Why Does Boss Make All These Big-Box Delay Pedals? [DD-500, DM-101, RE-202 & SDE-3000D]

[@scottcurry4116]

It’s not boring! These deep dive shows are excellent especially for delay junkies like me! I look forward to this show every week.

[@NewPraetorianBlues]

I agree, these types of episodes are the best - long form discussions with tone examples

[@davidpekarsky2977]

Add another vote for very in depth, exploring minutiae between pedals of similar style.

[@Fitzpa14]

These are actually my favorite

[@peoplevrobot]

Lads you missed out on a massive secret feature on the DD-500!! You can get pan delays and circular delay a la Lexicon PCM70 using the pattern delay. Why is this cool? Because those delays are the key to Lukathers 80s and 90s tone (other session players as well) and the DD500 is the only dedicated delay pedal on the market that allows this (otherwise Helix, Quad Cortex and Axe FX) For a circular delay edit the Pattern delay… set time to 888ms; go to “Pattern” parameter and edit it to read “User”; right below “Pattern” is “Delay1 Time” set to “4/12”; set Delay1 Level” to 100; set “Delay1 Pan” to “R100”. Set “Delay2 time” to 4/12; set “Delay2 Level” to 100; set “Delay2 Pan” to “L100”; Set “Delay3 Time” to 16/16; Set “Delay3 level” to 100; Set “Delay3 Pan” to Center. Set the other Delay taps to 0ms…..Add Mod and High cut to taste; play in stereo ET VOILA circular delay. Sounds huge don’t it?

[@ThatPedalShow]

Nice. But headache. Ha!

[@SexFunkMonk]

​@@ThatPedalShowfunniest reply

[@Ŕụṣṣṣṣṭ]

I love that there are 15 likes less than a minute after the video goes live. We see Dan and Mick, we click like!

[@southpawjinx1]

1:58 but not subscribe

[@spiltmilk615]

Definitely not boring. Videos like this help us overcome the kind of superlative "what's the best delay?" thinking and instead sort out the workflows that help us make music.

[@Hard.Clipping]

I have DD-200 and it's amazing, I will definitely go for DM 101 in the future.

[@nojuanatall3281]

I got the dm101. I can recommend it if you love analog delay. Keep in mind it is really for stereo but works in mono.

[@bodenschatz10]

Every Friday, when first thing I check for a new TPS episode, I cross my fingers and hope it's an episode on delays. Another excellent episode, great choice of topic.

[@alanale]

The 202 sounds like so many songs that I love. It's a must have!

[@BeefNEggs057]

Ever feel programmed 🤖? Just exist to feed the rich people?

[@davedavem]

Dan - not for the first time, your playing today gave me goosebumps all over. I love it when you get to play a tape delay!!

[@andsoistopped]

DD500 has been out for years now. The fact that it is still stands up shows they did a great job.

[@chrisquinn9104]

Haha I was rocking the DD-20 until earlier this year, so I agree, Boss holds up

[@ZachariahConnor]

I think I've had my DD-500 for 10 years and it is still wonderful! Great UI and Computer Editor, great sounds

[@egg43002]

Not boring. Love shows like this.

[@powerbreed]

Omg, I have been trying to decide witch one to buy for a month now and you made this video

[@GeoffByrdMusic]

So what is the verdict?

[@RyanRenteria]

DD-200

[@GeoffByrdMusic]

@@RyanRenteria Interesting choice. Do you like it?

[@brymills]

Why decide? Buy all of them!

[@GeoffByrdMusic]

Space Echo 202 or the 101 Analog are both stellar. I don't have either one yet, but I've played both extensively and they are fantastic.

[@Peternkirk]

One of the advantages of the DD500 (and any of the 500 series) is you can use as a very basic midi controller for all the midi pedals on your board - if your needs are simple and you just need to set pedals at the start of a song then scroll down the setlist before the next song, DD500 has got you covered. I use it this way even for songs that don't have any delay on them to set-up the overdrive tones on my Boss OD200 and the modulation on my TC Plethora.

[@volcanobones8823]

14:05 lift off😍👽🚀 awesome playing Dan!

[@Andreas_tropicalwinter]

I bought the dd500 five years ago and it doesn't stop to amaze me till today. You can automate almost every parameter of an algorithm or use an expression pedal to pan just the dry signal while the delay will still be stereo and untouched or vise versa. You can make every delay in there sweeping through the stereo field, how slow or fast you like. It's also possible to change the EQ to pre, post or feedback loop. Also automate the wow and flutter, mod depth and mod rate all at once is make everything sound much more murky. The menu is pretty excessive, but that's the reason I still discover new sounds and possibilities.

[@mattrosen5438]

This stuff is endlessly fascinating! Please keep this type of stuff coming! And all your other videos too... Can't get enough!

[@davidfaustino4476]

I got rid of the DD500 for an SDE3000D specifically because its easier to tweak from the front panel than to dive into the menus on the DD500. I actually got rid of all of my 500 series pedals because of the menu diving.

[@StaffyLee]

I've had a DD500 on my board for around 6 years now, so it's great to see it getting some love. There isn't saturation built into it for tape delays, but you can add a pedal to the feedback loop, so you can put a drive in there to do that job. There isn't a reverb built in either, but many of the delays can get bloody close, so you can run an analog delay into that "reverb". Seriously, you can get this thing to do a lower octave like on a drop pedal, create a tremolo effect, phasers, harmonies, and so much more. If you know how these effects are built you can create them in the 500 within the menus. And the menus aren't too bad once you know where everything is. It seems like a lot, but it's really the same thing repeated for each effect with some small changes specific to each delay type. I love it, and gig it regularly. And the funny thing is the two delay sounds I mostly use are analog and tape!

[@mattswanton795]

Great show lads! I got the re-202 after watching your tape delay shootout and space echo episodes a while back. Most fun I've ever had with a delay pedal!

[@vinicmag]

My kind of episode! Coffee is ready and the morning is clear. LET’S DO THIS!!!!😊

[@tompoynton]

Another feather in the DD-500’s cap is that it can be acquired for less than 300 quid these days

[@babaupede]

The DM101 became an almost "always on" pedal in my rig. It can totally be a base sound for many. Other delays, digital and analog (like El Capstain, DMM, or the delays in the HX stomp) are added on top when a big spacious sound is needed… But the DM101 is so good at creating a certain type of creamy, natural, organic vibe on its own (especially in stereo) that it's almost impossible to switch it off. It's addictive.

[@michaelanzelino5068]

Always a pleasure to watch, and always sad when it's over. Love this podcast.

[@mattrector431]

The DD 500 is great, but honestly, I think The DM-101 would be the bomb if it can get into the lo-fi area too. Loved this video, thanks legends!

[@ricardofarinha8922]

Amazing video, I think DD-500 is an amazing do it all delay, you cannot go wrong with that. However by this comparisson I got the feeling that there is a "tone" to it that, no matter the setting, it is always there. The cool thing about the other devices in the end they do what they do and it is a lot, but imediately they have a more distinct sound between each other, and between between them and the 500 they sounded more musical. This being said, these are only small differences that for us pedal buffs to discuss.

[@beburicoterito]

Boss has a fan base and collectors that assures them that every release will be a success

[@themattitude]

I've got the RV-500, DD-200, RE-2, DM-2w, plus 2 or 3 of the compact digital delays and I still want ALL of these!

[@andrewr2650]

Love the intro, but i think the answer might be even more simple "why does Boss make so many big box delays?" "because people buy them"

[@adammartinguitar5436]

Currently only got a memory man and a JHS 3 series delay and I feel like I'm in need of something different, just from the intro i feel like tape is what im kooking for! Less than a minute in and my problem is solved, appreciate you Dan and Mick 😂

[@wadesummers4102]

Inspired me to break out my SDE-1000 rack unit. Got it gently used in 1986 or so. Loved the band music as Dan adjusted the delay time!

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

You guys make perfect content... simple as.... every video you make I can think of nothing to add.... you give me exactly what I'm looking for and I could be more grateful but I can't afford to be so I hope a simple thanks will suffice!

[@dougmishoe1336]

Omg… I have an RE-202 arriving today. What a coincidence!

[@AndrewNuttall]

Loving the comparison so far as this format really helps to narrow down what would best suit someone looking to buy a new delay. Suggestion for a future delay episode in similar format would be Free the Tone. Without the ability to try them out, I'm struggling to decide between Future Factory, Flight Time and now the Cosmic Wave.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Future Factory and Flight Time should be very simple. FF is a dual delay - two delay lines - and the FT is a single delay. Cosmic wave, not sure!

[@ChiefGuitarOfficer]

Great recap at the beginning! But always worth the deep dive!

[@periloustemple8290]

Geesh! Some epic playing on this episode, too! Love it!

[@ChrisJohnson-lp3hc]

yeah! dirt and fuzz are cool, but delay are modulation are my personal faves!

[@JohnSherwoodGuitar]

I’ve had many delay pedals, and I held out on the DD-500 for a long time. Once I tried it, I made the switch and haven’t looked back. So versatile.

[@pian0ball]

I love my DD-500, it does everything I could want it. I’m not convinced the fine details I can hear at home come through at a gig, and the 500 does it all. I’d add too that I loooove the Terra echo sound and I don’t know if I’d be willing to part with it for that algorithm alone.

[@MatthewSwasta]

I'm still using three DD-20's and a Strymon El Cap...I'm happy!

[@nealpike6611]

I like the look the SDE3000 ,however I can’t help but think that the numbers reminds me of a bomb countdown

[@ghwr]

Very nice! DD-500 has setting for parallel/series. So you can combine any two delays in parallel mode.

[@Frankie_Holt]

Not a “boring” episode but not one I could listen to while walking , felt as if I needed to see what was going on.

[@musicplaylists59]

the RE 202 is the winner for me just based off how nice it sounds, not taking into account all the other aspects of features and stuff.

[@guitardave]

The new SDE-3 stompbox is very tempting, even though I love the TC Flashback 2 that I’ve been using for years.

[@ThatPedalShow]

It’s really good. We just got one and it’ll be in the upcoming Blues Breaker or Blues Driver video. I’d use it over ANY of the delays here. Mick here.

[@guitardave]

@@ThatPedalShow That’s quite the endorsement! I’ll look forward to the video. Dave here.

[@TheGBs1972]

Never really used any Boss delay. Personally I love the MXR Carbon Copy. However the RE is pretty impressive

[@Gibson1976uk]

To be brutally honest!!! If I had to pick one!! I would have to go with the DD500

[@MrMystery666]

Those jazzy interludes are amusing me. And much than that x time later thing that everyone and their mother is using

[@MarcCoteMusic]

Similar to the SDE-3000, the Roland DEP-5 had 12 bit processing and despite the low bitrate - or maybe because of it - it was an awesome multi-effect processor. The delays were incredible, as were the chorus and reverb, and the programmability made it one of the best-sounding, most useful pieces of gear in both my live setup as well as for studio work. Along with the Lexicon PCM60, it was the core of my effects setup. I'm still, after all these years, trying to find delay and verb plugins that sound as good and as transparent... to no avail, thus far.

[@periloustemple8290]

Yeah, not boring. I think even the time spent w/ the menus is helpful for people who are shopping this out. I grew up on rack stuff, so I took to the DD-500 after a few hours. After a year, I was using 3 sounds - and 2 were similar. I sold it and got the Halo when it came out! Anyway, very worthwhile show: the 202 is my favorite in this show!!

[@generationdink]

My main board is a reverb, 3 delays (Orion, DIG, Fable - so technically up to 5 delay lines), chorus/vibe, two dirt pedals (or one and boost), and a tuner on my textual focused board. Albeit, I can use each of those delays for multiple purposes - Orion has always on preamp, 335ms type and runaway stuff, DIG does clean timed cascading, long times, clean delay-verb, a second chorus/faux-flange, Fable does reverse, octave, "granular" and reverb - but does a cool warbly doubled octave, wonky vibe, reverse chorus, tape stop, stacked s&h step filter, granular verb, and wild stuff. To be fair, it also has 2 hidden effects loops underneath that act as patch points that bring in my modular mini fly board - RE-202, HXOne, Tilt OD, and LA-2A. So I guess when I only have one delay it would be the 202!

[@ghostofborsalino2752]

I use the DM-101 and it’s wonderful. Who would have dared to put so much into an analog stomp box?

[@larsv701]

Man with that DD-500 you need have the IT Helpdesk on speed dial!

[@heymrguitarman7637]

Love Boss. They may not be the most exciting or boutique brand but they simply don't make a bad product. Everything is good or better and that's hard to do

[@chrstphbch]

There are some more parameters in the desktop editor for the DD-500. You can also change the modulation type for example.

[@RyanRenteria]

Boss delay: Good enough for Jonny Greenwood and Omar Rodriguez Lopez, good enough for me!

[@nojuanatall3281]

I love analog delay so I went with the dm101. It is such a sick sick sick delay. The chorus is subtle but can get wobbly.

[@holyfreak8]

ANOTHER VIDEO WITH THE DELAY PEDALS ON IT!!?? I LOVE IT!! Is the delay I have the Boss DD-200 and I love to copy some of the presets you use guys. Thanks and greetings from Buenos Aires.

[@jeffreyradick6486]

It says something important that you guys -- in spite of having loads of experience with lots of effects -- have trouble finding how to use some of the features implemented in those digital pedals. You guys are not dumb asses by a long shot. It means that those pedals are harder to use, and you're showing us a real experience that any of us would likely also have. For some, those difficulties may not be a problem; but for others, it will be, and it's good to see that before we spend the fair bit of money that those fancy pedals cost.

[@ThatPedalShow]

It’s just about time in Jeffey. That, and also knowing what question to ask. The latter is much harder than the former!

[@tommyf2229]

IMHO Boss is great, the DD200 has been on my gigging board for 4 years & very satisfactorily replaced my Timeline with easy UI, great sounds, small footprint... does it all

[@Peternkirk]

the answer to the question about altering the delay time in analog mode on DD500 over 300ms - (asked at 51mins in) is if you adjust the 'stage' setting it can be increased up to 1200 ms

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you!

[@compucorder64]

I LOVE ... Love ... love my Boss DM-101. Idk, maybe could become a future classic, like the Mooger Foogers. The newer smaller box version of the SDE-3000D is a cool idea too though (SDE-3, think?). Mono in / stereo out is the only frustrating thing with the 101. Because it won't play nice with how I used to have the TC SCF+ running mono-in stereo out, into Meris Polymoon. But, maybe Boss just wants to sell me a Dimension DC-2W to place after the DM-101.

[@Metalhead0283]

i have the dd500. i love it but i haven't dived into it far as getting super into tweaking it. i find sounds i love without fiddling much

[@KoaCharvel]

You can NEVER make too many pedals!

[@BeefNEggs057]

Until you can’t sell them. The makers would prefer that not to happen. Gotta feed that fat banker.

[@WhatsUpWhitey]

This episode topic feels more like TPS from years ago in the small room at Gigrig.

[@danielrose703]

Value added episode. Thank you dudes.

[@orryfishburne5326]

I want all of them. 😁 i own the RE-202 and it's incredible, but i always finding myself switching back to the Timeline. I mainly use the analog algorithm on the Timeline, so my next delay purchase will definitely be an BBD Delay. Not sure if it will be a DM-101, a Flower Pedals Dahlia, or a Walrus Audio Meraki, but i really want to try a stereo BBD Delay.

[@ZigbertD]

So I've already got a Strymon Volante, Meris LVX, and Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe, and after watching this I'm soooo itching for the DM-101 now. Also, it's worth noting that there is the EVH model of the SDE-3000 for a bit more that has a more comprehensive physical I/O section that facilitates a full stereo W/D/W setup like Van Halen used.

[@fabianericson5454]

42:49 The 80's 12-bit thing that I really DIG. Da-ga-dish! 😅

[@Evy-1988]

I suspect the reason Boss makes so many delay pedals is marketing. If there are so many alternatives within the Boss brand, people may be less inclined to try out other brands? It's like with apple products: make sure people think "which iphone am I going to buy" and give them all the options, instead of people thinking "which smartphone" am I going to buy.

[@ickebins6948]

1:30 in and all questions answered. Thanks guys. Have a great weekend!

[@nathanjosephmoore]

Next week do this with Strymon: el cap, volante, dig, brig, timeline

[@MoistBuddha]

Great show as always!

[@scottcurry4116]

I’m more on the Mick side. I don’t like menu diving and would rather have all the controls on top. The DD-500 and SDE-3000 sound lovely, but it would drive me crazy to have to spend 20 minutes dialing a delay.

[@davidelizalde3844]

I love Delays and Reverbs. Spacey stuff. The Polara, Supernatural and Tera Echo being my favs.

[@sour37]

This might be the perfect subject for TPS

[@astewart9410]

This video has so many delays, I thought there was something wrong with my Internet connection.

[@Ramen4Days]

There are also features that are just 1000 times easier to access on the DD 500 if you use the software…admittedly the software is not great, but it’s still better than trying to go through the menus.

[@oansun]

"We are running in stereo today" *stuffs in the other earbud*

[@user-wl7rb5ri5m]

All you need is the Space Echo. Sublime

[@jeron23]

You are masters of tone!! amazing!

[@darwinsaye]

Even though Boss did some amazing things with the DM-101, and I really appreciate the old school large form factor, I have to admit I was disappointed that it did not actually include the circuitry of its namesake, the DM-1, which used CCD rather than BBD circuitry. Yes, I know the DM-1 was very crude and limited (300ms), but it would have been nice if they included that option, since it would have been more accurate than using the DM-2 circuitry for the Vintage mode.

[@BeefNEggs057]

If I ever get that into pedals I’m hanging it up. Start the oboe or something. You are underneath the weeds you’re so deep.

[@martintaylor1701]

Delay is the best effect.

[@compucorder64]

Especially legendary vintage cheatcode delays like the Echoplex, where you get a great preamp circuit and some saturation into the bargain. Or the Roland RE-201 Space Echo, where they kindly throw in a Spring Reverb.

[@gmouse1250]

Nice show, could you consider a show on 5W amps, specifically the laney l5t-112 combo, the Orange AD-5 and the Fender Custom Champ ? Thanks lads

[@MrAwesomeSaucesome]

That PRS tele adjacent thing sounds incredible

[@ThatPedalShow]

It’s a Myles Kennedy model. Sounds MASSIVE

[@MrAwesomeSaucesome]

​@@ThatPedalShowthat sound you got out of it when y'all god to the sd digital thing was just the bees knees

[@hisproperty1438]

G'day Dan & Mick, Thanks for another great video. I particularly liked the stereo sound reproduction in this video. It seemed better than other TPS videos which have featured stereo or panning examples. I'm probablly wrong with my comment about your previous videos, but I found it very noticable in this video. That was very good work. I do have some general questions for you guys, but they related to previous TPS shows. Is there somewhere I can ask those questions? Thanks again for a great show. I'm looking forward to the next show. Keep up the good work Andrew

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ask here Andrew! Stereo… it’s not often we go full stereo. If we do it should be full stereo. But most wet/dry and two amp stuff won’t be panned left right. Cheers!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ask as a new comment on any video. It’ll come up to the top of the comment list.

[@kahlrhoam6769]

A excellent topic & another entertaining & informative video! That said, guys, WHERE is the BOSS DD-200? It does ALL Boss delays, for $200-$260. All midi/stereo, all parameters editing. (?)

[@ThatPedalShow]

This was about the big boxes. But yes, we mention the 200 in the video. Awesome set of features and value!

[@Zwidawurzn]

I mainly use my DD-200 but i have several delay pedals for different needs, a friend has every space echo version from real tape to RE-202, others want it analog, so there's a reason for all these pedals to exist. I even think there's probably not enough of them.

[@NewPraetorianBlues]

On specs alone the DD-500 is a behemoth.

[@BGTsoundandvision]

Idles tonight in Toronto. I think I'll wear my TPS t-shirt.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Yes!!!!!

[@tompoynton]

I’m really hoping for some sort of CE-101(202?), with CE-1, CE-2, vibrato/phaser/flanger etc. in the same form factor as the DM and RE from Boss at some point

[@jamesnichols5998]

How after all these years is the 500 getting all the ✅✅ what a legEND

[@Brati999]

DD500 is great allrounder

[@andresilva8444]

"I'm oot!" pmsl

[@jeffharper2661]

so is the next episode going to cover the rest of the delay pedals including the Boss RE-2 space echo? You are feeding the GAS and RABBIT HOLE. Is this a good thing, as Dan said he had so many delays.

[@CradleRawk]

hmmmm, I picked up a B-Stock Boss SDE-3000 from a well known German megastore a couple of weeks ago, sooo stoked - they had them at €222 new, so my B-stock (a return, basically) was €189, hopefully that's me done for delays for the foreseeable. I think their new 'low' price new is €389 or so. I do kinda want the DM-101 too, but will have to make do with my pair of DM-2Ws. Of course I hardly use delay these days, but always 'verb...

[@JELIFISH19]

Great video but I'm surprised you guys picked the DD-500 as the one you would have if it were your only delay. It seemed like you thought the specialized pedals sounded better. Your reasoning about picking the DD-500 seemed to be about the times of the delay rather than the sound. Since they all have presets, can't you get what you want from one of the specialized ones? If I had to choose one delay, it would be an Eventide Rose. It's overall the best sounding delay I've played but it's flexible enough to where I can get almost everything I want from a delay pedal. And presets means it can function as whatever I need at any given time. And I'm glad that Boss makes compact versions of the big delays. I have a RE-2 and I plan on getting the SDE-3 soon. Having access to those sounds in a simple and compact package is great. They may not dethrone the Rose but they can play together. The prices and sizes of the big delays make it hard to justify them. I'd rather just have 2 delay pedals.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Well, I wouldn’t choose any of em. Mick here. But most people want features and value for money more than sound, so sometimes we put ourselves in that headspace, so in that context. DD-500 is clear winner. Eventide - nice tones. No analogue dry through on most things (not sure about the rose). In any case, no ADT means utterly useless in our rigs (always off phase wet/dry). Cheers!

[@Evy-1988]

in my search for analog delay with tap tempo I saw a good deal on a dm101 and went for it, thinking the search would be over. Turns out that for me, the repeats are very much in the way of my playing? For whatever reason, which I don't quite understand because I don't have that with the DM-2W (which would be the only delay I needed, if it had tap tempo)

[@douglasaxtell]

How about a comparison of all their (Boss) small form factor delay pedals?

[@ThatPedalShow]

Crumbs!

[@rigorhead01]

I love delays! Delays! Delays Delay delay del... 🤣