Is there a list of all Tape Echo units ever made?

[resistorman]

True enough. This hardware looks interesting:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... echo-pedal

[mikehende]

You won't believe this but the thought of having a pedal option had crossed my mind because whenever I am listening to music I am mostly sitting down relaxing with a beer so I can have the settings on the pedal in place and press whenever needed?

[resistorman]

Don’t overlook the benefits of a tap tempo pedal for what you have in mind, too.

I bet this would be great for an analog synth with no efx.

[The Elf]

There's no way to only echo one signal in a mix. All you can do is time the FX throw to catch as clean a beat as you can. And getting infinite repeat with tape? Not really.

I'd suggest looking at a digital hardware unit. An old MIDIVerb or the like would do.

I'm a bit surprised your existing DJ software doesn't offer such basic effects. I'm sure many do?

[djangodeadman]

If I still had mine it would be up for sale along with my Colorsound Tonebender (which went into landfill a long time ago).

Vintage Tonebenders sell for serious money these. The bass version, the Colorsound Bass Fuzz, is one of the best bass fuzz pedals I have ever heard.

I have two Copicats, by the way, although I don’t have much use for them currently.

[mikehende]

There's no way to only echo one signal in a mix. All you can do is time the FX throw to catch as clean a beat as you can. And getting infinite repeat with tape? Not really.

I'd suggest looking at a digital hardware unit. An old MIDIVerb or the like would do.

I'm a bit surprised your existing DJ software doesn't offer such basic effects. I'm sure many do?

I have been able to echo one word with my digital units. I had assumed a Tape Echo would be able to do the same thing and based on the video of the Roland 201 I am not seeing why not?

Yes, there are DJ softwares which come with fx but they are crappy basic stuff, nothing like what my digital units sound like.

@Resistorman
is the pedal you linked me to [Boss RE20] a "tap tempo" pedal? Sorry I am on the DJ side so not familiar with all of this PA or Band type stuff.

[The Elf]

I have been able to echo one word with my digital units. I had assumed a Tape Echo would be able to do the same thing and based on the video of the Roland 201 I am not seeing why not?

You misunderstand me. What I'm saying is that you cannot single out one sound from a mix. If you can catch a snare sitting on its own in the song, then yes, you can echo it, but if it has a vocal (for example) behind it you will get both the snare and vocal echoed. Tape or digital - no difference.

[mikehende]

I see, I never paid attention to that tbh. I can try using my phone to record a clip on the w/e and upload for you guys to have a listen if ok so you guys can have an idea of what I am seeking?

[Music Wolf]

Vintage Tonebenders sell for serious money these.

I know. I spotted one in Denmark St a few years ago and couldn’t believe it. This was the first pedal that I bought c1977. I’ve also discovered that my Boss FDR-1 and my trusty old ‘first edition’ Sansamp might be collectible enough to make it worth my while to retrieve them from the loft.

[The Elf]

Vintage Tonebenders sell for serious money these.

I know. I spotted one in Denmark St a few years ago and couldn’t believe it. This was the first pedal that I bought c1977. I’ve also discovered that my Boss FDR-1 and my trusty old ‘first edition’ Sansamp might be collectible enough to make it worth my while to retrieve them from the loft.

I sold one (the 'Steve Hackett' version) a few months ago. I don't recall how much I got, but it was nothing like the price people try to tell you they're worth. The ones at silly prices simply don't sell.

[The Korff]

The unit I had was a blue faceplate color with black knobs and same rectangular box like the 201. Friend of mine said he had one with blue and chrome colors with 3 knobs but he too can't remember the model.

Hrm... Selmer Swissecho, maybe? The blue bit fits!

[mikehende]

Thanks but no, sorry.

Anyways guys, I am leaning towards trying out the RE-20 Pedal mentioned here:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... echo-pedal

but since I have never used a pedal before let me ask some questions please.

I can connect it to my dj rig like any other fx unit and it will work?

How exactly does the tap/tempo work?

[The Elf]

I'd say that's far more sensible option for you than real tape. I see no reason why you couldn't connect that up, as long as your system does have a way of connecting external effects?

Tap tempo just means you can tap one of pedals in time with the music and it will set the delay time for you to match. In your scenario this would be a very useful feature.

[mikehende]

Oh I see, tap/tempo would be the equivalent of a beat-assist function in DJ softwares.

Yeah I'm figuring the pedal with simulation fx would also mean not having any issue with replacing the tape. Wish I could find someone who has both a tape machine and a pedal so they can confirm the pedal will give the same sounding fx like the tape.

[The Elf]

Wish I could find someone who has both a tape machine and a pedal so they can confirm the pedal will give the same sounding fx like the tape.

Tape would give you lots of hiss, plenty of hum, thumps at the splice point, drop outs, the chance of the tape snapping, the chance of the tape snarling in the pinch wheels, the chance of mechanical failure, lots of potential to pay for new tape, tape splice kits, maintenance bills...

Of course, if any of these things sound attractive then tape might be better for you...

Wish I could find someone who has both a tape machine and a pedal so they can confirm the pedal will give the same sounding fx like the tape.

Why do you think that most of us who had them back in the day no longer have them?...

[djangodeadman]

I’d agree that the RE-20 is a good option. All the sound, none of the hassle.

[mikehende]

I didn't expect that you would have gotten rid of the tape units [collector's items] but makes sense and NOOOOOO, I certainly never expected there would be so many issues with tape machines but thanks for the info!

[nathanscribe]

If a tape echo style pedal is on your list, look at the Strymon units as well. I had the El Capistan for a few years and it's very good. I preferred the sound of it to the RE-20, but that's a matter of taste. There's also the Volante, which I haven't tried but sounds pretty good.

Unlike everyone else here, I sold my tape emulations and bought an old genuine tape echo and spring reverb! Give me wonky noisy effects every time, I don't need all that newfangled clean stuff

[resistorman]

If you have a new tape echo, the sound begins to deteriorate immediately as the tape wears and the heads become clogged and worn. Guides and the pinch roller pick up oxide from the tape too, so tracking begins to suffer. Even if you could make the case that a tape echo sounded better than a simulation (which in my experience is not true) it wouldn’t for long. As Elf pointed out, it’s a constant maintenance headache just to keep it sounding decent. We used them because that’s what we had, not because they were in any way magical. That’s why I recommended the RE-20.

[mikehende]

If a tape echo style pedal is on your list, look at the Strymon units as well.
Unlike everyone else here, I sold my tape emulations and bought an old genuine tape echo and spring reverb!

I listened to the 2 Strymon pedals on youtube El Capitan and Volante, based on what the guitarist was playing and the settings he used, I have to say the RE 20 seems a lot to be better option to give me what I want.

Which Spring reverb do you have please? I have a pioneer SR303.

[mikehende]

Also, I think I need to try this out myself because when I look at this video of the RE201:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK2-tv4GW5E

At the 1:50 mark the guy is using the "Mode 4 Delay" pattern which is what I am counting on as that will handle the delay fx I use but in this video here on the pedal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ekBkbUVcBg

at the 2:50 mark, showing I think around the same settings I am not hearing the same effect?:

[baward]

I love the IDEA of a tape echo more than I do the reality of owning one. I just sold a Korg SE-300 Stage Echo, and even though it's lovely, it weighed a ton and took up quite a bit of
space (Echo). And as others have said, you can essentially get the same thing in something one-sixth of the size and that is hopefully maintenance-free.

[nathanscribe]

Which Spring reverb do you have please? I have a pioneer SR303.

Vermona VSR 3.2.

[mikehende]

I love the IDEA of a tape echo more than I do the reality of owning one. I just sold a Korg SE-300 Stage Echo, and even though it's lovely, it weighed a ton and took up quite a bit of
space (Echo). And as others have said, you can essentially get the same thing in something one-sixth of the size and that is hopefully maintenance-free.

Well, therein lies the problem. As I had stated, when comparing the RE 20 pedal to the 201, I am not seeing that the Pedal gives the exact same effect as the Tape unit [according to my comparison with both vides shown].

[djangodeadman]

I love the IDEA of a tape echo more than I do the reality of owning one. I just sold a Korg SE-300 Stage Echo, and even though it's lovely, it weighed a ton and took up quite a bit of
space (Echo). And as others have said, you can essentially get the same thing in something one-sixth of the size and that is hopefully maintenance-free.

Well, therein lies the problem. As I had stated, when comparing the RE 20 pedal to the 201, I am not seeing that the Pedal gives the exact same effect as the Tape unit [according to my comparison with both vides shown].

If you must have the original, then you must. It will be expensive to buy and potentially expensive to maintain, but it WILL be the real thing.