Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
What are the options for an analog tape delay? T-Rex Replicator and an Echoplex look like they are about it. I'm not looking to buy one, I just think they are neat
True tape delay
- Thread starter Chistopher
- Start date
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
The main appeal of a tape delay is that there's always a little modulation from wow/flutter, and the decay is inconsistent. The preamp circuit also adds a bit of clipping, which people like to use as a boost. I had both a Korg Space Echo tape delay and a Korg SDD solid-state unit. The SDD had a setting for modulation that didn't exactly replicate the wow/flutter from a tape unit, but it was still usable. The SDD preamp section didn't exactly replicate the clipping from a tape unit, but it was still usable.
Coma
Well-known member
I find it kind of funny that even in a community as reluctant to change as guitarists, where guitar designs from the 50's and big heavy tube amps are still in high demand, there's hardly any demand for actual tape delays.
If course, real true guitar heroes all have their own EMT140 at home.
I think it is because a tape delay needs lots of parts, and the pedals are almost all $500 or more. They are heavy and take up space, and there isn't a compelling reason why someone would choose the real thing over a computer simulation.
Coma
Well-known member
I mean, you're not wrong per se, but there are people out there paying that kind of money for a tube screamer clone just because it supposedly contains whatever the transistor equivalent of unicorn farts is, so it can't really be the price. And enough people are still willing to lug around 100w heads that they're not going extinct any day soon.
But maybe those tape delays are just fragile and finicky enough that most manufacturers know well enough to keep away. Not to mention the risk of it coming apart in the middle of a live set.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Eric Johnson has a tapeless tape echo that he uses. His guitar tech removed the tape spool and the read/write heads. The signal goes into the preamp section and then out of the write head's wires to an analog delay pedal. It then returns to the tape echo by the wiring for the read head. The majority of the circuit has stayed the same, but the mechanical part has been removed. So, the write/read heads act like an effects loop.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Also there are an insane number of specialty parts that go into one that it's impossible to make one for cheap. You either have to source them from an oddball manufacturer, or make them in house.
marcello252
Well-known member
The real thing is a mess to work with today. Heavy, unreliable, difficult to fix in case of problems and, trust me, s#it always happens with tape and mechanics, always in the wrong moments. No, never again, a good digital emu pedal saves you from big headaches
Artie
Peaveyologist
There is something to be said for a true analog tape delay. I've used my old Teac 4100 or A2340. But neither is exactly portable, weighing in at the 45 - 55 lb. range. And they usually only have two preset delays, (speeds actually), 3 3/4" or 7 1/8" IPS. But for slow, dreamy leads, those are both fun. (And rich.)
