The Ibanez DDL20 Digital Delay III is a digital delay pedal from Ibanez's Power Series 10, produced in Japan from 1987 to 1991. Ibanez's own manual material describes it as "a straightforward digital delay that offers all of the basic featuers that make this such a popular effecto", with a 16kHz bandwidth and a delay sound that is "superbly ambient and clear"1. It has not been re-issued, and TONEHOME lists its availability today as rare, with average collectibility1.
How it works
Like any digital delay, the DDL20 converts the incoming guitar signal to digital, manipulates it, and then converts it back to analog before the output. As the manual puts it, "Of course it is converted back into analog form first"1. The pedal works by letting you set up a time period to elapse before the sound is "played back", which is the basis of every delay effect, from a single slapback to long repeating trails2.
The 16kHz bandwidth is the headline specification. Ibanez's material leads with it: "With its superior bandwidth of 16kHz"1. For a player, that means the repeats keep more of the high-frequency detail of your picking attack than a darker analog delay would, which is part of why the manual describes the delay sound as what you would expect from a high-quality digital effector1.
The controls: Mode, Repeat and D-Level
The DDL20 keeps things simple with three main controls:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mode | Selects the delay time range for the desired effect type. The different modes use different delay times and levels of feedback1 |
| Repeat | Sets the level of feedback, down to 0 for just one repeat1 |
| D-Level | Adjusts the delay level1 |
Getting a doubling effect
The manual gives a specific recipe for a doubling effect, where a very short repeat sits behind your dry signal1:
- Set Mode to 2.
- Turn Repeat all the way down to 0, for just one repeat.
- Adjust D-Level to a large value, around 8 to 91.
Because the different modes use different delay times and levels of feedback, the Mode setting is what puts you in the short-time range a doubling effect needs1.
Stereo outputs
The DDL20 has stereo outputs, and the manual suggests making use of them connected to two amps for a full, three-dimensional stereo sound1. That sets it apart from mono-only delays of its era and makes it worth planning a two-amp rig around if you want the full effect.
Availability and collecting
The DDL20 was produced from 1987 to 1991 and has not been re-issued1. TONEHOME rates its availability as rare and its collectibility as average1. For context within Ibanez's delay line, the DDL20 followed the DDL10 Digital Delay II in the Power Series 10 range2, and later Ibanez delays such as the ES2 Echo Shifter and the LD303 Layer Delayer occupy different parts of the lineup. See the Delay Pedals page for the wider effect type.
The DDL20 has not been re-issued and is listed as rarely available, so examples on the used market are the only route to one1.
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Questions
Was the Ibanez DDL20 made in Japan?
Yes. TONEHOME's product page identifies the DDL20 Digital Delay III as a Japanese-built Ibanez pedal, dating an example to 1987. The pedal was produced between 1987 and 1991, during the period when Ibanez built its Power Series 10 effects in Japan.
Has the Ibanez DDL20 been reissued?
No. TONEHOME lists the DDL20 as not re-issued, with rare availability and average collectibility. Players looking for a current Ibanez delay have to look at other models, since the DDL20 remains a 1987 to 1991 production pedal that has not returned to the market.
Does the DDL20 have stereo outputs?
Yes. The DDL20 has stereo outputs, and Ibanez's own manual material describes running them into two amps for a full, three-dimensional stereo sound. That makes it usable as a stereo delay rather than a mono-only pedal.
How do I get a doubling effect on the DDL20?
The manual's recipe is: set Mode to 2, turn Repeat all the way down to 0 so you get just one repeat, and adjust D-Level to a large value around 8 to 9. That gives a short, single repeat at a strong level, which works as a doubling effect.
Where can I find the Ibanez DDL20 manual?
TONEHOME hosts a scanned copy of the Ibanez DDL20 Digital Delay III owner's manual as a PDF download on its product page for the pedal.
What was the original price of the DDL20?
TONEHOME gives a 1988 list price of 348 DM (German marks) for the DDL20. The pedal was priced in marks rather than US dollars, and no US list price is given.
