Tag: tape delay

Echoplex EP3 Review

This is a Guest Post by Guitarist, Jason Rooney

Echoplex EP-3On the long and winding road that is the pursuit of tone, it’s not long before we arrive at the Echoplex. We have no doubt read about tape delays, dreamt about them, but have definitely heard them on countless recordings. The EP3 Echoplex is the second generation in the Echoplex line and the first to offer a solid state preamp. The EP3 is an analog delay that does something I’ve found only tape can provide. Like many analog delays, the repeated notes continually degrade and ultimately taper off in a musical and natural way. However, the Echoplex does something very special with the repeated notes. The entire sonic space comes alive without stepping on the original notes. The echoed notes grow into a 3D atmosphere behind the performance that become slightly compressed with hints of a bright and chimey chorusing effect.

The Echoplex is in no way a one trick pony, it can do it all. From a guitarist’s perspective, the EP3 can handle diligent slap back to dotted eighth notes inspired by The Edge. Vocals sound amazing through it, and many keyboard and synth enthusiasts swear by them as well. If you desire, you can send the delay oscillating and get some UFO sounds as well. And that is just in ‘echo mode’. The EP3 also offers a Sound on Sound feature that allows the user to take advantage of the Echoplex as a personal recorder and playback device. You can record a performance onto the tape and play it back to play over it. Somewhat of a looping feature only limited to the length of the tape in the cartridge.

The control panel of the Echoplex may seem a little menacing at first, but the controls are very standard to the delay world;

Echo Sustain: This controls the amount of delayed notes and also serves as the power switch.

Echo Volume: The volume of the delayed notes.

Echo Delay: A slider bar that controls the delay time by moving the playback head closer or farther away from the recording head.

Sound on Sound/Echo switch: This toggles between echo and sound on sound modes.

There are four 1⁄4” jacks on the face of the unit as well. Input, output, a footswitch jack to switch the delay on and off, and one to turn the sound on sound feature on and off.

When it comes to gear, especially vintage, we must factor in maintenance and a little bit of TLC. After all, the EP3 is a machine with moving parts that need to be cleaned and oiled. The tapes will eventually wear out, the sound gets increasingly wobblier, and the repeats become less strong. When it comes to tape replacement, cartridges are still available through a few sources as well as tape rewinding services. As the tape wears, it leaves a magnetic footprint and a brown dust behind. About the time the tape needs to be replaced, it’s a good idea to demagnetize and clean the tape heads, tape path and roller with either 100% denatured alcohol and a high quality rubber cleaner, or specific cleaners available for tape machines.

I must admit, I have received some strange looks and many questions when I’ve toted my EP3 to a gig or rehearsal. After all, it is somewhat of a clunky “mystery box” weighing 15lbs and requires a fair amount of real estate. After the EP3 has been set up and I start playing through it, The heavenly sound speaks for itself.

Best Delay Pedal

The best delay pedal on the market is not an easy question to answer since there is two categories of delay: analog and digital. In my opinion, I’ve always been a fan of analog pedals, but there are those who want the added features of digital circuitry (Check out our Analog Vs. Digital Delay article). So the best approach to answering the question of what is the best delay pedal, would be to have the best of analog delays and the best of digital delays. Here’s our picks:

Best Analog Delays

1) Tape Delays

I’m not going to say which tape delay is best, rather that tape delays/echoes have the best sound/tone that any delay can produce. Its warm, addictive, big, 3-dimensional, and vintage sounding. Some great tape delay/echoes are the Echoplex and the Fulltone Tube Tape Echo.

2) Moog MF-104z Analog Delay

While pretty expensive (though not as expensive as a tape echo), this analog delay sounds incredibly warm. As well, this pedal features a load of customizing features not usually available on analog delays. The delay swells are very natural and the multiple outputs on the pedal coupled with the ability to use an expression pedal makes this pedal number 2 on our list. View the Moog Analog Delay on Amazon.

3) 80s’ Made in Japan Ibanez AD-9 Analog Delay

These vintage Ibanez delays come in at number 2 as they are very organic and warm sounding. I have yet to hear a better sounding analog delay than this. The reissue of this pedal that is available today is not the same as the 80s made version. They use a different chip, and don’t even sound half as good. If you want the vintage pedal new, the Keeley AD-9 is essentially the same pedal except with true bypass. Also check out the Maxon AD-9, another replica of this pedal.

Other great Analog Delays to check out:

Diamond Pedals Memory Lane 2 Analog Delay

Best Digital Delays

1) Empress Effects Vintage Modified Super Delay

This digital delay does the best at emulating vintage, tube, and tape delays. Its funny that digital delays are trying to emulate analog, but not vice-verse. I wonder why that is (cough cough we love analog!). Anyway, this delay has a whole ton of great features such as tap tempo, expression pedal inputs, presets, and reverse delay! Its number one on our top digital delays list. View this pedal on Amazon.

2) Eventide TimeFactor Duel Digital Delay

This pedal is all about options. You can make your delays mono or stereo. The delay modes include Digital Delay, Band Delay, Vintage DDL, Filter Pong, Tape Echo, MultiTap Delay, Modulated Delay, Reverse Delay, Ducked Delay, and Looper. Having the looper makes this more than a delay pedal. My favourite part of this pedal is that you can send delays to different amps. Talk about really creating an ambiance! Most versatile digital delay. View this pedal on Amazon.

3) Strymon Timeline

This pedal is known as the multi-dimensional inspiration machine. With 12 different delay modes, you can control the sonic character and feel of each. This pedal is a tweekers dream! The ultimate customizability with the  focus being on tone. The best part is you can create up to 200 presets of your favorite settings!

Other great Digital Delays to check out: Pigtronix Phi Echolution Delay (both digital and analog), TC Electronics Flashback (inexpensive!)

Well there you have it, the best delay pedals, both analog and digital.