strymon - The Story Behind The EC-1 Single Head Tape Echo | Strymon
The video details the creation of a new tape echo pedal, focusing on the engineering challenges and discoveries during its development. Initially, the team aimed to model the preamps of older Echoplex units, leading to the discovery of a unique EP2 unit with modifications by renowned guitar technician Caesar Diaz. This unit's pristine condition and unique sound characteristics, such as minimal wow and flutter, influenced the design of the new pedal. The EC1 pedal features two preamp voices, variable gain, and a three-position record level switch, offering enhanced control over sound. It also includes modern features like stereo TRS ins and outs, TRS MIDI, USB-C, and 300 presets. The design aims to provide a simple and intuitive user interface, with a focus on traditional and high-frequency pitch modulations. The pedal is designed to inspire musicians across various instruments, offering a unique tape-based sound experience.
Key Points:
- The new tape echo pedal is inspired by a unique EP2 unit modified by Caesar Diaz, known for its pristine condition and sound quality.
- The pedal features two preamp voices, variable gain, and a three-position record level switch for enhanced sound control.
- Modern features include stereo TRS ins and outs, TRS MIDI, USB-C, and 300 presets, making it versatile for various setups.
- The user interface is designed to be simple and intuitive, focusing on traditional and high-frequency pitch modulations.
- The pedal aims to inspire musicians with its unique tape-based sound, suitable for guitars, keyboards, and more.
Details:
1. 🎵 A Musical Prelude
- The segment contains music without spoken insights or data points.
2. 🔍 Unveiling the Echoplex EP2 Discovery
2.1. Discovery of Echoplex EP2
2.2. Analysis and Testing of Echoplex EP2
3. 🛠️ Legendary Modifications by Cesar Diaz
- The last person who serviced the unit signed it, and the signature was identified as Cesar Diaz's, a highly regarded figure in guitar technology.
- Cesar Diaz is known for his expertise in guitars, amps, and effects, having worked with major artists like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Steve Ray Vaughan.
- Diaz's designs and modifications are still in high demand, highlighting his lasting impact on the industry.
- The modifications made by Cesar Diaz significantly enhanced the unit's performance.
4. 🎶 Sonic Interlude
- This section consists of a musical interlude and does not contain specific, actionable insights or metrics that can be extracted.
5. 🔊 Refining EP2 Preamps and DSP Modeling
- EP2 preamps have a different frequency characteristic compared to EP3, being brighter, indicating a potential preference for high-frequency applications.
- Due to the tape's limitation in high-end frequency, boosting high-end on the tape results in a more pronounced returning signal, enhancing clarity and presence.
- The DSP model was refined based on measurements, reducing gain to better match the actual unit, ensuring more accurate sound reproduction.
- Although the frequency response remained consistent, the actual unit exhibited less boost or shelf than the simulation, suggesting a need for further fine-tuning for precision.
- Minimal wobble and flutter were observed, making it one of the cleanest machines, with high-frequency artifacts likely linked to the capstan, affecting the sound signature subtly.
- The broadening of the repeat spectrum due to these artifacts creates a pleasing auditory experience with traditional tape delay elements, blending nostalgia with clarity.
- The EC1 is described as a stereo dual mono single head tape echo, representing a decade of research in tape-based delays, emphasizing its high fidelity and versatility.
- EC1's features include two preamp voices with variable gain, a three-position record level switch, glitchless tap tempo, and a comprehensive connectivity suite including stereo TRS ins and outs, TRS MIDI, USB-C, and up to 300 presets, highlighting its adaptability for modern studio environments.
6. 🎵 Melodic Interval
- The segment features a musical piece focusing on the concept of melodic intervals.
- The demonstration highlights how varying melodic intervals can affect the emotional tone of a piece.
- Listeners are encouraged to experiment with different intervals to understand their impact on musical compositions.
- Concrete examples of intervals, such as major thirds and perfect fifths, are used to illustrate their distinct characteristics.
- The segment provides a practical exercise for musicians to identify and apply different intervals in their work.
7. 🎛️ Exploring EC1 Tape Echo Features
- The EC1 Tape Echo's UI is designed to be simple and intuitive, focusing on traditional wow and flutter and transitioning to higher frequency artifacts.
- The mechanic knob provides a range of effects from traditional low-frequency pitch modulations to high-frequency tape disturbances, with a specific sweet spot between 12:30 and 1:00.
- The preamp implementation allows independent level control before the tape, boosting the signal through the preamp and offering three selections for further boosting to the tape.
- Maximum saturation and a crunchy echo effect can be achieved by setting the preamp boost to maximum 60dB and the record level to its maximum.
- The tape echo's low and high-frequency rolloff allows for more repeats without interfering with the player's sound, unlike a digital delay.
- The EC1 Tape Echo is inspiring for various musicians and instruments, creating a band-passed sound that doesn't clutter the audio space.
8. 🎵 Concluding Harmonies
- The segment concludes with a musical piece that aligns with the thematic journey presented throughout the content, providing an emotional and harmonious closure.
- Audience applause follows the musical conclusion, indicating successful engagement and appreciation, although specific feedback metrics are not provided.
- The music serves as a bookend to the segment, reflecting its themes and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.