The DOD DFX94 Digital Delay/Sampler is a digital delay pedal that also works as a sampler. Introduced in 1993, it was, in the words of Pedal of the Day, "a product that was seemingly way ahead of its time," and it improved on the earlier DFX91 by offering four seconds of repeats to work with1. It belongs to the wider family of delay pedals, but its sampler modes set it apart from most stompboxes of its era.
Delay times and modes
The DFX94 boasts a full four seconds of delay time. Its modes break down like this1:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| 250ms | Range mode; the label is the maximum delay time1 |
| 1 second | Range mode; the label is the maximum delay time1 |
| 4 seconds | Range mode; the label is the maximum delay time1 |
| Infinite Repeat | Captures whatever you just played and loops it1 |
| Trigger | The main bypass switch plays back the created sample instantly1 |
The first three modes are simple range modes, with the label being the maximum time for each one. The last two include Infinite Repeat mode, which captures whatever you just played and loops it1.
The sampler
As Pedal of the Day put it, "The DFX94 is a digital delay, but it's also a sampler as well." Switch over to Infinite Repeat mode and the pedal captures whatever you just played and loops it1. In Trigger mode, just hit the main bypass switch and it plays back instantly, so the footswitch doubles as a sample playback trigger1.
Controls
The main parameter controls are straightforward:
- Level: performs the task its name would suggest, setting the level1
- Repeat: one of the three main parameter controls, each doing what its name suggests1
- Delay: one of the three main parameter controls, each doing what its name suggests1
DFX91 versus DFX94
The DFX94 improved upon the earlier model, the DFX91, with that astonishing four seconds of repeats to work with, along with the sampler functionality1. For players comparing the two, the four-second maximum and the Infinite Repeat and Trigger modes are what distinguish the later pedal.
Availability and what reviewers said
The DFX94 is no longer in production. Pedal of the Day noted in 2017 that while there is not a ton of info on these pedals anymore, used units can be found cheaply enough to experiment with1.
"still holds up as an excellent delay option today. The huge range of delay times and optional sampler functionality make"
DOD has since released other delays, including the DOD FX96 Echo FX Analog Delay and the DOD Rubberneck Analog Delay, though neither carries the DFX94's sampler function.
Videos
MSMWorkshop
Pedal of the Day
xtreem8
Questions
Is the DOD DFX94 still made?
No. The DFX94 was introduced in 1993 and is no longer in production. Pedal of the Day noted in 2017 that there is not a lot of information about the pedal around anymore, but that used units can be found cheaply enough to experiment with, so the secondhand market is the place to look.
How long is the delay time on the DOD DFX94?
The DFX94 offers a full four seconds of delay time at its maximum. It also has shorter range modes, with 250ms and 1 second settings alongside the 4 second mode, where the label on each mode is the maximum delay time available in that range.
What is the difference between the DOD DFX91 and DFX94?
The DFX94 improved on the earlier DFX91 model, most notably by offering four seconds of repeats to work with. The DFX94 also added sampler functionality, letting the player capture a phrase and loop it or trigger it back.
How does the sampler work on the DFX94?
Switch the pedal over to Infinite Repeat mode and it captures whatever you just played and loops it. In Trigger mode, hitting the main bypass footswitch plays back the sample you created instantly.
What does the bypass footswitch do in Trigger mode?
In Trigger mode, the main bypass switch plays back the sample you created. One press of the footswitch and the captured phrase plays back instantly, which turns the bypass switch into a sample playback trigger while the pedal is on your board.
Sources (1)
- DOD DFX94 Digital Delay/Sampler, Pedal of the Day, 2017-02-13
