So, you’ve decided you want a delay pedal. Great choice. You’re joining the ranks of musicians from all genres. BOSS has 11 delay pedals currently in production. These include the DM-101, SDE-3000EVH, SDE-3000D, DD-200, DD-3T, DD-500, DD-8, DM-2W, RE-2, RE-202, and TE-2. This list excludes multi-FX pedals and older models.
There are many different styles of BOSS delay pedals, so let’s explore the significant differences between each delay. If you’re new to the world of delay, we’ll use terms like Feedback, Level, and Time, so check out The Delay Pedal Glossary for definitions. Explore the differences between BOSS delay pedals so you can decide which BOSS delay is perfect for your sound and playing style.
Comparing the DD-3T and DD-8
The main difference between the DD-3T and the DD-8 is that the DD-3T has one primary delay mode with many time signatures, a delay of 800ms, and an 800 ms loop. By contrast, the DD-8 has ten delay modes, including basic digital delay, vintage echoes, shimmer, mod, and +RV (delay+reverb). It also contains multiple time signatures, a 40-second loop recorder, and 10 seconds of delay time.
For a compact delay pedal that will only take up a little room on a pedalboard, both the DD-3T and DD-8 are ideal. Both have tap tempo functionality so that you can specify your delay time. If you want to dial in the exact delay time, then the DD-3T is perfect. You can pick Short (12.5 ms–50 ms), Medium (50 ms–200 ms), or Long (200 ms–800 ms) delay times. The DD-8 requires you to find the perfect time by twisting the Time knob. If you want multiple delays, the DD-8 is your best choice, but if you want one style of digital delay, then the DD-3T is perfect.
What type of player is the DD-3T best for?
The DD-3T is ideal for the minimalist guitarist who wants a straightforward, reliable digital delay without any extras. It’s an excellent choice for those who want something simple and easy to use but still want the option of tap tempo. Fun fact: Slash uses the DD-3T.
What type of player is the DD-8 best for?
The DD-8 is best for the experimental guitarist who loves to explore a variety of delay textures and tones. The built-in looper and multiple delay modes make it an excellent choice for guitarists who enjoy layering sounds and creating soundscapes. It’s also a great fit for singer-songwriters who want to build a track. The incredible Shimmer and +RV—Digital delay with reverb is a fantastic added feature.
"The DD-8 is best for the experimental guitarist who loves to explore a variety of delay textures and tones."
Comparing the DD-200 and DD-500
The main difference between the BOSS DD-200 and the BOSS DD-500 is that the DD-200 offers a more compact design. It also has 12 delay modes (including exclusive Pad Echo), up to 10 seconds of delay time, and a built-in looper with 60 seconds of recording. The DD-500, as the flagship model, also provides 12 delay modes, including the Vintage delay (which the DD-200 doesn’t have), up to 10 seconds of delay time. It also boasts 120 seconds of phrase loop recording, a graphic LCD, deep editing, and customizable control settings.
In addition, the DD-500 lets you run two different delays simultaneously and assign them to separate footswitches. This means you can use two different delays at once on your pedal or switch one off and flick between them. The DD-200 does have a dual mode, but you have to use them at the same time.
The DD-200 has a streamlined menu with all controls on the front panel, whereas the DD-500 has a deeper level of parameter editing with a 4-band EQ. The DD-200 has some delay modes that don’t appear on the DD-500 and vice versa. For example, the DD-200 features a Drum and Pad echo. The DD-500 also features the Filter and Slow Attack delay inspired by the SG-1 Slow Gear, beloved by artists like John Frusciante.
What type of player is the DD-200 best for?
The DD-200 is ideal for the gigging musician who needs a wide array of delay options (127 user memories) in a compact, easy-to-navigate pedal. The intuitive interface makes it easy to switch between sounds on the fly. Plus, it’s a little less daunting for digital delay pedal users who want to turn on and rock out.
What type of player is the DD-500 best for?
The DD-500 is perfect for the player who loves to customize every aspect of their delay, down to the ducking and feedback damping. It also will suit those who want to activate and use multiple delay modes in one pedal. The extensive editing controls are a dream for guitarists wishing to control their digital delay down to the minute details. Both have multiple connectivity features like stereo and MIDI functionality.
"The DD-500 is perfect for the player who loves to customize every aspect of their delay, down to the ducking and feedback damping."
Comparing the RE-2 and RE-202
Both the RE-2 and RE-202 are based on the Roland Space Echo. In addition to being a stompbox version, the RE-2 gives users 11 delay modes and a doubled repeat rade mode. It also features Wow & Flutter control for tape modulation, a special Twist effect, and tap tempo. The RE-202 is larger and has MIDI connectivity, saturation control, selectable tape condition, Warp effect, five selectable reverb variations, 127 memory banks, and four onboard memories. It also has a 12-position mode selector for various tape head combinations and extended delay time compared to the RE-2.
With the RE-202, one can also select whether they use a line-level instrument such as a keyboard or synth. Then, choose between the warm and fat RE-201 preamp tone or a completely clean signal with zero processing.
The RE-202 also includes a stereo version of the original spring reverb sound from the RE-201. However, the key difference is that you also get hall, plate, room, and ambience types not included on the RE-2. Both are perfect for those who want the sound of the RE-201 in a straightforward, pedalboard-friendly format.
What type of player is the RE-2 best for?
Do you love the sound of the RE-201 Space Echo on the albums by The Verve and Pink Floyd? Is there limited space on your pedalboard, and you have no need for MIDI and digital connectivity? The RE-2 is perfect for the modern guitarist who loves the vintage Space Echo sound but with the reliability and features of a current BOSS pedal. The tap tempo and switch modes are great for those who want to experiment without getting too deep into the nuances. It is also one of the best delay pedals for synths and other instruments like electric violin.
What type of player is the RE-202 best for?
The RE-202 is a great fit for tape echo purists who want authentic Space Echo tone but with the power of digital triggering through MIDI. If you want to save multiple delay modes on your pedal, you’re covered here, as you have 127 memory banks. The RE-202 is for players who want a warm analog echo with programmability, precision, sound recall, and reverb features. It’s the closest thing you can get to a real RE-201 that fits on a pedalboard.
"The RE-202 is a great fit for tape echo purists who want authentic Space Echo tone but with the power of digital triggering through MIDI and AD/DA conversion."
Comparing the SDE-3000D, RE-202 Space Echo, and DM-101 Delay Machine
These three are very different, but we’ll compare them as they are all larger, multi-delay units. The SDE-3000D Digital Delay, RE-202 Space Echo, and DM-101 Delay Machine are incredibly different in their sounds. The SDE-3000D is a digital delay pedal that mirrors the clear yet warm sound quality of the revered Roland SDE-3000 rackmount unit. This is ideal for those who want the rack-mounted delay sound used by The Edge, Van Halen, and more. It also has the longest delay time here of 3000ms, and you can run delays in series or parallel. It has two styles of delay.
The RE-202 Space Echo, also digital, is a tribute to the legendary Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape delay machine. It gives you that unmistakable echo sound and vintage warmth recognizable from Pink Floyd, Boards Of Canada, and The Verve. It has 11 styles of delay with onboard reverb.
Primary Differences
The DM-101 Delay Machine is the only analog delay pedal here, packed with 12 delay modes and the warmth of Analog BBD Circuitry. The primary differentiator between the DM-101 and the others is that the DM-101 gives you multiple styles of analog delay sounds. It preserves the character and nuances of analog delay but with the flexibility of MIDI connectivity and 127 user memories.
For authentic reproductions of the SDE-3000 in a floor-based pedal, try the SDE-3000D. If you want multiple Space Echo sounds, the RE-202 is the best option. Finally, for a plethora of vintage-style delays, the DM-101 delay machine is your ultimate choice for an analog multi-delay.
"The SD-3000D is for the player who wants an '80s-style delay with an extended delay time of 3000 ms."
What type of player is the SDE-3000D best for?
The SD-3000D is for the player who wants an ’80s-style delay with an extended delay time of 3000 ms. It also features selectable delays to run in series or parallel and can send two delays to two different outputs. If you love the sound of ’80s metal and synth sounds and run two or more amps together, this is one of the best delay pedals for you.
What type of player is the RE-202 best for?
The RE-202 is for the tape delay fans out there. Those who want the exact sound of a tape delay, complete with the sound of a degrading, aging tape that has been worn out and used! This pedal is for players who want their guitar to sound like the ’70s, perfect for genres like psychedelic rock or vintage blues.
What type of player is the DM-101 Delay Machine best for?
The DM-101 is ideal for the player who values warmth and simplicity and the unpredictable nuances of analog delay. It is the ultimate analog multi-delay pedal.
Of course, each pedal has unique characteristics. The right one for you depends on what kind of player you are, the genres you love, and your sound preferences. But one common theme is that you can use multiple delay modes together and save presets for later recall.
Comparing the SDE-3000D Digital Delay and SDE-3000EVH Dual Digital Delay
The main difference between the SDE-3000D Digital Delay and the SDE-3000EVH Dual Digital Delay is its signature sounds. The SDE-3000D offers a high-quality digital delay, emulating the renowned SDE-3000 rackmount unit. By contrast, the SDE-3000EVH features custom presets curated by Eddie Van Halen that give you the blueprint to recreate his iconic delay sound.
The SDE-3000D is for guitarists seeking a digital delay that recreates the iconic SDE-3000 unit with room to create presets. Also, the SDE-3000D has 100 user memories. The SDE-3000EVH comes with 92 user memories, 8 EVH presets, and the classic EVH stripes and logo. Its unique I/O allows players to realize a wet-dry-wet setup.
What type of player is the SDE-3000D best for?
This unit is for guitarists seeking a high-quality digital delay reminiscent of the SDE-3000 rackmount unit. It’s ideal for those who want two versatile digital delays and connectivity to ensure the pedal can fit into various musical contexts.
What type of player is the SDE-3000EVH Dual Digital Delay best for?
The SDE-3000EVH is perfect for fans of Eddie Van Halen’s iconic delay sound who want to capture the essence of his signature tone. It’s ideal for rock guitarists and EVH enthusiasts alike. There is no better option if you run multiple amps and want the sound EVH was famous for.
"The SDE-3000EVH is perfect for fans of Eddie Van Halen's iconic delay sound who want to capture the essence of his signature tone."
Comparing Tera Echo TE-2 and DM-2W
The main difference between the TERA Echo and the DM-2W is that the Tera Echo is an echo delay, whereas the DM-2W is a bucket brigade delay. The Tera Echo is a digital delay that uses Multi-Dimensional Processing to produce a unique, ambient echo effect. It degrades far quicker without the warble of a RE-2. The TE-2 also has a freeze function and an additional tone knob which changes the signal’s brightness.
The DM-2W Delay is an analog pedal that uses Bucket Brigade Delay circuitry to recreate the vintage sound of the classic DM-2 pedal. However, it doesn’t degrade as fast or as “dirty.” You also get a custom Waza craft mode, which flicks between the original setting and the new modern setting with additional delay time. It also features simple-to-use controls for repeat rate (speed of delay), echo (volume of repeats), and intensity (how many repeats).
The DM-2W is the go-to choice for guitarists who love the warmth and character of traditional analog delays. The TE-2 is ideal for those who want the Echo delay sound, which degrades quicker, yet less than the RE-2.
What type of player is the TE-2 Tera Echo best for?
The TE-2 has a spacey vibe that can achieve laser-gun-style delay and envelope filter-style sounds. Also, the pedal has a unique HOLD/Freeze function, which will keep a note or chord sustained as long as your foot is still on the pedal. This means you can play over the top of your chords while the pedal goes into self-oscillation, making it sound like two guitars are playing.
What type of player is the DM-2W best for?
For a no-frills analog delay based on one of the most incredible delay pedals of all time (the DM-2), the DM-2W is your best choice. It provided 800 ms delay time and the classic bucket brigade delay that gets warmer and more nuanced as the repeats continue. You also have two distinct modes: Classic with 20-300 ms delay time and Custom with 800 ms. Get this if you already love the sound of your guitar and amp and want to enjoy a lush analog delay that brings more depth to your sound.
"The TE-2 has a spacey vibe that can achieve laser-gun-style delay and envelope filter-style sounds."
Comparing the DD-3T Digital Delay and DM-2W Delay
The DD-3T is a digital delay pedal that offers three delay modes with a time range of 12.5ms to 800ms. It’s for guitarists who want a reliable digital delay with easy-to-use controls, tap tempo, and instant recall to the millisecond. It won’t color the tone and won’t degrade when it repeats.
The DM-2W Delay is an analog pedal that uses Bucket Brigade Delay circuitry to get its vintage, warm delay sound. This style of delay is slightly nuanced and unpredictable in its repeats. In fact, this is where it gets its charm. With two separate delay circuits, Standard and Custom, providing a delay time range of 20ms to 800ms, travel back in time. It’s a killer choice for guitarists who want the warmth and depth of traditional analog delays and that vintage delay sound.
What type of player is the DD-3T best for?
Try this pedal if you want a digital delay with instant time selection and built-in tap tempo. Either way, it’s no-fuss and easy to use, giving you incredible digital delay straight out of the box.
What type of player is the BOSS DM-2W best for?
If you like analog delay’s nuances and subtle qualities and only need up to 800 ms of delay without tap tempo, go for the DM-2W. Again, this gives you beautiful analog delay straight out of the box and can change how you use delay thanks to its signature BBD tonal qualities.
"If you like analog delay's nuances and subtle qualities and only need up to 800 ms of delay without tap tempo, go for the DM-2W."
A Delay Pedal for Every Player
There’s a BOSS delay pedal out there for every specific need. For multiple sounds in one stompbox, the DD-3T, DD-8, and TE-2 are perfect. If you prefer digital and need enhanced programmability, the DD-200, DD-500, and SDE-3000D/EVH pedals are superb choices. However, if you prefer vintage-style delay, the RE-2, RE-202, DM-101, and DM-2W are all ideal. You can also choose multiple delay pedals for your board and enjoy digital and analog together. Mix them up as you open up a world of sonic possibilities.
