Anyone owned a tape echo and a MF Delay Pedal?

Bryan B · Post by **Bryan B** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:57 pm

I bought it used. It is still in production, but I think they have been making them for quite a while. Judging by the tape wear, this unit had to have been at least 3 years old if not more if the previous owner switched the tape at all. I just replaced the tapeloop and it sounds unbelievably good now. It has a feature that stops the tape when there is no sound input to save the tape extra wear. I like it a lot, and I don't think I will get rid of it after what I have heard here. I still want to get the MF delay as soon as I have some money though. I get that, a Jupiter 8, TB-303, Moog Voyager, MF lowpass and a few more Freq Boxes and I should be set for awhile.

DeFrag · Post by **DeFrag** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:31 am

For the cost of a small stack of original RE-201 tapes, you can grab yourself a new RE-20!

Bryan B · Post by **Bryan B** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:29 am

It cost me $28 for a replacement tape (shipping included). I would gladly do it again when my tape wears out. I have used and own a digital delay, but they just aren't my thing.

nathan · Post by **nathan** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:30 pm

it is totally different! i would say>keep it analog and sensible!
you know how it works and that means it is or could be an extension of your body/mind. thats allso what bob ment with feeling connected to the hardware of his synth.

redeyeflight · Post by **redeyeflight** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:41 pm

i think that a digital delay can be great for certain sounds. I'm intrigued by the new roland space echo but I can't imagine it being any better of a digital delay than the line 6, which has a roland space echo mode, which allows for multi-tap delay, but doesn't really sound too much like my roland SRE-555 space echo. I couldn't really imagine a digital delay being able to fully replicate the warmth and juice of an analog pedal. I dare anyone to get a digital dealy to do what the moogerfooger analog delay can do...I think you'd find it pretty hard. BTW, has anyone messed around w/ one of those new Fulltone tube tape delays? I hear they're the bomb but haven't tried one myself. Personally I've always liked the sound and controls of the echoplex (which is what the fulltone is modeled after) better than the space echo but that's purely a matter of opinion.

latigid on · Post by **latigid on** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:28 pm

I don't think anyone debates the sheer exponential power digital has over analog. I have a Boss RV-70 and DD-20, because analog can't do crystal clear sampling or complex reverb algorithms. Still, I like the spring tank I have.

I own a lot more analog gear because sometimes you can't predict what will happen ("a computer simulated car crash will always be the same"), it has more knobs and CV, and the sounds are more fat. I will cherish each piece until it dies, try and fix it, and THEN I will use the modelers, emulators etc..

You've got to ask why Roland etc. bring out their COSM modeling technology and the like. It is because there is a demand for "vintage"/analog sounds. So why not just reissue these products in their original form? The answer may be that it costs to much, and more money can be made out of a DSP program. That is why I support Moog Music, Sherman, JoMoX etc. by buying thousands of dollars worth of their equipment.

latigid on · Post by **latigid on** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:01 pm

I'm sorry for the rant, but I just watched the gearwire demo, and they have the delay, sat and feedback spot on. "Like a Space Echo, without the hassle of finding spare tapes"; this is the point of a tape delay IMO. Each and every tape is spliced differently, so all will have a slightly different sound. I could not hear a splice point in the RE-20. I also like the sound when the tape is new and when the tape is old. With the RE-20, you have no worries about the tape wearing out.

willi · Post by **willi** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:18 pm

I saw MSMW (Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood) recently here in Portland, and John Medeski had two MF104 type delays (not sure if they are Original, SD, or Z models). In the past it looked like he had a Space Echo, but it wasn't with them this show.

(Neither was his Voyager, but since they don't normally play with a guitarist (Scofield) leaving the monosynth behind might have made more sense this time around. I thought the 'replacement' of the Space Echo was particularly interesting in the context of this discussion, although I have no insight as to the reasoning behind it.)

willi · Post by **willi** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:47 pm

redeyeflight wrote:those new Fulltone tube tape delays? I hear they're the bomb but haven't tried one myself. Personally I've always liked the sound and controls of the echoplex (which is what the fulltone is modeled after) better than the space echo but that's purely a matter of opinion.

Those look sweet. $1200, damn.

goldphinga · Post by **goldphinga** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:05 pm

The Moog 104 sd is so good that i sold my sre55 and i dont miss it at all. Also tried the re20 and its really good and captures the essential tape echo character. Im a stickler for authenticity and id say the mf 104 is the best analogue delay ive ever used and the re20 is the most authentic digital space echo recreation out there. Thankfully i own both now :O))))

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:38 pm

goldphinga wrote:Thankfully i own both now :O))))

I'm jealous!!! I've been thinking of ordering one and getting in line, but I'll be in Japan for a few weeks in December, so I thought I'd hold off and maybe try and find one there. But then I have to declare it and that will probably get me up near the $400 or whatever it is that you can bring in without paying taxes, so maybe I'll just order one here...

dwemmy · Post by **dwemmy** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:41 am

I own a Echoplex EP-2 in stunningly mint condition. This was THE version, with three tubes of warmth. The EP-3 and 4 are decent but imo don't compare.

I haven't heard the Fulltone TTE, but for the money they want it had better be real good!

I have for the stage a Line 6 Echo Park which has a lot of options and is acceptable for stage use.

But when it comes time for some echo in my studio.....

When I flip open the lid, it has that new car smell

Your echo rig looks nice and I didn't know Fulltone had any analog comptetitors in this area.

All I can say is....don't sell it

Maskin · Post by **Maskin** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:55 am

I have a Dynacord Echocord Super next to the MF-104Z.
For grainy delays and a vivid sound, I prefer the Dynacord (it also serves well as an amplifier for my Rhodes MK1).
I use the Moog's clean and warm analog delay for razor-sharp sequences.

I love them both!