First introduced in 1981, the BOSS DM-2 was a mini revolution - a compact, stomp box analogue delay that was accessible yet sounded excellent. The DM-1 had aimed to offer a more reliable, cheaper alternative to their RE-series tape echo range, but the smaller, cheaper DM-2 was when Roland really hit the bullseye. Where tape echoes used loops of tape to record and play back a sound, the DM-2 used a BBD, or bucket-brigade device - a capacitor array so-named for its similarity to a fire-bucket chain. BBD-based delay pedals get their unique sound from the signal degrading as it passes down the capacitor line, with high frequencies being lost. This results in the darker, more ‘organic’ tone that analogue delay fans crave.
THE BOSS DM-2 BOASTS A DARKER, MORE ‘ORGANIC’ TONE THAT ANALOGUE DELAY FANS CRAVE
One of the unique features of most analogue delays for the noise merchants among us is their ability - like tape echoes - to auto-oscillate. Not only that, but the ‘whooshing’ sound of their darker repeats is also pretty musical - all things considered. Beside that, the dark tone beds into a mix better, and ambient players often like to stack them, as the echoes tend to interfere less with the dry signal.