Delay: BOSS of TC Electronic

[Hadlander]

Hey Everyone,

So I got a TC Electronic HOF mini that does everything I want it to reverb wise. But Christmas is coming up and I'd like to add a delay pedal to the mix. Now, the TC Flashback delay does have a special ring to it, but the Boss DD-3 ( or the DD-7 ) has a great sound to it, plus reliability on it's side. Since I got my reverb concerns covered, I'm not worried about anything fancy. Anyone got experience with these pedals? Any advice?

 

[ellisvertellis]

Hi, i got both and use 'm both.

The Boss DD7 was my first delay pedal. I've been using it extensively as a looper, because of it's 45 seconds memory.

Very good digital delay, usable analog and modulation delay, also has reverse delay.

Mine has two issues: the rubber ring that's protecting the battery screw has fallen off, not really a problem but still... The second issue is a problem: the timing of the delay clock flips out sometimes, resulting in wobbly delays, as if someone was turning the knob while playing. Not sure if i'll ever get it fixed though.

The TC electronic has better features and small footprint, a lot more delay styles to discover and then there's the Toneprint function! Not sure about the looper memory, but there's a looper in there as well.
The best feature is the Subdivision Mini Toggle, which allows you to select quarter notes, dotted eighths or a combination of both.

I prefer the boss style switch, but other than that I would advice you to get the Flashback. It's more versatile and sounds great!

 

[DavidM1]

The TC lets you set delay tempo very intuitively. You just play notes on a muted string at the tempo you want. Makes it a breeze to set a triplet or sixteenth note repeat.

 

[ScottJPatrick]

I just got a flashback and it really works well, great variety of sounds, 40 second looper, easy to use tap tempo, covers all bases. DD3 is great if you just want a basic digital delay, tried and tested, your choice.

 

[frank1985]

Hey Everyone,

So I got a TC Electronic HOF mini that does everything I want it to reverb wise. But Christmas is coming up and I'd like to add a delay pedal to the mix. Now, the TC Flashback delay does have a special ring to it, but the Boss DD-3 ( or the DD-7 ) has a great sound to it, plus reliability on it's side. Since I got my reverb concerns covered, I'm not worried about anything fancy. Anyone got experience with these pedals? Any advice?

I don't mean to confuse you with extra options, but if you don't mind stretching an extra 20 dollars or so, I'd consider the MXR Carbon Copy Delay.

 

[RetroTeleRod]

Love my DD-3! I use it for my delay needs and a Hardwire RV-7 takes care of my reverb chores. It's a great combo, IMO.

 

[doctor_capleson]

+1 for DD-3 or MXR Carbon Copy if it's your first delay.

Flashback is better after you've developed a taste for different types, what you like, didn't, etc. Otherwise, the Flashback does have both a pretty good digital and analog mode (both are actually digital, just filtered/eq'ed differently). I prefer the Boss or MXR, because you can tweak the delay time and get crazy oscillation effects. TC seem to have limited the effects of their knobs to "usable" sounds, and they're a little more difficult to get crazy stuff out of.

 

[Stratburst]

Since I'm a delay junkie, I'm going to recommend the DD20 since it has tap-tempo, the ability to subdivide said tap tempo, a decent looper and 3 memory slots so you can store your favourite settings and call them up when you need them. And it's super-reliable and easy to use.

 

[gtrguru]

I picked up a dd3 in hopes of replacing my flashback. Wanted a simplified delay pedal. Now I'm using both pedals together for ambient stuff. Still plan on replacing the Flashback with an Aqua Puss or Carbon Copy. The Flashback is a great pedal but I dont like the switch and has too many features that I just dont use. The dd3 is a keeper though.

 

[Birdinlays]

Aqua Puss is awesome. I use it and HOF mini for Verb, or the amps reverb, depending on the sound i want. The Aqua Puss is amazing for quick slap, if thats what your after.

 

[jondanger]

I had a Flashback but couldn't bond with it. I liked my DD-20 and DD-3 a lot better. Something about the Flashback sounded brittle. The Boss stuff sounds more musical to me. I know that's subjective, but that's how I felt about it. Incidentally, I had a Nova Repeater as well (also TC), and had the same feeling. I'm just a Boss delays kind of guy. Couldn't get along with the TC stuff.

 

[Stringbender.dk]

I once had the tc Nova delay, but i sold it quickly and Got a boss dd -20 instead.
It is more warm sounding in my ears

 

[Jeff_K]

I continue to not understand buying a delay pedal without tap tempo. If you're going to play outside the house it's essential unless you play only one song. But anyway, I have the DD3 and loves it until I got the FB. The Toneprint feature is great.

 

[Tim Bowen]

Unless we're talking something like vintage TC 2290, then Boss all the way for me. Current production TC delays sound sort of hard/sterile to me. I did however use a Flashback about a year back at a session for a reverse setting that I liked a lot.

I've never heard a Boss digital or analog that didn't sound pretty good or great.

I continue to not understand buying a delay pedal without tap tempo. If you're going to play outside the house it's essential unless you play only one song.

If we're talking U2/modern P&W, pop, rock etc. w/ prominent rhythmic delays, yes. Otherwise, no, I disagree. I use three boards, each of which contains three delays. Of those, only two have tap tempo, and I just rarely use the feature. Reason being that there's no need as the wet/dry mix I use isn't prominent enough for it to even be much of a factor. Only thing I need pronounced repeat on for current material is slapback, and the boards contain dedicated pre-set boxes for that. For general ambience I mostly live within about 450-600 ms. Nice to have the tap available, but almost never use it. I use tap a lot with tremolo though. Also, for whatever reasons, the best sounding delays to me never seem to have tap tempo, such as Maxon AD-900.

 

[Nick Fanis]

Try the new analog IBANEZ Echo shifter.It rules and has tap tempo

 

[smithsonian]

I still stand by the Memory Boy Deluxe. I know it wasn't part of OP's question, but for less than the flashback or DD-7 plus the "analog" sound. but if you aren't willing to consider anything else other than the 2 i'd go BOSS. it's more user friendly.

 

[doctor_capleson]

Boss just sort of reissued the DM 2. It's a bit more expensive than the standard Boss fare, but worth a try at a store or something. Otherwise, memory boy is good, and can't go wrong with carbon copy. As a frequent user of TC stuff, I do agree that they can sound a little "digital" or sterile.

 

[DannyStereo]

I once had the tc Nova delay, but i sold it quickly and Got a boss dd -20 instead. It is more warm sounding in my ears

I have a Nova Delay that I love. The crispness of it is what I like.

I tried a DD20 and it just didn't cut through like the Nova. But my needs may be totally different.

I like delay to stand out, and rely heavily on that dotted eighth rhythmic delay. For the more mellow sounds I use my Vox Delaylab