BOSS SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay

I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing and demoing a LOT of Delay pedals over the years, and the folks at BOSS have always pushed the boundaries of what the genre is all about. Whether it’s their commitment to pushing the sonic boundaries of echoes, or reviving long-gone units from decades past, there’s always something in the mix for every type of player or instrumentalist out in the world. Today, we’re looking at their latest delay creation, the SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay, which conjures up memories of the amazing Roland SDE-3000…let’s go for a ride, shall we?

Grab an SDE-3 Delay from Sweetwater – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/K0qEAA

The SDE-3 fuses vintage digital character and wide-ranging versatility into one unique and inspiring BOSS compact pedal. Experience the genuine sound and core features of the Roland SDE-3000, an iconic ’80s-era rackmount delay favored by some of the most influential guitarists of all time. Flow into any creative setup with a slate of modern features. And twist the powerful Offset control to explore an array of colorful dual-delay textures.

Introduced in 1983 by Boss’ parent company Roland, the SDE-3000 is revered for its beautifully rich sound and distinctive modulation. The coveted SDE tone was realized through a finely tuned digital engine and the non-linear behaviors of the supporting analog circuitry, including magnetic saturation in the anti-alias filter, evolving modulation produced by the components of the time, and an altered triangle LFO shape. The SDE-3 brings the authentic vibe of this classic delay to a pedalboard-friendly BOSS compact, enhanced with innovative creative features for every musical style.

Dripping with warmth and musicality, the SDE-3 elevates your tone with endlessly evocative delay sounds. The efficient panel provides the primary controls of its vintage benchmark—including delay time, feedback, and independent rate and depth knobs for the modulation—plus additional knobs that expand your sonic potential. Explore retro single delays and ’80s-style mod/delay combos. Or tweak the mod and high-cut controls to conjure moody, atmospheric tonalities for ambient, chill, and lo-fi music.

Stereo delay is probably my favorite effect, and the SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay brings it right to the forefront of your sound. With a nice, wide sonic spectrum, the playfulness between two amps here is mesmerizing, creating a huge wash of sound that enhances and delights any eardrums that it happens to catch. Plus, with that classic BOSS construction, you know you can just beat the hell outta this one, and it will still work in roughly 1,000 years. Be sure to snag one from our friends at Sweetwater HERE, and don’t forget to check out our demo below – have a great Super Bowl Sunday, all!!