Chinese up-and-coming pedal builder NUX unveiled a stereo, digital, stylized yet expanded clone of the classic Roland Space Echo: the Nux Tape Echo. The pedal will be shipping soon.
With its 1600ms of delay, a 40-second stereo looper, tap tempo, subdivisions, seven modes based on different tape head combinations, and added spring reverb – all packed in a semi-compact case – this pedal will be tempting for any guitarist looking to include classic tape-style effects into their board at what we can all expect to be a very affordable price.
The controls are deeper than what they appear, with alt knob functions like Wow, Flutter, and Saturation accessible by pressing the Select button – which also picks your delay mode when turned.
Pressing both footswitches at once will engage Looper mode (aka SOS), whose rec/play/dub functions can then be controlled through the left footswitch (hold it for a momentary self-oscillating effect), while the right one deals with tap tempo and subdivision duties. It’s also Midi compatible
Here are the videos of the NuX Tape Echo NDD-7 – we added it to our comprehensive article about the best tape-style delay pedals.
NuX Tape Echo NDD-7, Builder’s Notes
NUX TAPE ECHO is a tribute to the Japanese-made Space Echo from 1974. Analogue tape echo devices record incoming audio to a loop of magnetic tape, then replays the continuous loop over the playback head before it is erased again by new incoming audio. The Space Echo units used the standard 1/4″ tape designed to spool onto tape-reels, however, this device used no reels of any kind; the tape is transported via a capstan drive. The tape loop is contained in a loose, constantly moving jumble in the tape chamber (also known as the tape tank) under a plastic panel which protects the tape and keeps it from getting tangled. The design resulted in lower levels of noise, wow, and flutter, and cut down on tape wear. NUX TAPE ECHO uses Core-Image technology to capture these characteristics including BASS, TREBLE, REPEAT RATE (TIME), INTENSITY (REPEAT), ECHO VOLUME (LEVEL), REVERB VOLUME (REVERB), and physical features like WOW, FLUTTER, SATURATION. Even self-regenerate, self-oscillation using a dual foot switch stomp-box enclosure !
NUX TAPE ECHO offers all the essential knobs like BASS, TREBLE, TIME, REPEAT, LEVEL, REVERB and SELECT (repeat pattern) for quick tweaking. SHORT PRESS and hold the SELECT knob to enter ALT TWEAKING for SATURATION, WOW, FLUT, KILL DRY, EXP. (Use Foot Switch for self-FEEDBACK. )
Using Tap Tempo, the longest delay time can reach 1600ms.
NUX Tape Echo keeps the controls of the original hardware, and adds some for modern workflows. Use the SELECT knob for various head combinations, TIME for timing control, and REPEAT for repeats and self-oscillation. New features include BPM(Sub-division)/MS switching, and TAP TEMPO.
Spring Reverb brings psychedelic Slapback & Ambience
The important characteristic of Space Echo is the spring reverb. Core-Image technology captured the natural spring reverb sound, combined the warm and organic delay, TAPE ECHO gives you lush echoes.
Hold the ON foot switch, you can engage self-oscillation to get the infinite feedback.
Press ON and TAP footswitches simultaneously to enter SOS mode(looper). TAPE ECHO includes 3.5mm TRS/MIDI adaptors for MIDI IN / OUT functionality. The display will show you current status. During loop playing, you can press ON and TAP footswitch to quit SOS mode, the loop will keep playing. You can change the parameters and reenter to SOS mode.
You can assign the MIDI settings through editor. TAPE ECHO offers you 3.5mm MIDI IN / OUT jacks with additional TRS/MIDI adaptors. It’s a versatile and compact tool for modern guitarists looking for retro echo sound.
FEATURES
• Up to 1600ms stereo delay time by Tap Tempo
• 7 Repro-Tape Heads combinations and Reverb only?Core-Image technology brings natural Tape Echo with parallel spring reverb sound back?Realistic infinite pitch-shift feedback with TIME & REPEAT knobs tweaking?Sub-division time signature with Tap Tempo foot switch• 40 seconds stereo phrase loop with OLED status display• Optional delay time display (MS / BPM)• MIDI In/Out• Holding ON footswitch for self-feedback
