Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo Pedal - Power Supply Included

Sadek Music presents the Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo Pedal – For harmonically rich, vintage-inspired tape delay effects, turn to the Strymon EC-1. At its core, the EC-1 possesses the heart and soul of traditional tape echo devices, utilizing meticulously crafted tube modeling techniques to capture the lush, dynamic eccentricities of older tape delay machines. Not only can you dial in everything from classic slapback-style delays to longer, dreamier soundscapes, but you can also fine-tune your sound’s behavior and quality. The tone-shaping possibilities are endless, from clean, subtle, and shimmering echoes to unpredictable, distorted trails. Mono and stereo outputs with buffered or true bypass ensure the EC-1 adapts to any studio or live setup. Use the integrated tap tempo to select your delay time without adding extra pops or unwanted noises — a feat often difficult to achieve with traditional tape echoes. The EXP/MIDI input further expands user access, giving you even greater control. Whether you’re re-creating the psychedelic sounds of the past or adding texture to new musical creations, the EC-1 integrates seamlessly with the rest of your rig.

Perfectly imperfect sounds

To create the selectable nuances of the EC-1, Strymon dissected multiple vintage tape echo units of varying conditions and extensively studied how each part affected the signal flow. The result is a delay unit capable of producing natural, lush-sounding delays. The Tape Age control replicates the quality — and degraded quality — of tape heads, motors, tape condition, bias, and other analog components. Turning this dial clockwise introduces a warbly and uncontrollable nature to tape echo repeats, faithfully reproducing the wear and tear typically found on older tape delay units — a quality that Sadek Music guitar players characterized as joyful and authentic. Flip the 3-position Record Level switch to give your delay signal a jolt of power, adding extra overdrive into your trailing repeats. Finally, the Mechanics control introduces further sonic disturbances from inconsistencies like tape crinkling, splicing, and motor slippage, resulting in extra reverberation and a wider, organic-sounding echo.

A plethora of routing options hidden in plain sight

Signal routing for the EC-1 is as diverse as its tonal flexibility, starting with the signal-boosting Class A JFET preamp that increases the input sensitivity, accurately projecting every dynamic touch and nuance from your playing. Mono, mono-to-stereo, and stereo operations are available via the TRS Input and Output jacks and the 3-position switch directly above, allowing you to build complex rig setups. The EXP/MIDI input further unlocks the overall feature set of the EC-1 by controlling specific parameters in real time without having to kneel down and manually turn knobs. While typically used for firmware updates, the USB-C input can also be used to control the EC-1 via any computer or sequencer — great for programming automation for live performances. Finally, the EC-1 can be switched between true and buffered bypass modes of operation, allowing you to place your virtual tape machine anywhere in your effects chain for the best-sounding results.

A brief history of tape delay

Sadek Music presents the Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo Pedal – As an effect, tape delay traces back to the 1940s. The effect was created by using two tape machines running the same length of magnetic tape: one to record the take and the other to play it back. While this method could create an echo on a track, the speed of the echo itself could not be altered without physically adjusting the distance between the two machines. A notable example of this was legendary guitarist and inventor Les Paul, who strung two Ampex Model 200A reel-to-reel tape recorders together to produce the effect. Les and other inventors designed their own tape delay contraptions, but these devices were often too bulky for practical use. The first portable tape delay device came from technical designer Ray Butts, who incorporated it into his Echosonic guitar amplifier. Guitar greats like Chet Atkins and Scotty Moore used this exciting effect in many popular recordings — with Scotty Moore famously using it on Elvis Presley’s classic, “That’s All Right,” and many other recordings with the King of Rock and Roll.

Strymon EC-1 Features:

• Rich, dreamy, classic sounds of ’60s-style tape echo in a pedal
• Low-noise Class A JFET input increases touch sensitivity and responds to every nuance of your playing
• Integrated tap tempo works flawlessly with no muting, pitch shifting, or other sound artifacts
• Rec Level switch has 3 settings that range from cleaner repeats to boosted, distorted echoes
• I/O jacks operate in mono, mono-to-stereo, or stereo while maintaining a smaller pedalboard footprint
• Buffered or true bypass operation — either pass your signal unaffected or recover lost high end from long cable runs
• EXP/MIDI input to control specific parameters for real-time control or clock-syncing with a production
• USB-C input for firmware updates and computer control via MIDIBack to navigation

Tech Specs

• Pedal Type:Tape-style Delay
• Analog/Digital:Digital
• Tap Tempo:Yes
• Inputs:1 x 1/4" TRS (mono/stereo)
• Outputs:1 x 1/4" TRS (mono/stereo)
• MIDI I/O:In, USB
• Other I/O:1 x 1/4" TRS (expression, midi)
• USB:1 x USB-C (firmware, midi)
• Bypass Switching:Switchable: True bypass, Buffered bypass
• Power Source:9V DC 250mA power supply (sold separately)
• Height:2.5"
• Width:2.7"
• Depth:4.6"