Boss DM-1/MXR M-118 Delay

[ScienceFriction]

So I'm after one of those glorious analog delay pedals with the Reticon R5101 CCD in it, but I wonder if it's worth it? I've read that the R5101 will fail, but I've only heard about it failing in MXR pedals. I know it sounds costly, difficult, time consuming, and maybe pointless but I'm considering getting an old MXR M-118 just to salvage the R5101 so I can build a clone of the Boss DM-1. However, is the MXR M-118 just as good/similar to the Boss DM-1? Will the chip fail no matter what pedal it's in?

 

Also, anyone ever come across a Boss DB-5 Driver? I think they've got a RC3403A (not RC3403AB) IC in them, wouldn't mind trying to clone that either. Thanks for any info.

[nightraven]

i'm on an intensive hunt for a boss DB-5 at the moment

if by some stroke of luck i can track one down for a reasonable price i'll have a look for you

[ALoserNamedAron]

I had a Blue DOD 680 Analog Delay with the R5101 in it. Very very dirty repeats and from what I read it was very similar to the MXR delay with the same chip(unsure of name). I really like it but I couldn't keep it, felt like a ticking bomb to me, I mean Im paranoid enough already.

 

So I ebay'd it, cashed in on like 80 extra bucks and bought a DMM with the extra cash. At least those are repairable if they break(which ironically it did )

 

If I had some extra money and not gassing for anything Id probably look into getting one of those again just for kicks.

 

~Aaron

[Seth Carmody]

Someone around hear had or played one, maybe sefukusha or ollenorin. Report was it was noisy and not as good as the dm2

[(⌐■_■)]

 

So I'm after one of those glorious analog delay pedals with the Reticon R5101 CCD in it, but I wonder if it's worth it? I've read that the R5101 will fail, but I've only heard about it failing in MXR pedals. I know it sounds costly, difficult, time consuming, and maybe pointless but I'm considering getting an old MXR M-118 just to salvage the R5101 so I can build a clone of the Boss DM-1. However, is the MXR M-118 just as good/similar to the Boss DM-1? Will the chip fail no matter what pedal it's in? Also, anyone ever come across a Boss DB-5 Driver? I think they've got a RC3403A (not RC3403AB) IC in them, wouldn't mind trying to clone that either. Thanks for any info.

 

 

yes the chip is likely to fail due to age and while it provides dark repeats they are not a well thought of as say a dm-2 or even a space echo :poke:

[ScienceFriction]

I see, so it's not just the MXR that would fail. The DM-2 is actually considered a better Delay pedal? Interesting. I haven't actually heard the a DM-1, but I know Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys uses one (along with a CE-1). A clone might be too risky and expensive I suppose. I wonder if it's worth trying to clone the R5101 chip at all.. Thanks for all the responses by the way.

[(⌐■_■)]

 

I see, so it's not just the MXR that would fail. The DM-2 is actually considered a better Delay pedal? Interesting. I haven't actually heard the a DM-1, but I know Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys uses one (along with a CE-1). A clone might be too risky and expensive I suppose. I wonder if it's worth trying to clone the R5101 chip at all.. Thanks for all the responses by the way.

 

 

it would be very difficult to clone the chip to the best of my knowledge there isn't that much documentation on it

 

Personally just picking up the mood from what I have read (and owning one now and more in the past) the DM-2 is considered to have very "musical" dark repeats with the artifacting like other similar delays from that generation like the ibanez ones

 

also read this

[ScienceFriction]

Right, but if I had a copy of the chip, aside from risking ruining it, I might be able to make a schematic of it at least?

 

Hmm, I have the chance to pick up a very used MXR M-118 for $140, with the R5101 chip in it. All that's done is make me more curious. It seems people have been trying to find a replacement/copy of this chip for awhile, but I guess the interest is just at cult level.

[(⌐■_■)]

how you gonna make a schem of a chip you have no data sheet for?

[ScienceFriction]

Well, I figure taking a look at the chip would be a good start, but of course.. I forgot about that, haha. It doesn't hurt to try though.

 

It's about time someone figures this stuff out though and makes a quality analog delay pedal like the DM-1 & M-118. The only other pedal I can think of that would be good is an original Deluxe Memory Man.

[seifukusha]

ive played the dm1 a few times. yea, it is quite noisy. i prefer the dm3 or 2 so much more. I do want to get a early mxr analog delay, but NOT with that chip. rumours are they die alot and are hard to replace

[ScienceFriction]

I haven't played a DM-1 or an M-118, and even with the chip failure I'd still really like to get my hands on one both to do a comparison between them and other delay pedals.

[Seth Carmody]

 

It's about time someone figures this stuff out though and makes a quality analog delay pedal like the DM-1 & M-118. The only other pedal I can think of that would be good is an original Deluxe Memory Man.

 

 

Wat? There are plenty of good analogue delays on the market. I've never heard of anyone speaking fondly of the Boss DM-1 or the green MXR delay. As Seif has pointed out, they're noisy and crap next to a Mn3005 based delay, so why bother?

[ScienceFriction]

Really? My knowledge in effects is lacking.. as well as my taste, haha. I'm glad I started this thread now.

 

I suppose once you get on a hunt for something, or for a project, it's hard to change your perspective.

[Seth Carmody]

Really? My knowledge in effects is lacking.. as well as my taste, haha. I'm glad I started this thread now. I suppose once you get on a hunt for something, or for a project, it's hard to change your perspective.

 

I can understand that. Best of luck to you

 

I also have a 1986 Boss DS-1

[ScienceFriction]

Thanks. Yeah, I like my DS-1, but since I got the Coopersonic Valveslapper I just don't need it. I think Boss pedals get slighted a bit, even some of the older ones. There is so much hype around pedals (not that I don't buy in at times obviously), I wish there was more information available about them.

[(⌐■_■)]

also even when you had the info on what's in side the chip it would cost millions to set up a production run at a factory in asia

[hangwire]

this is probably not what you want to hear, but when I demo'd the new EHX Memory Boy I remember thinking the repeats were very much like my ancient DOD/MXR delays you are referencing... it is worth looking at some new options that are close enough for live/gig applications...

[ScienceFriction]

Thanks hangwire. So you're talking about the basic EHX Memory Boy? Not the deluxe or anything like that? I've heard one of those original blue box EHX Deluxe Memory Man and that sounded great. Honestly, I'm open to all possibilities, I guess I just want to find something that is close in warmess and quality to the Boss DM-1/MXR M-118.

[OnWingsOfLead]

I just sold a Ross Stereo Delay with Reticon Chips for 40 Bucks

 

It was getting to where it wouldnt switch on all the time and I'm so backed up on a few pedal builds so I don't have time to mess with it

[ScienceFriction]

That's too bad, I would have bought that too. Hmm, it doesn't sound like the chip was the problem at least.

 

So I guess some of the DOD 680 Delay's also had the Reticon R5101 chip? So that's four pedals total, cool.

[nightraven]

if you're still interested i have a DB-5 on the way, it's stuck in customs right now but hopefully in a few weeks i can open it up and look what's inside

[ScienceFriction]

Cool, that would be awesome. Let me know if you ever wanted to sell it too.

 

Really though, there isn't much info on those, and they have such a cool sound.

[nightraven]

going to try and take the db-5 apart right now to get pics of the components

have to undo all the pots, jacks, switches, faders and this pedal is pretty dirty

bumped the thread just so i know where it is

[nightraven]

here are all the pics i took, some are better than others as you can see http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PWW1188R

 

the two ICs inside read

 

RC3403ADB

RAYT7733

 

and

 

RC3403ADB

RAYP7729

 

whatever that means

 

interesting that there's a trimpot inside, didn't the original superfuzz pedals have a trimpot inside to control the amount of octave up? i didn't touch it because it's sounding BRUTAL as it is

 

also kinda neat that there's an extra hole in the surface for another pot, which is covered by the face plate, makes sense to use the exact same enclosures as with the ce-1

 

if you could clone this pedal that would be awesome, i don't know why nobody has done this yet, it's a totally unique octave fuzz sound

 

anyway i gotta wash my hands, that pedal is just as filthy inside as it sounds