Leveraging eight analog but digitally controlled 2048-stage BBD chips, the BOSS DM-101 is a modern delay pedal that confirms a few new trends in the “big-name” stompbox industry, such as the takeover of stereo and presets, but also a more granular approach to multi-mode devices: where the pedals of yesteryear gave you several types of delays (like analog, digital, tape etc), today’s stompboxes offer you several flavors/functions of the same type of effect – in this case, 12 modes of analog delay.
This leads to some sort of encyclopedic approach that will tickle the fancy of effect nerds interested in exploring the subtle differences between, for example, Classic mode, which delivers a warm analog delay, Vintage mode, with its retro sound voiced after the BOSS DM-2, and the Modern mode, with its clearer tone – all of these enriched by the option of adding modulation to the repeats.
But those three are just the DM-1’s “bread-and-butter” modes; the remaining nine expand on the very concept of analog delay, delivering some more elaborate delay functions you normally don’t get from simple analog delays – here’s the list:
- Multi-Head—Gives you the classic multi-head architecture typical of some iconic tape delay, but with an analog character. Here the Variation knob lets you cycle through 10 different head combinations.
- Non-Linear—A unique effect that produces consecutive short delays (35–190 ms) that gradually increase in volume. The Variation knob lets you control the delay times after the initial delay.
- Ambience—Simulates a small space, with the Variation control setting its size and early reflections.
- Reflect—A stereo delay sound delivering a reverb-style effect, with variable pre-delay.
- Doubling+Delay—A stereo effect combining a double-track effect with a longer delay. Here the Variation knob lets you balance the two sounds across the stereo output.
- Wide—An expansive stereo delay with offset left/right delay times with adjustable offset amount.
- Dual Mod—A stereo delay with different modulation phase settings on the left and right outputs (adjustable via the Variation knob).
- Pan—A tapped stereo delay with different and adjustable delay times distributed across the stereo field.
- Pattern—A stereo delay with 10 different rhythmic patterns.
The DM-101 is Tap-Tempo-enabled and lets you store up to 4 presets on board (with up to 127 user memories via Midi) and is fully midi compatible, which is quite a feat for an analog device.
BOSS DM-101, Builder’s Notes
Classic sound meets modern power with the DM-101 Delay Machine, the ultimate analog delay. Driven by eight BBDs under smart CPU control, this inspiring pedal delivers 12 unique modes, stereo operation, and a wide array of tonal colors, all while maintaining 100 percent analog signal processing throughout. And with 127 user memories, tap tempo, carryover, MIDI, and more, the DM-101 brings you the features and versatility of an advanced digital pedal—but with the vibrant, characterful sound that’s only possible with authentic analog BBD circuitry.
Analog Delay for the 21st Century
Analog delays based around BBD (bucket-brigade device) microchips emerged in the 1970s as a compact and cost-effective alternative to the standard tape delays of the era. Their warm, saturated, and highly musical sound established a distinctive style of delay that remains favored by many musicians and audio engineers. Leveraging modern CPU control, the DM-101 supercharges this classic effect with enhanced capabilities for today’s music makers.Next-Level Performance with BOSS Innovation
The DM-101 takes the analog delay where it’s never gone before, providing access to cleaner sounds and extended delay times alongside traditional tones. To achieve this versatility, we used eight 2048-stage BBDs instead of the more common 4096-stage BBD. By finely tuning the behavior of these smaller BBDs with targeted CPU control, we can realize a far greater range of sound while retaining all the desirable analog characteristics that players love about their favorite BBD stomps.Sounds from Vintage to Modern
The DM-101 flows effortlessly between gritty vintage echoes and modern analog delay tones with extended high-frequency clarity. Multiple internal circuit elements are switched to define each of the 12 modes, including the number of active BBDs and their connection order, low-pass filter settings, and clocking rates. Twisting the Variation knob cycles through parameters unique to the different modes. And you can always drive delays into saturated self-oscillation by cranking the Intensity knob.Stereo Delays with True Analog Warmth
A major benefit of the DM-101’s CPU control is the ability to realize sophisticated stereo sounds not available with other BBD analog delays. For example, Pan mode routes each BBD and its feedback loop to alternate points in the stereo field, while Dual Mod shifts the modulation phase for each output to generate a wide, spacious delay effect. Six of the 12 modes support stereo operation, providing everything from short reverb-like sounds and expansive modulated delays to pattern delays for intense rhythmic effects.Complete Creative Command
The DM-101 offers all the creative benefits you expect from an advanced delay pedal. Tap tempo and note subdivisions are available with most modes, and there’s carryover for maintaining repeats when the effect is bypassed. You can store and recall favorite setups with four onboard memories and connect up to two footswitches or an expression pedal for extended real-time control. MIDI I/O takes things further, providing remote access to 127 user memories, MIDI sync, and more. The audio outputs are set for blended operation by default, but they can be easily reconfigured for wet/dry rigs and wet-only parallel setups.
DM-101 Delay Modes
Classic—Traditional warm analog delay sound extended with up to 1200 ms of delay time. Adjust the modulation behavior by cycling through triangle, sine, and more complex waveform shapes with the Variation knob.
Vintage—Retro analog delay sound inspired by the iconic BOSS DM-2 Delay pedal introduced in 1981. Adjust the modulation behavior by cycling through triangle, sine, and more complex waveform shapes with the Variation knob.
Modern—Uniquely clear analog delay sound with a distinctive high-end tone and up to 840 ms of delay time. Adjust the modulation behavior by cycling through triangle, sine, and more complex waveform shapes with the Variation knob.
Multi-Head—Emulates a multi-head tape delay while imparting a uniquely analog BBD sound character. Use the Variation knob to cycle through 10 different head combinations.
Non-Linear—A unique effect that produces consecutive short delays (35–190 ms) that gradually increase in volume. The Variation knob allows you to control the delay times after the initial delay.
Ambience—Simulates a small space. Change the size and early reflections with the Variation knob.
Reflect—A stereo delay sound that produces a reverb-style effect. Adjust the pre-delay with the Variation knob.
Doubling+Delay—A stereo effect that combines a doubled sound with a longer delay. Use the Variation knob to balance the two sounds across the stereo output.
Wide—A stereo delay with offset left/right delay times for an expansive sound. Use the Variation knob to adjust the delay offset amount.
Dual Mod—A stereo delay with different modulation phase settings on the left and right outputs. Use the Variation knob to adjust the phase amount (the phase is fully inverted at the maximum setting).
Pan—A tapped stereo delay with different delay times distributed across the sound field. Use the Variation knob to fine-tune the delay time amounts.
Pattern—Stereo delay with different rhythmic patterns. Use the Variation knob to choose from the 10 available pattern types.
Standard Features
- The ultimate analog delay pedal realized with advanced BOSS technology
- Fully analog BBD audio circuitry shaped by precision digital CPU control
- Warm, saturated, and highly musical tone
- Twelve modes deliver a wide range of mono and stereo delay textures, created using up to eight internal BBDs
- Stereo output with flexible signal routing options
- Adjustable modulation rate and depth with dedicated knobs
- Variation knob for controlling multiple parameters that are unique to each mode
- Selectable carryover for maintaining delay trails when the effect is bypassed
- MIDI I/O on mini TRS connectors
- Tap tempo function and tap division switch for creating rhythmic delays
- Four onboard memories plus the current panel settings
- 127 user memories accessible via MIDI program change
- Expandable control via external footswitches, an expression pedal, or MIDI
