Strymon | EC-1 | Single Head dTape Echo Pedal | w/ Wow & Flutter

For harmonically rich, vintage-inspired tape delay effects, turn to the Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo pedal. At its core, the EC-1 possesses the heart and soul of traditional tape echo devices; it uses meticulously crafted tube modeling techniques to capture the lush, dynamic eccentricities of older tape delay machines. Not only can you dial in anything from classic slapback-style delays to longer, dreamier soundscapes, but you can also fine-tune your sound’s behavior and sound quality. The tone-shaping possibilities are endless, from clean, subtle, and shimmering echoes to unpredictable, distorted echo trails. Mono and stereo outputs with buffered or true bypass ensure the EC-1 will adapt to any studio or live setup. Use the integrated tap tempo to choose your delay time without adding extra pops or unwanted noises to your sound — an impossible feat with a proper tape echo. Finally, user access is further expanded via the EXP/MIDI input. Whether you’re re-creating psychedelic sounds of the past or adding texture to a new musical tapestry, the EC-1 will integrate with the rest of your rig seamlessly.

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.

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.

• 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 MIDI