NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

GuitarFanatic

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Well, I did it again! this time an 80's Boss pedal. I'm on a roll today, and soon I'll be buying yet another DS-1 as well as a BF-2, and an MD-1. I really need a PT-Grande..
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Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

Collecting digital delays...










...like a boss.
 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

Sweet! I search for those from time to time on the Bay.

Nothing wrong with a few delays...


 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

Eric Johnson loves his DD-2. That's gotta count for something.

Well played man!
 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

So I read about this long chip sounding different and the engineering accomplishment it was to package it in the standard Boss enclosure. How does it sound different? (My reference for digital delay is the perfect repeat with extremely minimal coloring and tonal change, I usually gravitate toward Analog and emulations of Analog/Tape because I like the sound degradation on repeats)
 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

So I read about this long chip sounding different and the engineering accomplishment it was to package it in the standard Boss enclosure. How does it sound different? (My reference for digital delay is the perfect repeat with extremely minimal coloring and tonal change, I usually gravitate toward Analog and emulations of Analog/Tape because I like the sound degradation on repeats)

It sounds totally different from my 1997 DD3. The DD2 is now the oldest pedal on my board. It dates from March of 1986.
 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.


FYI Early DD-3s are the same as the 2's, sometime in 1990 it was changed, then again in 2001.
 
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Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

So I read about this long chip sounding different and the engineering accomplishment it was to package it in the standard Boss enclosure. How does it sound different? (My reference for digital delay is the perfect repeat with extremely minimal coloring and tonal change, I usually gravitate toward Analog and emulations of Analog/Tape because I like the sound degradation on repeats)
It's less bright than newer DD-3s because the 12-bit converters roll off quite a bit of high end. Unlike an analog delay, subsequent repeats don't roll off more.

It's like a best of both worlds compromise between analog and digital delay and I run a pair of them on my board; an '85 DD-2 and '88 DD-3.

The popular high cut mod for the newer DD-3 accomplishes much the same thing.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

It's less bright than newer DD-3s because the 12-bit converters roll off quite a bit of high end. Unlike an analog delay, subsequent repeats don't roll off more.

It's like a best of both worlds compromise between analog and digital delay and I run a pair of them on my board; an '85 DD-2 and '88 DD-3.

The popular high cut mod for the newer DD-3 accomplishes much the same thing.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
I love my 1986 DD-2, and my '97 DD-3. I also have a 2002 Boss DD5 and a 2017 DD-7.
 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

The old DD-2 actually sounds alot like a 2290.
Anyways the construction is like with BBD chips, analouge signal pathway with the delayed signal mixed parallel along with the normal signal.
So it does not travel through a converter, only through the chip the signal is transformed, then mixed with the original signal on the way out.

The old chip has certain hazy dreamy sound to it, could be because of the 12bit or something else, but it is a rather pleasant sound if you like that.
It is not as percussive as newer more "accurate" delays.
And it is great fun using along side other delays, it blends well with others.

I have some delays that are even more verby and distant sounding, and togther with the dd-2 it is soundscape heaven, or mix it up like we did in the 80's with an all analouge echo...kinda like an Andy Summers sound.
Found a video of the DD-2 and TC-2290.
 
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Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

I usually gravitate toward Analog and emulations of Analog/Tape because I like the sound degradation on repeats)

I guess we all get old and forget things....


Like how everyone had a boner for Digital and said things like this for a decade or two;


"OMG - you mean the sound won't warble and modulate like those awful tapes? - AWESOME!!!"

Or

"OMG - you mean I can keep the the tone pristine and perfect no matter how many repeats or how long? FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!"


Hahahahahahahaha.
 
Re: NPD: 1986 Boss DD-2.

I guess we all get old and forget things....


Like how everyone had a boner for Digital and said things like this for a decade or two;


"OMG - you mean the sound won't warble and modulate like those awful tapes? - AWESOME!!!"

Or

"OMG - you mean I can keep the the tone pristine and perfect no matter how many repeats or how long? FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!"


Hahahahahahahaha.
I never really understood Delay when I started playing, I owned a 505 and owned and borrowed two Boss digital units. I just didn't like the way it sounded, so I used Reverb, not Delay. I got a Line 6 Echo Park when it came out and immediate loved the Analog/Tape switch and modulated setting. Then I got a Deluxe Memory Man. :)
 
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