The Behringer DD400 is a digital delay and echo pedal, described by Pedal of the Day as an "Ultimate digital Delay/Echo effects pedal with 7 different modes, comparable to state-of-the-art studio processors"1. It is a 24-bit stereo delay with a delay time of up to 1.3 seconds and a tap tempo feature, and it carries two outputs for stereo recording or playing through two amps1. It sits at the very low end of the price range for delay pedals: the reviewer bought his for $25 USD from a local Guitar Center1.
What it does and how it is controlled
The DD400's front panel carries four dedicated controls, which Pedal of the Day summarized as "Dedicated Mode, Time, Feedback and Level controls for awesome sound shaping"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mode | Selects among the seven delay modes to shape the character of the echoes1 |
| Time | Sets the delay time, up to a maximum of 1.3 seconds1 |
| Feedback | Sets how many repeats the pedal produces1 |
| Level | Sets the volume of the effect1 |
A status LED shows when the effect is on or off and doubles as a battery check1. Tap tempo is built in, so delay time can be matched to a song's tempo by tapping rather than turning the Time knob by ear1.
The DD400 runs on a 9V battery or the Behringer PSU-SB DC power supply, and the supply is not included with the pedal1.
Stereo operation
The DD400 is a stereo delay. Its two outputs are intended for stereo recording or playing, which the reviewer described as "very useful"1. Running both outputs into a stereo rig or a two-channel recording setup lets the echoes spread across the left and right sides instead of being summed to one channel.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review, written by Tim S and published on 23 February 2015, was positive on sound and value and critical of the build1.
"The Behringer Digital Delay has a very warm and full sounding delay to it. The echoes sounded true to tone and did not die out quickly."
The reviewer named the plastic enclosure as the pedal's one weakness: "The only downfall would be the plastic design." He wrote that he was careful when activating the pedal to avoid breaking it1.
On ease of use, the reviewer found the layout approachable: "With a very easy to use layout, anyone can dial in a great delay!"1 On value, he concluded: "I really enjoyed this pedal and felt that it was well worth the little money it cost."1
Tim S also described how he used the pedal himself, as a second delay in front of his DD20, mostly for ambient sounds, swells, fills and pad noises1.
Where it sits in Behringer's delay range
The DD400 sits at the compact, budget end of Behringer's delay offerings. It launched at $25 USD, a price one player reported paying at his local Guitar Center1. That player, Tim S, used it as a second delay in front of his DD20, mostly for ambient sounds, swells, fills and pad noises1. For more on the effect type generally, see Delay Pedals.
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Questions
How long is the delay time on the Behringer DD400?
The DD400 offers a delay time of up to 1.3 seconds, according to Pedal of the Day's review. That covers everything from short slapback-style echoes to longer, more spacious repeats, and the Time control sets the length within that range. A tap tempo feature is also included, so you can set the delay time in time with the song rather than turning a knob by ear.
Does the Behringer DD400 have tap tempo?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review lists tap tempo among the DD400's features, alongside its 24-bit stereo delay engine and its 1.3 second maximum delay time. Tap tempo lets you match the repeats to the tempo of a song by tapping in rhythm, which is quicker than dialling in a delay time by ear with the Time knob.
Does the Behringer DD400 run on a battery?
Yes. The DD400 runs on a 9V battery, or on the Behringer PSU-SB DC power supply, which is not included with the pedal. A status LED shows when the effect is on or off and also serves as a battery check, so you can see when the battery is running low.
Is the Behringer DD400 stereo?
Yes. The DD400 is a stereo delay with two outputs, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer called very useful for stereo recording and playing. With both outputs connected to two amplifiers or a stereo recording setup, the echoes can be spread across the two channels rather than summed to mono.
Is the Behringer DD400 housed in plastic or metal?
The DD400 is housed in plastic. Pedal of the Day's reviewer named the plastic design as the pedal's only downfall and said he was careful when activating the pedal to avoid breaking it. Players who stomp hard or gig frequently may want to weigh that against the pedal's low price.
Does the Behringer DD400 come with a power supply?
No. The DD400 runs on a 9V battery or the Behringer PSU-SB DC power supply, and the review notes that the power supply is not included. Players who want to run it from a mains adapter will need to pick up a PSU-SB or a compatible 9V supply separately.
Sources (1)
- Behringer DD400 Digital Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2015-02-23
