View Full Version : DM-2 vs. AD-9 vs. Ad-80 vs. AD900
TheLemon
10-20-2008, 03:07 PM
Right now I'm using a DD-5 as my main delay, but I can't stand not having more than one lol. I'm looking for another delay to cover reverby tones and to kind of "fill out" lead lines to give a little extra dimension or ambience. I've searched around here and came up with these:
DM-2
AD-9
AD-80
AD-900
I've tried a Carbon Copy, and did not paritcularly care for it. Although I would like to keep it analog.
Has any one tried/use any of these? Compare them?
orogeny
10-20-2008, 04:05 PM
add the analogman to that list.
i'm a bit tired from typing all day. . . but
yes. . . they are all a bit different.
i liked the clarity of the analogman compared to a dm2. then again, i prefer the dm3. . .
the ad900 is excellent!!! a bit more expensive and . . . well, bigger.
the newer ad9s are cool, but SOMETHING about it didn't seem super-cool to me.
no hands on experience with the ad80, but for some folks it is the IT.
me. .. i'm waiting on the DMM XO.. .. assuming it hits the USA.
also, for the record. . . the analog sim in my dd20 was/is a total winner in a blind test between it and a dm3. . . so the dm3 went back to my cousin. the TONE knob on a dd20 really makes quite a difference. for ME, the dd20 is the shizzle. i just want the dmm b/c . . . nothing else can really do that wobble.
The DM-2 will do something for you the others won't. As to whether that certain something is your bag of chips, I dunno. I reccommend giving the DM-2 an audition.
cbpickin
10-20-2008, 04:23 PM
IMO, the AD900 is the best at what you are looking for. The AD9 is good, but delay times are a little short for ambient, reverby delays.
The Analogman is killer, but I think a little too clear for the subtle ambient delay you're describing. The AD900 is built for the task.
screamingduck
10-20-2008, 04:29 PM
The DM-2 will do something for you the others won't. As to whether that certain something is your bag of chips, I dunno. I reccommend giving the DM-2 an audition.
DM-2 I've had two units for over twenty years and there is always at least one on my board.
4styx
10-20-2008, 05:40 PM
If you're looking for something reverby,the DM-3 has that in spades.
starfish
10-20-2008, 07:03 PM
The DM-2 will do something for you the others won't. As to whether that certain something is your bag of chips, I dunno. I reccommend giving the DM-2 an audition.
+1 The DM-2 just sounds amazing, especially if it is an early one with the MN3005 chip. Don't worry about about the buffered bypass either. It is very good on the early Boss MIJ 2-series pedals. I'm really picky about this and I find the DM-2 to sound perfectly acceptable.
mtlin
10-20-2008, 07:17 PM
The DM-2 is special.
orogeny
10-20-2008, 07:21 PM
+1 The DM-2 just sounds amazing, especially if it is an early one with the MN3005 chip. Don't worry about about the buffered bypass either. It is very good on the early Boss MIJ 2-series pedals. I'm really picky about this and I find the DM-2 to sound perfectly acceptable.
same chip in the dmm. . . .
starfish
10-20-2008, 07:48 PM
same chip in the dmm. . . .
Yeah that chip sounds good in every analog delay I have seen it in. My blue Echodrive has 2 of them.
TheLemon
10-20-2008, 07:56 PM
Thanks for all the help so far guys I appreciate it
It looks like theres a lot of votes for the DM-2
I've owned a DMM and I liked the way it decayed, but maybe a little too bright for my tastes.
my DM-2 has always been one of my favorite delays
Paulo Grua
10-21-2008, 07:18 AM
+1 on the Dm2 - it really 'melts' with your guitar, creating this spacey, but not messy, ambient sound. IF that's what you want.
gatordoc
10-21-2008, 09:31 AM
Might want to look into the RetroSonic delay as it is supposed to be based on the DM-2 but has more features and you can switch between 2 preset delay times. Not a whole lot of discussion around this pedal but I've been itching to try one as I like the DM-2, but if I can buy a brand new pedal that sounds the same (and supposedly with less noise) then why not go with new.
Veritas
10-21-2008, 10:00 AM
I haved the DM-2 right now and I'm loving it. The Analogman AR20DL is a really good option as well, it's a little more clear than the DM-2, but it's super musical. Love that one too.
JUSTJOB
10-21-2008, 11:43 AM
For a fairly inexpensive analog delay the AD9 is very good at that reverby type delay, sounds great, and doesn't take up much space. I really like mine a lot.
Dexter.Sinister
10-21-2008, 11:52 AM
DM-2 on my board. I use this or echoplex EP2. Warm and vibey. Like alot! Does lose definition, but I use it on purpose as an effect that messes with sound colour. Good runaway feedback mayhem, when wanted.
DS
nibus
10-21-2008, 11:56 AM
I have experience with the Analogman and the Maxon AD-9.
The Analogman delay is excellent at ambience, and the repeats do seem to melt together. It can be fairly clear for an analog delay if set at lower repeats. The oscillation is amazing. Very low noise.
The Maxon AD-9 is my favorite for slap-back and for low-fi sounds. The original unit (with the panasonic chips) has a great low-fi sound to it, unlike any other analog delay I have played.
I have not played the AD900 or the AD80 or the DM2.
One to also check out is the Skreddy - it has a very unique tape voicing to it that doesn't get in the way when you play.
hazel-rah
10-21-2008, 12:08 PM
If there is one area where I feel perfectly equipped to reply to this type of question, this is it...
I have extensive experience with all of these pedals, plus more, with a variety of amps. I can say this without reservation (and w/o any correlation to the fact that I currently have my spare for sale...): the original ad80's are the best pedal I've ever heard for the application that you mentioned. It sounds like tape delay, but there are no maintenance issues. I like the r.i. ad80's best for slapback, but the vintage ones KILL them for fat echo. I currently have a vintage ad80 on my board, as well as a r.i. & an ad900. The ad900 sounds really nice, but I don't feel that it meshes with my dry guitar tone as well as the others for shorter delay times. It is , however, capable of much longer delays than most other analog echoes, & it really shines in that area. The dm2 has a very unnatural decay---which isn't a big deal if you use a lot of reverb, but you'll hear it plain as day if you don't...Also, boss bypasses suck tone. I'm by no means a "true-bypass-or-bust" guy, but boss pedals are pretty extreme in this regard. Buy a vintage ad80 (not mine, though, so that this doesn't prove to be a sales pitch), & then don't look back.
Johnny
The AD 80 is the best Ive ever had, or at least my favorite
If there is one area where I feel perfectly equipped to reply to this type of question, this is it...
I have extensive experience with all of these pedals, plus more, with a variety of amps. I can say this without reservation (and w/o any correlation to the fact that I currently have my spare for sale...): the original ad80's are the best pedal I've ever heard for the application that you mentioned. It sounds like tape delay, but there are no maintenance issues. I like the r.i. ad80's best for slapback, but the vintage ones KILL them for fat echo. I currently have a vintage ad80 on my board, as well as a r.i. & an ad900. The ad900 sounds really nice, but I don't feel that it meshes with my dry guitar tone as well as the others for shorter delay times. It is , however, capable of much longer delays than most other analog echoes, & it really shines in that area.
My findings were the exact opposite - the AD-900 melds with my dry tone alot better than my vintage AD-80 did. The AD-900 seems more natural and the warm softer repeats just melt with my rig. Where the AD-80's 18v headroom made it overpowering at times too in your face for short delay. It always sounded like an effect when on, not what I would use for a subtle delay. Maybe the one I had was just too sensitive it had the 0-100% wet option. With the AD-900 I forget its even on sometimes! I agree the original AD-80 does sound very tape-like having A/B'd it with my Echoplex.
codyj84
10-21-2008, 01:51 PM
The DM-2 is special.
+1... Had a Keeley AD-9, a DM-3, and a DM-2....
I will never part with the DM-2.
TheLemon
10-21-2008, 09:55 PM
Everyone has been really helpful
It seems like it narrows down to the DM-2 and AD-80
I wish I could try and compare both of them
hazel-rah, are you talking about the Maxon or Ibanez AD-80?
cestlamort
10-21-2008, 10:01 PM
the (reissue) maxon ad80 is (supposedly) a reboxed version of an ad9.
the ibanez ad80 has spoiled me: two dmm, two ad9 (vintage, reissue), a dm-2, a cd10, and an adl have all failed to bump it off my board.
that said, I also still use a dd20.
hazel-rah
10-22-2008, 12:35 AM
I currently own two r.i. maxon ad80's, a vintage maxon ad80, & a vintage ibanez ad80...
In my opinion, the maxon & ibanez vintage units sound identical---and I believe that they ARE identical...The vintage boxes are far and away my favorite for ambient delay; I prefer the maxon reissue ad80's for slapback.
Johnny
Blueser
10-22-2008, 04:59 AM
Might want to look into the RetroSonic delay as it is supposed to be based on the DM-2 but has more features and you can switch between 2 preset delay times. Not a whole lot of discussion around this pedal but I've been itching to try one as I like the DM-2, but if I can buy a brand new pedal that sounds the same (and supposedly with less noise) then why not go with new.
The Retrosonic is by far the best sounding delay I have ever heard. I am more of an analog delay fan for an old school vibe, and this delay delivers it in spades.
I love it so much, I am ordering another one for my smaller board. I wish Tim made a small single unit model with just time (600ms), repeats, volume, and tone for $200. That would be a complete killer!
Voxshall
10-22-2008, 05:20 AM
I have not tried all the others but my DM-2 stopped the search for me.
NB_Terry
10-22-2008, 05:57 AM
I've tried MXR vintage analog delay and the CC, Ibanez CD-10 and a few other analog delay pedals, and I always go back to using the DM-2. It's one of the few pedals I'll never sell.
Belmont
10-22-2008, 03:19 PM
I have a DM-2,DM-3,Guyatone Analog Delay,two vintage EH DMM's and more,their all great delays.the Deluxe Memoryman has always been my fave,freakin luuuv it.I also own a Korg SDD-3000,SDD-2000,Lexicon PCM-41,Deltalab Effectron 1024,Lexicon PrimetimeII,Yamaha D1500........
and my desert island pick is........ the Korg SDD-3000.....pedals are nice but
wahwah
10-23-2008, 11:49 AM
I've got a DM-2, a Retro-Sonic and a recently purchased AD-900. Out of those 3, the AD-900 wins for me. I love the sound of all of them, but the AD-900 has a sweetness to it that the others can't quite match. The extra headroom is a factor, but there's something about it that just makes it more fun to play, and somehow more beautiful.
Cheers...................................... wahwah
I've got a DM-2, a Retro-Sonic and a recently purchased AD-900. Out of those 3, the AD-900 wins for me. I love the sound of all of them, but the AD-900 has a sweetness to it that the others can't quite match. The extra headroom is a factor, but there's something about it that just makes it more fun to play, and somehow more beautiful.
Cheers...................................... wahwah
:agree
It is a sweet sounding delay, soft buttery repeats that just meld beautifully with your dry tone. The Ibanez AD-80's repeats were too apparent IMO but I will say this, it cut through great in a band mix.
TheLemon
10-30-2008, 01:13 PM
Reporting back here,
I went with the DM-2 and its in the mail :banana
Im really stoked about it. This one has the MN3205 chip, can anybody tell me if it sounds noticeably different than the MN3005?
jfromel
10-30-2008, 01:19 PM
you did well, my crusty DM-2 will never leave the board
Unadan
04-17-2009, 08:00 AM
How does a DOD FX90 compare to these classics?
andtrea
05-20-2009, 11:37 AM
Vintage Maxon and Ibanez AD80 = the same?
I currently own two r.i. maxon ad80's, a vintage maxon ad80, & a vintage ibanez ad80...
In my opinion, the maxon & ibanez vintage units sound identical---and I believe that they ARE identical...The vintage boxes are far and away my favorite for ambient delay; I prefer the maxon reissue ad80's for slapback.
I think they are the same, the Ibanez AD80 has a Maxon branded board, 18v both, and the Mn3005 is on both, so.. are they the same?
Could someone confirm that?
jamison162
05-20-2009, 11:48 AM
The New EH DMM XO is out and there's a demo at PGS. Still, it looks to be a pretty big unit.
codyj84
05-20-2009, 12:25 PM
Might want to look into the RetroSonic delay as it is supposed to be based on the DM-2 but has more features and you can switch between 2 preset delay times. Not a whole lot of discussion around this pedal but I've been itching to try one as I like the DM-2, but if I can buy a brand new pedal that sounds the same (and supposedly with less noise) then why not go with new.
BUT.... the noises (like the clock/tick noise) are part of what makes the DM-2 so special. I use those crazy sounds all the time.
DM-2 is THE pedal.
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