"An unusual pedal that's trying to do something new": DOD Drag Analog Delay Pedal review

What is it?

With the reinvigorated DOD brand comes the opportunity to improve upon classic designs from their past.

The Drag is a new analog delay pedal designed by the minds behind the Rubberneck, a cult classic pedal that is still sought-after today.

The Rubberneck expanded the palette of what was possible with a bucket-brigade delay (BBD), with its novel time-stretching features. The Drag packs a lot of the same punch as the Rubberneck, while adding new modes into the mix.

Specs

• Price: $219.99 | £199
• Type: Bucket Brigade Device analog delay pedal
• Controls: Time, Level, Feedback, Filter, Curve Tails, Drift, Friction
• Features: Delay and time stretching
• Connectivity: Input, Output, Power, FS3X jack
• Bypass: True and Buffered/Tails (switchable)
• Power: 9V DC centre-negative 120mA
• Dimensions: 121 x 71 x 38 mm
• Weight: 10.58oz/0.30kg
• Contact: Digitech

Build quality

Build quality rating: ★★★★☆

The Drag is a good-looking pedal. It's sturdy as you'd expect, and the artwork is a nice, cyberpunk-ish nod to classic Manga film Akira. It comes with a complementary magnetic front plate that can be stuck to a DigiTech FS3X footswitch, so that their designs match.

There are also some automotive-themed screwdrivers, plectrums and stickers as case candy, continuing DOD's commitment to adding some fun to proceedings as it did with the Badder Monkey.

To my eye, there is an accident waiting to happen with the pedal, however. Either side of the footswitch are two mini knobs. Now, only time can tell whether or not these will break, but it's enough to make me wary.

Usability and features

Usability and features rating: ★★★★☆

The biggest strength of the Drag also reveals its biggest issue. The DOD Rubberneck was a feature-rich, double-width enclosure, with three large pots, two dual-mode pots, two small pots, and two toggles on the front plate, as well as two footswitches.

The Drag, meanwhile, attempts to cram the same functionality, and more, into a single footswitch compact pedal. For the player, this means a great deal of poking around on the front panel, and the need for an expansion footswitch to get the most out of it. As a result of this complexity, it failed my 'can this be used without looking at the manual' test pretty fast.

In the end, it's a minor complaint, since at least the FS3X isn't too expensive at around $60, but needing the pedalboard real estate to use it is a big drawback. This takes the footprint of the two up to around the same size as a flagship digital multi-delay like a Boss or Strymon.

Sounds

Sounds rating: ★★★★★

At its core, the DOD Drag is an excellent-sounding analogue delay. Depending on where you are in the world, its base price point might be competitive enough to purchase the Drag as a BBD delay, full-stop. Additionally, less space-cadet features like modulation are then just a bonus.

As a BBD delay, it's got a dark, rich voicing, which means I prefer bridge pickups so that it will cut through the mix. Combined with its modulation features, it has the ability to be used in more of a textural way, much like a tape echo.

However much I enjoy setting it up like a Roland Space Echo, then calling it a day, it's the additional features that make it stand out from the competition. Of these, the tape stop effect is the most fun, although admittedly it is an effect that's easy to replicate on record or in a DAW.

The pitch bouncing of the original Rubberneck also returns, but if you've got an EHX Pitch Fork, Boss Shifter or Whammy, then it's less controllable than those options. Where it is superior is in its unique, warm timbre.

Across all the additional modes, the best part is the unexpected. These BBD chips are being pushed to their limits and beyond, and sometimes the results are unusual or glitchy. Paired with a gated fuzz and whammy in front, the results can be incredibly fun.

Verdict

The DOD Drag is a great-sounding, solidly built pedal that is nevertheless held back by two things.

First, the complexity of its interface, and second, the need for a better way to interact with the depth of its functionality. If those two things aren't a deal-breaker for you, then you should definitely check it out.

Guitar World verdict: All in all, the Drag deserves credit for being an unusual pedal that is trying to do something new. The sounds within are solid at their core and fun, bordering on thrilling at the extreme. The only issue is figuring the pedal out – luckily for the Drag, trial and error is pretty rewarding.

Also try

TC Electronic Flashback 2
$119 | £99.99 | €105

It's not an analog delay, but in exchange for going digital, you get several additional modes, stereo operation, and the momentary MASH footswitch.

Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy
$141.50 | $129.99 | €111.00

For a modulated delay with surprising depth, as well as access to chorus and vibrato sounds, look no further than this modern classic.

Behringer BM-14M Analog Delay
$149.00 | £109.99 | €119.00

If you want a kitchen-sink analog delay, then this clone of the Moog MF-104 is hard to beat.

Hands-on videos

DigiTech

This Is Not Your Typical Analog Delay | DOD DRAG - YouTube

Watch On

• Best delay pedals