Question:
I've been looking into the possibility of buying a Line 6 DL4 for awhile now, but then I realized that they also make the Echo Park for about $100 less. Apart from the sizes and the looping feature of the DL4, what are the big differences in these pedals? Is either easier to use than the other?
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The Echo Park (which I own) also doesn't let you program and save patches; it's more of a regular stompbox. But it's BRILLIANT. Highly reccomended.
-Nick
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Echo Park is a great delay. My only complaint is that it's louder and brighter when it's on, which is only annoying when you go from playing little lead fills on a verse to big distorted chords on a chorus and it gets ever so slightly quieter. Other than that, the tone is awesome. Tap tempo rocks. There are some other things I would change if I could, so I won't say it's the ultimate digital delay, but it's VERY good for what it is.
Now the DL4 adds programability, which would be extremely nice at times. It also gives you more control of the sound and has a few more sound options. I haven't used one outside of a store, so I can't say a lot about it. As far as ease of use, the Echo Park is easier, except that the switching mechanism takes some getting used to.
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I have the DL-4. I think they sound alike when you have them both on the same settings like digital, analog, tape. I just liked having the option of the programability.
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I don't find the DL-4 confusing at all, you do have to have the stickers or manual near by to know what tweak and tweeze do, but other than that it's fine, and you'll find that you'll get your 3 delays and not really be tweaking anyway.
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Well for 100 dollars more, the Dl-4 is almost like adding 2 more delays.
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hmm... I overlooked the progamming feature of the DL4. The looper is also enticing... but I know that it would take me awhile to actually be able to make decent loops.
ya, I'm still definitely leaning towards the DL-4.
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Originally Posted by I>conqueror I've been looking into the possibility of buying a Line 6 DL4 for awhile now, but then I realized that they also make the Echo Park for about $100 less. Apart from the sizes and the looping feature of the DL4, what are the big differences in these pedals? Is either easier to use than the other?
The Line 6 DL4 has some outstanding features...however they do some serious quality issues in regards to construction . Average lifespan of this unit is about 12 months give or take a couple months . Given the price tag...I'd go with a Boss product .
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Originally Posted by wsucougarx The Line 6 DL4 has some outstanding features...however they do some serious quality issues in regards to construction . Average lifespan of this unit is about 12 months give or take a couple months . Given the price tag...I'd go with a Boss product .
I have a DL4 and I've had one problem after another with it. It has finally quit working altogether. Every once in a while I can get a light to flash on for a split second but it goes right back off. I'm tired of opening it up and trying to fix the problems so it will now sit in the closet and I'll probably start trying out some other delay pedals. The Boss DD-20 is going to be the first place I look.
BTW, the DL4 is the only pedal I've ever owned that has messed up on me so I feel like I must take good care of my gear. You can go to harmony-central and read the horror stories but it gets pretty redundant. Of people I have personally come in contact with, only one has never had a problem from his DL4 and it's probably because he never gigs and he'll go months at a time without even playing his guitar.
So, I personlly wouldn't go with anything from Line6 but that's just me. You might be able to take a chance on it and the thing will work for 10 years with out a hicup. If so, consider yourself blessed because you'll have a great delay pedal that sounds good and is fairly easy to operate. The kicker with Line6 gear is the durability issues.
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I too had heard the DL-4 quality has issues with deterioration over time. IMO, 250$ doesn't really seem worth it for a digital delay that won't last. Analog? maybe. But not digital, and definitely not something that won't last a year. I'll stick with my 180$ Roland DD-20. If you're set on Line6, my vote goes for the Echo Park. The tone core line are supposed to be built like bricks. I've also heard that the quality is understandably identical to the DL-4.
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are their pedals that have the same capabilities as the DL-4 from another company that is (roughly) in the same price range?
i'm looking into getting one for myself, but i don't want to have to worry about durability issues. also, did i read correctly that the DL-4 DOES have a loop sequencer on it? like, i can create several loops and have them play continuously through to the end of the song? please let me know.
thanks. patd
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Originally Posted by paat are their pedals that have the same capabilities as the DL-4 from another company that is (roughly) in the same price range?
BOSS DD20. I know it boasts 23 seconds of delay. That means it can be used as a looper. I haven't messed around with that feature of it because I was disappointed by the tone. There were noticible artificats from the A/D or D/A conversion and that bugged me. If you don't notice them, I'm sure it would be a very good option for you.
You also might want to consider rack delays, although you would need a seperate foot controller to use any looper features.
I haven't had any durability issues with my Echo Park. But the DL4 is a different pedal. If it seems to be a common problem I would avoid it unless it sounds better to your ears than any other comparable delay.
That being said, durability issues = cheap switches 85% of the time, cheap battery connectors 5% of the time, cheap pots 5% of the time, bad wiring and/or jacks for the other 4%, and only about 1% or less is due to anything else. ALL switches wear out eventually, and usually long before any electronic components go bad, so they'll have to be replaced at some point if you keep the thing forever.
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hey man
if that's all that the problems were, i think i'll go with the dl-4. i already have the flextone III with the fbv shortboard footswitch, and they work great for me.
thanks for the advice. i'll let you know how it goes!
patd
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I'm gonna call BS on the durability issues. I've read a lot more about them on a more musically reputable site than this.
That being said, I purchased one of these a few minutes ago... Can't wait until it gets here.
The main reason why I went with the DL4?
True bypass...
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Myself and my guitar instuctor have each had DL-4's for about 2 years now we bought them as well as a third for a local church that we were putting a board together for. (we are really more friends/coworkers than instructor:student) We ordered them together to save on each as a company cut us a $25 break on each. (we got them for $225 a piece)
Since that time, I play mine in my room at least once a day, at band practices at least 3 times a week, and out at church twice a week, and usually a show each weekend... Dave, my instructor, has used his for his Daily lessons and his weekly studio gigs, and the one at church lives through 5 weekend services as well as the 4+ hours of practice each weekend for the service. Not one of the units have had a single issue, still sound great and look great, and we're well beyond the warantee.
I believe that there were reliability issues at first (line 6 considered pulling the pedal) but instead they fixed it, and I would buy one with the most confidence.