Each head had an on/off switch for playback (single repeat) and feedback
Inputs
3 (all similar)
Outputs
3 (same signal)
Tone control
Yes
Remote Control
Echo on/off
Similar models
Binson PE series (rackmount, with more heads)
Binson echos are perhaps most famous because of their strong association with the British band Pink Floyd. In the late sixties and early seventies, they were the Floyd's preferred echo machines; the band used them for everything: vocals, guitars, organ... Around 1970 you could easily spot three of them on stage, although they weren't quite the same as the EC 3 in design. The Echorec models used by Pink Floyd were tube units, and had a much nicer yellow enclosure.
The EC 3 may not look as cool, but it has plenty to offer. It has great versatily in playback/feedback head selection; there are individual buttons for each head's playback and feedback, which makes it possible to have all sorts of delay colors. The repeats are very stable due to the rotating drum and direct drive (there's no drive belt).
The Binson's magnetic support consists of a thin metal film wrapped around a rotating drum. This, according to Binson, will last forever, never needing replacement. It seems to hold true for my unit.
The Binson Drum, with "Permanent guarantee". Click to enlarge
The EC3 had two echo modes: "repeat" and "swell". The repeat mode is the standard mode, while the swell mode automatically activates all four playback heads, producing a reverbish sound. At the back, there are many input and output jacks, and with the help of three buttons on the front panel, you can select which input gets a delay, while the others stay dry. It also has a TRS 1/4" jack at the back called "input/output", which I guess is to be used as some sort of "one cable send effect loop", but I'm not 100% sure as I haven't tested it thoroughly.
The Binson EC3's inputs and outputs
* * *
My EC3 sounds really great, it really has a different sound than my tape delays. Although this model lacks any tubes, and is not as good looking as the earlier, yellow Binsons, I have a feeling it's more reliable than the older models.
There are a few things that could improve the EC3, in my mind: first of course is the fixed speed motor, which is always a bit frustrating in echo machines; also, my EC3 has a low output volume and not much headroom at the input, so setting the volumes properly can be tricky.
Finally, there's the fact that I can't separate the dry signal from the wet. Even if it had three outputs, they're all exactly the same, so I can't get a 100% wet signal out of the EC3 unless I modify it, which I did (see below)
Prior to opening up and inspecting the EC3, I did a fair amount of research on the net, and found out that, for many Binsons, the rubber insulation of the internal wiring has degraded over time and needs to be replaced, otherwise adverse effects such as short circuits and noise can appear. I was very apprehensive when I opened my EC3, but as it turned out mine was ok. The wiring issue probably applies to older units, and perhaps those with tubes, because of added heat stress, are more prone than others.
My EC3 was very clean inside and out, so I didn't do any detailed cleaning and oiling. The folks at binson.com sell detailed cleaning instructions for the drum and head area, as well as schematics for all the Binsons. They also provide repair services and a bit of info on the Binson company and products.
As it turned out, getting a 100% wet signal from the Binson was pretty easy (thanks for the tips Ben!). You can tap the signal straight from one of the lugs of the tone potentiometer. It's a strong signal, and doesn't hamper the mixing pot's (labelled "volume" here) function, so if you prefer to use only one output, you can still have the dry & wet signals on the same jack, or turn the pot to zero for a dry only return.
I simply soldered a wire from the tone pot to a hijacked output (I don't need three of them anyway...), and that did the trick. Doing so allowed me to get a strong delay signal without overloading the input stage, so now my Binson has become much more useful and better sounding. Quick, easy and effective!
jan Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:40:40 -0800
hi
i have one of these,and have a problem. I have a signal coming in and out of the unit,but no effect/ekko, except for a very weak ekko in the background i barely can hear...its a sudden thing,can you help me here or have any suggestions ?
Philippe Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:28:49 -0700
Hi,My name is Philippe, from Sydney Australia
I have a Binson EC8 and have an issue with the tone control which is not responding, I also noticed there is a mistake in the schematic where there is supposed to be a 10k ohm resistor there is a 47k ohm (check the resistor next to the "volume out") and where it says "PEDAL" on the original schematic BINSON EC3-EC4-EC6-EC8-EC10. Dated 25/9/75. would you have an idea of what could be the problem RE The tone control? Thanks and Regards.
ESTECHO Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:30:52 -0700
Philippe,
I'm not exactly sure which resistor you are referring to (I don't have the schematics). If it's near the volume out, it may simply be damping the output signal; in that case, a 47k value instead of 10k wouldn't make a drastic difference.
As for the tone control, in most analog echoes it only adjusts the tone of the WET signal, not the dry input, so maybe you can't hear it clearly because of that. Try tweaking it when playing back a very long echo trail, maybe you'll notice a change then.
If indeed there's a problem, then you need a bit of electronics skills to trace an input signal, starting from around the tone pot lugs, and see whether or not it reaches the tone circuitry.
Good look!
Philippe. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:50:54 -0700
Thanks for that, I agree the 47k in lieu of 10K resistor should not make a noticeable difference, as for the tone control I had the wet signal out only and the tone control does not respond at all. But I am working on it and will let you know how I go.
Thank you again.
Lorinc Del Motte Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:32:45 -0700
Why the hell did Binson give this thing three outputs, all the same?
vb14 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:14:34 -0800
how much would one of these sell for these days???
ESTECHO Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:51:25 -0800
@vb14,
In Japan, the average price is somewhere around 30,000 to 50,000 yen, which is much cheaper than the other Binson units (the yellow Echorecs, better looking and more famous).
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