It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Line 6 released the DL4 Delay Modeler, a multifaceted, versatile digital delay pedal with an abundance of features that were either exorbitantly expensive or unavailable in a single unit. The pedal quickly became a staple on the pedal boards of tone chasers in search of a variety of styles and remains a sought-after, highly relevant relic.
Now, Line 6 have created a 25th Anniversary version of the classic pedal (They’ve manufactured 2,500 hundred units with no guarantee to build more once the run sells out). The new DL4 MkII boasts all the same features as the original (‘case if it ain’t broke…), as well as an XLR microphone input (more on that later) and more.
So, why opt for the basic circuitry of a 25-year-old pedal when there are so many other delays on the market? For the same reason, players still rely on classic distortions, fuzzes, choruses, flangers, phasers, and more. Greatness is hard to beat – especially when a company makes greatness even better. The DL4 MkII features a full 30 delay modes – a vast selection of delay algorithms, including classic analog-style delays, digital delays, reverse delays, and an entirely new set of MkII delays and reverbs, improved looping, mic input, and MIDI control.
On that point, the DL4 can be controlled via MIDI, allowing players to use it with other MIDI-compatible gear and automate its functions. In addition, there’s an expression pedal input, allowing guitarists to control various parameters of the delay effect in real-time. And there’s an XLR microphone input so it can be used with vocals or other instruments.
The pedal may require a more intensive manual dive than some other pedals, but the advanced functions are easy to use once you learn how to access them.
In other words, Line 6 has done it again.
