The Ibanez DDL Digital Delay is a digital delay pedal from the mid 1980s and, according to TONEHOME, Ibanez' first digital delay. It was produced from 1985 to 1986 as part of the Master series, a line Pedal of the Day notes came out between Ibanez' 9 and 10 series. It has never been reissued, so every DDL in circulation is a vintage original, and TONEHOME rates its availability as good and its collectibility as high.12
Short, long and HOLD modes
The DDL's delay time is set by choosing between two ranges. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B., describes the layout as three modes2:
| Mode | Delay range | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Short | 28 ms to 224 ms | Shorter repeats for slapback and doubling territory2 |
| Long | 224 ms to 1800 ms | Longer repeats for deep echo2 |
| HOLD | several seconds | Loops a phrase so you can jam over your own playing2 |
HOLD mode is the standout: it turns the delay into a basic looper, letting you record a passage and play over it. TONEHOME summarizes the pedal's maximum delay as 900 ms, while Pedal of the Day's mode ranges top out at 1800 ms, so the two sources disagree on the longest delay time the pedal reaches.12
What reviewers said
TONEHOME calls the DDL a "very advanced, top level device" for its era.1
Mike B. at Pedal of the Day praised the build and reliability:
"Super durable housing, extremely efficient and reliable, and soooo much fun to sit and mess around with2."
His verdict: "Ibanez really makes quality stuff that is built to last, and this DDL is a prime example of that. All-in-all, a great vintage-y delay pedal."2
Finding one today
Because the DDL was only made for two years and never reissued, players looking for one are shopping the used and vintage market. TONEHOME rates availability as good, meaning examples do surface regularly, and the site also lists rare vintage Ibanez pedals for sale directly.1 Players interested in Ibanez' later delay designs can compare it with the Ibanez DDL10 Digital Delay II, the Ibanez DDL20 Digital Delay III, the Ibanez ADL Analog Delay from the same Master series, or modern options like the Ibanez LD303 Layer Delayer. For the wider field, see the site's Delay Pedals page.
A PDF copy of the original DDL manual is available as a download from TONEHOME's product page.1
Videos
simpletech
JM
Questions
Has the Ibanez DDL been reissued?
No. TONEHOME lists the DDL as never having been reissued, with production running from 1985 to 1986. The pedal remains a vintage-only piece, and TONEHOME rates its collectibility as high, so examples turn up on the used market rather than from new production.
How long a delay time does the Ibanez DDL offer?
The DDL has two delay ranges. Short mode runs from 28 ms to 224 ms, and long mode runs from 224 ms to 1800 ms, according to Pedal of the Day's review. TONEHOME summarizes the pedal's maximum delay time as 900 ms, so the sources differ on the top figure.
What does HOLD mode do on the Ibanez DDL?
HOLD mode lets you loop several seconds of material and then jam over your own playing, as described in Pedal of the Day's review. It turns the delay into a simple sound-on-sound looper, a feature that was unusual on a compact pedal in the mid 1980s.
What did the Ibanez DDL cost when it was new?
TONEHOME gives the 1986 list price as 555 DM, which it also states as $250 USD. Both figures are as listed for 1986 and are not converted.
Is there a manual for the Ibanez DDL?
Yes. TONEHOME hosts a downloadable PDF copy of the Ibanez DDL manual on its product page for the pedal.
Which Ibanez series does the DDL belong to?
The DDL belongs to Ibanez' Master series. Pedal of the Day notes it sat in that series, which came out between the 9 and 10 series.
Sources (2)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME, 1986
- Ibanez DDL Digital Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2014-03-26
