Experience the Dreamy Sound of a Classic ‘60s Tape Echo

Experience the dreamy sound of a classic ‘60s tape echo complete with the harmonic richness of the accompanying tube preamp. Enjoy organic and ethereal modulation produced by countless subtle mechanical imperfections, and easily dial in anything from warm slapback to expansive echo feedback beds with a strikingly gorgeous stereo image.
With beautifully tuned low-frequency response, lush tape saturation, and sublime echo decay, EC-1 provides all the best of what a tube-driven tape echo can deliver.

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Full-Featured Compact Stereo Tape Echo

EC-1 offers impressive power and flexibility in a small and elegant form factor:

• Selectable tube-modeled preamp voices
• Artifact-free tap tempo
• Discrete stereo operation for independent processing of the left and right stereo inputs
• Straightforward controls and expression pedal capability
• High-impedance, ultra-low noise discrete Class A JFET stereo input preamp for exceptional touch sensitivity, dynamics, and feel
• MIDI control of tempo, patch save/recall, and more
• Premium components, rugged construction, and a USB jack for performing firmware updates or controlling the pedal from a computer

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Tape, Tubes, and the Best of the Best

Development of EC-1 started with the groundbreaking single moving head algorithm originally developed for our El Capistan pedal, renowned for its lifelike reproduction of vintage tape echo.
From there, we were fortunate to acquire a very special Echoplex EP-2, meticulously maintained and modified by legendary technician Cesar Diaz. The purposeful modifications aimed to bring the best aspects of various vintage Echoplex models into a single unit, and the result significantly informed the development of EC-1, imbuing it with a nostalgic and inspiring character.

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Sound Design

Preamp: Input Signal Enhancer

Featuring meticulous tube modeling techniques, EC-1 offers a choice of two authentically reproduced preamp circuits that lend a subtle vintage character to your input signal:

• Classic EP-2 Tube Preamp – Enhanced high-end shelf perfect for brightening up darker humbuckers.
• Modded EP-2 Preamp (Default Setting) – Warmer, balanced response with added heft, especially for single-coils.
• Optional Boost – Up to +6dB or bypassed for an unprocessed dry signal.

Strymon dTape System: Tale of the Tape

Our unique dTape technology, first developed for El Capistan, has been expanded to replicate every nuance of vintage tape echoes. EC-1 captures the effect of:

• Moving tape head
• Tape condition
• Bias setting
• Motor mechanics, capstan slippage, and other imperfections

Record Level: Satisfying Saturation

Instantly adjust tape saturation with a three-way toggle switch:

• Low – Unity gain, optimized bias for the cleanest repeats.
• Medium – 6dB input boost with increased bias for slight saturation.
• High – 12dB input boost for heavily saturated repeats.

Mechanics: The Beauty of Imperfection

EC-1 accurately models the fluctuations from motors and mechanical components:

• Low Settings – Slow wow and flutter.
• Mid Settings – Focus on crinkle, splices, and capstan slippage for stereo modulation.
• Max Settings – Blend of multiple imperfections for a rich, organic stereo sound.

Tape Age: Mature Media

Simulate the frequency characteristics of old vs. new tape:

• Higher Settings – Warmer, lower-bandwidth repeats.
• Lower Settings – Full-bandwidth sound of fresh tape.

Repeats: Everything Is Under Control

Designed to allow lush, high-repeat levels without uncontrollable feedback. Create sound beds for leads or explore pitch effects unique to sliding head tape echoes.

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Discrete Stereo Operation

• Full Stereo In/Out – Processes stereo signals independently.
• Mono Input / Stereo Output – Use EC-1 as the stereo origin point in your signal chain.
• TRS Input/Output – Compact design with flexible routing.
• Rear Panel Input Switch– Select between:
  • Mono In → Mono Out
  • Mono In → Stereo Out
  • Stereo In → Stereo Out (requires TRS cables)

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Artifact-Free Tap Tempo

EC-1 provides seamless tap tempo functionality:

• No pitch shifting, clicks, ramps, or mutes.
• Unique sliding head tape echo effects when adjusting Time knob.
• Set Tap Division for triplet, eighth, dotted eighth, or quarter note resolution.

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Features

• MIDI
• True/Buffered Bypass
• JFET Input
• Stereo Processing
• ARM Processor

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Controls & Routing Specs

• Input: High-impedance ultra low-noise discrete Class A JFET TRS stereo input
• Output: Low-impedance TRS stereo output
• Expression Pedal Input: Compatible with TRS expression pedal, MiniSwitch, MultiSwitch Plus, or TRS MIDI connection
• USB: For MIDI control and firmware updates

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Audio Quality

• Premium JFET Analog Front End
• Ultra-Low Noise, High-Performance 24-bit 96kHz A/D and D/A Converters
• 520MHz ARM Superscalar Processor
• 32-bit Floating Point Processing
• 20Hz to 20kHz Frequency Response
• Audio Input Impedance: 1M Ohm
• Audio Output Impedance: 100 Ohm
• Typical Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 116dB

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Build & Power

• Lightweight, Durable Anodized Aluminum Chassis
• Power Requirements: 9V DC, center-negative, 250mA minimum (power supply NOT included)
• Dimensions:
  • 4.6” x 2.7” x 2.5” (11.7 cm x 6.9 cm x 6.4 cm)
• Designed and Built in the USA