Roland SDE-3000D

The Return of a Digital Delay Icon

First introduced in 1983 during the early days of digital effects, the Roland SDE-3000 stands as a revered classic amongst vintage gear enthusiasts. Renowned for its supremely musical character, extended delay times, and preset storage capabilities, this rack-mounted legend became the go-to delay unit for the world's premier touring guitarists, session players, and engineers throughout its era. Four decades on, its distinctive sound continues to inspire musicians worldwide.

The SDE-3000D delivers not just one, but two faithful recreations of the beloved SDE-3000 in a compact floor pedal format. Featuring completely independent delays, versatile internal routing, and enhanced I/O connectivity, it provides contemporary flexibility for all manner of mono and stereo configurations. The modulation and tone-shaping features have been refined and expanded, whilst 100 memory locations allow you to store your favourite settings. Combined with comprehensive onboard and external control options, including extensive MIDI integration, this inspiring vintage voice adapts seamlessly to any live or studio environment.

Key Features

• Authentic floor-based recreation of the legendary Roland SDE-3000 rack-mounted digital delay from the 1980s
• Classic warm digital delay character enhanced with modern features for today's rigs
• Distinctive retro display and control layout inspired by the original SDE-3000
• Dual full-featured delays, each offering independent parameters, mono/stereo modulation, and panning control
• Extensively adjustable delay time across two range settings: 0-1500 ms and 0-3000 ms
• Characterful modulation faithful to the original circuit design
• Phase switches for primary delay and delay feedback loop
• Adjustable low-cut and high-cut filters for sculpting delay feedback tones
• Twin inputs and outputs supporting dual mono, wet/dry, or stereo configurations
• Selectable series or parallel operation for both delays
• Store and recall sounds using 100 memory locations
• Assignable onboard footswitch control for tap tempo, hold functions, and more
• Connection points for extended operation with up to four footswitches, two expression pedals, or the GA-FC/GA-FC EX foot controller
• MIDI I/O via space-saving mini TRS connections

Vintage Digital Enchantment

Certain classic effects possess an almost magical quality that enhances any sound they touch, and the SDE-3000 epitomises this transformative power. Its exceptional expressiveness with acoustic instruments stemmed from numerous factors: ultra-wide dynamic range, adjustable delay phase, lush modulation, and multiple seconds of pristine yet warm delay character. The SDE-3000's distinctive voice became integral to the music of the 1980s and 1990s, continuing to inspire tone enthusiasts and effect designers to this day. The SDE-3000D now grants access to the authentic delay sounds that shaped some of music's most iconic recordings.

Authentic Sound Recreation

Unlike the crisp, clinical tones of other digital delays, the SDE-3000 distinguished itself through its beautifully warm sound and inviting musicality. This resulted from sophisticated internal digital processing combined with non-linear characteristics from the supporting analogue circuitry. These behaviours included variable frequency response in the preamp based on input gain, magnetic saturation in the anti-alias filter, and evolving modulation produced by period-correct components. We meticulously analysed these numerous factors when creating the SDE-3000D, bringing the complete character of this time-honoured classic to life for the modern era.

Authentic Details, Contemporary Enhancements

The SDE-3000D incorporates virtually every parameter from the SDE-3000, accessed through a retro interface derived from the vintage hardware. Two selectable delay ranges offer different frequency characteristics, crucial elements in the original's appealing sound. The unique tonal colouration of the SDE-3000's external feedback loop circuit has been precisely replicated, with the option to disable this colouration or internally process the feedback loop using powerful EQ. You also benefit from 100 memories (increased from the original's eight) plus carryover functionality when switching sounds.

Exceptional Modulation

The modulation circuit within the SDE-3000 significantly contributes to the effect's distinctive sound. Beyond basic depth and rate controls, you can independently switch the phase of both the initial delay and delay feedback loop, influencing how the modulation responds. The original analogue LFO behaviour has been faithfully reproduced in the SDE-3000D, now including a sine wave option alongside the original triangle wave. We've also provided enhanced control over delay phase settings for an even broader sonic palette.

Dual SDE-3000s in One Pedal

Whilst the original SDE-3000 operated in mono, the SDE-3000D provides two discrete delays with independent parameters and mono or stereo modulation on each. Run the delays in parallel and pan them for continuously evolving stereo textures. Alternatively, chain them in series to create intricate rhythms and reverb-like depth. The flexible audio I/O allows you to configure the effects for wide stereo operation, send each delay to its own output, or separate processed and unprocessed sounds for wet/dry setups.

Contemporary Compact Design

Through its pedal-based design and expanded control options, the SDE-3000D offers significantly greater versatility than its rack-mounted predecessor. Three onboard footswitches provide immediate control over memory selection, tap tempo, delay hold, momentary effect engagement, and more. Two control connections accommodate up to four footswitches, two expression pedals, or a GA-FC/GA-FC EX for external operation, with TRS MIDI I/O also included. An extensive selection of assignable targets delivers comprehensive real-time control that far exceeds the capabilities of the original SDE-3000.