Conference napalm::commusic_v1

100.0. "Review: Roland SDE3000 Delay" by CHAMP2::DREHER () Wed May 22 1985 12:00

This is a review of the Roland SDE-3000 Digital Delay.

I bought this delay because of it's features and you can have 8 programmed 
presets of the most common useful settings.  This unit is very quiet but
heats up alot if left on for long periods of time.  I haven't used all the
features it has but in the future they might be nice to have.  It does echo,
chorusing, flanging, and doubling.  It has a wide variety of parameters
to tweak and I especially like the programmability.  I think it has the most
features of any delay in it's price range.  Mine cost $650, through a magazine
retailer.

The SDE-3000 is not MIDI compatible like the latest Roland rack mount stuff,
but I don't need that feature anyway.  MIDI compatible effects are really
for playing out live because in the studio, effects are usually done on the
mixdown.

Front panel Switches:

ON/OFF		 - Pretty standard.

BYPASS		 - When this switch is set, signal is routed straight through
		   without delay (mechanical bypass). When the unit is off 
		   the signal is routed straight through.

INPUT 		 - Attenuator that controls input level.  When set to 0db,
		   output level is equal to input level.  Settings range from
		   -22db to +6db.

MEMORY 		 - Memory button sets bank A or B. There are 4 preset buttons
		   for each bank.

FILTER  	 - When unit is used as an echo machine this button cuts out
		   high frequencies to imitate real echo.

TIMEx2		 - When set, doubles the length of delay but cuts frequency
		   response in half.

		   Setting	Delay Factor	Frequency Response
	 	   --------------------------------------------------
		   Off (x1)	0-1500mS	10k to 17kHz
		   On  (x2)	0-3000mS	10k to 8kHz

DELAY PHASE 	 - Inverts the phase of the signal to be delayed.

MODULATION       - Turns modulation on or off.

FEEDBACK PHASE   - Inverts the phase of the delayed signal.
		

Indicators:

MODULATION RATE  - Blinks at the same rate as LFO's.

DELAY CLOCK	 - Blinks at the current delay time.

DELAY ON/OFF 	 - Goes out only when delay effect is turned off by footswitch.


Display:

DELAY TIME 	 - Shows delay time in milli-seconds

FEEDBACK LEVEL   - Shows Feedback level. When set to 0, a singe delay is 
		   obtained.

DELAY OUTPUT     - Shows level of delayed signal. '60' means 1:1 ratio with
		   original signal level.

MODULATION RATE  - Shows frequency of built-in LFO.

MODULATION DEPTH - Displays the depth of the effect.


Control:

DELAY TIME	 - Sets delay time.

FEEDBACK	 - Sets Feedback.

DELAY OUTPUT	 - Set delay time.

MODULATION RATE  - Set LFO frequency (0.05Hz to 10kKz).

MODULATION DEPTH - Deepens the modulation effect.

The above controls set parameters that are in Display.



Input and Output Jacks:

INPUT/OUTPUT SWITCH  - Set switch to +4dBm or -20dBm depending on
		       Instrument output.

INPUT JACK	     - Phone jack for input.

DELAY OUTPUT JACK    - Delayed signal.

MIXED OUTPUT JACK    - Both original and delayed signals.


Feedback Loop:

FEEDBACK SEND JACK   - This loop can be used to connect another effects device
FEEDBACK RETURN JACK - on the feedback signal (i.e. Reverb, Chorus, EQ, etc.).


Remote Switches:

DELAY REMOTE JACK    - Turn delay on or off.

HOLD REMOTE JACK     - Delay will be continuously repeated.

PRESET SHIFT JACK    - The eight presets can be sequentially called.

PLAY MATE JACK	     - This is a neat feature. You can remotely set delay
		       time using a pedal. By taping the foot pedal twice,
		       the time between taps sets the delay. Therefore
		       you can set the delay to the time of the music.

Other:

MODULATION CV JACKS  - You can use an external device to set modulation.

DELAY TIME EXPANDER  - With this knob, delay time can be increased by 1.5.
		       Therefore 4.5 Second delay is possible with this unit.

How much?

I think Wurlitzers is asking $700 but you can get it cheaper through a
magazine retailer, COD or use your VISA...

I got mine for $650 5 months ago...

						Dave