Boss Revamps Its Digital Delay Line with the DD-3T and DD-8
September 26, 2019 · 5 sources
Boss announced a revamp of its compact digital delay line, introducing two new pedals: the DD-3T, an updated version of the long-running DD-3, and the DD-8, which the maker called "the most wide-ranging and feature-rich BOSS compact series delay ever"12. Both are compact-series digital delay pedals from Boss, and both carry the maker's five-year warranty12.
The DD-3T: the DD-3 with tap tempo
The DD-3T kept the original's circuit intact. Boss stated that "the DD-3T's sound circuitry and controls are identical to the DD-3, delivering every drop of that classic vibe you know"2.
"the DD-3T's sound circuitry and controls are identical to the DD-3, delivering every drop of that classic vibe you know"
What changed is tempo control. It is now possible to tap in delay tempos using the onboard switch or an external one, with a choice of three beat subdivisions set from the Mode knob2.
| Mode knob setting | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Quarter-note triplet | Tap subdivision option2 |
| Dotted-eighth note | Tap subdivision option2 |
| Quarter note | Tap subdivision option2 |
| Short Loop | Loop function on the mode switch23 |
Guitar World's reviewer found the tap tempo can be engaged by holding the pedal's on/off switch down momentarily, or via an optional footswitch plugged into the Tempo jack3.
"a worthy replacement for the DD-3 that will keep its legacy going strong for decades to come"
The DD-3T runs on a 9 V alkaline battery with roughly 5 hours of expected life under continuous use, or a PSA-series AC adaptor sold separately, drawing 70 mA2.
The DD-8: eleven modes, stereo, and a looper
The DD-8 aimed wider. Boss described it as an eleven-mode delay with "delay colors from basic to exotic, plus a looper with unlimited overdub capability and external control support"1. Its feature set as announced:
- Three newly developed delay types: Warm, +RV (delay plus reverb), and GLT (rhythmic delay)1
- True stereo I/O with three selectable output modes: independent, panning, and wide stereo1
- A Carryover switch that sets whether delay trails continue or stop when the effect is bypassed1
- Support for external control with two footswitches or an expression pedal1
How the two pedals differ
The two pedals sit at different points in the line. In Boss's own buying guide, writer Lee Glynn noted that "the DD-3T has one primary delay mode with many time signatures," positioning it as the straightforward choice, while the DD-8 covers the broader ground4.
| DD-3T | DD-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Delay modes | One primary delay mode with many time signatures4 | Eleven modes1 |
| Looper | Short Loop function on the mode switch23 | Looper with unlimited overdub capability1 |
| Stereo | Not stated | True stereo I/O with three output modes1 |
| External control | External footswitch via Tempo jack23 | Two footswitches or an expression pedal1 |
Where the DD-3T came from
The DD-3T's lineage reaches back through the DD-3, which itself replaced the older Boss DSD-2 Delay/Sampler52. Guitar World's reviewer noted the DD-3T carries the same controls and specs as the DD-3, with the DD-2/DD-3 sound quality intact3.
Sources (5)
- BOSS - DD-8 | Digital Delay, Boss
- BOSS - DD-3T | Digital Delay, BOSS
- Boss DD-3T and DD-200 Digital Delay review, Guitar World, 2020-05-28
- Exploring the Differences Between BOSS Delay Pedals, articles.boss.info (BOSS Articles), 2023-10-10
- Boss DD-3 Digital Delay, Guitarcloud (guitarcloud.org), 2026