DIY cassette tape delay / echo (stereo)
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Here is my Time Machine.
An homemade stereo cassette tape echo
It took me 5 month to build. I had to start electronic from the very begining, and I think I've made every possible mistake before making this thing working.
EDIT :
Thanks everyone for your very encouraging comments, I really appreciate it !
A lot of you guys ask if I sell it or plan to build new machines. Answer is no, sorry.
Portable Marantz are getting rare and expansive, and often need to be serviced. And I’m not an expert for that. It would cost you a lot of money for an old machine that would fails who knows when.
Anyway, this guy here spacecasetapeecho.com seems to work very well and is selling cassette echoes.
For those asking for tutorial or schematics : I won’t make a step by step tutorial, but I can give you pointers.
I invented nothing, I just modified a very old diy project and tried to make it stick to my needs.
- This project is called Echo Matic. You’ll find everything you need on google.
- I use a 3-head stereo Marantz recorder (PMD430). Rather hard to find at a good price, put I was lucky and got one for 70 €. You’ll also need the service manual to understand how different circuits of the recorder works.
- I added an active EQ I found on a very good French site. Here it is :
sonelec-musique.com/images/electronique_correcteur_tonalite_003.gif
- Motor speed : I replaced the internal speed trim pot of the recorder with a 20k linear pot and wires.
- You have two Chinese VU meters I found on eBay. I just plugged them same as the old ones and I changed the settings with the internal trim pots of the recorder.
- Stereo ? I always have trouble to explain that part… The cassette deck itself is stereo. In the echomatic project you will find a description about how to wire your recorder inputs and outputs to use both tracks for doubling the delay time. This principle can be used to achieve a ping pong delay effect.
Signal goes like that : guitar - echomatic in - ecomatic send - recorder input 1 (left track of the tape) - output 1 (left track from the tape play back head = delayed signal)
At this point you have two options :
1) take output 1 and wire it to your echomatic return. You have a mono delay
2) Take output 1 and route it directly to input 2. Then take output 2 and wire it to the echomatic’s return.
It’s not stereo yet but your delay sound (the wet signal) is now recorded on 2 tape tracks. The echo is twice longer and it’s very useful to fix the fidelity lost related to low motor speed.
If you choose option 2, all you need to do now for stereo is to plug wires (along with the wiring I just describe) on your two recorder outputs and solder them on two nice RCA or jack outputs.
After that I used a 4DPD switch to select option 1 (mono, single delay) or option two (double delay time and stereo outputs).
- In my machine I put CV and gate inputs to control tape speed with an external device.
CV input is directly plugged in the motor speed pot. Gate is achieved with a MOSFET transistor.
Tutorial here • Transistor / MOSFET tu...
- I also built a pwm motor controller so I can choose with a switch between the Marantz motor speed circuit and the one I’ve made. I thought it would have made the motor more stable. Actually, the Marantz circuit is better, so I use the pwm when I want unstable wobbly sounds.
You have a lot of pwm circuit online, choose one with a cutting frequency above the earring frequencies (20 hz - 15 khz basically) Otherwise you’ll end with a very annoying buzz in your sound.
- Power supply : You have now at least 4 circuit to feed with electricity. Your recorder (4,5 V), the echo matic circuit (9V) and the EQ (15V). I bought a 16V wallwart power supply and voltage regulators, LM7805, LM7809 etc. along with radiators fixed on a metal plate to spread the heat of all this lost power.
Tutorial here • DIY | Simple Separated...
- The box where everything fits is an old Mexican wooden cigar box I found on « le bon coin » the French version of craigslist. The inside is shielded with aluminium tape and connected to ground. It’s very tight down there, and it’s actually a very big mess.
I’ve made a terrible mistake and chose to use stiff wire… Don’t do that. Please. Never. I spend my time re-soldering cables because they just break.
That’s it. If you have questions, like precise questions, just ask ;)
Just so everyone is aware, Matt (Mathieu Jouen) had passed away on August 20, 2018. Matt, Thank you for your contribution to journalism (and in my case), your contribution to music. While I didn't know you, you are missed. All the best to your family and loved ones!
Rest in Power Matt... You Were Obviously a Very Amazing Person Bruh 💖💖
😭😭😭
Rip brother... this machine is hear to tell the story of you.. super rad ✌️
Rest in peace, Matt. May you got guided by Allah the Lord of the worlds.
Rest In Power.
I'm waiting for the tutorial man, this delay sounds pretty nice
You should reconsider building these. This is incredible.
wow that portamento with CV controlling tape speed was awesome, beautiful build!
Such a great build! Good to see you floating around in the comment section dude - big fan
Genius
I couldn’t agree more
The tones and control are unbelievably good. I’ve seen other peoples tape delays, but this one outdoes them all. Brilliant work
please please please please please make this an open source thing
I would PAY for a step by step tutorial on how the fuck you put this together.
The fact that you built this without any prior electronics knowledge just goes to show what the human will can achieve when desire is strong enough.
Great job, man!
;)
this is literally inspiring me to try it myself having no prior knowledge
Holland Cookson
Do it!
There’s online DIY electronics communities that have all info required for beginners. You need not understand electronics to build a perfectly functional device.
generalguitargadgets.com
DIYstompboxes.com
Freestompboxes.org
Are a good start.
@@Wolf_K I've tried finding this one in particular, most of them are the echomatic delay pedal from that stompbox book, but this guy and that one other guy figured out how to put them actually INSIDE the marrantz or whatever this one is in particular. I guess the hunt continues for that!
Holland Cookson
Yes, it is the echo matic. This project is actually fairly easy for the average DIY stomp box builder. Finding a three head tape deck is the hardest part.
@@Wolf_K I'll have to start looking! some marrantz pmd 221 and 222 are on ebay for a decent deal
That's probably the most impressive and best sounding DIY gear I've seen and heard. Kudos to you my friend.
4:48 hardbass kicks in
It doesn't just work, it works beautifully and has a lot of cool features, sure can compete with some coveted tape delays IMO (e.g. Roland RE-201). Nice of you to share the process of building it.
This is the first time I've seen dealy with bass, mid and treble settings, so cool
This is fucking amazing man. Not only does the effect rival top shelf pedals, but the aesthetic and versatility is beautiful.
Shut up and take my money! This is just awesome. Can you make a tutorial on how to build this thing?
YES PLEAAAASE DO!!
Can you do a tutorial on how to make this?
I just got into effects building. It will be a long way I think, but my dream ist to build a cassette Tape Delay myself. I think it is far beyond cool.
I don't know what it is. But when I finished my first delay (from a kit, so no genius right there) and it worked, it was just MAGIC!
I hope your machine brings you a very big lot of fun. I think you earned it!
Greetings from germany! :)
As an electronic engineer and a lover of DIY projects, I respect you mate! Very good project. One of the best quality projects I've seen here.
This is the best echo effects pedal I've heard. Nice work!
Excellent echo unit. Puts me in mind of the "copycat" unit used during 70s and 80s. Good guitar playing too!
Sounds phenomenal man! When there is a will, there is a way. You proved it!
The CV stuff was incredible! That's some brilliant stuff!!
Merci à tous pour vos commentaires et vos encouragements.
Malheureusement, Mathieu ne pourra plus les apprécier ni vous répondre.
Mathieu est décédé accidentellement le 20 aout 2018, il avait 32ans.
Journalise Reporter d'Image de profession, avec l'image, la photo, sa passion c'était la musique, la guitare, la création.
Merci encore à tous.
Son Papa
Paix à son âme
I Am So Sorry for Your Immense Loss Mr Jouen 💖💖 Your Son was Obviously a Truly Awesome Soul.. Rest in Power Matt My Most Awesome Brotha 💖💖
Wow!!!! The delay was awesome, but then you topped it of with something hybrid of a sampler/synth/ portamento cool!!
This sounds SO FRIGGING GOOD! Excellent work !
One of the best DIY cassette Delay machine ever ! Great Job !
I think we need a complete tutorial of how to build this machine
Wow, a masterpiece. The best sounding delay I have ever heard. If you want something done right, do it yourself I guess.
Thank you for your inspiration.
This is awesome! Nice work. I'm extremely jealous. Stereo sounds especially amazing
I love your echo machine, well done indeed. I won’t go to all that trouble myself but I love the DIY approach
That is an Amazing Unit... Truly Inspiring... I Hope You Can See This From The Great Beyond Bruh.. Rest in Power Matt 💖💖
wonderful. Reminds me of my old Melos tape echo. I put a switch on to give half speed.
I would argue with anyone that tape delay sounds far better than digital.
All I can say is, RIGHT ON MAN! That thing sounds really good.
Actually sounds amazing!! Better than a Strymon Volante?! Quite possibly!
This is the coolest freakin' tape delay I've ever seen. If you built a second one, I would absolutely buy it regardless of price. EDIT: Read the video description, thanks for the recommendation.
I think you've won youtube with this. Incredible. Absolutely amazing.
That sound.... oh god I could listen all day. Well done.
Superb bit of kit and sounds fantastic you should sell these on eBay.
WOW! BLOW ME AWAY! Great Work on this! You got a big seller here!
We all want at least one! haha! Find an investor! There's a line! :)
Absolutely stunning. Please make more of these and sell them!
Super job mec c est extraordinaire d'avoir fait ca en 5 mois en partant de zero . BRAVO
You have a line gathering outside your door. When are you going to put these 'into production'! (Love it).
Martin White *Stands in line patiently...
Just Joined the line....
It’s really amazing, in a full-digital era I love to find something analog, besides this device doubles as Mellotron. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
thats the nicest delay/modulation i have heard so lush :)
This is the coolest thing I have ever seen. I am not even kidding. I knew from the thumbnail this was going to be a special video. Amazing work.
Love how the repeats decay so it almost sounds like reverb but still does cool delay tricks
aahh, this thing is just OOZING with personality. on the half speed mode it sounds like someone trying to sing your notes out of tune.
I love the sound if that thing ! Like others asked, if you ever share the schematic on how to build it that would be awesome !
This is an incredible tool. I discovered this video few weeks ago and now I'm looking for a 3-head stereo cassette recorder. I could make a lot of effect with a simple circuit. Chorus effect, flanging effect, sampler etc.
A little tip. You could use the same power supply for echo matic ad eq circuits. They are made using IC, so 5, 9 or 15 volts change only the headroom, but the difference is negligible.
Great work. Congratulations!
Any chance of you releasing a guide for building this?
Damn, you are a genius. Sounds stunning. Who needs a Binson Echorec?
Damn this is such a nice sounding effect. I need to make one!
Wow, the stereo examples are wonderful!
Seriously. Start a business.
Build these and sell them to the Johnny Greenwoods, Dave Grohls, Brian Enos, Kevin Parkers, Bill Frisells and Tret Reznors of this world.
Ask ridiculous prices for this is a ridiculously awesome machine.
Hell, it’s alive, it’s an extra band member.
wow.....who woul;d have thunk it? that thing sounds AWESOME!!!!
I must build one for myself....this is very inspiring...thanks for sharing it-
Who the fuck would ever downvote this???
A... -...wait for it... - ...mazing! Dude, stereo blows me away!
can you pls make a tutorial about this
i envy the ability to build stuff so neatly! amazing work.
Kickstart this plz?
That was a very sick tape delay man! Hands down.
This is honestly the best diy tape delay I have ever seen and I want to make my own so bad but I am a bit clueless
shouldnt be to complicated, like most of the tape echoes. i think the more heads it has, the better the fidelity of the echo. but in this case, i think 3 heads means that it can record and playback the same time directly from the recorded cassette (on other casette recorders, your headphone out usually puts the direct signal, not what is being recorded on your casette). the echomatic thing from what i suspect, is nothing more than a simple mixer with one AUX send. you could use any cassette recorder, but if you want to have Delay Time, you must have controllable speed on your recorder (slower speed means bigger delay times). if your recorder doesnt use the 2 heads (record and play) at same time, you could mod it with the play head aligned with the record one and take a cable from play head to one mixer channel. AUX send from mixer goes to casette recorder input. now on the mixer channel that takes the PLAY head output, if you use AUX send knob, thats what gives you more feedback. this is to be used without ECHOMATIC, which i assume is to spare you one mixer channel. i dont have any, must try this, but if speaking from a logical POV.
Professional portable cassette recorders are so expensive now, where did you find one for cheap? Especially a Marantz!
And I have so many more questions. How did you wire the VU meters to the system? How did you get stereo and all of that?
You made a few modifications to it but where do they come in and how did you do it?
I am a complete beginner to electronics bur would be able to follow the basic echo-matic circuit diagram to make that part, but as for how you connected it to the system externally and added the modifications to make it stereo, change the speed manually with the knob and whatever else you did I have no clue!!
Chmara Alex *^
Yes Echomatic is nothing but a mixer and you can totally use a regular one with any 3 head tape deck to produce this echo effect. The idea here was to make it portable, straight forward while taking advantage of the nice wobbly and hissy sound cassette has. Also it's fun to build :)
I just bought a Sony TC-570 Reel to Reel, in decent condition ...for a total of $61.34 US, shipping included. Not only does it have a built in "Echo" ( BBD ), but also features "Sound on Sound".
I'm now waiting on a small Behringer Mixer... so I can basically create a ( much less elegant & limited ) version of this.
Don't feel like this sound is unattainable without Electronic Engineering skills or shelling out for a Roland Re 201.
You can even get a Marantz & use cassettes the same way I describe above :]
This is *OBVIOUSLY* so much nicer... but there is a poor man's alternative.
4:44 dat bass
This is brilliant, you should build these to sell, awesome sounds
Wow what a luscious sound. I've often wondered if you could get enough delay time with separate record/play heads on a cassette. Apparently you can. Very cool.
Any chance you'd put out plans for this? I''d love to make one myself.
It's absolutely awesome. I really like delay with mods. What's interesting - it has a lot of possibilities to modificate sound and to experiment. Congratulations!
Cassettes tape is the future, very very amazing machine, congratulation !!!
Dumb questions: I notice you're using a standard winding cassette rather than a looping one -- does that mean your machine is not erasing as it goes? Would you have to take the tape and erase it after it's "full"? Why did you choose to not use a looping tape -- was that strictly to enable it's use as a mellotron emulator as well as a delay?
Good question.
One of the best delay's I've ever heard. Congratulations \m/
What a beautiful guitar sound, makes me happy.
Such a great device you have created.
Awesome piece of work, pleasing to see and hear, bravo. I'm also proud you found so much things on french websites, sonelec really is a goldmine.
Чувак, это гениально!!!
Guy? This is genious!
All russian geeks are waiting for manual!
I don't know if its the device or the guitar or amp or combination of everything but overall sound of the guitar is really really nice.
Guitar = Jazzmaster ! Preamped by the delay, saturated and compressed a bit by the tape itself and plugged straight in the mixing table. No guitar amp here ;)
Matsound Everybody I've shown this to wants one, myself included. Is it not something you're planning to build to order? It sounds lush, great work.
This is the coolest delay I have ever seen !
THIS IS FUCKING AWESOME
That's brilliant ! I what wonderful piece of gear.
And that CV trick at the end! Wow!
Congratulations for your work.
This is incredible! Fantastic build. Well done!
This sounds so nice...
look like it came out from Bioshock. Beautiful looking & souding
I think a lot of people would be interested in a tutorial or more in depth look at it if possible. Me included
(2:00) .. amazing sound. Man, that's inspiring! I take guitar in my hands and go play with my delay effects. Thanks!
Its just beautiful sounding delay! I need one of those and instruction how to get back from the deep space.
I'm studying how to assemble, but what's on the net is very incomplete, would you get the circuit and schematic that you based it on, or that you created? Could you help me, friend?
I would be eternally grateful to you.
The cv gate from the keyboard is killer! Looks like I have a summer project, thanks!
Do you have a schematic for this? I really like the sound and everything.
Awesome job dude! The cassette is such an unique way to create an echo/delay from, and I absolutely love it!
Sounds better than my Space Echo! Amazing!!!
Отлично звучит! Где можно купить такое чудо техники? Или может есть полный обзор как собрать?
Looks and sounds totally awesome! I'd love to see some documentation/tutorial on how you got this to work
Thanks :) Basically, it's the echo matic project, using Marantz cassette deck you can fine on many web sites. Mine is slightly modified to allow 100% dry or wet control. I found active bass mid and treble filter circuit on french website "sonelec".
Then it's a lot of headaches to figure out how your tape deck works (motor speed control, auto stop circuit, etc.)
I used LM78 chips to regulate the voltage supplied to each circuit. Found VU meters on ebay, plugged in the original marantz VU driver board. Finally got a cigar box, cut it, painted it, shilded it, and hardly put everything together inside !
Cool, thx for the info! :)
Do you have the link for the sonelec? Also, for the VU meters, www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Panel-VU-Meter-Warm-Back-Light-Recording-Audio-Level-Amp-with-Driver-Board/302413407987?epid=28008015116&hash=item46693e66f3:g:nl8AAOSwUjpZjxJd
Here it is. Not perfect but it does the job.
www.sonelec-musique.com/electronique_realisations_correcteur_tonalite_003.html
@matsound You made the best version of the echo-matic I have seen. Where did you get the info on CV control? Can you give me pointers on that?
What if that recorded note at the end would be lets say crossfade looped vocal phrase? Playing that in mellotron mode would sound so cool! Way cooler compared to hard- or software samplers - I bet.
any plans and shematics?
Great sounds and inspiring work! Makes me want to try my hand at mechanical effects... maybe start with something simple like oil can tremolo.
I love this more than I can put into words.
So cool!!!! Truly YOUR sound:)
its sounds super twangy and lofi. perfect for rock n roll
It's like the last 30 years never happened.
LOL and they didn't need to.
I suppose we had to make the journey to know we should have stayed where we were.
Marvelous job, my friend. One of the coolest unit I've ever seen. Congrats
So you remember the central frequency of the mids control?
That is the best thing I've seen this week. Awesome
Kickstarter. !!.