Boss DM-2 Analog Delay

easy to use.

i think the key to this pedals intrinsic value is that its a tone thickener.
of course it delays, but due to the subtle and decaying nature of the repeats, it also thickens your tone..a lot.
Another pedal that does this is the boss ce-2..perhaps even more so.
people just buy these off ebay, and i think thats plain 'asking for trouble.'
One of the other reveiwers has pointed out that the trimmers inside the dm-2's are being messed with, and subsequently ruining the pedal. He is correct.
The trimmers have a green sludge which holds them to the factory position. If you have one of these pedals where the trimmers have been moved...well, i pity you mate.
The pedals sound will become thin and lifeless.

I think these pedals were painted with soft paint. The dm-2's paint job doesnt fare well, even with careful treatment.
Some boss pedals have hard paint, some soft.
So, even if your dm-2 looks like its been to war, i reckon it probably hasnt.
I wouldnt go dropping it...
having said this, my feeling is that this pedal will last longer than i will anyway.

"ever get an upgrade" is the question this webpage is asking me now.

There IS no upgrade for this pedal.

if you slag off this pedal, then you are a moron.
go back to your tight pants and wig haircut.


By the way...DO NOT CHANGE THE FACTORY TRIMPOT SETTINGS!

Very easy to use. Nothing to it. Of course, it is a one trick pony: there is no tap-tempo, there aren't different modes, no backwards repeats, no looping, no long delay times, it is not stereo, not true bypass, there are no output controls, nadda. Just a basic analog echo. Plain & simple. 3 knobs. Does one thing.

Well, I have read many a review about my favorite pedal (and favorite TYPE of pedal). I bought mine new in the 80's when I was a kid. It was my 1st effect (I had the money for two or three effects - and decided to spend it all on one analog delay - yea that's right, the DM-2 was expensive even then). My parents were pissed. :-)

I remember A/B-ing it with an Ibanez AD-9 at the time and preferred the DM-2. It has been with me at every gig I have ever played in my life except for the last year or two when I was trying out some other analog delays (more on this below).

What to say... it was the only thing available then - "no moving parts" was the catch phrase of the time. I always thought it sounded lush and beautiful. I used it a lot. Probably overused it many times.

When digital delays came out and everyone was running around yelling about how much better they were I was VERY surprised at how much I DIDN'T like them. I thought the repeats were cold and hard (as opposed to soft and warm of the analog - not just the DM-2, but all analog delays). I also did not like how the "exactness" of the digital repeats interfered with the notes being played in real time.

Analog delays have a tone that is NOT precise. Each repeat is "decayed" a bit more than the one before it. I very much prefer that. Many people like the precision of a digital delay to get that "Run Like Hell" (Pink Floyd) slap back or a sort if U2-ish HiFi thing (although the Edge did use an analog Memory Man much of the time).

The Boss DM-2 has a very warm yet clear sound. To compare the DM-2 to other delays (I am a delay junky and currently own or have owned: Boss DM-3, Maxon AD-9, Ibanez AD-9, Maxon AD-80, Ibanez ADL, Arion SAD-1, Line 6 Delay Modeler, DOD FX-96, original Electro Harmonix Memory Man):

The repeats are no where NEAR as clear or bright as any digital unit I have tried, but have more treble than any of the Ibanez or Maxon units (which are warmer overall). The Boss DM-2 is a bit brighter than the Maxon Ibanez pedals, but still analog sounding. Since the repeats are brighter on the DM-2 you can set the overall delay level lower while still hearing the percussiveness of the repeats. With the Ibanez/Maxon units the repeats are noticeably warmer with less high end. But since that equals "less audible" in the mix, you can turn (or "must" turn) the delay level higher to get the delays to be as audible in the mix. When you do that you have "more" delay overall, especially in the mids and lows. So the Maxon/Ibanez delays can sound a bit richer in some ways, while the Boss Delays (both the DM-2 and DM-3) are more "audible" with less delay. I hope that makes sense. The Boss is more "watery". The Ibanez/Maxon is more "soupy".

Ironically, the delay that sounds the closest to my ears (other than the DM-3 which is REAL close) is the Arion SAD-1. The Arion is a bit brighter than the Boss. Even more "watery". But very much in the ballpark. Too bad the pedal itself is a cheap piece of garbage.

The Ibanez ADL is a bit lower quality sounding (not in a good way), but still closer to the DM-2 than the AD-9 or AD-80 are. Definitely not a bad delay at all. Well worth the money.

The DOD FX-96 was a joke (IMHO). WAAAY too low quality and not musical. Same thing with the EH Memory Man. I know people love em, but I couldn't STAND it. Real weak and low quality sound as far as I'm concerned. The Boss, Ibanez, Maxon, & Arion units all smoke both of them to my ears.

The Line-6 DL4 (the green Delay Modeler) I eyed for a few years before taking the plunge and buying one. True bypass, tap tempo - I was ready to leave my beloved DM-2 home in safety. But, not so fast. The modeling is OK, but no cigar. There is an audible "digitization" to the signal that, when A/B-ing with the DM-2 or AD-9 drove me crazy. Onto eBay it we

Oh my god. Well let's see..... It has been at 99% of all the gigs, practices and auditions I have ever played in my LIFE (since I was a kid)!

It has fallen, been kicked, stomped on, dropped, had beer spilled on it, you name it. For a few years there it wasn't on a pedal board and I just threw it and a tube screamer, loose, in a gig bag (what the hell was I thinking). Both got HORRIBLY banged up and chipped, scuffed, scarred, etc. The Tube Screamer stopped working. The DM-2 continues to work exactly the same as the day I bought it. I think the same is true for all Boss pedals.

Never needed it.

I play psychedelic, jamband, funky world music. Have pro gear. Have traded in almost all of my old Boss effects with newer True Bypass effects. Not here. The DM-2 is one of three or four "buffered bypass" effects I will still use. There is no replacement. It sounds the best to my ears.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

I absolutely HAD to mention this. There are some people who adjust the internal trim pots inside the unit to "tweak" the delay time (make it a TINY bit longer). I have bought several DM-2's on eBay that had been ruined (yes... "ruined") because of how difficult it is to get those trim pots back to their original positions. Near impossible. Boss does NOT do it. You need a special scope to do it properly. I had at least three units that came in with thin harsh repeats. One unit that had almost no wet signal. Boo.

If you want a long delay, get a digital. These analog delays are for short slap back type repeats.

There is also an issue with the "ray gun" or "runaway feedback" you get when you set the "intensity" level (repeat #) all the way up on CERTAIN units. There was a time where the DM-2 was NOT calibrated for it (I think the mid period).

Some people try to "tweak" the repeat amount to get it happening. Not a good idea. You need a scope to adjust those pots right. Again, although it is a good "novelty" freakout thing, it is NOT WORTH RUINING A CLASSIC PEDAL FOR.

MY Maxon AD-80 doesn't do it, but other AD-80's do. Oh well. That is NOT what I want the pedal for. I want analog echo.

BEWARE when buying analog delays on eBay. Many of these DM-2's & DM-3's are damaged goods. And EXPENSIVE. I got a MINT condition, not a scratch or ding on it, in the box DM-2 with all the manuals, stickers, etc. Time Capsule. BUT.....as soon as I plugged into it I realized the trim pots had been adjusted to do the space ship sounds and the pedal was fucked.

I tried to re-set them by comparing the positions to my favorite DM-2 (original one), but to no avail. The pedal could NOT be made to sound like the beautiful, rich untampered with one. It was weak, thin, and anything but useful. It wasw SO frustrating. I returned it (which sucked because othewise it was a total time capsule). Please don't perpetuate this. There are only a finite # of these "bucket brigade" delays out there. Let's not make the matter even worse.

Sorry for preaching but I just needed to say that.

I now have a few backup DM-2's that sound exactly like my original one. ;-)

It may not be the delay for you. Try before you buy.

Really easy to use, nothing to it.

Sounds like an analog delay pedal, ie crappy muffled bandwidth - so what. This makes it the "best delay pedal ever" "the holy grail" "sell your balls to get one". These self-fulfilling prophecies just drive the prices up to insane levels. Like the overrated TS-9 tube screamer, the 3-bolt neck Strat and the silver-face Fender amps, it was all you could get years ago because that was all was available. We cried out for something better. Now they are cool and retro??? Please.

It's an analog delay for chrissakes.

Ultra-simple to set up and operate!

I have always loved the sound of this pedal. Use it with Strats and Teles through a Reissue Deluxe or original 65 Super Reverb.
This is my second one. My first DM-2 was stolen after I had gigged with it for 22 years. I missed this pedal so much and didn't realise how really great it was til it was gone. Lucky to have found another one. A friend who runs a local music store let me trade a Boss CE-5 Chorus and a DD-6 Digital Delay(which I had NO USE for)even up for it. He could have gotten a couple hundred off of eBay for this so I was really happy. I basically begged him to let me have it!

I expect this to outlast me.

Maybe not an issue because all their pedals are really well built..

I've playing for 30 years. Play out 4-6 times a month. I finger pick a lot so Fender guitars and amps are my favorite. I tried to enjoy playing with a "replacement" DD-6 Delay, but it didn't do anything for me. Too clean, too precise. I own an Echoplex and the DM-2 sounds pretty much just like it. The DM-2 has been with me since 1982. I've never depended on any other pedal more!

Yes..mine WAS stolen and I DID replace it as soon as I could..I HAD TO!

peice of cake, tho i use one of the knobs to get the weirdest sounds out of it. i like to push it up high and then hit my tremelo, and with the delaey knob in one hand and the tremelo speed in the other start tuning in tokyo. the most bent sounds i have ever heard. don't use too much overdrive when doing this, the sound chokes. the delay has the best retarded-dolphin sounds out there. just don't blow it up/fry it like i did, 'cos you'll have to make do with not-as-cool pedals till you can get it fixed!!! after all that tho' you do have to fool round with it to make it do what you want. worth it tho!!

i run my firebird/mustang/white falcon/ricki through a heap of pedals: tuner-baez overdrive-curtis overdrive (the baez is a aussie made custom little muff kinda thing, the curtis is like an original tube screamer, custom made over here in aussie..) then thru a early boss chorus-mxr phase 90, smallstone, old flanger, octaver, ibanez analog delay boss dd-5 digital delay, purple dunlop tremelo, bass wah and then into an old 0range 120 watt head thru my custom half cab. when i get the dm2 fixed i'm gonna get it off the floor and tape it to my guitar. more freedom then to bend heads with!!! i love my whole setup and usually have about 5 pedals i've nicked from mates to fool around with on the side of my regular set up. the dm-2 sounded great thru my old re-201 tape echo. why the hell did i sell that? oh yeah, the dm-2 kicked it ass!!! and the tape echo whs too unreliable. at the end of the day the dm2 is probably my most favoured effect i've got! doesn't hiss around either.

i fried it somehow, now it smells like a blown-up slot car or something. there's a guy here in melbourne who'll fix it tho. an ex-girlfriend's brother gave me the pedal for free (as in happy birthday) i was just like cool, old crappy purple delay for free. when i found out what it was and how good it sounded i was stunned. so reliability isn't %100. trying to make do with an old analog ibanez delay, but i doesn't cut the mustard. can't wait till it's alive again. it was a big part of my signature sound, so i really wan't this little beast back.

never dealt with boss. i get all my stuff secondhand. not into new gear really.

the is the most inspirational little pedal. if anyone out there says pedals shouldn't make u write songs/a good song can be played onto an acoustic/don't rely on gimmicky sounds/ra ra ra, then they should find one of these and go nuts. i did. i'm a huge late 70's early 80's nut, so this does all that weird post-punk shite, like the cure/echo and the bunnymen, really dark cool stuff. anyone else out there into this kinda stuff? overdrives and volume are cool, but delays and modulations are where it's at i reckon... thanks for reading my ramblings...

you could operate this pedal blindfolded.

If you want an old sckool/dubby/atmospheric echo vibe - this pedal is THE SOUND IN YOUR HEAD, but could never quite find.I can't give it a ten - noone wants their atmsophere pristine. I run it in line with an AKAI headrush in delay( which are excellent, takes some tinkering - but worth it) to get the low fi and the ultra modern pristine layered up.

If after 22 years doing the same thing I was still as rocking like this pedal I want a ten too.

BOSS

Sell your testacles, sell your surgeons testys - find it, buy it.
I have alot of cool FX, mostly of the same type - delays,tremeloes - reverbs.,., but I always just have this and the guitar when I'm playing mellow at home. The DM2 bottom line.

Easy to figure out, hard to master....

I use an american tele and fender amp. Some people here say this pedal sucks, and to that I reply, you either aren't the type of person who plays music for this kind of equipment, or you didn't give it enough room to breathe. When playing this pedal, you should keep it right at the point of self oscillation, and use the dynamics of your picking to either create the "smudge" or the crazy synthesizer feedback. If you can get on top of the feedback wave you can ride the tone and then "tune" the feedback to be a warbly chord against your melody. It is an extremely subtle thing, but once you master it, people will be asing you "where are your analog synths?". Then you show them the DM-2 and watch them look at you like you are a nutcase or something.

Boss, reliable, tank.

I think that this is one hell of a delay pedal. Once you figure out the subtleties of it, is will grow on you and pretty soon it will be your main weapon in your sonic arsenal. I have recorded songs where my wife has gotten pissed thinking I went out and bought a hammond. For real, this thing is more like an analog synthsizer with an lfo than a delay. Once you master it, that is.

I bought this yesterday in Mellbourne, Australia. It took me a few seconds to get a fookin great sound out of it. It came in the box and is in great condition.

Im using it through a fender 4'10 Deville, playing a vintage jazzmaster combined with an mxr distortion(these 2 sound great together), jim dunlop rotovibe, Wah, boss pitchshifter delay ps2, and a line 6 delay modeller. The pedal doesnt affect my tonal settings at all (very rare in many pedals)I can pull the sounds ive been hanging to get for a long time, eg The Doves, Coldplay, Pink Floyde!

Haven't had enough experience with it yet, but its a boss. Strong as a tank!

Haven't had a problem yet!

An incred find. Searched for one of these all over the world and the only place I found one was in LA at the guitar centre for $300 US. The best music stores in London, New York and New Orleans hadn't seen one for a long time. The day I got back to Melb I found it in a pawn store for $60 Australian ( app $40 US)The most amazing delay pedal I have ever heard! Soooo easy to right songs now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Initially the DM-2 takes some time to get around as the controls are quite sensitive. But after a while you get comfortable with it. Still with 3 control knobs, you can't go wrong.

The DM-2 is very warm and you can achieve those great 70's-styled echos and is in no way noisy (but I've had mine recently serviced by a friend). I also love the fact that the delay is slightly inaccurate and is not exactly perfect. So if you love pristine sounding digital delays, I would advise to steer clear of the DM-2 as you will definitely HATE it.

Very reliable. It's an old Boss pedal, what more needs to be said.

Never bothered

If it was stolen or lost I would be most unhappy as these pedals go for absolutely insane amounts on ebay. There are many doubters out there (probably Pod and Line 6 owners!) who sneer at "vintage", but put simply the DM-2 is one of the best delay out there. The more modern digital delays out there just sound way too clean and for a lack of a better word, polite! And who wants to sound like that?

Very easy to use compared to today's very complicated multi-tap, midi-synced effects. The DM-2, apparently uses all analogue circuitry.

A very mild and warm delay pedal. The overall sound is buttery smooth,simple the feedback is very natural...believe the hype. While tape echo is more often used as a multi-tap delay the DM2 sounds exactly like a space echo in single delay mode.The feedback has a way of adding odd harmonics to the signal..creates many natural overtones...similar in many ways to roland's RE series tape echo. When you turn the knobs you get a very smooth transition...very small increments can have a profound effect on the delay, go too far, too fast and the thing will create bizarre alien landing fx and screeching. Use it for anything, piano, vocals, fx, guitar... not JUST a guitar pedal. It has a bit of noise I guess, never a problem. The feedback loop that can be created is reminiscent of old reggae dub records- it is a very special sound.

Ultra-reliable! Bought mine used back around 89' for about 50$, it was all beat up...has been around the block and more...takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'.

If Roland would only make more analogue gear like they used to the world would be a better place,

I also have the chorus echo re301, digital reverb srv3030. Even though the re301 sounds t similar to the Dm-2, the dm-2 has no tape warble and is more reliable- but it still can't replace the space echo's spring reverb and mutlitap delays. The dm-2 has been with me for years...the little pedal goes with any style.