Boss DD-7 vs. EHX SMMH

Thebas1 · #1 04-11-2011, 07:41 AM

Im thinking of buying a delay pedal soon, and i thought it would be nice to have a built in loop function, although i would be using the pedal more for the delay function live.
Is there anyone that has used both/either of these and can give me a bit of advice?

cheers!

Mimazo · #2 04-11-2011, 11:55 AM

I can share my experience with the DD-7, it's actually my first delay in a stomp box format (I'm a converted multifx user)...I've chosen this pedal because of the features it has, in addition of the loop function you described, it has a built in tap tempo feature very handy and a number of different tempo settings that covers my needs - sound quality (tone wise) at this point in time I haven't noticed any bottom end lose or any other degradation on my signal (I use a pedal switcher with 5 true bypass loops, I have the DD-7 hooked alone to one of these loops so I can't tell from a serial chain point of view whether or not it colors the signal) - summarizing, I would recommend the DD-7 because of the features it has basically, tone wise, it works for me too

Cheers

iamdenialNJ · #3 04-11-2011, 12:07 PM

sillyfabe · #4 04-11-2011, 04:56 PM

+1 to the SMMH

I sold my old one to iamdenialnj back in December and have missed it ever since. I just got my second one for a good trade deal. This thing is amazing and I run it into a Strymon El Capistan. Also the reverse echo is amazing as well as the filter which can make the repeats dark/analog feel (esp. with the modulation) or bright.

metalinthenight · #5 04-13-2011, 08:12 AM

I've had both. The DD-7 is super straight forward and easy to use. I liked running it with the Boss FS-5U for the Tap Tempo (imperative for me) and I really liked being able to make this thing self oscillate.

The SMMH is a much more complicated beast. It takes a lot more time to fully wrap your head around it, but it does a lot more, with a lot more control, built in tap tempo, memory presets...I dig it, and that's why I stuck with that one. I wish it could self oscillate as easily as the DD-7 though...

The loopers on both are minimal at best. You really can only do one short loop and maybe one overdub. The DD-7 was better for those quick loops, IMO, as the SMMH will start to degrade the quality of the loop as you add more than one. The cool thing about the SMMH looping system, though, is that you are able to loop a phrase and then switch to a different setting and play a line with a delay on top of the loop. Pretty neat.

RCCollins · #6 04-13-2011, 08:19 AM

My problem with the SMMH is that it assigns multiple functions to single knobs, leaving you little range to work with for some controls. Also, you can use an expression pedal with the DD-7 for whatever parameter you want, and that's a huge plus in my book.

Thebas1 · #7 04-13-2011, 04:57 PM

At the moment i think im leaning towards the SMMH for the amount of features, it just excites me a bit more!

strke-fender · #8 04-13-2011, 08:47 PM

own DD-7
spend a lot of time with SMMH

Go with the SMMH

nodisco · #9 04-13-2011, 11:11 PM

I own DD-7 and have spent some time with SMMH. Soundwise, I like DD-7 more, but SMMH is more usable for me (switch for tap tempo) and looping is also more comfortable.
So my vote goes for SMMH.

Thebas1 · #10 04-14-2011, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strke-fender

own DD-7
spend a lot of time with SMMH

Go with the SMMH

Sounds to me like a wife vs mistress situation :P

sunbeast · #11 04-15-2011, 06:03 PM

I've owned both- the Boss is a very nice straight-forward delay with good sound quality, but the Hazarai just has so much more tweakability and neat little tricks up its sleeve- being able to add reverb on top of delay, loop while using delay, manipulate the speed and direction of loops, etcetera.

The biggest downside of the EHX in my opinion is that there is a noticeable volume drop in the clean signal when you engage the effect- for me it required the use of an active effect blender to boost the signal when the pedal was engaged, which was a big annoyance to me (I prefer to use the Blender for dirt!). I do miss it though, and have considered getting another and just getting used to having to use a Blender with it to keep my volume levels intact.

iamdenialNJ · #12 04-15-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

The biggest downside of the EHX in my opinion is that there is a noticeable volume drop in the clean signal when you engage the effect- for me it required the use of an active effect blender to boost the signal when the pedal was engaged, which was a big annoyance to me (I prefer to use the Blender for dirt!). I do miss it though, and have considered getting another and just getting used to having to use a Blender with it to keep my volume levels intact.

I've owned three different SMMH over the years and this has never been a problem for me.

sunbeast · #13 04-15-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdenialNJ

I've owned three different SMMH over the years and this has never been a problem for me.

Don't know what to say- do you play through a tube amp or lots of drive that would compress the signal enough to not notice such a change? Because the first I tried in the store had the problem, the one I bought had it, two of my buddies that have them both notice it, and it is a pretty commonly discussed issue on the net with these pedals (and actually any of the EHX pedals with an effects mix knob and no extra Gain control- it is an unfortunate flaw of their particular blend design apparently). Try putting the mix at 50% in loop mode without recording a loop and toggle the bypass on and off and tell me that you don't notice a volume fluctuation. If I was playing guitar I think it wouldn't be as noticeable, but with bass a drop in volume+ a drop in punch!

Happynoj · #14 04-17-2011, 07:07 AM

I haven't noticed a volume drop with mine.

iamdenialNJ · #15 04-17-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

Don't know what to say- do you play through a tube amp or lots of drive that would compress the signal enough to not notice such a change? Because the first I tried in the store had the problem, the one I bought had it, two of my buddies that have them both notice it, and it is a pretty commonly discussed issue on the net with these pedals (and actually any of the EHX pedals with an effects mix knob and no extra Gain control- it is an unfortunate flaw of their particular blend design apparently). Try putting the mix at 50% in loop mode without recording a loop and toggle the bypass on and off and tell me that you don't notice a volume fluctuation. If I was playing guitar I think it wouldn't be as noticeable, but with bass a drop in volume+ a drop in punch!

This only happens if you put the blend knob at noon or higher. All the knobs are very interactive. The blend knob is a 50% clean, 50% wet knob instead of it being a 100% clean and 100% wet. Just turn down the blend knob to around 11 o' clock.

sunbeast · #16 04-17-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdenialNJ

This only happens if you put the blend knob at noon or higher. All the knobs are very interactive. The blend knob is a 50% clean, 50% wet knob instead of it being a 100% clean and 100% wet. Just turn down the blend knob to around 11 o' clock.

Exactly- you can't get an equal blend of delay/loop and clean signal (like I said- to get an equal blend, there is a volume drop). For delay purposes this was fine (because I usually would want the clean signal to overpower the delay to some degree), but part of why I personally bought the pedal was because I could loop while delaying and vice-versa. In order to this though, I would have to compromise either the volume of my loops or the volume of my clean signal, which I found really annoying! For straight delays, there are a number of better pedals IMO, but it is the looping and odd sounds/ editing capabilities that really make the Hazarai special- unfortunately it wasn't ideally designed for looping because of the volume issue in my experience (and that of many other users). Honestly though, at least as I remember it, there was a volume drop even with the Blend control set more towards the clean side- I could be mistaken here though, because I started using the pedal with a Blender eventually anyway to get the functionality I wanted.

TOOL460002 · #17 04-17-2011, 07:32 PM

if you want smaller, cheap used, and simple, the boss is just great. if you are really going to do a lot of looping and dont want to buy a dedicated looper, then the smmh is going to be your best option.

im trying to think of other options for you in the same price range, but those two pedals really are some of the better, more versatile units for the money. if i think of anything i will post it. let us know what you end up with, and how happy you are with it.

paradigm_shift · #18 04-18-2011, 02:20 AM

Line6 DL-4 gets a lot of love for the same sort of scope as these pedals- or it use to anyway?

tonymcbony · #19 04-18-2011, 04:18 AM

I've had both and to be honest the DD7 is the practical unit. Yeah it doesn't do all the crazy things but the bread and butter delays and rhythms are there, which are lacking in the smmh.

Volume drop is an issue for the smmh, the looper is a bit hard to use. The tone knob was very useful in getting the repeats out of the way of the bass though.

I'd probably go DD7