Boss DD-20 Giga Delay Modes, Sound On Sound (Demo, Part 2)

[grahamardner]

Thanks @Penguinrock for all the informative videos. Just bought the DD-20 and am finding your tutorial/demo videos very handy. Keep up the good work!

[helloimkevin10]

I like the Boss DD-20 because it has pretty legit delay modes, but I don't like how the Sound on Sound doesn't allow you to record. But still, I would recommend this along with a Line 6 DL4

[U2935]

I can use the pan function for the song Pride(in the name of love) By U2 because the edge does pan the delay to the right i believe.

[XzevastianX]

Very useful, great video... I've just changed mi digital delay for the giga delay, so your two videos helped me a lot to understand the pedal, thanks.

By the way I do use the pan function check my looping videos they're recorded using the pan delay.

Great work!!

[rtosborne4]

Great video, man! I've had a DD20 for almost 2 years now and I still keep coming back to this video for new ideas. Thanks for posting!

[Kurayami00]

Hey i bought this Pedal too, i have a question. How can i switch beetween two memorie channels, if i wanna switch from the 1 to 2 and back to 1 ?

[penguinrock]

@Divad435

Cheers, mate!

[divad435]

Thanks dude (all the way from Australia). All of your videos are spot on and straight to the point. And you've convinced me to sell my EH Memory Man with Hazarai and get one of these!

[BobSince1981]

Thanks Nick. I'll try it. I scared the crap outta my son accidentally with it being too loud.

[penguinrock]

@BobSince1981

Simply have the Level knob set to the desired volume. I prefer the deafening-loud oscillation myself when I use it (which is not often).

[BobSince1981]

Nick, any idea on how to make the Twist self oscillate not super deafening loud?

[penguinrock]

@miso5554

The SOS feature is definitely the biggest minus of the DD-20. I get a lot of questions from people who are really hung up on it. There are so many different things that people want to do with looping, which is fantastic because they're visualizing how to achieve certain musical goals, but unfortunately the DD-20's looping seems like an afterthought. I would encourage anyone to check out Boss's RC line (RC-3, RC-20) or the Digitech JamMan.

[miso5554]

Man I gotta tell you... YOU gave me a lesson!!! (read youre manual dude) I have this pedal for many years now, but I really did not know a lot of stuff there... THANK YOU! I wish there is someone to explain RC 50 this precisely...

PS. you forget to mention the bigest minus of the SOS feature...

[Seanbobification]

you know what your talking about man thanks

[grant64822002]

great job dude thanks so much

[lorenzorun]

thank's a lot for this vid !! very useful :-)))

[DoloLLC]

cool demo. I just picked up this pedal to try out. this will help

[elgeneralputo]

I´m hoping you still read comments sent to this video.. Nick, I know there must be a way to completely turn off the delay when one presses the ON/OFF switch. I mean, you must have noticed that when you are using the delay and "turn OFF" the pedal the delay actually continues to play in the background (if you have the feedback knob set to less than infinity/maximum). I want to have the possibility to shut down the delay completely when i turn the DD20 off. Do you know how to set it to do this?

[penguinrock]

@elgeneralputo

I just went through the entire DD-20 manual to see if it could cut off delay repeats instantly, and it appears that the pedal does NOT have this option. You could, however, implement a true-bypass looper with the DD-20 to kill the repeats.

[rocketsum]

Yes, I'm awesome!!!

[0110101001101010]

Hey, quick question; I'm planning on buying this pedal soon and just wanted to know if it was possible to pause the 'SOS' loop, and then replay it from the start? Thanks!

[HonourableGrimWilly]

If one remains in SOS mode after recording a loop and disengages using the on/off pedal (not holding it as for overdubs) this will kill the loop. If one re-engages, never having left the SOS mode, said loop will begin playing again, correct? For example recording a loop and being able to play and stop it multiple times in a song, say for the chorus etc.

[dsbstumpy]

thanks

[SuperBernardshakey]

fuckin a, no other review has ever convinced me to buy a pedal more than this one did. probably heading down to guitar center tomorrow... thanks man.

[benoncambie]

please give me one example where twist mode would be musical and/or good. I'm baffled.

[thestateradio]

can you play something in a delay or reverse and loop it?

[theShowStopper321]

There are new digital/analog hybrids that keep your entire dry signal and inputs and outputs analog, and only the actual effect is digital. I'm going to go with one of those instead of a pedal that digitizes everything. I don't know if its true, but for me I don't think digitals capture dynamics and intricacies of playing as naturally as analog.

[penguinrock]

@theShowStopper321

If you can swing $500, try the Pigtronix Echolution. Digital brain with analog input/output buffers. It sounds AMAZING.

[Kittani1977]

@theShowStopper321 Ahh, the age old struggle between digital and analog... the fallout from the wars of the 80's digital explosion. I would love it if I could afford analog... I can always smooth out the digital blockiness in post processing.

[mtrondson]

I bought this pedal with no hesitation after watching your demonstration. I find this way demo way more helpful than any other review. I wish you would do a video like this for the Boss OD-20 Drive Zone, I've been considering buying it. I've got two questions though.. Are you running this through the amp input or through the effects loop? Can this pedal sound like my MXR Carbon Copy? Would it make sense to keep both delays on board? Thanks!

[penguinrock]

@mtrondson

It's in the effects loop. Watch my brand new video "The Effects Loop: A Practical Guide" for tips on how to easily hook it up.

The Analog mode on the DD-20 would probably be your best bet for trying to make it sound like an MXR Carbon Copy... Or the Modulate mode if you're going after the Carbon Copy's modulation. If you love the sound of both delay pedals, then go for it! I keep two delays (including the Boss Space Echo) on my board and use them equally for different things.

[TerryLittleMusic]

I use the pan function in my Boss GT-6. Nice to know it's here. Any way to flip between modes with one of the stomp pedals?

[penguinrock]

@TerryLittleMusic

Flipping through modes with the pedals can't be done... You must use the Mode dial. Your best bet would be to have different delay modes saved into memory to keep some variety available on the fly.

[robbsmithx26]

Hi, I´m interested in buy a DD20, specifically for the twist mode, because I use it in some solos, but my question is: is there a way to modify that function in the DD20 for making the oscilation goes only from top to bottom? I mean, from up to down?

[penguinrock]

@robbsmithx26

The oscillation in the twist mode systematically moves up (by increasing the rate and feedback functions), and then down (by decreasing those functions) when the pedal is released. Can't have one without the other, but that's a wicked cool idea.

[excsad]

great video! thank u so much!

[fiddleman97]

so you cant record with delays real time??? when you loop?? YOu record dry?? That kinda sucks. So most people have to buy a delay pedal and a looper to achieve "ghost" by Howie Day?? Just curious

[colab4life]

is there a way to set the delay to where it doesnt carry on after the pedal it turned off??

[penguinrock]

@colab4life

I just went through the whole manual... I don't think it can be done with the DD-20. It CAN be done with the Line 6 DL4 (as much as I hate to admit it because I absolutely hate that pedal!).

[theShowStopper321]

@penguinrock Is modulate using digital or the analog-voiced?

[egin3]

Awesome video... helped me out quite a bit... Big THANKS!!!!

[hug0m4gr0]

hello. thanks for this video, really helped.

I have a question: can this pedal hold a sound? Like you were playing with any mode and press the pedal and it just holds that sound in that mode (like in mode reverse for, example)?

Thank you

[123jebs]

how do i shorten the delay time? for example when i strum a chord..... it goes on for too long> thanks so much

[SignoRacing111]

hi, only a question: for use the "sound on sound" i need of two amps or not?? thanks

[penguinrock]

@SignoRacing111

No, you do not need two amps for the Sound On Sound to work.

[zenocomplex]

As for the pan mode:

I am a synthesizer player, not a guitarist. I find that using a panned delay can be very nice in recordings, but I tend not to use it in live settings because I usually only hook up to one output live. If you make a recording through the pedal in stereo, though, your instrument (guitar, synth, whatever) will "surround" the listener, but in a different way than would a reverb effect, for instance.

May not be too useful live, but it's stil a very useful function.

[zenocomplex]

As for the pan mode:

I am a synthesizer player, not a guitarist. I find that using a panned delay can be very nice in recordings, but I tend not to use it in live settings because I usually only hook up to one output live. If you make a recording through the pedal in stereo, though, your instrument (guitar, synth, whatever) will "surround" the listener, but in a different way than would a reverb effect, for instance.

May not be too useful live, but it's stil a very useful function.

[blaznphish]

when i hold my twist it gets really loud. how do i keep it at a constant volume

[penguinrock]

@blaznphish\

Try turning down the Level control.

[mikeyfatstrings]

i'm awesome??? YOU'RE awesome.

most helpful video on youtube!

[posiedonpowertrio]

I have used stereo before for a pink floyd run like hell and acid sound i should put a video up on it soon

[posiedonpowertrio]

Can you make a video with distortion using this?

[posiedonpowertrio]

Is this noisy with distortion?

[penguinrock]

@posiedonpowertrio

If you're asking about the pedal itself, I'd say no. BUT, keep in mind how you keep your rig set up. I'm running a 100-watt tube amp (VHT Pittbull) and I keep one of its channels CRANKED on gain. Then the preamp signal is going through all of my pedals and cables inside the effects loop. Needless to say, with something like 8 pedals to go through, it's very easy for your signal to pick up noise. I bought an ISP Decimator G String noise reduction pedal to clean things up.

[posiedonpowertrio]

I am stuck between this and the ve-20 vocal proccessor but i'm not sure what i should get. If you could look at my rig(i have a video) and then see if i should get one. I have a me-50 but i want to use the me-50 for modulation and distortions. would this be a good delay or is there a better one out there

[penguinrock]

@posiedonpowertrio

I'm not familiar with the ME-50 at all. It probably has delay on it, but won't give you the features and flexibility like the DD-20. Better delay pedals? I love the Pigtronix Echolution and the Moogerfooger Analog Delay, but my tastes are rather... expensive. The DD-20 is probably the best bang-for-the-buck unit out there.

[closeenoughnow]

Nick, this demo is absolutely fantastic. I've had this pedal for a year or more and i haven't even scratched the surface of what it can do. Immense thanks to you.

[bxc1986]

thanks so much for this video, i've been trying to decide between the dl-4 and the dd-20 and i am sold now on the dd-20

[zemguitarist]

Thanks NIck for the demo...very helpful. Went and saw Phil Wickham this past weekend for the first time. He used one of these running his acoustic through it. Unbelievable the way he used the pedal. Went up to the stage after the concert checked it out and ordered one the very next day. Cant wait to get into it more depth...thanks again!

[ThatDonovanKid]

i use the pan. i play in my church's praise band and usually have one output to my amp and the other straight to the pa system. which my amp is mic'd to go through anyway. it's a pretty cool effect.

[unctarheel11]

awesome vid. thanks so much! I have had this pedal for a while and never had the time to really go through all of the incredible features

[kubapysz]

Great demo, especially for all the unconvinced. I have been using the pedal for some time already.

A useful hint from me: if you use modulation delay with delay time set to minimum i.e. 5ms, you will basically get interesting modulation effect with adjustable mix, depth and speed. It does work well!

[penguinrock]

Excellent, thanks for the tip!

[funancio]

Great review!

[fahrigonzo]

RE-20 next to the beast. beasts side by side!

[jonfender123]

could this work to play Pink Floyd and Tool type stuff

[Thurlbeck121]

Was thinking of buying this pedal, probably will thanks to this vid, very useful :)

[mylifeintheaquarium]

dude thank you for posting these videos. they were very insightful.

[firebenji1976]

Great video

[civtrx]

I've really been struggling to swap my shotty DL4 for a DD-20, and you've completely confirmed my decision to make the switch!

Thanks for your great review and putting in your time.

Cheers,

Craig M.

[Slapthestickcomedies]

I have this pedal... Its amazing!!!

But I have a question: why are you hitting it so hard when you press down the pedal? It is easy to press down...

[penguinrock]

Haha...!

I was sitting right next to my camera in a rather awkward and uncomfortable position so as not to bump it. I suppose my balance (or lack thereof) made it so that I had to stomp on it pretty hard. That probably didn't make sense, but it's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

[HiggsFenderU2]

Great review!!! Modulate is the best. (Especially in the field of U2!!!) I'm getting a DD-20 for christmas, Lol. Later, Matt

[dilligaf1942]

anyone know if this would be good for angels and airwaves delay? (used in songs such as the adventure)

[penguinrock]

Sure, this pedal would be great for that. I'd suggest the Tape or Analog modes. Here's how to get the rhythmic pattern for the opening riff of that song (I had to find it online to listen to it), there are 2 ways to do it:

Set the tempo type to Dotted Quarter Note, and tap out the tempo in eighth notes.

Set the tempo type to Dotted Eighth Note, and tap out the tempo in quarter notes.

The second way would be easier to do.

[dilligaf1942]

thanks dude. there's a big Boss sale on this weekend where I live, so i'll go check out if they have this. i love most of the angels and airwaves songs and most of them make use of delay, plus i'd like it in our bands originals. thanks

[natesimonsen]

Thanks Nick, you rock the socks man, this helped my dd-20 and I take it to the next level.

[azharkamal]

thank you nick. i use the gigadelay myself and did not stumble over the rate depth feature on modulate. good insight ful video. drop by on my site. it is full of gigadelay too, though less explanatory than yours.

[jwcanfield82]

Watched both of your DD-20 videos. Very nice job of explaining. I've had mine for about 2 years and have yet to use it to its full potential and definitely learned a lot of new things. Thank you for taking the time to teach others.

[claweight]

What a great demo...thank you very much.

[ansiaaa666]

yours are some of the very best demos I've found on youtube!

[eggnog4073]

wow you answered all my questions! Thanks!

[mhiof]

hey mannn! loved the video. purchasing a dd20 very soon. I was just wondering how does the control pedal work when u have it set to be tab delay? For example if your running on a delay thats in the memory do you just start taping the control pedal to switch to that tempo?

[penguinrock]

Yes. As long as your pedal is set up properly for an FS-5U to work as a tap (watch Part 1), you can just start tapping the tempo in whenever you want, even if the pedal is off. This is a HUGE reason why I chose the Boss DD-20 over a Line 6 DL4.

However, the external control pedal doesn't do anything when the DD-20 is switched for Sound-On-Sound.

[mhiof]

awesome man. thanks for the quick answer.

btw i love your shirt in the video.

i freakin love beloved.

i wish they never broke up

[izzyboy24]

whats the difference between tape delay and analog delay

[penguinrock]

The tape delay is modeled after the Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape delay box. You have the option of using either one or two "tape heads" for repeats, and there is some additional reverb mixed in. When the two tape heads are used, you can hear some modulation as a result of the repeats working against each other.

The analog delay is modeled after Boss's own "legendary" DM-2 delay pedal, which has a characteristically warm sound.

[izzyboy24]

i dont use the pan coz,i dont know how to use it..hehehe

[penguinrock]

Haha... I hope I explained it well enough?

[izzyboy24]

well enough bro!hehehe..by the way, is the dual setting can set to a two types of delay?if is?how can i do that?and is there any settings where i can gain more level volume to achieve high level of delay?thanks dude

[penguinrock]

Dual mode doesn't let you set two different TYPES of delays, just a long and short digital delay. Refer to 3:11 in the video...

As far as the volume level of delays go, just turn the Level knob up. If you're on a saved setting, you may need to tweak the knob around a few times to get it to respond. There isn't a way to get the delays to be louder than your guitar (or shut out the guitar completely to get only repeats), but you can set the pedal's output to +4 db (shown in my other video).

[izzyboy24]

ok dude thanks and nice video you are the live manual..lol..in what church are you playing?i also played in church regularly sunday,what country are you ?we use to play lincoln brewster citipointe tomlin and a lot of christian band..what about you?

[hawklord2112]

i use the pan feature on my EHX stereo memory man - again it ping pongs the echoes left/right. i dont tend to play guitars through my effects but link em all in together to make weird noises.

using the pan feature means i can take part of the input sound and apply one effect to it , and take the other part and apply another effect..