Boss unveils SDE-3 compact pedal based on Roland SDE-3000

September 5, 2024 · 4 sources

Boss announced the SDE-3 on September 5, 2024. Guitar.com described it as "a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Roland SDE-3000 rackmount delay"¹. The original Roland SDE-3000 launched in 1983 and was used by Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai, according to Guitar.com¹. GuitarPlayer reported that Boss relaunched the rack unit in 2023 as the SDE-3000D and SDE-3000EVH to mark its 40th anniversary².

The pedal has three dual-concentric knobs covering Level/Depth, Feedback/Rate and Time/Hi Cut, plus an Offset knob². Guitar Pedal X reported that the first half of the Offset knob sets a time difference of 0 to 100ms between the two delays, and the second half syncs the offset to eighth and dotted eighth notes³. The pedal offers two stereo modes: discrete left/right delays and a panning mode¹. Dry and effect-only signals can be sent to two amps, and the direct sound can be muted¹. Tap tempo is engaged by holding the pedal switch¹. A TRS MIDI input syncs delay time to clock signals from DAWs, pedals and drum machines¹. An external footswitch can control tap tempo and a hold function for looping, and an expression jack is included¹.

Guitar Pedal X listed a maximum delay time of 1,600ms in mono A-to-B output and 800ms in stereo, a 48kHz sample rate, 24-bit AD and 32-bit DA conversion, 75mA current draw from a 9V DC supply, dimensions of 73 x 129 x 59mm and a weight of 450g including battery³. It also listed a Boss five-year warranty³.

Guitar.com and GuitarPlayer both gave the price as $219¹². MusicRadar gave $219.99⁴, and Guitar Pedal X listed $219 as the US map price³. GuitarPlayer reported the pedal was available on the day of announcement².