Boss SDE-3000 EVH

EVH and BOSS join forces to bring you the SDE-3000EVH Dual Digital Delay, an authentic recreation of the stereo delays at the heart of Eddie Van Halen’s massive three-cabinet live stage guitar sound. Based on the vintage Roland SDE-3000 rackmount delay, this powerhouse processor puts two fully featured SDE-3000s in one floor-based pedal, coupled with extensive connectivity to build a wet/dry/wet rig just like Eddie’s. You also get eight presets curated by EVH with the exact settings from his actual delay units, allowing you to experience the master’s expansive spatial delay tone in your own setup.

Eddie Van Halen is one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time, and his effortless musicality, spirited performances, and otherworldly techniques will continue to inspire players for generations to come. Eddie’s amazing tone is equally legendary, and he continually refined his amplifier and effect choices throughout his career to achieve the very best sound possible.

The Roland SDE-3000 delays were perfect for his unique wet/dry/wet live rig approach, providing rich, high-quality tone and special delay parameters that allowed him to perfectly tweak the sound to his exacting preferences. After years of using the SDE-3000s, the ever-ambitious and competitive Eddie tried to see if he could improve his sound with a rival product. But he never found another delay that worked better, and his two SDE-3000s remained core components of his stage rig throughout his long career.

EVH carries on Eddie’s legacy, sharing his visionary ideas for guitar gear with musicians around the world. A few years ago, EVH and BOSS began discussing the idea of bringing the legend’s distinctive approach with the vintage SDE-3000s to everyone.

EVH and BOSS worked closely in the development of the SDE-3000EVH to ensure it delivers Eddie’s personal delay tone with complete authenticity. We prepared many test units for the EVH team, which were meticulously compared with the guitarist’s settings and sounds at his famous 5150 recording studio. After a long process of testing and feedback, we’re proud to bring you the finished product, filled with exact sonic replicas of his presets and emblazoned with the signature EVH stripes.

The original SDE-3000 was a mono delay, and Eddie used two units with unique settings on each to achieve his sound. The SDE-3000EVH combines two SDE-3000s in one pedal, along with an EVH preset bank that allows you to load all the settings for the dual delays with a touch.

Eddie pioneered his three-cabinet wet/dry/wet setup in the early 1990s, using a dry path from a single amplifier in the center cab and left and right cabs amplified with wet-only delay effects for a wide, multi-dimensional soundstage. With the multiple outputs and versatile routing modes in the SDE-3000EVH, it’s possible to recreate this setup with your own amps.

The SDE-3000EVH features eight EVH presets accessed via a dedicated panel switch. The first four presets are designed for a wet/dry/wet setup, and they represent the actual presets Eddie used in his live rig. The next four presets provide the same sounds, adapted for a standard stereo amplifier setup.

In contrast with the clear, precise tones of other digital delays, the SDE-3000 stood out from the crowd with its beautiful warm sound and inviting musicality. This was the result of clever and complex internal digital processing coupled with nonlinear behaviors from the supporting analog circuitry. These behaviors included variable frequency response in the preamp based on input gain, magnetic saturation in the anti-alias filter, and evolving modulation produced by the components of the time. We deeply analyzed these many factors in creating the SDE-3000D, bringing the complete character of this time-honored classic alive for the modern era.

The SDE-3000D includes nearly every parameter from the SDE-3000, accessed via a retro interface derived from the vintage hardware. Two selectable delay ranges offer different frequency characteristics, vital elements in the original’s appealing sound. The unique tonal color of the SDE-3000’s external feedback loop circuit has been replicated as well, and it’s possible to turn this coloration off or internally process the feedback loop with a powerful EQ. You also get 100 memories—up from the original’s eight—plus carryover when switching sounds.

The modulation circuit in the SDE-3000 also contributes to the effect’s distinctive sound. Along with basic depth and rate controls, it’s possible to independently switch the phase of the initial delay and the delay feedback loop, which influences the way the modulation reacts. The original analog LFO behavior has been faithfully reproduced in the SDE-3000D, and there’s now a sine wave option in addition to the original triangle wave. We’ve also provided even more control over the delay phase settings for a broader range of sounds.

While the original SDE-3000 was mono, the SDE-3000D gives you two discrete delays with independent parameters and mono or stereo modulation on each. Run the delays in parallel and pan them for ever-evolving stereo colors. Or chain them in series to create complex rhythms and reverb-like depth. And with the flexible audio I/O, you can route the effects for wide stereo operation, send each delay to its own output, or split effect and unprocessed sounds for wet/dry setups.

With its pedal-based design and expanded control options, the SDE-3000D offers much greater versatility than its rackmount inspiration. Three onboard footswitches provide instant control of memory selection, tap tempo, delay hold, momentary effect engagement, and more. Two control jacks allow you to connect up to four footswitches, two expression pedals, or a GA-FC/GA-FC EX for external operation, and TRS MIDI I/O is also included. There’s a large selection of assignable targets to choose from, delivering deep real-time control that reaches far beyond the capabilities of the original SDE-3000.