Roland Dimension D SDD-320 Stereo Chorus #870163 (Vintage)

The Roland Dimension-D SDD-320 Stereo Chorus is simple to use, with only one purpose - beautiful stereo chorus effects! On the front panel there are 5 linked pushbuttons to choose between the four preset effects settings and effect off. The four presets all sound great; they are all smooth stereo chorus effects, and differ only by the intensity of the effect. If doesn't get any simpler than that.

Being originally designed for pro studio setups, it expects a +4dB input signal and doesn't have an input level control, so plugging a guitar straight in won't work. Use it with a mixer with a master level control on its effects sends and you'll be fine. On the plus side it has a very useful 10-segment bar graph for getting the input level right.

One neat feature for live work: the unit has stereo inputs and outputs, and each input/output has a simultaneously active unbalanced 1/4" phone and a balanced XLR jack, so you can take your pick or even use it as a DI box as well.

Also features a socket on the front panel for a remote effect bypass foot switch, and a grounding terminal on the back panel.

The Dimension D achieves its sound by using compressor/expanders in the delay chain and pre/de-emphasis for noise suppression. The delayed signal is fed back to its channel of origin, and also to the opposite channel through a high-pass filter, (but with opposite polarity). Meanwhile, the original signal is given a bass increase, to avoid low frequency loss and to make the signal more complementary to the delayed signal.

With this combination of signal path and processing, the Dimension D shapes the sound without overwhelming the tonal character. Where most chorus effects muddy the sound to some degree, the Roland unit creates a sound that is more spatial in character. Using it can provide effects that enhance the sound and still let the music come through.