Roland SDD-320 Dimension D

EASE BEYOND BELIEF

STUNNING.........but the sdx330 can mimik it and more 110%

seems solid

?

i think to be frank the sdx330 is a better buy , its really close in sound and actually much better in many ways.

If you can't push a button, you have bigger issues at stake..... 4 settings- chorus, more chorus, even more chorus, and most chorus.... BUT you can push multiple button combos for some mojo fun!

Mono to stereo mode really sounds wonderful!

FIRST to the reviewer below, No comparison. Period. This thing is amazng. The best stereo chorus ever.... Hands down. Sounds great with EVERYTHING! Of course only if used right- fully wet or mixed with a send. Each setting has a different feel and I use them all! It really depends on the individual source.

This is where it gets a 12. Its a tank. The buttons push like someone cared during R&D. Just a pleasure to use. Its what? 25 years old? Not a single issue. none. Old Roland gear has a reputation for a reason. I also still have my old Roland alpha juno 1 synth I bought new in 1985... Works PERFECT!

Normally I would put a "no opinion" here since its so old BUT NO, Roland gets a 10. They recently put ALL THEIR MANUALS on line for download. That includes old rareties like the SDD-320. Roland, I love you.

I paid too much and don't care. It will only rise in value. UA has released a plug version so if you get a Jones, you can have a little taste. BUT, this box is analog- and its never the same....

And again to the reviewer below- Comparing that cheap modeled crud to this is a joke. UGH!

Not a review as such, but for those searching for the sound of the Dimension D, it might be worth trying the Boss SE70 multi effects: the stereo chorus algorithm was based on the SDD-320 and program 44: Space - D kind of gives the game away!

On the front panel there are 5 linked pushbuttons to choose between the four preset effects settings and effect off. The four presets all sound great-they are all smooth stereo chorus effects, and differ only by the intensity of the effect. If that isn't simple I don't know what is... Being originally designed for pro studio setups, it expects a +4dB input signal and doesn't have an input level control, so plugging a guitar straight in won't work. Use it with a mixer with a master level control on its effects sends and you'll be fine. On the plus side it has a very useful 10-segment bargraph for getting the input level right. One neat feature for live work-the unit has stereo inputs and outputs, and each input/output has a simultaneously active unbalanced 1/4" phone and a balanced XLR jack, so you can take your pick or even use it as a DI box as well. Lastly, it has a socket on the front panel for a remote effect bypass footswitch, and it has a grounding terminal on the back panel.

The 4 settings are all very good, and vary only by degree-the most subtle setting is the one I found I used nearly all the time, giving stereo imaging and thickening the sound without colouring it or losing detail. It has a built-in compander which keeps the signal very clean provided the unit has a decent input level to work with. One thing to be aware of-if it is fed signals with extremely fast attacks, such as some electronic percussion, there may be an audible click generated by the compressor not tracking the input signal fast enough, but I've had no problems with guitars, synths and basses.

It probably is very close to its 20th birthday, but I've never had any problems with reliability or build quality-it certainly wasn't built down to a price, and it's in a very solid 2 rack unit steel case with heavy-duty handles on the front panel. I haven't used it live, but not having a microprocessor it doesn't seem to generate much heat, and I imagine that if it were given adequate ventilation it would be quite roadworthy. For live use it might be more practical to check out the smaller stomp-box version sold by Boss called the Dimension C, which also sounds very good.

I haven't needed repairs on it in the 7 years I've had it.

This unit is the opposite of a modern effects box-it's big, heavy and does one thing only (stereo chorusing); but does it brilliantly and elegantly without having to navigate menu mazes or fiddle with knobs to get a great sound. For that reason it's my favourite bit of gear. The only drawback is having to resist the temptation to use it on everything in a mix :-) If something happened to it I'd certainly try to replace it with another of the same model.