Boss Dimension Effects: SDD-320 Rack, DC-2 & DC-2W – That Pedal Show

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In this episode we delve into the world of Boss’s much-loved Dimension series of effects. The Dimension D rack unit was released in 1979 and quickly became a staple of studio recording for its lush, thickening modulation effect. As it happens – Mick here – I’ve been listening to it on a lot of records I really love for decades, never knowing what it was…
Then one day in Germany earlier this year, we had the opportunity to try this original Dimension D, alongside the later DC-2 pedal format. It connected a lot of dots, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Dan too! And of course, Boss was gearing up for the launch of the DC-2W, which at the time of publishing is still pretty new.

PLEASE NOTE: Throughout this video, the rack unit is being hit with instrument level, the same as the pedals. As a result the effect is somewhat less than you'd get with line level, so it seems more subtle. Please take those comparisons with a pinch of salt.
It has raised the need to do a video on line and instrument level in the future - our apologies for the confusion. We thought about taking the video down, but that seems a bit extreme.

This episode compares them all and hopefully asks the relevant questions you might have. Enjoy!


Pedals used in this episode

• TheGigRig Three2One
https://www.thegigrig.com/three2one

• D’Addario Pedal Tuner
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2tIN4lD
USA: https://bit.ly/3s4r8Cx
Australia: http://bit.ly/2tfHqHN

• Wampler Pantheon
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2POI0eU
USA: https://bit.ly/3DW0hea
Australia: http://bit.ly/2zwyfFn

• Z Vex Box Of Rock
Australia: http://bit.ly/2JbC5JS

• Boss CE-2W Chorus
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2fkq9tv
USA: https://bit.ly/3DXO7S6
Australia: http://bit.ly/2iqp2rs

• Free The Tone Tri-Avatar Multi-Dimensional Chorus
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2eKxYoF
www.freethetone.com

• Boss DC-2 Dimension C
No longer made

• Boss DC-2W Dimension C
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2QITxIG
USA: https://bit.ly/3oSZ3MJ

• Boss SDD-320 Dimension D
No longer made

• Dunlop EP-103 Echoplex
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2cQsuNc
USA: https://bit.ly/3GJdZ65

• TheGigRig G2
https://www.thegigrig.com/g2

Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: http://www.thatpedalshow.com/partners


Interesting bits and go-to sections…
Purple intro playing: 00:00
What are we doing today? 0:55
Rewind to Thomann, earlier this year… 2:05
Dimension D&C. Eh? 2:54
Today’s amps: 4:15
Dimension and regular chorus comparison. And Slash?: 5:55 (8:00)
The plane tangent: 6:50
Chorus and Dimension explanation: 9:08
Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Dimension D? 12:05
DC-2 and DC-2W sound comparison: 15:34
DC-2 - two settings at once? 17:45
…and the DC-2W? 19:30
Where are Red and Blue? 22:27
Z Vex Box Of Rock and Dan’s Gretsch: 24:22 (25:46)
Is the bypass / true bypass / buffer making a difference? 27:25
Stereo? 28:25
More on buffers and thoughts of Bryan Adams: 29:30
…DC-2W: 29:58
…DC-2: 31:19
What about line level and the rack unit? 36:30
…and with drive: 38:28
Dan has schwang: 40:23
Is Dimension similar to doubling, like the TC Mimiq? 44:20
And what about Mick’s Free The Tone Tri-Avatar? 46:00

Guitars in this episode:
• Macmull S-Classic: https://www.macmull-guitars.com/s-cla...
• PRS Silver Sky: https://www.prsguitars.com/electrics/...\
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/35ru5yy
USA: https://imp.i114863.net/VXLY6
• Gretsch G6118T Players Edition Anniversary – watch Dan’s video at    • That Pedal Show – Our Guitars & Gear:...  

Amps in this episode
• Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III 1 x 12 combo - No longer made, link to latest version
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2KBwMWc
USA: https://imp.i114863.net/kd7M0
• Supro Black Magick 1 x 12 combo
UK & Europe: http://bit.ly/2KKm3Yi
USA: https://imp.i114863.net/e7OE1
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