MXR carbon copy or Boss DD-7?

[John Botofte]

Is there a significant difference between MXR carbon copy delay and Boss' digital delay DD-7 when you only need a little delay for pedal steel?

Thanks
John

[Bob Hoffnar]

I like how the carbon copy sounds. Buy one used and see if you like it. If you don't you won't lose much money.

If I was more into it I would have a pedal board with an analog delay for basic sounds and a digital delay for features.

[ajm]

Does it matter? Probably not.

I'm not an expert on the Boss, but I believe that the Boss may allow for longer delay times, which you might not ever use.
It might also allow for some "looping" or something, which you might not ever use.
It also may have some kind of "analog" sound simulation switch, which you may use all of the time. Or may not.
On the other hand, the CC has a modulation effect which I use all of the time on the 6 string. I suspect that the Boss does not have it.

Unless you need delay times longer than the CC (600 msec), I'd go with whichever one pops up first and/or cheapest. You'll probably be happy either way.

I got really lucky and found a CC at a garage sale a couple of years ago for $40. (Don't hate me.)

[Erv Niehaus]

For just a little delay, I like the Boss DD-2 or DD-3.
So did the Big E.

[b0b]

I tried the Carbon Copy and didn't like it for steel. It didn't sound clean enough to me, and I felt that it was coloring my tone. I prefer the sound of digital delay for general use. The CC is more of a "special effect" that I would only use on certain songs.

If I was more into it I would have a pedal board with an analog delay for basic sounds and a digital delay for features.

To me, it's the exact opposite.

[Jeremy Threlfall]

DD7 has SHEDloads more delay time than a Carbon Copy (6 seconds?) because its digital. It also has an "analog" mode which gives a convincing DM-2 sound, and may satisfy your CC craving. I'd go the DD7 for flexibility. I use a Zoom CDR on "Carbon Copy" setting with my PS, and not a DD-7, only because the Zoom lasts about 8 hours on two AA batteries, and the DD-7 does not.

[Jack Stanton]

What b0b said.. I liked the delay sound of the Carbon Copy, but the were artifacts after the notes that drove me crazy. I experienced the same thing with the original DM2. Some people think it's part of the analog charm. Seemed way more pronounced with the steel..it may have had something to do with how hot steel pickups are.
Only analog delay I never experienced that with was the original Deluxe Memory Man. Spectacular sound, wish it wasn't so dang big.

[Jim Sliff]

There Is a HUGE difference.

Analog delays like the Carbon Copy are warmer sounding and more "organic" than digital delay, which has an almost "sterile" sound.

Digital delay is good for doubling effects and other specialty uses. Analog delay is what you want for added "tail", a substitute for reverb, and fattening up your sound.