Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler

Great presets to get you started and the manual is very well laid out. You do need it to understand tweak and tweeze because they react differently depending on which model you're using. Even without the manual it's an easy unit to experiment with.

For my tastes, the DL-4 sounds awesome! Okay, it might not be exactly like the vintage units it emulates, but it's close enough for government work, and there are 15 different effects (not including the 14 second looper!) for God's sake. Each effect is very good to downright excellent and, except for the most anal audiophile, useable in any situation. While the looper only provides 14 seconds of sampling time, it still is enough for most applications and is too much fun. There is no extraneous noise, 2 and 1/2 seconds of delay time, and you can get pretty much any sound you want, need, or can imagine out of it. I use it with a Modulation Modeler and another Delay Modeler (one is a dedicated looper) and soon (as soon as they come out) a Distortion Modeler into a Line 6 Flextone XL. The DL-4's and MM-4 run through my effects loop. Yes, there are better delay units out there, but none as versatile or as affordable. But who cares what I have to say, check it out for yourself. 95% of you will love it!

I've mine for over 8 months with no problems and I use 'em all the time.

Easy to deal with via e-mail. Never tried to call 'em.

I've been playing psychedelic, folkadelic, and long drawn out repetitious jams for over 20 years and Line 6 stuff is made for that. In fact, some songs I started in the 1980's are still going on. Imagine that? I'd get the DL-4 again without hesitation (although I really want an Echoplex Digital Pro). I have been very impressed with all of Line 6's gear and the types of tones and effects they have chosen to replicate. Anyone who understands the psychedelic realm can't be all bad, can they? I've had many different effects over the years and the Line 6 stuff won't get traded in for something else (which I can't say about most of the other companies' products I've used-except Lexicon). The DL-4 doesn't have the sampling time of a Boomerang but it sounds better. It sounds way better than the Akai Headrush (noisy noisy noisy) and it's comparable to a JamMan only more portable (with more features). Like I said before, if you're considering one of these, get off your butt and check one out. I'd bet you'd buy one.

DL-4 is really easy to use. Especially I appreciate the possibility to tap the tempo! The only difficulty I have had with it get it fitted in to my floor board. DL-4 uses either batteries or 9 Volts AC. And I have a 9 Volts DC-power unit in my floor board! Darn AC/DC-problem! But I solved it: because DL-4 uses also batteries, it means it accepts 9 Volts DC too! I soldered plus and minus cables from my 9 Volts power unit to DL-4's battery conductors and voila, no extra power unit mounting or hassle with batteries needed!

Great!

I've used it only 6 months and only couple of gigs, but the metal cover feels quite sound to me!

I haven't needed.

I play some kinda modern guitar oriented rock with my two Les Pauls and Vox AC-30. DL-4 has opened a new world of delay to me and it would be hard to go back to Boss Digital Delay! Now I spend my gigs tapping tempos and choosing different modes of delays! Looking like a fool I guess!

The delays are very tweakable, so it can get complicated. Everybody would like a few more features, stored patches etc. but seems pretty amazing for the money. The loop sampler is easy to use.

The delays (and I'm not a big delay guy) sound very good. Some nice weird ones too. I am not a fan of digital modelling, but these delays sound perfectly natural to me. I think comparing them to the boxes they're modelled on is a waste of time. Very quiet.

The real reason, in my opinion, to buy this thing is the loop sampler. Amazing effects are possible (esp. with reverse, and half speed modes) but unlike with other effects your are creating effects in real time with YOUR sound. So as weird as things get they are still very organic in feel. If you play funk, jazz, anything with a lot of repetition, one chord jams, etc. this looper is SO useful. Also very good for composing and coming up with interesting guitar riffs. PLUS you can finally play all those cool James Brown/JB's twin guitar parts...by yourself. Or you can get a cool lick going, and drink a beer while it plays with the rest of the band.

looks tough.

If you like delays, this seems to be the best thing around short of vintage units. If you're even curious about looping, you won't be sorry you got this.

Pretty simple to use, alot easier than rackmounts or the more complicated multi-pedals. The loop sampler takes some playing to get the motions down, and the tweek and tweeze knobs do different things for each setting, that can be sort of weird to remember but they give you handy stickers you can put on your mom or whatever.

Sound quality is GREAT. The quietest (outside of simulation-noise) pedal I've used. I've never used tape echoplexes or any of that, but this is a good sounding year 2000 delay pedal.. and that's how I consider it. I don't really believe the modelling aspect, but if it's a versitle unit with some nice tones, that doesnt matter. I use it with a smaller marshall head and sometimes just with headphones, and it sounds fine.

Seems fairly sturdy. Would use without a backup.

Great website from these folks, I was checking out the online manual long before I actually got it. It would be cool if the unit was upgradeable, (perhaps a rom chip swap), but I'm not holding my breath.

I do all sorts of improv-rock-noise and toy with electronics and computers as well. Although most people will purchase this box for guitar, the loop sampler is GREAT for creating loops in any style.. I've played with some pretty warped AFX/Squarepusher/Autechre type loops utilizing Fender Rhodes, PC shareware Programs, cheesy drum machine, and even tapping an unplugged cord, anything besides a guitar. Heavy manipulation of reverse/half speed/delay time during the loop recording is your friend here. I was seriously desiring the old EH 16 sec delay but this thing does that kind of stuff, and great delays too! The loop sampler has inspired me to try all sorts of stuff, and will definitely be a focal point of my setup from now on.

Gripes: I often don't like the digital noises it makes on manipulation of the delay time during a delay.. its too digital and whacky when used too much. It makes a nice detune sound when used subtley, tho. They don't include a power supply, thats kinda cheap. But the optional one is a lump-in-the-middle.. much better then walwarts. And my last complaint is that theres no way to preset the loop sampler. One thing I would really dig is a variable control on the loop speed, as opposed to the half speed switch.

I'd HAVE to replace it, if it was ever lost or stolen.

It's main competitor for me was the Korg Modelling pedal (the white multi-one) which had some nice tones, but in the end I chose this because of its ability to sit with other single pedals well.

But all in all, its a great delay-loop effect. My dad calls it Fripp-in-a-box and I'd have to agree. Hey, anyone have any idea where it was made?

It is very easy to get a good sound out of it. Read the manual. It is probably one of the best manuals I've ever read. Very thorough. It is very easy to use considering all of its capabilities. Editing and storing patches are easy - hold one of three switches down for a few seconds until the LED flashes.

I use a 79 Strat through two pedalboards, two 4U racks, and A/B/C it to either a Line6 AxSys212 (AC-30 emulation only), a Fender Deluxe 85, and a Vox AC-15. I suppose it can be noisy (i.e. tape hiss) on the Echoplex or Space Echo emulations, but that's expected. This unit is insane. Everything sounds so great. My fav is the EH Deluxe Memory Man. I can acheive a great Edge tone, especially "New Year's Day."

Yes. I gig w/o a backup. I use this unit a lot. I manually manipulate the delay time to create "sampled" noises. I try to create sounds that you know you've heard but can't quite place. I abuse the delay time knob but it still works beautifully. It's sounded great since the day I got it, which was the first day it hit the stores. I can't even remember when that was.

Never had to deal with them. I hope I never have to.

The music I play really can't be classified. Musically, I suppose a critic might say we have Godspeed You Black Emperor!'s sense of dynamics and emotion, Radiohead's ... oddity/sonic experimentation, U2's melodicism/ambience, and Coil's weirdness. I've only been playing, oh ... 3 yrs. But like I said earlier, I don't play "conventional" guitar much. I am more like the band's sampler, creating noises you know you've heard but can't quite place. My personal fav is creating the sound of R2D2 having a series of panic attacks at random, as well as a choir of birds, submarine SONAR blips, jalopies, motorboats, helicopters, etc. I play a little bit of everything really: acoustic, neo-classical, ambient, trip-hop, etc. But mostly I view my job to create noise. After all, all music is simply the manipulation of sound and airwaves. So, I play a few notes and twist knobs for a few minutes. :-) I couldn't do what I do w/o this pedal! I would instantly buy it again if it got stolen. I love everything on this pedal. The sampler is really cool. I love its endless tweakability. There is really no other digital delay pedal on the market that even comes close! It can do more things than any of my Korg rack delay's can; however, the Korgs have more flexibility as far as modulation goes and sound-quality, IMO.

I can't complain here. It works like a delay should. All the controls are well thought out and clearly documented. The manual covers everything you need to know and there are even decals to help you remember what the tweak and tweez knobs do for each model.

Okay, this is where this pedal shines. No, its not the same as having the original effects that it models...but it is really close. If you are willing to tweak the knobs a bit you can get some really great recreations of the originals. I've owned an EP-3 echoplex, and I was able to dial in almost the all the sounds that I loved the EP-3 for (except the cool runaway feedback sound that you can get from a real echoplex) The best part is that there is no tape to break, or parts to keep oiled! Its incredibly quiet too. My old echoplex made a good bit of noise! Personally, I like the EP-3 model better than the EP-1 model. It just sounds more realistic to me! The other models are good too, I really like the volume swells that you can get with this unit. I've been able to get a very close recreation of a violin with this model. Thats almost worth the price alone. The sweep delay is pretty cool as well. I also can't say enough about the loop sampler. I've had more fun with this preset than all the others put together. Once you get the hang of which footswitch to hit...its a blast. You can even layer backward loops into the mix.
One thing (hey Line 6 are you listening?) There is a delay that can be placed before the loop sampler but its just a simple delay. You can't have the echoplex model and the loop sampler at the same time. It would be nice to have a firmware upgrade that would allow one delay model of your choice to be placed before the loop sampler.

It seems roadworthy, but I would'nt throw it in my bag of effects without some sort of protection. The knobs feel a little cheap, but they are recessed on the front panel at least. The switches feel a little soft as well. They just don't have the positive "click" that I'm used to. (like an old MXR pedal for instance)
At least the case is not plastic like the POD For what its worth, I could have done without the lime green paint job. The distortion modelers navy blue looks much nicer (hey Line 6...how about using glow in the dark paint for labeling the footswitches...this would be great on a dark stage!)
The other problem with the reliability is the fact that Line 6 decided not to include an AC adapter. They instead included a cheap set of 4 non alkaline "C" cell batteries. (the manual recommends that you use only alkalines) This is insane for a unit costing over $200.00, considering the fact that it eats batteries like candy!
If you buy this unit, be prepared to shell out another $25-$30 bucks for the power supply (9VAC 1200ma)

I've not had to deal with customer support. I did order the power supply from the Line 6 website with no problems though.
My guess is that you might do okay with these guys since they are still a smaller privately held company.

I play a little bit of everything so this unit is great for me. It has at least one delay for everyone! I use an '83 Fender elite Strat, a custom made strat with Seymour Duncan Texas Hot antiquity pickups as well as an Epiphone Sheraton II usually through a Peavey Classic 20 or an early '70's Fender Twin Master Volume. Ocasionally, I'll use a Crybaby wah, a Roger Mayer Octavia, and a MXR Phase 90.
I've been playing for about 15 years now. And this pedal has brought back some really cool memories! I'd have to replace it if it were lost or stolen, no question about it. As far as I can tell there is nothing else out there that can come close to this unit in terms of features. Its really been inspiring to call up some of these classic sounds and have them be reasonably close to the originals.
If you are looking for a reasonably priced quiet multi-function delay unit this is the jack of all trades!

For all that it does, pretty well laid out. There are stick-on labels that say what "Tweak" and "Tweez" are for each model; that's a big help.

I did a side-by-side between an Electro Harmonics Deluxe Memory Man and the DM4 model of it. The DM4 has 2.5 seconds of delay, vs. 1/2 second for the MM. The DM4 has a variable mod speed instead of a two position switch. But, the DM4 doesn't go into runaway feedback, which is one of my favorite effects with the MM. (The DM4 does runaway feedback with other models, though.) Also, the DM4 doesn't have the MM's Level knob, which lets you overdrive the echos.

For tone, the DM4 is a very good emulation, although the MM is a little bit "beefier" and "creamier". The DM4 seems to have a wider and maybe flatter frequency response; it comes off a little weaker and "unsaturated". It also seems a bit weak in the bass. The differences are not very big, though. There is some stepping in the DM4 when changing the delay time.

I'd get the real pedals if I could, but this is great for the price. Also, the Loop Sampler is a blast, expecially when you layer up overdubs recorded at different speeds.

This unit comes loaded with useful sounds right out of the box. I immediately utilized several sounds (dynamic delay, auto volume, filtered delays). So far as editing goes, you turn knobs, you like the sound? You keep the sound. Read the manual to LEARN how to utilize the tweak and tweeze knobs. The book is well written and will guide you through it.

I use this unit through 2 Fender Pro Juniors (retubed with Eurotubes, awesome sound from little amps). The stereo feature of the delay makes this set up quite nice. Guitars used are a Warmoth strat with EMG DG20 pickups, Ibanez AS200, Fender Mustang, Chapman Stick and effects are MXR Flanger, Phaser, up front. The delays qualify for usefullness, balancing wet to dry ratios is important with this unit. I subscribe to the "less is more philosophy" and the effects are lush so it can get slushy! You can get as "Spacey" as you like or "season to taste" with this unit. It is very quiet in operation, more so than the other effects I use. The dynamic delay setting and looper setting are my favorite settings with this unit.

This is where it gets touchy, I ordered the power supply for this unit, because it came without one, ridiculous for a unit costing this much. When I first used the power supply the unit shut off for some reason, a couple of times actually. I tryed using just the batteries and it worked fine, once I powered off everything and started all over with the power supply connected it worked fine and has done so up to now. For gigs this was a major set back, I would certainly have a back up delay of some sort just to be safe. Dependability is questionable.

I have had no contact with Line 6. Maybe I should e-mail them about the power glitch but the unit has been working fine so far.

I play ambient style music with a leaning toward experimental texturing. I have been playing for 15 years and have recently acquired a Chapman stick which works quite well with the rest of my gear. Before purchasing this delay unit I read the reviews extensively and found them to be very accurate. I considered the new T.C. Electronic D2 but for the price difference and variety of delays you can hardly go wrong with the DL-4. I would definitely replace the unit if it were lost or stolen. I am very impressed with the usefullness and especially the sound quality of the DL-4. You can do alot with this unit.

Fairly easy for how much this unit does, and it does a ton. {Do not
buy it if you think you're getting a built-in 'Boomerang'. This
is only 7 seconds, vs. 120 seconds for the 'Boomerang'- almost loops
an entire song.}

The unit is fairly quiet, but the sound is what I describe as
'sterile'. It is an amazing pedal for how much the engineers put
into it- a real award winner. I bought one when they 1st came out,
but for really warm echoes, with GREAT sound quality, it does not
compare to the SIB Echo Drive. See my comparison/review
of the Echo Drive under SIB.

I'm sure it is very reliable if you buy and use the optional
"mega" wall-wart. I would not use it on stage with internal batteries
alone for a full night.

I'm sure they would be fine- but have not needed customer support.

I spent a long time with back & forth comparisons to my old faithful
Boss DM-2. The real DM-2 sounds better, and has more control. The
Line 6 DL-4 is one heck of a 'jack-of-all-trades' unit. But the best
sounding and playing echo unit I have ever heard is the new
SIB Echo Drive. If you love rich and WARM delays, or hugh /cavernous
reverbish echos, you MUST try the 12AX7 Echo Drive! I own them both
now, and the Echo Drive is the one on the pedal board. Less features,
higher price, but way BETTER SOUND you can hear and feel as you play!
I am not knocking the Line 6- a lot of bang for the buck, indeed.
But I feel strongly that the Echo Drive is a superior-sounding unit.

I am re-submitting as it seems that my original submission has never been posted.

Very easy to get good sounds BUT get them before the gig. Except for delay time (thanks to the tap tempo feature)Tweeking params on the fly can result in unexpected sounds doe to the fact that you must capture the knob setting.

Here is my setup(s) Inknow it sounds like a lot but is is effective(no pun intended) for my needs. Large gig Custom Strat style or Les Paul ->Boss Compressor ->Expandora ->VooDoo Labs Chorus ->V.D.Labs Trem. ->V.D. Labs Micro-vibe ->Morley Bad Horsie Wah ->HOT CHILI TUBESTER DS-1 ->Ernie Ball Volume and Korg Tuner ->Line 6 DL-4 in FX loop of Fender DeVille or DeLuxe x2 or Mesa Subway Blues depending on size of the room.

So Far the Delay has performed like a thoroughbred. I use a Med. EP-1 sound for my main stay Then a multi head delay for country gigs or a modulated delay for more pop sounds and the last preset is a ducking delay for distorted sounds to avoid mud. I always spend some time before the gig to tune the sounds to the room.

I haven't had it long enough to say for myself, but several of my friends have line 6 products and report no problems.

Same as above. Line 6 has a stelar reputation for customer support. I e-mailed one time and got a response in 12 hours.

I use delay as part of my basic sound i.e. it is rarely if ever off. I tend to use about half or less reverb than one might for the tone I tend to use. In fact a bass player I worked with for the first time the other night commented on the clarity of my tone using this method. Because of this I need a really quiet, reliable ad most important a good soundidg delay line. The DL-4 is it.

I had to do a gig using only the DL-4 due to the physical size of the "stage Area (LOL)" and found that the Modulated delay sound could replace my chorus in a pinch. That alone is worth the price considering the E-H on which it is modeled goes for $40.00 less by its self.

I play a large variety of music in 2 regular bands plus pickups and casuals and I do some studio work, generally in small studios. This device has shortened my set up time increased the variety of sounds I can produce and even has my Keyboard player excited about the looping possibilities. (looping was not even a consideration for me in the decision to buy it.