Filled with newly developed Boss technology, the DD-500 has been dubbed by its makers, “the most powerful and versatile stompbox delay ever created”. Quite a claim! The pedal offers 12 distinctive delay modes with 32-bit, 96kHz audio processing, plus deep editing controls, a graphic display, patch memories, MIDI control, and much more. The potential sounds range from basic echo to emulations of classic delays, through to lush spatial textures.
Key Features
• Studio-level stereo sound with 32-bit/96 kHz processing throughout
• 12 versatile delay modes from vintage to modern deliver unlimited creative possibilities
• Unrivaled real-time expression with customizable control settings for onboard and external switches
• Graphic LCD for easy, intuitive operation while performing and editing
• Onboard patch memories and hands-on controls
• Equipped with a built-in Phrase Looper, MIDI, USB, and more
• Selectable buffered or true-bypass operation
• Runs on four AA-size batteries or PSA-series AC adapter
Twelve Delay Modes and Deep Editing
With the DD-500’s 12 delay modes, you can create any delay sound from warm, gritty vintage delays and tape echo to complex modern delay lines that employ pitch shifting, filtering, and other unique processing. With the hands-on knobs, it’s easy to shape essential parameters and create great sounds immediately. Each delay type also includes a semi-parametric four-band EQ, modulation, ducking, and many other parameters, allowing you to dive deep and refine tones with greater precision.
Sound Quality
In the DD-500, every delay mode has been carefully crafted for a unique sonic personality and highly musical tones at every setting, realized by high-powered DSP running at 32-bit/96 kHz. And while the DD-500’s delay effects are high-end digital, your straight guitar tone remains 100-percent analog at all times, with your choice of buffered or true-bypass operation. In addition to strengthening the analog dry signal, buffered bypass has the added benefit of enabling carryover, so delay trails are not cut off unnaturally when the effect is switched off.
Features for Stage and Studio Use
In the world of sophisticated delay stompboxes, the DD-500 looks fully featured in terms of practical usability. The large, integrated LCD fully supports the pedal’s many capabilities, giving you clear visibility of delay time, patch ID, and more on one screen, plus sane navigation for detailed parameter tweaks, naming, and system management. And via USB, it’s simple to connect to your computer for patch backup and MIDI control with your favorite DAW.
Real-Time Control
With its freely assignable controls, the DD-500 delivers impressive creative expression and performance flexibility. By default, the A, B, and TAP/CTL switches offer intuitive control for two patches, bypass, bank selection, tap tempo, and more. However, they can be customized to operate in alternate ways, such as providing top-level access to three different delay patches, or allowing you to use two patches at once for layered delay sounds. Instead of tap tempo, you’re able to assign the TAP/CTL switch to various real-time functions like Warp or Twist for a wide range of expressive effects. Even more parameters can be manipulated via an optional expression pedal or external switches, and MIDI I/O opens up many additional control options with advanced setups.
DD-500 Delay Modes
• Standard—Clear digital delay.
• Analog—Emulates classic analog “BBD” delays like the BOSS DM series.
• Tape—Emulates the warm sound of tape-based delay units, including the Maestro Echoplex and legendary Roland RE-201 Space Echo.
• Vintage Digital—Emulations of early digital delays from the 1980s, including Roland’s famous SDE-2000 and SDE-3000 rack units and the BOSS DD-2, the original stompbox digital delay.
• Dual—Two different delay lines that can be connected in series or parallel.
• Pattern—Sixteen different delay lines that can be set independently for all types of unique rhythmic effects.
• Reverse—Backwards delay for cool psychedelic effects and other unique tones.
• SFX—“Special effects” delay with a highly unique sound character.
• Shimmer—Pitch-shifted delays for lush, heavenly textures.
• Filter—Delay with a sweeping filter.
• Slow Attack—Ethereal delays that fade in with playing dynamics.
• Tera Echo—Spacious, animated ambience effect derived from the innovative BOSS TE-2 pedal.
