The DM-2w is one of those "you really have to hear it/try it out in person" pedals. I tried one with NO intention of buying one bc I already have too many delays; and love most all of them, for diff purposes; Then I plugged into the Boss... It's truly an amazing pedal, and otherworldly when using an expression pedal with it. One of those "and why doesn't everyone do this??" features. So good in fact that I actually parted ways with my original DM-2/3...
As a long time Carbon Copy user I have to say I'm really interested in the DM-2w. Sounds mellow like the CC but it's a bit more 'sparkly' sounding if you will. Might make for a nice change.
I have found that getting those Elusive sounds, I & others I'm sure do more looking for that sound than actually concentrating on being a guitar Player.
I've been trying to decide on the DM2w or the DD8, ordered the DM2w last night after listening to this video. I think all the artists and recordings I love are all done with an analog delay. I'm focused mainly on recording, and live sound and for those purposes I'd have to say DM2W is the way to go. Great video and comparison man!!
I think of both of these as "industry standard" delay pedals. You could not go wrong with either of them. There are some important feature differences. The MXR has modulation if you want it. The Boss let's you run thru 2 amps and has 2 different modes. Also, I like the soft switch of the Boss, easy to pop the delay in & out for short passages. The MXR has that definite "click" when you engage it.
at first pass you think the carbon copy sounds better because of the fidelity, but then you realize the boss is warmer. It's modulated delays are so much more magical and musical.
Boss's sound is more dirty and distorted. But at the same tima it has more organic and deep delay steps mix (interference). IMHO MXR best for bright amps, while Boss best for darks. And boss's oscillation is super crazy!!!
To be honest I prefer the boss pedal for some reason but I guess it all depends on your amp, guitar and what other pedals you are using. So it's worth taking your pedals and guitar to a music store to check em out
I already have the mxr, but I really like the the sound of the boss. I like the mxr more for its clarity, but I'll probably pick up the boss down the road too.
Nice playing and demonstration. The Boss appears to be more aligned with original signal in regenerations - which equates (at least to my ear) that it is more a part of the overall sound (ie. i didnt immediately acknowledge that delay effect was being used) The MXR is nice but stands out more on its own as letting my ear know that the unit is regenerating the original signal. I owned the MXR and ultimately traded it in... but it is a good pedal in its own way. Now I am certainly thinking about getting the Boss as an addition to my pedal collection.
Thanks for the demo. I think BBD sounds better (personally) when the delay times aren't so extended; 300ms will get most things done for me. However, will look at the Boss because it has something my CC doesn't. I like the 2 outs on my old Arion SAD-1 but it's been alive longer than it has a right to be & will need to be retired at some point. Makes it a really convenient place from which to drive 2 amps. I'd like to have heard the Boss on Standard setting & the CC settings appropriately matched for that lower range. (Have a multitap echo unit for really spacey stuff.) Fine demo though, as usual & thanks again!
Both pedal sounds really good. They are both warm. I really dig the sound of the carbon copy. The DM-2w has this "big and fat" sound compare to the carbon copy. When you're searching for a good sounding delay, the MXR Carbon Copy will take care of that however it does not sound good or should I say that the delay sound of the carbon copy decreases if you have a long pedal chain. Probably you'll need a buffer terminal box or buffer pedal to avoid that to happen. If you want a delay pedal that is durable and will last long for the road, I'll go for the Boss DM-2w. My dad has a Carbon Copy but it did not last long. As far as I can remember, he only used that for almost 2 years.
i think the MXR is more immediately darker on the first repeat, but with the boss each successive repeat is a little darker, so theres more of a natural gradient between the original signal and each successive repeat with the boss, unlike the MXR which just kind of gets dark immediately and then stays that way
I find that Boss really shines starting 3:28. What was that song played at that time? I know the company that makes MXR is good but just can't find it sounding as pleasant as the Boss. I see at 5:54 that there's some trick sound by playing with the controls. I own the Moog MF-104m and it does it very well.
Interesting that most people here thinks that the Carbon Copy sounds more muddy and the DM-2w sounds more high frequency and sparkly. I hear the exact opposite and it's very clear to me judging by the feedback distortion that the Boss has more lows, which does that it sounds more clear next to the higher freqeuencies of the quitar as contrast. So if people mean muddy (in regards to the MXR) by that the frequencies are overlapping, then I understand. But to me mud is a lower frequency that takes up to much of your mix. I don't mix much though.
I had an original DM-2. Loved it. I find the Carbon Copy to be not as flexible as I remember the DM-2 to have been (and I'm seeing similar setup/response here), and as I suspected (since my original DM-2 was stolen a long time ago so I can't directly compare), based on this video, darker/muddier. Can't wait to get a new DM-2
what I dont like about analog delay is it colors your tone. I like the thicker repeats but don't like hearing my guitar tone change. I got an expensive maxon that even does it.
Both are truly wonderful analog delay pedals. Both have great bang for bucks, and I don’t think there’d be any regrets with either one. The Carbon Copy is on my board, but if I had the DM-2, I don’t think I’d complain. It was down to these 2 when I was searching for a (Good) analog delay. The Boss is just a bit more crystalline, and it’s an aesthetic choice, cause they both really sound good in a mix.
... DM-2 is grittier, quirkier and more organic-sounding... the Carbon Copy sounds cleaner and more compressed though that might appeal to guitarists who want a more pasteurized tone personally I like the dirt...
+Kaori both beast pedals. The Ibanez has an analog power side and a digital controller for a TON of versatility. But something about the MXR is just stupid good. So damn good. Like I let my friends who don't play just strum around on it and it makes them want to play.
Except there actually both solid state BBD delays, neither are genuine true analogue, true analogue is tape based, regardless the MXR CC is more natural sounding to my ears closest to real true analogue.
@@killuminati8423 it depends on how you define analog... some will define it as there's no digital processors. Even tape machines have solid state components in them.
Great video, both pedals sound really sweet. Am I correct in thinking the distorted tones were recorded with the delay after the distortion? If so, then how do the pedals fare being placed before a crunchy amp/a not-too-hot overdrive? Looking for a delay to add a bit of 'space' to solos (a la Eric Johnson) but my amp doesn't have a loop and I use "Back in Black" levels of OD. Thanks in advance :)
+David Jekyll Delays don't sound too great IMO when put before dirt... but one delay that actually works that way, and was designed to work that way, is the Catalinbread Belle Epoch. It's based off of the Echoplex which Eric Johnson and others have used ..and like I stated earlier, is made to go in front of dirt like the echoplex would have been used. Sorry if this reply is late.. seeing that you asked 3 months ago...
I've done much research and I too have heard the Belle Epoch, fantastic pedal (as are many catalinbread pedals). I would probably get that one if there was no better alternative but I like these pedals (and just the character of an analogue in general), but nobody seems to review these in front of a cranked amp. Bear in mind I'm strictly running my amp at a light crunch, which cleans up at around 4 on my guitars volume pot when not using my OD so its more of a 'pushy' sound than a gritty one. I know Zakk Wylde uses a Carbon (and he LOVES the gain) so maybe I'd be okay with one but I think we'd both agree I just need to find a store with one of these in stock and demo it with a similar amp to mine. Thanks anyway for your time, I apologise for the ramble :p
The CC does sound warmer because of the eq implementation in the filter.. the dm2w has more of the analog artefacts.. most dsp based delays try to replicate the CC tone and can pull it off well.. the analog artefacts and rough edges of the dm2w are hard to replicate.. in CC, the bucket loss is made up through the eq so it sounds round and warm.. with the dm2w you actually hear the bucket loss through the repeats.. the CC is refined, the dm2w is raw
Lovely playing for this demo. Perfect to show of the two units. Very well done Sir. Torn between the two - possible the MXR for me over the Boos. (Can I have both ?!)
So, I just looked up the current prices on these two pedals and was quite surprised the Boss was cheaper than the MXR. I thought the whole deal with the Wazacraft pedals was that they were kind of boutique, and thus more expensive than their normal pedals?
Appreciate the back & forth comparison...(and great playing!)...but... You left out shorter delay times (flavors of slapback), flipping between the "s" and "c" sound modes on the Boss unit, and no love for the modulation ("mod") option on the MXR... Otherwise great no-talk demo that could have been more complete.
CC repeats are quite nicer it goes away and dirtier de longer this gives 3D feel,boss repeats are more focus still goin more is less deep but has very great thick warm tone 🙂 so i like them both that's why i own them either Boss DD2 ✌
Its pretty hard to beat the carbon copy really, although I have both these pedals (well an original DM2 anyway), the modulation on the Carbon Copy is hard to live without after a while. My Carbon Copy is my most pedal on my board, the DM2 is under my bed. It can do anything from almost reverb sounding, to OTT analog delay, its great really. the clock noise on the DM2 is kinda nice but can sound a little dated sometimes.
The carbon copy is creamier, smoother and richer sounding. The self oscillating part at the end also shows the CC also being more organic and pleasing to the ears.
I’ve read this before. Any reason why? I’m leaning toward the Boss and I play a Seymour Duncan humbucker’ed SG through a Marshall. Any perspective would be appreciated. Thanks.
My Carbon Copy used to soung gorgeous when it used to work. The sound became gradually weaker with the time until one day the delay has completly died. I own some Boss products, including Harmonist PS-6 and Katana 100. I never had any problem with Boss products. It is super reliable. I can't say the same thing regarding to MXR.
Great riffs throughout. The boss is far more articulate sounding with bell like tones. The Mxr is bit more organic sounding but misses notes( to my ears). Personal preference , I guess. I wonder what they would sound like together in an effects loop. Guess I'm making a youtube vid soon...sigh.
The older DM-2 pedal seemed to be a little darker than the CC. Not as dark as the Ibanez AD-9 or the Maxon analog delays, but close. The newer models sounds closer to the EHX Deluxe Memory Man ; warm but w/ clearer repeats, which is what you also get with a tape style delay. Both are excellent. Just depends upon yer needs.
That's largely because the buffer circuits used in the original DM-2's were not nearly as clean and transparent as they are now, and as a result a good bit of high end was dampened.
It’s still pretty dark compared to the DMM, but yea it’s an awesome pedal, usually I have to have modulation on with a delay but with the DM2w, it sounds good as is
Okay here's my two cents... To me, the MXR "sounds" better, but it has that modulated feedback kinda towards the end of the repeats as they fade. Like my Line 6 DL4 does. I don't like that. The Boss does it too, but I don't seem to notice it as much. Is it because the Boss is capable of longer delay times? It's a tough choice. I was totally sold on the Boss, until I saw this video. For me, the Boss "performs" the repeats better, but the MXR "sounds" better.
god, that's accurate. I haven't played the Boss, but this is a great description of the two. I hear more chip noise in the long feedback times. yet the midrange is initially very pleasing on the CC.
when I was shopping for an analog pedal, it was down to these two. I think both of these delays are kicka**. I ended up with the MXR, but only ‘cause I got a pristine used one for less than a Ben. But, the DM-2 is definitely on a par with the Carbon Copy. Choose either, you can’t go wrong. Quality and build on both are tank-like.
Both these pedals will not disappoint. I found, for my instrumnet, the CC is a bit better. It comes down to personal taste. they are both great pedals, especially at the price point. I have to say, when I tried both these pedals, the DM-2 was brighter, but here the CC is the brighter one. ????
are you using 9v for the carbon copy or 12v/18v? The delays are much more subtle on mine bc I'm using 9v. I'm just wondering why there are so pronounced on yours.
Im using a standard 9v From a voodoo lab power supply, one of my friends carbon copy is broken and the repeats a quiet and theres some extra noise, they are not as reliable, maybes possibly something wrong ith yours, set your mix almost all the way up like i have it in the video :)
Yeah, the mix is at max. I bought it about a year ago. I know that the pedal is built to work with 12v and 18v, and that doing so increase the volume of the repeats. I could always try that. It could also be the type of amp I have (solid-state unfortunately), and how I set my EQ. I suspect that my high treble and bass with low mids would muddle the repeats. Thanks for the reply.
The dm-2w is the winner imo. Shnobel didn’t show it in classic mode. I see where a lot of people say they prefer the darkness and warmth of the carbon copy. The dm-2 practically invented dark analog delay, the classic mode is the og circuit whereas the custom mode is designed to be brighter and implement longer delay times more akin to something like a dmm without the mod.
