Description
The Roland SDE-2000 was the Japanese company’s first effects unit – a digital delay line. These became fairly common in London studios in the 1980s and had the benefits of being quick and simple to use
Sound quality is great with a smooth, very analogue sound. Delay time was up to 320 mS in standard mode, and 640 mS in x2 mode. This was a common feature of early digital delays – doubling the delay time (and halving the bandwidth) by changing the clocking. Delay time is displayed on a 3-digit red LED display with simple Up and Down buttons to change delay settings
The Lexicon PrimeTime offered 1X, 2X, 4X and 8X settings, the bandwidth halving with every step. The sound of the SDE in X2 mode is quite reminiscent of a slow tape delay, and feedback results in a gradually decaying, dulling repeat – again, like tape. The result sounds great
The SDE-2000 has a VCO with speed & depth controls. This can give deep chorusing effects or a gently shifting delay with phasing. There’s an unusual option for the VCO – the shape can be changed from sinewave to triangle, a nice touch that shows their background in analogue synthesisers
The SDE 2000 is one of the few pieces of rack gear that is truly memorable from a design point of view. It’s hard to make a 1U device distinctive, but Roland achieved it with ease. The front panel is a masterpiece of industrial design, laid out with Germanic simplicity, with clear labelling in white on a black front panel. Indicators are rectangular LEDs – a new technology at the time – and switches are white vertical pushbuttons with a ridged cap
In good condition for a piece of vintage kit. This SDE-2000 has replacement knobs and a bracket has been added to the right-hand rack ear. Tested and working 100%
