Which should I choose : Boss DD-3 or DD-5

[Faraldi]

I have an opportunity to acquire either of these delays.

Both the DD-3 and DD-5 have received good reviews on Harmony Central.

I know that the DD-3 is an 8-bit pedal which, I think means lo-fi (??)

The DD-5 has some additional features which is cool but I'm not sure if I'd use them.

I'm looking for tone, tone and tone.

Now, I do use delay a lot in my playing so this is kind of an important purchase.

Please offer some insight. Thanks!

[jimbach]

My view is that, unless you need the additional features of the DD-5, you should buy the DD-3. I think the older pedal sounds better.

[Pinball_Wizard]

DD-3 over DD-5.

But I'd say just shoe it out for the DD-7 (aka DD-3 plus).

[11 Gauge]

Another vote for the DD-3.

I have a MIJ DD-2, and the 3 feels closer to it than the 5.

[czech-one-2]

theres nothing like the ability to tap tempo long delays though!
I vote for the dd-5 + analogman [or diy] high cut switch.
or even add the expression pedal jack that enbables you to control the feedback from slapback to infinite.

[Rick J]

Having tried most of the Boss delay pedals, I've found the DD-5 to be the most sterile and "digital" sounding of them all. The 6 or 7 both sound better, but the DD-3 still seems to sound best of the lot, (other than the very pricey analogues) - I found an old Japanese made version, which sounds great, but the current production is still pretty good.

You've got to ask yourself what you want from a delay pedal, - some of us don't really need much more than a decent slap-back sound, - so all the extra circuitry in a more complicated pedal just sort of gets in the way. If what a DD-3 can do is all you need in a delay, then in my personal opinion, thats the one to go for. Especially if its an older one.

Rick J

[telecat33511]

TIME IS THE DIFFERENCE
yOU CANT GET as LONG of DELAYS / LOOPING

[telecat33511]

whoops: sorry for caps lock
I like the 6 and 7

[flatout9]

Ok... The only thing I have going for DD-5 is that I can get the tap thing going...Heck maybe u can do it with the DD-3. But if I have a mic on me I can see what it's going to sound like in the front of the house. Beyond that, I could give a crap about the DD-5. I'm really looking for a new delay. Heading for Analog...

[polishcomedy]

I'm going to have to advise against anything Boss. I had the DD-6 and it was noisy and not very crisp. You could hear it clip, too. I traded it in for a Digitech Hardwire DL-8. Tons of headroom, superior sound, no noise, true bypass, more features. Not to mention all metal construction, unlike the cheap plastic knobs on the Boss. I've never played a Boss pedal I liked. Of those two the DD-5 seems to be the favorite, probably because it's out of production.

[franchelB]

I have another delay that has the tap-tempo and reverse feature. It's neat to have, but I don't use it enough.
On the other hand, I had an old analog delay, and I wished it had more features...so I FOOLISHLY traded it in....

[11 Gauge]

Originally Posted by polishcomedy

Not to mention all metal construction, unlike the cheap plastic knobs on the Boss.

Are metal knobs really that important to even bother mentioning?

Do you step on the knobs regularly instead of the footswitch? I'm not trying to be cute or argumentative - I'm genuinely curious.

I actually really like the Boss knobs - not too big, not too small, not an odd shape that can get accidentally knocked around. I really like that they are on a knurled shaft instead of a solid one that requires a setscrew. Maybe not as pretty as a hunk of aluminum spun on a lathe, but certainly functional AND durable.

...I'd argue that the Boss knobs probably hold up better than the Davies, the chicken heads, etc. And the downside to a metal knob is that it TRANSFERS all impacts to the pot's internals. I'd rather bust a knob than a pot, for certain.

[Tim Bowen]

My fave BOSS digital is the DD-3.

[dalandan]

Just get a brand new DD3. If tap tempo is a must, go with the DD7 instead. tone? 3 is a tad better than the 5.

[Telenator]

Another satisfied DD3 owner. Too much crap on the other models that I'll never use!

[BillAftermath]

I have the DD-6. I got it as a gift because my brother went to the studio with my old band and I one day and heard me say that if I had a delay pedal I would be able to play some of The Fall of Troy's stuff (my old bandmates weren't knowledgeable with music) so he urged my parents to buy me one for Christmas.

It has never really let me down. I don't use a whole lot of pedals, so I don't know how it would blend in the grand scheme of things, but I have always thought that it was quality. It takes getting used to, you really have to set it just right if you don't want noise and clipping.

[emarsupial]

My vote is for the DD3. Its a classic workhorse pedal. I've owned 2 of them since the sometime in the 80s and they still work as well today as they did 20 years ago.

IMHO, if you can find a used Made in Japan version, you won't regret your purchase.

cheers,
ew

[sjhusting]

I have a DD-3, and it's good enough. The AnalogMan Boss mod page has some interesting info about it.

I wish though there were a delay out there with no knobs at all, just a big switch labelled 'slapback on/off.' Maybe output level.

steven

[WrapAround]

i'm pretty sure you can't go so wrong with either DD3 or DD5. i've always found BOSS delays to be too hissy in front of a gained up amps but they sound fine in the loop if you have one on your amp (none of my amps do). instead my choice has been MD-3 as it 's dead quiet for the afore mentioned application.

the recent EHX Mem-Man w/ Hazarai is pretty quiet as well but it hums without its own power supply.

[f13ndus]

Originally Posted by sjhusting

I wish though there were a delay out there with no knobs at all, just a big switch labelled 'slapback on/off.' Maybe output level.

steven

It's called the Danelectro FAB Echo

[pinkspider]

Another vote for DD-3, it sounded better to my ears than DD-5.

[zoppotrump]

i used to have a dd3 ( the dd5 sounded to cold and "digital" ) and was happy until i found a good dd2 on ebay - even better than my ( now gone ) dd3.
if you´re looking for tone, get yourself at dd2 or old dd3.

[sjhusting]

Originally Posted by f13ndus

It's called the Danelectro FAB Echo

Got that. It's just what I want, except I'm afraid to step on it. I tried moving it to another box, without success.

steven

[E5RSY]

My DD-3 is Made in Taiwan. Bought it new some years back.

Where does it fall in the spectrum of DD-3 desirability??? Just curious.

[jitensha]

MXR carbon copy...

working great for me..me...me...me...me...me

[Jenix]

I went to analogman's website to look up the kill switch everyone was mentioning. Here is a link to the page "http://www.analogman.com/dd5.htm" I also want to copy and paste what it said but I give all credit to the website, " Which sounds better, a DD3, DD5, or DD6?


I dont think there is much difference between the DD-5 and DD-6, people seem to like the DD5 but maybe it's because you can't buy it anymore... The DD6 has better quality capacitors in it so it should sound better. The high cut mod sounds a little better in the DD6 than the DD5. The DD5 external tap tempo switch is easier to use, but the DD6 has longer delay time and does not need the KILL switch... tradeoffs which should let you decide which would be best for you. People seem to like the DD2 and DD3 a lot too, they were the 1st digital delay offered in pedal form so it's an old school sort of tone. The DD2 and older DD3 pedals used an awesome chip from the high end Roland rack delay units, they sound excellent- so good that Pete Cornish uses them in his mega dollar custom units. Here is a picture of the old style board, showing the huge chip. The current DD3 uses a newer delay chip, smaller square version, and may not sound QUITE as good as the older ones. The older ones had a large chip inside with 2 rows of legs, it goes all the way across the circuit board! The newer ones have a newfangled square delay chip with surface mounted legs on all four sides.

The DD2 and 3 use an analog COMPANDER chip just like an analog delay, to keep the noise low. That may be one reason why they sound more like an analog delay. The HIGH CUT mod on these is REALLY cool but does not allow more than several repeats. If you don't need the longer delay time, infinite repeats, stereo, or tap tempo, the DD3 is probably your best bet. And we now sell them new with the high cut mod at a lower price than the DD-6. The DD3 does not have trailing delays (when you turn it off, echoes stop). DD6 does have trailing delays, the delays continue to fade out when you turn off the pedal. "

Thats just what analogman had on their website. It really is a great source of knowledge. Im considering getting my DD6 modded.

[winny pooh]

I like my DD5, the reverse feature is great and the tap tempo thing is really nice when you are jamming, plus you can set the taptemp in quarter or third notes etc, instant floyd. And yes it is very crisp, which is fine. I use it for rhythmic work and have a analog dm-2 on the same board for a more subtle warm delay for ambiance and lead work.