BOSSDM-2W Waza Craft Delay Pedal

I’ve owned a couple of these over the years, reluctantly offloading them and then re-buying later after trying other options. Boss is always the best in terms of reliability, size, and sound IMHO. This one has a modern, cleaner setting as well as the original shorter delay setting, so it does more than a lot of bucket brigades in terms of versatility. It’s not a digital emulation but an actual analog circuit, which may sound snobby but does matter in this instance.Really it’s like two delay pedals, and the Waza Craft line never disappoints. The dry output also allows for more creative options, like splitting the signal chain into two paths (one with the delay which can feed other effects too, and another that is clean split across two amps or DAW inputs, for example). Overall, an excellent pedal at a good price.

The Waza Craft pedal line has been among the most successful initiatives from Roland/BOSS in the past 10 years. Whereas some of the Waza pedals include "boutique-style" modifications to existing products (like the DS-1 or SD-1), others represent pedals wholly resurrected from the dead. The DM-2 has not been produced by BOSS since the mid-1980's, though BOSS has included digitally modeled versions of the DM-2 in many other products, and there are many similar analog delays currently available.The original DM-2 was a "bucket brigade" delay (BBD) that used analog capacitance chips to delay and repeat the guitar signal. Compared to modern/digital delays, the DM-2 warm, lo-fi, and almost crunchy character to its decaying repeats. In a technical sense, this was a drawback and a limitation on what the circuitry available in the 1970's was capable of doing. However, like so many things related to the guitar, this vintage "character" became viewed as musical and desirable. Today, there are many options for analog and digital delays, but the DM-2's character holds a special place in the heart of many players, even if the only option for playing an actual DM-2 was to buy a 30+ year old piece of gear.That was...until the release of the Waza Craft DM-2W. The DM-2W is made in Japan and promises a few modern improvements. For example, the original chip set could only delay up to 300 milliseconds. To be honest, I ignored a lot of vintage delays for this reason alone. Most of my delay settings and dotted-eighth note patterns used a delay time between 350-400ms, so why would I look at an analog delay incapable of those times. Well, the DM-2 excels at shorter, slapback delays and a lot of other styles I am increasingly appreciating. Plus, the DM-2W Waza adds a "Custom" mode, which more than doubles the delay time to 800ms.That Custom mode also features a delay tone that BOSS describes as "cleaner" and slightly brighter. If I'm being honest, I like the sound of the Standard/Vintage delay better. However, the option to have a the additional delay time and to make it jump out more in a mix significantly adds to the versatility of the DM-2W. Some of the mods on the Waza pedals offer only subtle or incremental improvements on the original that are barely noticeable. I was impressed how much this additional functionality added in the DM-2W.A couple quick notes/disclaimers. First, the time knob on a DM-2 works backwards from most delay pedals. Instead of increasing the delay time, you turn the Repeat Rate knob clockwise to DECREASE the delay time. It's an easy adjustment to make, but probably confuses a new user or too. The other two knobs control the mix or repeat volume (ECHO) and the feedback or number of repeats (INTENSITY).Delay pedals are inherently simple effects, but I find the DM-2W to be very inspiring to play in different styles. It's also cool that it can be powered on 9V battery for up to 15 hours (according to BOSS anyway) - that's something you can't with a digital delay, and makes it great for grab-and-go play. This is a great reissue of a classic pedal, and given BOSS' durability track record, it should offer decades of enjoyment.

To start, I am a huge BOSS fanboy. I love BOSS pedals, and own about 10 of them. I appreciate their simplicity, and their "it does what it says on the tin" mentality. Easy to understand knob functions, not a lot of fluff, just plug in and go.This DM-2W delay is among the best of the Waza series of BOSS pedals. Based (obviously) on the CLASSIC DM-2, this pedal gives you that classic analog delay sound, but adds in the Waza magic. Having the longer delay time in the Custom mode really expands the possibilities of this delay pedal.I'm definitely more of an analog than digital guy, and just love the gritty, inconsistent sounds that only analog can give. This DM-2W brings that sound.

I am not a big Boss is great guy. I respect their heritage and they make very no high quality items. I love this delay. I kinda could say 2-3 others that I would like to have but it’s funny bc the others I’m almost sure would not kick this off board. It has exp output and direct out for wet dry. I switch from stereo to wet dry no digital helix’s on my board. I bought one 5 min later it was being returned. But the boss has a long 800ms analog delay file and repeats are clean are Waza circuits suoer clean. For a alpha Ms still dark

I had the Ibanez equivalent of this pedal back in the mid 1980s and always missed the analog delay sound. I can't compare the original Boss pedal to this Waza version, but I am very satisfied with what I hear. I thought of hunting down the original Ibanez pedal that I was using back in the day, but didn't want to risk buying a 40 year old pedal that could break down at any time. Recommended if you want that special analog delay sound.

This pedal is everything I’ve come to expect in a Boss pedal, especially the Waza Craft variety. It sounds great, it looks great, it’s easy to use, it has extra features and sounds from the Waza Craft update.If you like Boss pedals and are looking for a no frills basic delay pedal that still has some variety you can’t go wrong with this pedal.

Only use Boss Pedals on my board because they work and sound very good!

Perfect for the spaghetti western and surf slap-back. I’m a fan of Boss products and this one won’t disappoint. I highly recommend it!