Roland SDX-330

Roland SDX-330 Dimensional Expander

Roland made chorusing their thing and cemented their place in history with the Dimension D, but by all accounts, it is the SDX-330 that is the best chorus processor. The sad thing is, by the time it was released in 1994, chorusing had pretty much run its course in recording and the sales of this processor must have been very low as they rarely ever come up for sale.

Roland SDX-330 Dimensional Expander Details

The Roland SDX-330 is a high-quality studio effects unit designed to provide exceptional digital effects such as Chorus, Flanging, Phasing and Delays along with a variety of pitch based effects.

High Quality Effects
The effects produced by this unit can rival those of much costlier devices (often found in professional studios). This is because the Roland SDX-330 uses 16-bit, 44.1 kHz digital processing, and was designed as a result of painstaking efforts directed at redefining and redeveloping all the essential features that a professional-quality.

RSS Technology
The Roland SDX-330 provides newly developed algorithms which can deliver effects that are quite revolutionary-including a ‘three-dimensional’ effect which has its early reflections localised in a multiple number of positions in space. New effects such as this are possible thanks to the technological expertise accumulated through Roland’s development of the RSS (Roland Sound Space) system.

Full Stereo Support
With every stereo algorithm, the internal processing of the left and right channels is done independently. This assures that every detail of spatial localisation contained in the input signals is retained even aftereffects have been applied.

Real-Time Parameter Control
The affects you obtain can easily and conveniently be altered while a performance takes place. Either pedals, or MIDI messages can be used to control specified parameters.

User Area/Preset Area
The 300 Program numbers of the Roland SDX-330 are divided into two areas: User Area and Preset Area.

User Area (Program Numbers 1—200): The Program Numbers in the User Area can be used to store affects you create.

Preset Area (Program Numbers 201—300): The Program Numbers in the Preset Area contain preprogrammed effect sounds. Affects you create cannot be stored here. However, you can copy an effect from the Preset Area into the User Area and

The Program Numbers in the User Area can contain the following data:

  • Effect Sounds (the relevant parameters will differ depending on the algorithm)
  • Control Assign (5 types: settings for these are made when you wish to use a pedal connected to the SDX-330, or an external MIDI device to control parameters.)
  • Effect Name
  • Parameters displayed on the top line of the display
  • Order in which parameters are displayed

Specifications

  • Quantisation: 16-bit
  • Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Dynamic Range: 90dB
  • THD: Below 0.02%
  • Preset memory: 100
  • User Memory: 200
  • Dimensions: 482mm x 44mm x 307mm
  • Weight: 3.8kg

TRY OUR ‘MY EFFECTS RACK’ FEATURE TO TRACK WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR EFFECTS RACK NOW, AND THOSE ITEMS YOU WISH TO ADD.

The details provided above are drawn from historical documents like advertising brochures or user manuals. They’re shared without bias or review. This info is given solely for your consideration, helping you gauge its usefulness to you.

User Reviews

SMOOTH AND SILKY

By Anonymous

Sound Quality 100%
Build Quality 90%
Usefullness 95%
Mojo/Funk 100%
Reliability 100%

VERY USEFUL BOX

By Anonymous

Sound Quality 100%
Build Quality 90%
Usefullness 80%
Mojo/Funk 100%
Reliability 100%

When I purchased my Roland SRV-330 and its companion SDE-330 second-hand back in 2000, I kindly declined to buy the third of the bunch, the SDX. What an omission it was! After many years of trawling the internet for one, I manage to get hold of one. Its flanging and chorusing algorithms are really stunning and there is a plethora of them to choose from (I would have loved to find some really *juicy* phase shifters included as well). I find myself going for the simulation of the fabled SDD-320 Dimension D all the time, simply because this emulation is absolutely stunning and authentic-sounding (it’s hands-down the best replacement for an original SDD, and believe me, I’ve had four of these!). The 3D RSS algorithms were, well, idiosyncratic enough to make the 330 series stand out from the rest but honestly, they add phase cancellation problems more often than once and should hence be avoided – it’s nice to have the option but there is no pressing need to use them. If you can find an SDX at a reasonable price, or any other member of the 330 family, don’t hesitate to give them a try.

Used it? Leave your rating and review.

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