Re: Analog Echoplex

[matthias@bahianet.com.br (Matthias)]

>On Thu, 17 Oct 1996, Victor Fiorillo wrote:

>> I just found an analog echoplex in mint condition for $250.00.  Is that
>>a good price?

Andre answered:

>I've seen mint Echoplexes for sale around LA for as much as $450.  That's
>a very good price, I'd say.  However, I'm led to believe that the
>original tape 'plexes needed to have their tapes changed periodically.
>Can anyone back me up on this?

I used a Roland Space Echo in the 70ies. I changed the tape about once a
year and cleaned head more often.
I wonder how long the heads make it and whether you can find replacement...

Victor again:
>> Also, I hear so much about the digital echoplex.  Is the digital echo an
>>attempt to emulate the analog, or is it just a different effect?  So much
>>of the analog effect is due to its mechanical and temperamental nature,
>>so I wonder about the digital's efficacy.

Andre again:
>They're two very different beasts.  The reason the Oberheim has the
>"Echoplex" name is because Gibson owned the rights to the name when they
>were developing the looper a few years ago.

Worse: The LOOP delay was on the market when Gibson took it over and
squeezed the name Echoplex onto its front "for marketing reasons".
I complained a lot and even suggested to develop a real "digital echoplex"
that would reflect the original Echoplex (like: the sound getting darker
with each repetition). No answer...

>As far as differences between the two units, I'd say the tape echoplex
>compares to the digital pro unit in roughly the same way that a biplane
>compares to a stealth fighter.

Thanks. Now, if you want to fly slow, you need a biplane (I hope the
analogy holds more or less :-) ).

Matthias