For years, tapes and other magnetic supports were the only technology widely available to create echo repeats. Hundreds, if not thousands, of such devices were built throughout the sixties and seventies, and they could be seen on stages and in studios all over the world.
During the eighties, most of these heavy, bulky and sometimes unreliable units were replaced by smaller, tougher machines requiring less maintenance: analog BBD delays, followed later on by digital delays. Nevertheless, the market is still full of old, sometimes mistreated, tape delays, and many people prefer them to other echo devices. In fact, new tape delays are still manufactured even today, albeit in much smaller quantities than forty years ago. The imperfections and unpredictability of tape delays is what makes them so interesting and so difficult to emulate digitally. And an essential part of ESTECHO's sound.
ESTECHO is now based in Tokyo, Japan, so most units presented here were designed and built in Japan. Some of them were sold in Europe and North America, licensed to various companies and sold under different names, a common practice at the time. Often, not much is known about the companies that built these units or rebranded them. It's part of the charm of these old devices: you never know when a new model you didn't even know existed will end up in your hands!
>>> Endless loop tape cartridge
Often 8-track format, but sometimes more obscure cassettes are used, for example in the Univox EC-80/EC-100, or the Sony RE-4/RE-5 spherical cartridge used in early Roland Space Echos. Custom cartridges also exist, for example in the Echoplex units. We've made a descriptive page for these cartridge formats, available here.
A short loop of tape kept under tension by a spring-tensioned roller. This is one of the most common tape transport types for delay units, and can be found on countless machines around the world, especially in earlier units from the sixties and early seventies. Perhaps the most famous devices in this category are the Watkins Copycats, which nowadays fetch a high price on the used market.
Considered the most "sophisticated" tape transport system, because it can hold a longer length of tape for increased fidelity, and is more reliable than cassettes or cartridges. Perhaps the most famous tape delay, the Roland RE-201, uses such a system. The tape is encased in a closed space, out of which it comes out, goes past the tape heads, and then back in; inside this space, the tape is free to move as it pleases, which reduces friction considerably and increases tape life.
As seen in the Univox/Melos Echo-Tech. The tape heads are riding on top of a magnetic disc similar to an old style computer floppy disc. More information here.
The Melos/Univox magnetic support. On the left, the disk itself; on the right, with tape heads fitted.
>>> Magnetic drum
Used in Binson units only, as far as I know. The tape heads are positioned around a rotating metal disc whose circumference is magnetic. Binson claims that this magnetic drum has a 'permanent guarantee'. I don't know if it's true, but mine's still OK after more than 30 years! More info on Binson units here.
I have a Univox EC-80A unit. Unfortunately, It does not have the tape cartridge. Could you tell me where I might obtain one, and the instructions on how to install? Any help is appreciated!
Murray Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:43:54 -0700
Do you have a manual for the Guyatone EM-77?
Do you know if it's supposed to self oscillate?
A guy I know has one for sale, and I'm keen to buy it, except that it doesn't seem to work properly (surprise surprise!)...
The delays are quite short, and I'm unclear how the "1,2,3,4" mode-select knob should work. It doesn't work in a way that really makes sense to me! Mode "2" seems to have the longest echo time. Mode "4" is wet-only. Strange...
Would love to know a bit more about the unit, as it looks promising. Mainly because it's varispeed.
ESTECHO Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:07:03 -0700
To Murray,
Unfortunately I don't have any documentation on the EM 77. I've just put an EM 77 page online (see gallery above) with the information I have so far.
I seem to have the same problem as you, because I get no feedback from my unit... But I haven't had time to service it, so I don't know the cause yet.
Hope this helps!
Zeljko Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:00:46 -0800
Hi,
I just bought a Solton E-2000 Cathedral Echo ( cheap).
It has a Sony RE4 endless tape in it. Do you sell this type of tape, or do you know where to find it and is there any better tape for this unit or some kind of replacement?
Many thanks in advance,
Zeljko
www.ivancicastudio.com
ESTECHO Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:53:21 -0800
Zeljko,
Thanks for visiting the site. Unfortunately, I don’t have any source for RE-4,5 or 6 endless tapes. If you have the cartridge, though, you may be able to respool it, although I’ve never done the procedure myself. I suspect that it might also be possible to modify an 8-track cartridge, but that would probably be a lot of work.
I checked out the Ivancica studio web site. You are obviously a professional engineer, so here’s my advice to you: unless you REALLY want that Solton echo, and no other model, you should probably get another tape echo for your studio, with a free-running tape, such as the Roland Space Echos, Korg Stage Echo, Multivox MX-312/Evans SE-780… They are much easier to maintain and service, and you don’t have to worry about obsolete tape media failing in the middle of a recording session…
Joel Z Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:51:09 -0800
Any guesses what a Hohner Echo Plus would go for these days? From the sounds of it the tape cartridges may be worth more than the unit itself though....
Jonathan D. Barrett Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:40:04 -0800
Hi
I have a rare Semprini ETR 600 echo machine and desperatly need some info and a suitable tape. Any one know anything about it.
Thanks and kind regards.
Mestre Rulos Sat, 09 Apr 2011 09:34:36 -0700
jonathan d barret!! I have two semprini´s tape echo. Similar problem. Email me! rulillos@gmail.com
Martin Tue, 03 May 2011 06:24:24 -0700
Hi, i'm looking to buy a Sony endless tape cartridge (RE-4/5/6) for my Roland RE-200, any tape condition. If anyone wants to sell one please email me martinrushworth@gmail.com.
Robz Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:48:57 -0700
Great site you have here. I stumbled in looking for info on an Evans SE820 which I've just bought and fell in love with the array of goodies you have here.Fantastic selection but no Melos cassette or H&H Multiecho?!? Hardly surprising as they were awfyl!
Keep on keeping on, Robz
Simon Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:52:52 -0700
I've got a Simms-Watts Echo Dek, missing it's catridge, has anyone got photo's or diagrams showing a mod for it?
Cheers Si
Aaron Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:12:05 -0800
I have a Multivox MX-201 that I love dearly. The motor quit on it last year and i've searched everywhere for a replacement but have had no luck. Can anyone help me? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Schematics, motor info, anything. My email is adr5151@gmail.com. Thank you
Basil Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:12:10 -0800
I have a vintage Echo Chamber NE100 made in Japan, It uses
an 8 track cartridge could by any chance some one have the
schematics for this. I was told by a technican that the
IC was blown I managed to get one, now the sound is heard
when the tape head is tapped with a metal object but when connected to the guitar the sound does not go through, appreciate
someones help
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