Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Pedal

Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Pedal Overview

The Boss DD-7 is Boss' latest Digital Delay pedal, updates the familiar Boss compact delay format and is the natural evolution of the DD-2, the world’s first digital delay stomp box. With a maximum delay time of 6.4 seconds (6400 ms), a 40 second looper, and two new modes, the DD-7 is the most fully featured Boss compact delay to date.

The two new modes are ‘analog’ and ‘modulate’. Analog gives you a great imitation of the classic Boss DM-2 analogue pedal and modulate adds a chorus-esque chime to the DD-7’s otherwise clear and digital tone. 

The DD-7 also has an external expression and tap tempo input, allowing you to control the overall effect level or delay time remotely, whilst playing, further adding to the DD-7’s versatility as a creative and performance tool.

If you’re looking for a simple delay pedal that’s easy to use, doesn't take up a load of pedal board space, and is still packed full of all the most important modern delay pedal features, the DD-7 is the pedal for you.

GAK's Boss DD-7 FAQs

Q1: What’s the difference between the DD-7 and the older DD-5/6?
A: The DD-7 is essentially an updated DD-6. It has two new modes - modulate and analog - and a vastly increased maximum hold time - 40 seconds for the DD-7, but just 5.2 seconds for the DD-6. The DD-7 also has a tap tempo input, a feature from the DD-5 that was removed on the DD-6 and then missed by many players. If you were looking for a DD-5 or DD-6, then the DD-7 will do everything you’re looking for and is a great upgrade.

Q2: The DD-7 has an analog mode that’s a DM-2 model, why does Boss also make the DM-2w and how do I choose between them?
A: While it’s true that the DD-7 does contain this mode, it’s intended more as an homage to the original than as a faithful recreation. The DD-7 analog mode sounds truly great, but is perhaps missing some of the depth of character of these classic pedals for some ears. However, what it lacks here it more than makes up for in an expanded feature set. For those that know they really want this classic tone the DM-2w is intended more as a modern recreation, but in true Boss fashion also features various updates and innovations. Both are pretty simple pedals to use so it just depends on how many features and modes you’ll make use of.

Q3: What’s the difference between the DD-7 and the DD-500?
A: The DD-500 is an all singing, all dancing swiss army knife delay pedal that can do just about every delay you can think of, however it’s somewhat more involved in terms of use and requires you to spend a little more time figuring out how to get the best out of it. We recommend the DD-7 if you want a fully featured and simple delay that’s economical on pedal board space, but to check out the DD-500 if there are delay tones and textures you think you might miss with this smaller pedal format.

Q4: What’s the battery life like?
A: In short the battery life is too short to make powering this pedal by battery practical. Digital pedals require a lot of power and no digital delays that we’re aware of will last for very long a 9v battery. The DD-7 does not include a power supply but we recommend adding one if you don’t have one already. Any standard 9v centre negative power supply will do this, like the Boss PSA or Warwick NT1.

Q5: The DD-7 is listed as including a looper function, but I can’t see this in the modes list, how do I use it?
A: The looper is contained in the ‘hold’ mode. To use it just select this mode and tap the pedal to start recording. Tap the pedal again to end recording and start playback and continue tapping to toggle between playback and overdub modes. The DD-3 also has a ‘hold’ mode, although this functions differently and isn’t really a looper as such. The hold function was first introduced on the DD-3 way back before looping pedals existed and this might be why this mode is a little confusingly named.

Q6: How do I use the tap tempo function?
A: If you’re using the pedal itself, just hold the pedal down for more than two seconds, then tap in time with the music, hold the pedal again for a further two seconds to the exit the tap function. Many players find this method a little fiddly, so we recommend adding a Boss FS-5U and connecting this to the tap tempo input. Once this is connected just tap it in time with the music and the delay will sync up straight away.