neck position for all examples.
Amps: The pedals were running in stereo through a Fender Deluxe Reverb RI on the left and Vox AC30CX on the right. I used a SM57 and NT3 on the Fender and a 421 and e609 on the Vox.
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0:00 Intro
1:10 DC-2
7:02 DC-3
10:57 DC-2w
15:25 How a Dimension Chorus Works

[@eboethrasher]

Had a DC-3 since the mid-90s. Got it for like $35. Love that thing.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I got a DC-3, with a box, back in the day (early 2000s) at a pawn shop for $80, never heard of it so I picked it up, I still love it. I just ordered a DC-2w last night, open box, can't wait to start playing through it!

[@NewFalconerRecords]

A complete education for me. I never knew anything about these pedals at all. Superb video. Also, I love how you throw in Aussie classics to demonstrate. 'Errol' was a real treat.

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

I knew you would recognise it 😉

[@TmanUtube]

Don't forget Burn For You. 👍

[@emmaleach5679]

Excellent video, thank you. I'm mulling buying the DC2-w and having thise clear explanation and demo of the entire series has been extremely helpful.

[@markpickardlife]

Excellent in-depth video. Thank you.

[@ashquek2225]

Thanks for the review. Very very informative ❤

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Great video, love the insight. Well played, sir!

[@jasonmcbride2737]

Cool video man. Really enjoyed it! I grew up in the 80s and learned to play guitar to all those 80s hard rock bands....so I love chorus 🤘

[@astrodadmusic]

Excellent video. Informative and honest. I’m a huge chorus fan, and I was able to acquire a Space-D last year. It’s subtle and creamy, and if set right, I can see using it as an always-on pedal. Great playing! Cheers!

[@erikherman5896]

This is some awesome content! Subscribed!

[@simonkaye7268]

Chorus is my favourite pedal.....great to see this video and you showing your true colours....

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

😄

[@portley777]

Great video and comparison. Thank you ;)

[@Plex45a]

Thank you for this killer and informative video. I keep listening to the comparisons of the five pedals switching them around back to back and closing my eyes. It makes my head spin!! The DOD (which I have) was the least impressive to me, but the four Boss pedals are SO cool. I have an original DC-2 and just recently purchased a used DC-2 Waza and a mint DC-3 (in the box and instructions). I can't wait to compare them along with a Keeley 30ms pedal I've been using for several years too. The one thing I know is I'm going back to a stereo setup!!!

[@chiptriplett655]

Great video man! I i definitely regret passing on this one. From your video it looked like the 85 pedal too. Excellent research and knowledge on your equipment. The music selections were a real treat and truly adds to the video. Makes me want to step up my chorus game lol. Solid work!

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

Thanks 🎸

[@manuelbastian]

Great video, brother! 🙂👌🏻

[@ac30lifestyle]

Your effort in presenting these amazing Boss pedal series is the best I've seen on KZbin. I've bought a Boss Phaser on the back of your Phaser history video. Well done 👍

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

Thanks so much

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I have all 4 Boss phasers (PH-1, PH-1r, PH-2, PH-3), they're all great in their own ways.

[@ac30lifestyle]

@@scramblesthedeathdealer which one would you make your desert island choice?

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

@@ac30lifestyle Probably the PH-1r.

[@ac30lifestyle]

@@scramblesthedeathdealer perfect 👍 thanks for your reply

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Love my Boss DC-2W . . . I also own a FTT Tri Avatar Multi Chorus (phenomenal pedal). Very nice job with this. oNe LovE from NYC

[@pedrova8058]

There are only 2 delay lines in parallel, with a single modulation control for both (LFO). What happens is that there is also dynamics control (pre-delay compressor and post-expander, so you can´t saturate the delay chip (BBD) , as happens in other chorus) The 2 delay lines runs in parallel, then each output (L-R) adds a small amount of filtered (eq) feedbkack from the opposite output (which is out off phase, 180°), that's why it has that flanger-like vibes. It's much more complex than other choruses, it has several stages of emphasis and de-emphasis of certain frequencies, in addition to the dynamics control, all that processing is what preserves the clarity and sparkle of the signal.

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

Great information, thanks 🎸

[@michaelfowler3187]

Nice precision in your arpeggios on this video man; utilized the open strings nice and I could barely detect pitchiness at times but it was never too much, especially considering chorus is making that more apparent. I thought the digital dimension sounded good too - love the waza for obvious reasons

[@harleyhexxe9806]

Interesting video! I have a DC-2 and have had it since the mid 90s. I don't use it so much as a chorus effect as I do to create a wider stereo image. I have a CE-2 in front of it for chorus, and that splits it into stereo wide. I would get the DC-2W just because of the stereo inputs, and place it between the stereo chorus, and delay pedal(s), in the effects chain. I've been using two amps for stereo effects since the 80s, but I like the addition of a dry amp in the center of the stereo to get more of the core guitar tone. It's a very rich and satisfying guitar tone.

[@eoinjennings519]

Land down under - classic !

[@TrevorSachko]

I used the Boss CW-3 a bit differently. I ran one to two amps as per normal but with the rate turned off. This would give a "wide" effect when used on its own. Then, I would run another CE-3 into it which was setup for normal chorus. That was around 1985...

[@_mickmccarthy]

Awesome, love the Roland/Boss Dimension choruses (chori?). Arturia have a great plugin emulation that I use quite a bit

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

I'll have to check it out.

[@alimaleki217]

Excellent comparison and explanation! Here's a scenario: You're going to live for 6 months on a deserted island and you're allowed to bring 2 guitars, 3 amps and 1 dimension pedal; do you bring the DC-2w or the DC-3? And yes, the island has electricity (that's what's keeping your beers cold!).

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

DC-2w

[@antichristian74]

1) i heard there is a 5th setting with none of the buttons pushed. i guess you can push two buttons at the same time and make it so neither is actually pushed down. i’ve never owned one so i’m not 100% on that. 2) there is, in fact, another pink pedal - the HF2 high frequency flanger. great video, man. i’ve always wanted to own at least one of these.

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

I have the HF-2, it's really nice with a clean tone.

[@Da_Publick]

These pedals are the forerunners of today's Ambience Pedals.

[@jamesprisciandaro3144]

That would be reverb...

[@wtlguitar]

Is the level knob on the DC-3 a volume control or a wet/dry blend?

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

Yes

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

Billy Corgan-approved.

[@wesmitchem825]

There hi band flanger is pink too

[@fretlessman71]

Came here to say just this. And the HF-2 is severely underrated for guitar AND bass.

[@745bob]

dimension = 2 delay chips with clocks out of phase from each other

[@user-fo5bw6kl4d]

Perhaps for of the boss pedals may get you close to the Roland 🤔 add a bit of clever panning reckon you could get in the ball park! Not heard the Roland in the flesh so just speculating.

[@wacama67]

Yo Jason.

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

Yo!

[@Louizalass]

I bought a DC2from a friend not long after they had been released. They were £110 new, an eye-watering amount of money at the time. With inflation, that would be £324 nearly double the present retail price. I only ever use preset one (in stereo) as I am not a fan of chorus and find too much to be a tad vomit inducing.

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

Wow in Aussie dollars that's about $900

[@wesmitchem825]

I got the TC electronics 3rd dimension chorus it doesn't sound as nice as the boss but you can combine all four presets and any combinations of the four

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

I had that one a few years ago, it sounds good