javajunkie

Boss DC-2 Dimension C

The Boss DC-2 is a compact pedal version of the venerable Roland Dimension D. The Dimensions C and D have locked in their place in guitar effects history. Both were analog Bucket Brigade Delay (BBD) effects known for a “motionless” type of chorus that was very different from the ensemble choruses of its day. The effect was much more subtle than a standard chorus. The DC-2 was sold from December 1985 to September 1989. Notable users of the C and D are Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads and INXS. Although extremely similar, the Dimension C differed from the D in that it was designed for a guitar level input and only had a mono input. Also, on the D you could get more modes than the C by simultaneously press more than one of the mode buttons. Both featured stereo outputs and 4 buttons that allowed for different modes of operation. This allowed for the stereo modes to be somewhat different.The modes started from an extremely subtle effect (mode 1) to a somewhat intense effect (mode 4).The 4 button control made both devices extremely simple to use.

The Dimension C is an analog BBD style sporting a MN3007/MN3101 chipset.
The Boss Dimension C DC-2 was a stompbox that had a single mono unbalanced input, and either a mono or stereo output. It also utilized a pair of companders to render an amazingly quiet performance from the two BBD's. Additionally filtering was added to reduce clock noise and for frequency shaping.

The Dimension line used two modulated delay lines mixed with a dry signal to achieve its chorus effect. To counteract the feeling of motion associated with typical choruses, the modulation of each delay lines was 180 degrees out of phase with each other. It has been claimed the units were modulated using a trapezoidal waveform, I have not found this to be the case with my C. It is a pretty straight-forward triangle waveform. The speed and depth of the mod. is controlled by the buttons 1 to 4. There seems to be two modulation speeds, Mode 1 and 2 are slower while Mode 3 and 4 are faster. This correlates with with two different depths. I varied the mix between 1-2, and 3-4 to match the DC-2 modes.

I used the Dual Delay to match the DC-2 chorus. It had all the tone shaping and delay/modulation parameters I want to use to match. There are several other approaches I could have used. Again my goal for these are to keep the effects portable and easy to switch on/off. Using the dual delay algorithm allowed me to use two delay lines and do some tone shaping to closer match the filtering done on the original unit.

So without further delay (no pun intended ), here it the Boss DC-2 in all its modes of operation.

This is mode 4, every other chord is switching between the real thing and the Axe-fx II - no amp/cab just chorus effect

http://javajunkiemusic.com/Audio/dimcmode4.mp3

This is mode 1. Same thing plus at the end I do each chord a couple of times switching back n forth:

http://javajunkiemusic.com/Audio/dimcmode1.mp3

Mode 2 and 3 are just variations with basically more/less mix so no A/B

Here is the Axe-fx II with Amp, Cab, chorus, and a little reverb. It goes through the four presets modes 1-4.

http://javajunkiemusic.com/Audio/axedicallmodes.mp3

Here are the presets:
Mode 1
Axe-Change - Download Preset - Boss Dim C 1 - by javajunkie
Mode 2
Axe-Change - Download Preset - Boss Dim C 2 - by javajunkie
Mode 3
Axe-Change - Download Preset - Boss Dim C 3 - by javajunkie
Mode 4
Axe-Change - Download Preset - Boss Dim C 4 - by javajunkie