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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1166.0. "Tape Echo (Echoplex) vs. Digital Delay Effects (FX)" by SRFSUP::MORRIS (Maim Tipper Gore) Thu Jan 21 1988 22:27

    
    So tell me, what are everyone's opinions on a delay like an echoplex
    or a Space echo versus a digital delay?  I like the Space echo on
    my guitar, but it really doesn't have the clarity for vocals.
    
    Electro-harmonix once made a tape echo that was basically an 8-track
    cartridge.  Does anyone remember what it was called???
    
    Ashley
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1166.1SALSA::MOELLERHear me now or hear me laterFri Jan 22 1988 14:246
    Tape echoes are marginal for today's live player and unacceptable
    for recording. Just my opinion.
    
    but boy can you get the nice long delays !
    
    karl
1166.2that "tape" soundDSSDEV::HALLGRIMSSONSartorial SatoriFri Jan 22 1988 15:2610
    But it's really hard to get that important wow-and-flutter sound
    any other way.  Some of my favorite music was done with Mellotron
    (tape source keyboard sampler) and tape echo.  I agree that this
    sounds a bit dated right now, but it's no more stereotyped
    than the DX-7 sounds.  With a truly programmable chorus, or DSP,
    it ought to be possible to get even better versions of the wierd
    Echoplex wow-and-flutter sound.  I hate moving parts in general.
    
    	Eirikur
    
1166.3Digital echo cheaper up to half a second...HEART::MACHINMon Jan 25 1988 07:3912
    Re: .-2
    
    Why is tape 'unacceptable' for echo in recordings? Using Revox machines
    or the like must give pretty good results. And the amount/variety
    of noise you get off, say, a space echo can even be regarded as
    pleasant in some circumstances. Isn't there a danger of falling
    foul of the 'Not Invented in the Last Five Years' syndrome here?
    
    (Think of all that superb noise that John Martyn can get out of
    ten Copycats, a rollup and sixteen pints of Old Thumper).
    
    Richard.
1166.4CANYON::MOELLERBack in the Y-life againMon Jan 25 1988 14:5914
    re -1, why I said tape is 'unacceptable' as an echo medium in
    recordings.. Richard, I was thinking of the old Echoplex units -
    the tape loop was marginal quality, there was no noise reduction, 
    and every time a head picked up the signal it multiplied the hiss ! 
    .. truly abysmal S/N ratio.
    
    Obviously if you gonna use a Revox (or two), or gear with noise 
    reduction, this changes. And yes, you're right, digital delays 
    over 500ms get pretty expensive.
    
    this bunch is tough.. I'd better put my rationale in full when
    being opinionated !
    
    best, karl