The Keeley RK2000 Funk Siren Delay recreates the Ibanez DM2000 — a 12-bit digital delay from 1983 that became famous for one reason: Trey Anastasio of Phish used it to create the “Funk Siren”.
This is where a phrase is looped using the Hold function, then the modulation is driven hard — so hard that the frozen loop warps and pitch-bends, giving a sound like an analogue tape machine being manhandled.
Trey’s guitar tech, Justin Stabler, needed a reliable replacement for their ageing DM2000s and came to Keeley. The problem being the reliability — or lack of it — of forty-year-old rack units on tour.
Keeley have retained the 12-bit character — grainy, lo-fi warmth — and added stereo I/O, tap tempo, MIDI, five onboard presets, and expression over every parameter.
It’s worth saying you don’t need to be a Phish fan for this pedal to make sense. The DM2000’s Hold and Mod functions open up a huge range of ambient, experimental, and textural possibilities that go well beyond one band’s signature sound — especially with the updates that bring the original DM2000 concept properly up to date.
What Does the Keeley RK2000 Actually Do?
The RK2000 is a 12-bit, 1,023ms delay with a straightforward set of controls for shaping repeats. But it’s really all about two features: Hold and Mod.
Hold captures the current delay buffer and loops it indefinitely. Play over the top of the frozen loop and — pushing the modulation into Hold — the loop warps and pitch-bends in real time. That’s the basis of the Funk Siren technique.
Mod is the modulation section, and it’s dramatic. At low settings it produces subtle warbling. Push it further and the pitch-bending becomes extreme — a bit like a theremin. Good Vibrations!
Controls
- Input: Sets the level of the signal hitting the delay engine.
- Blend: Sets the wet/dry mix.
- Feedback: Controls the number of delay repeats, reaching self-oscillation at maximum.
- Filter: High and low pass filters either side of noon — shapes the tone of the delayed repeats.
- Time: Controls the delay time from 1ms to 1,023ms.
- Rate: Sets the speed of the LFO modulation.
- Depth: Sets the intensity of the modulation.
- Hold footswitch: Captures the current delay buffer and loops it indefinitely.
- Tap/Sub footswitch: Sets tap tempo delay time and selects rhythmic subdivisions.
- Mod button: Engages and disengages modulation.
- Ping-Pong mode: Switches the stereo output from normal to alternating left and right repeats.
- Presets: Five presets accessible directly from the pedal, and up to 127 via MIDI.
- Expression: The EXP/MIDI jack accepts a TRS expression pedal for real-time control over any parameter or combination of parameters.
- Remote jack: TRS input for a remote footswitch, allowing Hold and Mod to be triggered from anywhere on the board. Supports both momentary and latching switches. An optional companion switcher is available from Keeley for dedicated remote control.
Key Features
- First-ever pedal recreation of the Ibanez DM2000 rackmount delay
- 12-bit digital character — warm, slightly grainy repeats
- Up to 1,023ms delay time
- Dedicated Hold footswitch for infinite looping
- Dramatic LFO modulation section (Rate and Depth)
- Ping-pong stereo mode with pitch-shifted delay option
- Five onboard presets, up to 127 via MIDI
- Full MIDI implementation — every parameter controllable via CC
- Expression pedal input with multi-parameter mapping
- Remote jack for Hold and Mod switching from anywhere on the board
- Selectable rhythmic subdivisions via tap tempo
- Feedback phase switching (normal and inverse)
- True Bypass or Buffered Bypass selectable
- 9V to 18V DC, 150mA, centre-negative — running at 18V increases headroom
- True stereo input and output
- Made in the USA
Who Is This For?
The Keeley RK2000 is for players who want more from a delay than repeats. The Hold function makes it a practical ambient looping tool, and the Mod section gives it a character and expressiveness that most delays simply don’t have — working in any style where texture and space are part of the sound.
The stereo I/O, MIDI integration, and five onboard presets also make it a serious option for anyone building a larger, more integrated rig. If you need a power supply that supports selectable voltages to take advantage of the 18V option, the CIOKS DC7 v2 supports 9V, 12V, 15V, and 18V per outlet and handles the 150mA draw with ease.
Watch It In Action
FAQs
The Funk Siren is a technique developed by Trey Anastasio of Phish using the Ibanez DM2000 rack delayby looping a phrase and then heavily modulating it soo the delay warps and pitch-bends.
No. The Hold and Mod functions that define the Funk Siren sound are genuinely useful. It for anyone working with ambient textures, looping, or experimental sounds.
It makes the repeats a bit grainy & lo-fi
Yes. Both functions are both independently footswitchable. The RK2000 works perfectly well as a straightforward stereo delay with up to 1,023ms delay.
Yes
9V to 18V DC, centre-negative, at 150mA. Running at 18V increases headroom and changes the character of the drive
Yes. Use the remote jack for a TRS footswitch.
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