Roland DD-8 User's Guide

Owner’s Manual

For the USA

* Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a separate sheet). After reading, keep the

document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference.

© 2019 Roland Corporation

Panel Descriptions

AC Adaptor
(PSA series; sold
separately)

3

Guitar Amplier

No. Name Explanation

Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (PSA series;
sold separately). By using an AC Adaptor, you can play
without being concerned about how much battery
power you have left.

* If there are batteries in the unit while an AC adaptor is

1

DC IN jack

CHECK

2

indicator

OUTPUT-A

3

(MONO) jack,
OUTPUT-B jack

INPUT-A
(MONO) jack,

4

INPUT-B jack

TEMPO/EXP

5

jack

being used, normal operation will continue should the
line voltage be interrupted (power blackout or power
cord disconnection).

* Use only the specied AC adaptor (PSA-series).

* If the AC adaptor is connected while power is on, the

power supply is drawn from the AC adaptor.

This is a combination indicator, which indicates
whether the eect is on or o, indicates the various
functions, and functions as the battery check

indicator.
The indicator lights when an eect is ON.

* If this indicator goes dim or no longer lights while an

eect is ON, or when the functions are indicated, the
battery is near exhaustion and should be replaced
immediately. For instructions on changing the
batteries, refer to “Changing the Battery.”

* The CHECK indicator shows whether the eect is on or

o, and indicates the dierent functions. It does not
indicate whether the power to the device is on or not.

Connect an amplier to this jack.

* The function diers depending on the mode or

connections.

These jacks accept input signals (coming from a
guitar, some other musical instrument, or another
eects unit).

* The function diers depending on the mode or

connections.

Turning the power on/o

* The INPUT-A (MONO) and INPUT-B jacks double as

power switches. Power to the unit is turned on when
you plug into the INPUT-A (MONO) or INPUT-B jack; the
power is turned o when the cable is unplugged. Be
sure to disconnect any cord plugged into the INPUT-A
(MONO) or INPUT-B jack when not using this eects
device.

This jack is for connecting a footswitch (FS-5U, FS-6,
FS-7; sold separately) or an expression pedal (Roland

EV-5, BOSS FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30; sold separately).
This jack lets you use a footswitch to set the tempo,

control the loop, or turn TWIST on/o, or use an
expression pedal to control various parameters.

* Use only the specied expression pedal. By connecting

any other expression pedals, you risk causing
malfunction and/or damage to the unit.

1

8 9 10

7

2

Keyboard

11

4

Electric
Guitar

5

6

Footswitch
(FS-6 etc.)

Expression Pedal
(Roland EV-5 etc.)

No. Name Explanation

6

Pedal switch

7

Thumbscrew

[E.LEVEL]

8

knob

[FEEDBACK]

9

knob

10

[TIME] knob

11

[MODE] knob

[CARRYOVER]

12

switch

Connections

* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume,

and turn o all the units before making any connections.

* Do not use connection cables that contain a built-in resistor.
* Before turning the unit on/o, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even

with the volume turned down, you might hear some sound when switching the
unit on/o. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

* Once the connections have been completed, turn on power to your various

devices in the order specied. By turning on devices in the wrong order, you
risk causing malfunction and/or damage to speakers and other devices.

• When powering up: Turn on the power to your guitar amp last.

• When powering down: Turn o the power to your guitar amp rst.

* When connecting a footswitch, you must turn o the power before connecting

or disconnecting cables. Failure to observe this precaution will cause
malfunctions.

For more information, refer to “Reference Manual” (PDF).

1. Access the following URL.

http://www.boss.info/manuals/

2. Choose “DD-8” as the product name.

12

This is used for switching the eect on and o, and for
switching between the dierent functions.

When this screw is loosened, the pedal will open,
allowing you to change the battery.

* For instructions on changing the battery, refer to

“Changing the Battery.”

This adjusts the volume of the eect sound. Turn the
knob clockwise to increase the eect sound. When set
at the three o’clock position, the eect is played at the
same volume as the direct sound.

* When the [E.LEVEL] knob is set to MAX while in

REVERSE mode, only the eect sound is output, with
the eect sound at the same level as the input sound.

This adjusts the feedback level. The number of times
the delay sound is repeated increases as the knob is

turned to the right.

* This cannot be used in LOOP mode.

* In GLT mode, this adjusts the depth of the GLT eect.

* Oscillation may occur when the knob is set at certain

positions.

This adjusts the delay time. Turning the knob
clockwise lengthens the delay time.

* This cannot be used in LOOP mode.

* The delay times that can be set vary according to the

position of the [MODE] knob.

This switches the delay eect.

This selects whether the delay sound remains (ON) or
does not remain (OFF) when you turn o the eect.

English

Operating the Unit

1. Turn on the eect.

After you have nished making the connections, press the pedal switch to
turn the eect on (the CHECK indicator lights red).

* When in LOOP mode, the eect cannot be switched on or o.
* You can obtain a variety of dierent delay eects by changing how the

connections are made. For more information, refer to “Reference Manual” (PDF).

2. Use the [MODE] knob to select the mode.

MODE knob Explanation Delay time

STANDARD Clear digital delay. 20–800 ms

ANALOG Mild analog delay. 20–800 ms

TAPE

WARM Mild digital delay. 20–800 ms

REVERSE Delay played backward. 300–5000 ms

+RV Delay with reverb. 20–800 ms

SHIM Delay with pitch-shifted sound added. 200–800 ms

MOD Digital delay with modulation. 20–800 ms

WARP Creates a dreamlike sound. 20–800 ms

GLT

LOOP

*1: The maximum recording time is 20 seconds for stereo input or 40

seconds for mono input.

* If you specify the long delay output setting, the delay time is doubled.

Sound with the modulation that is
distinctive of a tape echo unit.

Creates a machine-gun-like sound.
The eect is applied while you hold

down the pedal switch.

Records your performance, and
repeatedly plays it back.

20–800 ms

10–400 ms

40 sec. *1

3. Adjust the delay time with the [TIME] knob.

4. Adjust the amount of feedback with the [FEEDBACK] knob

* Oscillation may occur with certain input sounds, or when the knob is set at

certain positions.

.

5. Adjust the volume of the eect sound with the [E.LEVEL]

knob.

Using the LOOP (Overdubbing) Function

With the LOOP function, you can record up to 40 seconds of your performance,
and then have that content played back repeatedly. You can also layer this as

you perform something else, then record these together (overdub).

1. Select LOOP.

Set the MODE knob to LOOP (the CHECK indicator goes out).

2. Begin recording.

Recording starts when you press the pedal switch (the CHECK indicator
ashes red).

* The maximum recording time is 20 seconds for stereo input or 40 seconds for

mono input.

* Recording continues even if you release the pedal switch.

3. Stop recording0start playback.

When in the recording state, press the pedal switch to stop recording and
transition to playback (the CHECK indicator is lit green).

4. Start overdubbing.

When in the playback state, press the pedal switch to start overdubbing
(the CHECK indicator is lit orange).

5. Stop overdubbing0start playback.

When in the overdubbing state, press the pedal switch to stop
overdubbing and transition to playback (the CHECK indicator is lit green).

6. Adjust the volume.

Use the [E.LEVEL] knob to adjust the volume of the playback sound.

7. Finish playback.

To stop playback, press the pedal switch twice. (If there is recorded data,
the CHECK indicator blinks green.)

* Press the pedal switch two times in succession, keeping the interval between

presses to one second or less.

Deleting

Hold down the pedal switch for two seconds or longer to delete the
recorded content.

Use of Battery

* If operating this unit on batteries, please use alkaline batteries.
* If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and uid leakage. Make

sure that you carefully observe all of the items related to batteries that are
listed in “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a
separate sheet).

* When operating on battery power only, the unit’s indicator will become dim

when battery power gets too low. Replace the battery as soon as possible.

* Batteries should always be installed or replaced before connecting any other

devices. This way, you can prevent malfunction and damage.

Changing the Battery

1. Hold down the pedal and

loosen the thumbscrew, then
open the pedal upward.

* The pedal can be opened without

detaching the thumbscrew completely.

2. Remove the old battery

from the battery housing,
and remove the snap cord
connected to it.

Thumbscrew

Battery Snap
Cord

Battery
Snap

9 V Battery

Pedal

Spring Base

Coil Spring

Guide
Bush Hole

Battery Housing

3. Connect the snap cord to the new battery, and place the

battery inside the battery housing.

* Be sure to carefully observe the battery’s polarity (+ versus -).

4. Slip the coil spring onto the spring base on the back of the

pedal, and then close the pedal.

* Carefully avoid getting the snap cord caught in the pedal, coil spring, and

battery housing.

5. Insert the thumb screw into the guide bush hole and

tighten it securely.

Main Specications

BOSS DD-8: Digital Delay

Nominal Input Level

Input Impedance

Nominal Output Level

Output Impedance

Recommended Load
Impedance

Power Supply

Current Draw

Dimensions

Weight

Accessories

Options

* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
* This document explains the specications of the product at the time that the

document was issued. For the latest information, refer to the Roland website.

Model Name :

Type of Equipment :

Responsible Party :

Address :

Telephone :

-20 dBu

1 MΩ

-20 dBu

1 kΩ

10 kΩ or greater

DC 9 V: Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately)

65 mA (DC 9 V)

* Expected battery life under continuous use (These

gures will vary depending on the actual conditions
of use.)
Alkaline: Approx. 5 hours

73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm
2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches

440 g / 1 lb (including battery)

Owner’s Manual, Leaet (“USING THE UNIT SAFELY,”
“IMPORTANT NOTES,” and “Information”),
Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)

AC adaptor: PSA series
Footswitch: FS-5U, FS-6, FS-7
Expression pedal: FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, Roland

EV-5

SUPPLIER’S DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Compliance Information Statement

DD-8
Guitar Eects
Roland Corporation U.S.
5100 S. Eastern Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90040-2938
[phone]