Essential Information About the BOSS SDE-3 Stereo Delay Pedal
- The iconic character of the Roland SDE-3000 rack in a compact format, ready for the pedalboard
- Vintage digital delay textures with dedicated modulation (Rate and Depth knobs) and Hi Cut filter
- Unique Offset control to instantly create mono or stereo double delays with musical subdivisions
- Modern connectivity (stereo, CTL/EXP, MIDI TRS), tap tempo, and wet/dry and dry mute output modes
From the Legendary 80s Rack to Today's Stage
Born in 1983, the Roland SDE-3000 established itself on countless tours and studios for its warm digital grain and distinctive modulation. The BOSS SDE-3 condenses this heritage into a robust pedal, reproducing the refined delay engine, peripheral analog behaviors, and the famous modulation inspired by "altered" triangular LFOs. You get the spirit of the cult rack, with immediate ergonomics and current stereo options.
Who It's For and Its Uses
The SDE-3 is aimed at guitarists and keyboardists who want a precise yet musical delay, from minimalist setups to complex pedalboards. Ideal for rock, pop, ambient, new wave, shoegaze, or funk, it shines both in the studio (clean tracks, reamping) and live thanks to its stereo, wet/dry, and dry mute output modes. Its tap tempo and MIDI input make it a reliable partner in synchronized rigs.
Modern Controls, Enhanced Creativity
On the panel, the essentials: delay time, feedback, modulation Rate and Depth, plus a Hi Cut to shape the high frequencies. The key feature of the SDE-3 is the Offset: it adds a second delay line, either slightly longer (up to +100 ms) or synced to subdivisions (eighth notes to dotted eighth notes) when the tempo is set. Two stereo architectures are available (panning or discrete stereo), with a max time of 800 ms in stereo and 1600 ms in mono. External control via CTL/EXP and MIDI TRS clock sync complete a pro workflow, with buffered bypass to preserve the signal.
The Sound
The SDE-3 delivers the clarity typical of vintage digital, but with harmonic warmth and lively modulation reminiscent of racks heard from 80s and 90s icons. It produces repeats that are both clear and musical, capable of rhythmic patterns à la The Edge, wide pads like Steve Lukather, or precise slapbacks for crystalline arpeggios. The Hi Cut filter darkens the tone for lo-fi and ambient atmospheres, while the Offset opens deep and dynamic stereo soundscapes.
Technical Specifications
General
- Type: stereo digital delay pedal inspired by the Roland SDE-3000
- Maximum delay time: 800 ms (stereo) / 1600 ms (mono)
- Bypass: buffered
- BOSS warranty: 5 years
Audio Processing
- Sampling frequency: 48 kHz
- AD conversion: 24-bit with AF (Adaptive Focus) method for improved signal-to-noise ratio
- DA conversion: 32-bit
Controls and Modes
- Potentiometers: Time, Feedback, Rate, Depth, Hi Cut, Offset
- Tap tempo and "carry over" function (delay tail carryover)
- Stereo options: panning or discrete stereo
- Output modes: stereo, wet/dry, dry mute (mono or stereo)
Connectivity
- Inputs: INPUT A (mono), INPUT B on 6.35 mm jacks
- Outputs: OUTPUT A (mono), OUTPUT B on 6.35 mm jacks
- CTL/EXP: 6.35 mm TRS jack (supports up to 2 footswitches or expression pedal)
- DC IN for external power supply
- MIDI IN: stereo mini-jack TRS (MIDI clock sync)
Dimensions and Weight
- Dimensions: 73 x 129 x 59 mm
- Weight (with battery): 450 g
Included Accessories
- 9 V battery (6LR61 or 6LF22)
- Documentation: "Safe Use of the Device," "Important Notes," and "Information"
Power Consumption
- Power supply: 9 V alkaline battery or PSA series AC adapter (not included)
- Consumption: 75 mA
- Estimated battery life: approximately 4.5 hours (varies with use)
Compatible Options (sold separately)
- AC adapter: PSA series
- Footswitch: FS-5U; dual footswitches: FS-6, FS-7
- Expression pedals: FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, Roland EV-5
- TRS/MIDI cables: BMIDI-5-35, BMIDI-1-35, BMIDI-2-35, BCC-1-3535, BCC-2-3535
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