Help! Delay Newbie Needs Boss DD20 help...

[raul]

I have never ever ever played a digital delay before! new project called for one and i got a Boss DD20. nice pedal but...not sure how to operate the thing!

have some questions for ya...

Setting the Output Mode...? what's this for?

Not exactly sure on how to opperate tap tempo...

Pedal Mode and Switching Memories...?

Saving current dealy time as "manual" setting...why?

yes, this may seem funny to some but i really am a bit thrown by this. and the manual isn't all that great for me. i was just a wah wah and overdrive kinda guy before this gig...it's kinda confusing to me...

Anyone in the Austin, Texas area who can help me...that would rock!!!!

All help in this matter would also rock...any advice or suggestions...please chime in...thanks!!!!

[Moe45673]

Since noone else will help, I'll give you a go (I'm bored at work anyhow)

First, check this out:
http://www.thestompbox.net/ViewArtic...x?ArticleID=35

Setting the Output Mode...? what's this for?

Output mode depends on the signal level and if you're using it in stereo or mono (2 amps or one). Stereo really only matters if you use the ping/pong setting. If you're using a wet/dry setup (something more common amongst bass players, though guitarists have been to use it), go for output modes 2 or 4.

If you're using it in mono (into one amp), use output jack A (or whichever one is labelled "mono") and output mode 1 or 3.

The other option is instrument level (-10dB) or line level (+4 dB). You're using it straight into the input jack of your amp(s)? Go for Output 1 or 2 (depending on your preference). Using it into the FX loop of your amp? Most amps FX loops run at +4, so you'd want to use Output level 3 or 4. Some FX loops run at instrument level or even have an option to switch. You'd have to read the specs of your specific amp to see what level the FX loop runs at.

Why use your delay in front of the amp or FX Loop? Whole other post. To simplify, though: If you use amp dirt (OD, Dist, whatever), run it in FX loop. If all your dirt comes from pedals and your amp is sparkling clean, you can run it into the input jack of your amp.

Not exactly sure on how to opperate tap tempo...

Hold down the right pedal for two seconds. The light should switch from memory to tap tempo. Then just tap in your tempo. The display should switch the number of ms/bpm showing what tempo you're tapping in. Most people (including myself) bought an extra footswitch to use for tap tempo.... I highly recommend this. The Boss FS-5U or Roland DP-2 should work fine.

Pedal Mode and Switching Memories...?

Manual means whatever the knobs are set to, that is what the pedal will produce. Memory means whatever is saved in that slot is what will come out, regardless of the current setup of the knobs (the exception is the tempo listed in the display is what will be output).

Pdl Mode 1: pressing the right pedal (assuming it's in memory mode and not tap tempo) will switch preset banks in this order: Manual -> Memory slot 1 -> Memory slot 2 -> Memory slot 3 -> Memory slot 4 -> Manual -> Memory slot 1 -> ad infinitum

Pdl Mode 2: This switches between Manual and the selected memory. So lets say you have it set to Memory slot 2. Hitting the right pedal will go: Manual -> Memory slot 2 -> Manual -> Memory slot 2 -> Manual -> Memory slot 2 -> ad infinitum. You can change the memory slot by bending down and pressing the little "select" button

Pdl Mode 3: exactly the same as pdl mode 2 except it adds the option to switch the desired memory slot with your foot. To do this, you have to press both the left and right pedal simultaneously.

[Moe45673]

Saving current dealy time as "manual" setting...why?

technically, all it does is save it as the default setting when you're in manual mode. So if you shut off your pedal and turn it back on, that's the tempo that will be displayed.

I use PDL Mode 3.

I like to use the manual slot as my "big" sound. I set it to about 225 ms, and when I play guitar solos, it really thickens up my sound. Then, if I'm using one of my "special" delay settings in, say, memory slot 2 for a part of the song, then my solo comes up, I can easily switch to manual for that big solo lead tone. I saved 225 ms as the default, because thats what I like it as when I solo. If I had not saved it, it would switch back to whatever the factory default is (500 ms?) and then I would have to twiddle the knob until it's at my desired setting each time I turn the pedal on.

Hope this helps

[raul]

wow...i'm really digital delay dumb...thanks for the help, but some of the concepts are still not sticking for some reason. must read manual again...help?

[dsj]

Raul, just spend some time with it, you'll get the hang of it. There are a lot of knobs and dials on the DD-20 but it all makes sense after a while.

Just mess with it for a couple of hours, consulting the manual as you go.

You'll be fine.

[fishlog]

Or you could do what I did... get a Stereo Memory man with Hazarai. I found it to be much more user friendly and it did not have as steep a learning curve while still providing an equal amount of features. My favorite feature happens to be the ability to loop on any setting at any time.

The DD-20 was great but you like you said theres a lot to digest.

My DD-20 is on eBay now.

[PosterBoy]

Getting an external tap tempo pedal makes things much easier

[Moe45673]

I should add that the DD-20 was the first delay I ever owned as well. I got the hang of it very quickly; the learning curve is not a long process.

Don't try to absorb my two prior posts all at once. Take each step one at a time, experimenting with your DD20 while reading. Everything should clear up then.

[raul]

thanks for the pe talks guys...i was starting to wonder if perhaps the DD20 was nto for me since i've never really played anything so tweakable such as a digital delay unit...

i guess it's that Output stage that i'm not so sure about. Do you have to set that up right nor not? Is it that important of a feature that i should do it? still not sure about it's function...

and setting up the Pedal Mode...which one is easiest to use for live use and practice?

thanks...you guys are great...

[Sniper-V]

DD-20 is a great pedal and I've had a ton of other nice delays try and knock it off.

It still stands!