KORG® SDD-3000 Digital Delay
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The delay that revolutionized modern rock and pop.
Introduced in 1982, the KORG SDD-3000 Digital Delay was popularized by U2 guitarist, The Edge, to forge one of the most identifiable guitar sounds in the history of rock. Far from a one-instrument-pony, however, the SDD-3000 also found a home in early new wave and 80’s synth music. Fully endorsed by KORG, the KORG SDD-3000 Digital Delay plug-in for UAD and Apollo interfaces exactly captures the original unit’s colorful analog circuitry, and burnished-sounding 13-bit delays.
Now You Can:
Tap into the song‑inspiring sounds of the legendary KORG SDD-3000 Digital Delay in a fully authenticated plug‑in
Add unique, chewy 13-bit delay, phase, flange, and chorus to guitar, synths, vocals and more
Get the dynamic interaction of the SDD-3000’s analog preamp stage with Unison™ technology for Apollo interfaces
Use Hold function to layer shimmering pads and soundscapes
Take a Listen
![An Iconic Rack Unit]()
An Iconic Rack Unit
Beginning with U2’s The Unforgettable Fire, The Edge took his guitar textures to a whole new level using the KORG SDD-3000’s responsive dynamics and colorful sonic palette. The Unforgettable Fire sessions turned Daniel Lanois onto the unit, and it has since become a staple of his studio and live rig, as well as that of electronic music icon William Orbit.
![Legendary Delay]()
Legendary Delay
With just over a second of old school, 13-bit delay, the KORG SDD-3000 is famous for its percussive, rhythmic repeats. Like the original, you can select any value up to 1023 milliseconds, or you can simply use the plug-in-only Sync control to line up the repeats to your DAW’s tempo. The plug-in’s Delay Time window also features a handy drop down menu for assorted routing variations.
![An End-to-End Circuit Emulation]()
An End-to-End Circuit Emulation
Universal Audio meticulously modeled a vintage "golden unit" KORG SDD-3000 Digital Delay, immaculately capturing its famed analog preamp and output section. Filled with JRC-made op-amps — the same type as many classic preamp, boost, and overdrive pedals of the era — the UAD KORG SDD-3000 Digital Delay plug-in precisely emulates this ultra-musical analog circuit.
![Swirly Goodness]()
Swirly Goodness
The KORG SDD-3000 plug-in’s Modulation section is the secret to adding depth and motion to your echoes. Use the Intensity knob to adjust the pitch variation of your repeats, while the Frequency control conjures varying degrees of subtle movement and vibrato — crucial for long, Daniel Lanois-esque pillowy delays. Lastly, the Waveform selector lets you craft complex phase, flange, and chorus effects that are simply unobtainable with any other unit.
![Feedback, Hold, and Filtering]()
Feedback, Hold, and Filtering
The Regeneration section of the KORG SDD-3000 plug-in is an ambient effect lover's dream. You can dial in simple slapback to long trails, or instant oscillation using the Feedback control. And, if you like what you've created, simply hit the Hold button and freeze that sound in place. Finally, the Filter controls offer tons of tone shaping, letting you add air or chewy warmth to repeats— perfect for guitars, synths, drums, vocals, and more.
![Unison Technology for Apollo Interfaces]()
Unison Technology for Apollo Interfaces
Harnessing UA’s groundbreaking Unison technology, the KORG SDD-3000 plug-in delivers all the analog and digital goodness of the original with the impedance, gain staging, and quirky behaviors that have made the rack unit legend.
![New Features]()
New Features
While the original KORG SDD-3000 had to be cabled up for a mono and dedicated dry out, the UAD KORG SDD-3000 plug-in gives you five options from a drop down menu. Plus, you can use a dedicated Position control to place the effect anywhere in the stereo field.
“The new UAD KORG SDD-3000 works magic on both external and soft synths, creating a wickedly timed arpeggiated sound in seconds.”
– Dean Coleman![Chuck Zwicky]()
“Back in the day the KORG SDD-3000 was a bit of an oddball — was it a guitar effect or a studio processor? UA has captured all the idiosyncrasies and unique overdrive textures of the original hardware.”
– Chuck Zwicky (Prince, Soul Asylum, Reggie Watts)![The Glitch Mob]()
“The KORG SDD-3000 plug-in gives you everything from standard delay taps to thick stereo widening. Also, set the input to -30dB and you’ll get a nice distortion, giving your soft synths some extra mojo.”
– The Glitch MobCustomer Reviews
Z. King
October 19, 2017
Fantastic!
Immediately became a favorite. The preamp emulation is aces, sounds fantastic.
Read MoreE. Bautista Garcia
October 18, 2017
It works in unison mode too ¡¡
It's like having an almost infinite number of hardware pieces of this guy and you can instantiate it in every channel, either at mixing stage or mastering too. It sounds better than the...
Read MoreP. Thomas
October 16, 2017
Just the vintage flavor I was looking for!
I own The Mighty Rebekah, a massive modular Moog-style synth which is fed into my system via a UA Apollo 8P, as she is capable of producing 8 simultaneous monophonic voices. On the last...
Read MoreP. Perfetto
October 16, 2017
epic
really epic sounding unit, emulates the original really well.
Read MoreP. Marriott
October 13, 2017
A hip hop classic is reborn!
Not too many people know this but this was a prefered delay on many a hip hop classic and now it's back! Thanks Universal Audio!
Read More -
Features
Complete circuit model of the famous KORG SDD-3000 Digital Delay used by The Edge, Daniel Lanois, WIlliam Orbit, and more
Exacting emulation of the analog input and output analog preamp of the KORG SDD-3000 Digital Delay
Filter circuit for shaping delay repeats
Comprehensive Waveform and Modulation section for phaser, flanger, chorusing and doubling effects
Unison technology allows for authentic guitar interaction with Apollo Interfaces
Sync mode for note value-based DAW tempo sync
Mono and discrete stereo operation
The only fully endorsed plug-in of KORG's most sought-after digital delay
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Customer Reviews
Korg® SDD-3000 Digital Delay
View All ReviewsZ. King
Fantastic!
Immediately became a favorite. The preamp emulation is aces, sounds fantastic.
D. Barzen
Great delay
Exzellent Plug in!
E. Bautista Garcia
It works in unison mode too ¡¡
It's like having an almost infinite number of hardware pieces of this guy and you can instantiate it in every channel, either at mixing stage or mastering too. It sounds better than the original Korg SDD 3000, clearer and transparent, but always vintage ¡¡¡¡
P. Thomas
Just the vintage flavor I was looking for!
I own The Mighty Rebekah, a massive modular Moog-style synth which is fed into my system via a UA Apollo 8P, as she is capable of producing 8 simultaneous monophonic voices. On the last piece I composed, I used 6 (!) SDD3000 Plug-ins on the Unison inputs and, wow!, there it was, that crunchy, chewy delay I remember so well. And I had forgotten about how cool the modulation section is. Being able to harness the sound of its analog input stage is a treat! I got on the UAD train at Jump Station and you continue to amaze me. Smartest studio buy of my career. Period.
P. Perfetto
epic
really epic sounding unit, emulates the original really well.
P. Marriott
A hip hop classic is reborn!
Not too many people know this but this was a prefered delay on many a hip hop classic and now it's back! Thanks Universal Audio!
B. Lewis
amazing Korg 3000
I love the sound of the 3000 I use it all of the time. Thank you UAD
UAD User
Amazing how close to original
Heard and used the original and this is just a wonderful duplication of it. High quality and amazing delay function
W. Music
What a preamp!
If you want that special something.... this is it! It will spice up your lead tones or if you want that U2 The Edge rhythmic guitar patterns! Run it in front of the guitar or in the effects loop. Very versatile!
B. Rico
GREAT Delay Plugin!
This thing sounds great on synths, vocals, and more! Definitely worth a demo to see what you may come up with.
R. Cox
new favorite delay
really fantastic sounding delay, especially being able to drive the front end and control the amount of headroom. One of the absolute best delays I have used yet, including rack units. Take the time to get to know it and how to use it correctly and it becomes a hands down must purchase!
U. Borjesson
At last...
I was waiting for this or the Roland, but this Korg is the most wanted. All my guitarsounds I had way back are back in my rack again! It sounds exactly as the HW and it is for real!
The Modulation is beautiful! Try it with a good guitar and get stucked for hours!E. Pensa
Awesome !
This plugin is great! Super easy to use and the presets are incredible. Totally worth the money.
M. Eliot
Impressive Soft Delay
After a demo of this I was impressed. It is a powerful delay unit. It's amazing particularly for dub delay. It is indistinguishable from hard delay units. I am a fan of Korg synths. This delay performs very well. It is in my opinion the best soft delay I have used. The Galaxy is very good, but I like the strength of the Korg; it is much more dramatic and modern. I make Dub House mainly and this is a very useful sound tool indeed. Thanks.
R. Belew
A classic delay that still delivers
Just five minutes with the demo sold me. From synths to vocals this emulation works wonders.
C. Clouser
Just like I remember.
My very first piece of rack-mounted gear, back in my college years, was a Korg SDD-1000 (the little brother of the SDD-3000) - and I still have it. This plugin from UA exactly captures that thick, fluffy, watery feel of the original. Highly recommended!
G. Nicholls
Man I LOVE this plugin!!!
The SDD-3000 is one of my favourite delay units and the UAD emulation is 100% accurate for sure! I can't believe I can now add as many of these to a mix, I'm in heaven!!!!
B. Schulz
Unique vibe, a wish came true
This delay has a unique vibe, it sound fantastic, especially on solo parts.
R. MacQuarrie
My new favorite delay plug-in.
I own an original SDD-3000 delay that sits right next to me in my studio. I use it all the time for guitars and synths. The sound is unmistakable. This delay is so essential to my sound and setup that I brought it with me on a tour of Sweden/Norway a few years ago. It's a very heavy delay to cart around - if only this plug-in were available a few years ago! I spent a good deal of time with it today and it sounds exactly like the original hardware. Way to go Korg/Universal Audio for modelling this unit so perfectly, down to the intuitive user interface that makes it so easy to dial in that perfect setting. I've been struggling to get these types of modulated delays on the U Audio platform for the past few years and now my search is over.
D. Lock
I didn't need another delay
But I needed this after trying it.
