BOSS DM-2W Delay

The Waza Craft pedal line has been among the most successful initiatives from Roland/BOSS in the past 10 years. Whereas some of the Waza pedals include "boutique-style" modifications to existing products (like the DS-1 or SD-1), others represent pedals wholly resurrected from the dead. The DM-2 has not been produced by BOSS since the mid-1980's, though BOSS has included digitally modeled versions of the DM-2 in many other products, and there are many similar analog delays currently available. The original DM-2 was a "bucket brigade" delay (BBD) that used analog capacitance chips to delay and repeat the guitar signal. Compared to modern/digital delays, the DM-2 warm, lo-fi, and almost crunchy character to its decaying repeats. In a technical sense, this was a drawback and a limitation on what the circuitry available in the 1970's was capable of doing. However, like so many things related to the guitar, this vintage "character" became viewed as musical and desirable. Today, there are many options for analog and digital delays, but the DM-2's character holds a special place in the heart of many players, even if the only option for playing an actual DM-2 was to buy a 30+ year old piece of gear. That was...until the release of the Waza Craft DM-2W. The DM-2W is made in Japan and promises a few modern improvements. For example, the original chip set could only delay up to 300 milliseconds. To be honest, I ignored a lot of vintage delays for this reason alone. Most of my delay settings and dotted-eighth note patterns used a delay time between 350-400ms, so why would I look at an analog delay incapable of those times. Well, the DM-2 excels at shorter, slapback delays and a lot of other styles I am increasingly appreciating. Plus, the DM-2W Waza adds a "Custom" mode, which more than doubles the delay time to 800ms. That Custom mode also features a delay tone that BOSS describes as "cleaner" and slightly brighter. If I'm being honest, I like the sound of the Standard/Vintage delay better. However, the option to have a the additional delay time and to make it jump out more in a mix significantly adds to the versatility of the DM-2W. Some of the mods on the Waza pedals offer only subtle or incremental improvements on the original that are barely noticeable. I was impressed how much this additional functionality added in the DM-2W. A couple quick notes/disclaimers. First, the time knob on a DM-2 works backwards from most delay pedals. Instead of increasing the delay time, you turn the Repeat Rate knob clockwise to DECREASE the delay time. It's an easy adjustment to make, but probably confuses a new user or too. The other two knobs control the mix or repeat volume (ECHO) and the feedback or number of repeats (INTENSITY). Delay pedals are inherently simple effects, but I find the DM-2W to be very inspiring to play in different styles. It's also cool that it can be powered on 9V battery for up to 15 hours (according to BOSS anyway) - that's something you can't with a digital delay, and makes it great for grab-and-go play. This is a great reissue of a classic pedal, and given BOSS' durability track record, it should offer decades of enjoyment.

I’ve owned a couple of these over the years, reluctantly offloading them and then re-buying later after trying other options. Boss is always the best in terms of reliability, size, and sound IMHO. This one has a modern, cleaner setting as well as the original shorter delay setting, so it does more than a lot of bucket brigades in terms of versatility. It’s not a digital emulation but an actual analog circuit, which may sound snobby but does matter in this instance. Really it’s like two delay pedals, and the Waza Craft line never disappoints. The dry output also allows for more creative options, like splitting the signal chain into two paths (one with the delay which can feed other effects too, and another that is clean split across two amps or DAW inputs, for example). Overall, an excellent pedal at a good price.

Best delay ever for double tracking and/or slap back with the toggle set for the shorter delay. Highly recommend!!!!

The two modes make it very versatile. Very clean sounding and blends well with other effects

I am not a big Boss is great guy. I respect their heritage and they make very no high quality items. I love this delay. I kinda could say 2-3 others that I would like to have but it’s funny bc the others I’m almost sure would not kick this off board. It has exp output and direct out for wet dry. I switch from stereo to wet dry no digital helix’s on my board. I bought one 5 min later it was being returned. But the boss has a long 800ms analog delay file and repeats are clean are Waza circuits suoer clean. For a alpha Ms still dark

I had the Ibanez equivalent of this pedal back in the mid 1980s and always missed the analog delay sound. I can't compare the original Boss pedal to this Waza version, but I am very satisfied with what I hear. I thought of hunting down the original Ibanez pedal that I was using back in the day, but didn't want to risk buying a 40 year old pedal that could break down at any time. Recommended if you want that special analog delay sound.

Excelente pedal

Compared to my Boss DD-2 (made in Japan), this DM-2w sounds slightly warmer (through 1x12" combo amp, and Fender Basssman 4x10"). If my DD-2 dies, I will get this one (tried and returned). The knob label/function is confusing as "Rate" is delay time and longest time on the 0 position, "Echo" is mix, and "intensity" feedback. Once you figured it out, it is OK, but it would be confusing going between other models.

The delay time range of this pedal is what really sets it apart from other analog delays. 20ms all the way to 800ms means it can serve as a reverb pedal if needed. It sounds slightly brighter than others. Great little pedal. After a tonne of research this is the best bang for the Buck

arrived in good condition

Pédale delay dm2 fabriqué jusqu’en 1984 est une pédale très prisé par les guitaristes pour la qualité de répétition du son et les différentes possibilités de réglage qui font de cette pédale une des meilleurs de sa catégorie. Cette réédition made in japan est absolument fidèle à l’originale et je dois dire que je ne regrette pas mon achat …

Increíble sonido, bastante divertido de jugar con los Knobs y sencillo de usar

Ultragut verarbeites Delay, als Remake vermutlich mit Cool Audio/Behringer Chips und optionalem Modus mit verlängerter Delay-Time. Im normalen Modus lassen sich die Verzögerungen wegen des weiten Regelbereiches sehr gut einstellen, so taugt die Kiste auch für Slapbacks und Surfsounds. Der neue Waza-Modus klingt ein bischen heller, das ist aber immer noch ein Dark Delay und die Repeats erodieren ganz wunderbar mit Rauschen und sich addierenden Verzerrungen. Meines Erachtens besser als das Carbon Copy und in jedem Fall besser als digitale Imitationen (auch die von Boss a la DD 200), saugt nicht viel Strom und ist in diesem Jahr "Made in Japan". Meines gebe ich nicht mehr her.