Why I love my Space Echo
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2021
- It's time to finally change the tape in my RE-150 Space Echo after owning it since 2009.
The 1979 analog tape delay features 3 inputs, 6 echo modes and two outputs.
I love the dark and warbly character of a space echo, but how much of the Space Echo sound is the tape, and will I lose the mojo by replacing the tape?
I predicted the sound would be cleaner, louder and without as many random artifacts. The results were surprising.
Thanks to Nathaniel Cade for sending me the NOS tapes.
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I owned an RE-150 for about 18 years. I had a little kit with cleaners, a demag tool, splicing block+tape, and a barely played 8-Track tape that I broke open to use as replacement tape. The 8 track is already a big tape loop and it comes with a lubricant on the tape surface to reduce any wear or friction on the tape heads. The only repair I ever needed was the capstan motor replaced. The techs who worked on it that time told me I must be doing something right because the record and playback heads were in good condition. I would change tape about every 100 hours of use. My machine always sounded pretty good.
It may need to be demagged. I'm not sure where to get a demagnetizer tool for tape machines these days but they shouldn't be too expensive.
4:51 Reminds me of Diablo 1 Tristram theme.
Awsome unit! Im a boss collector and always wanted one! I have one on its way in mint condition and should arrive soon enough 🤘🏻
that's awesome!
Interesting results and I must say that the old tape sounds OK to me. It is surprising that it has not worn out so much in over 10 years of use. How often do you use your Space echo? I suppose I won't change the tape on my device, unless it starts to sound bad :) Thanks for the great video. Have a nice day !!
I used to have this in pedal form until it crapped the bed, but gaaaah do I miss that sound! Also, it is very impressive that you know how to switch out the tape on those things (and just all the hardware stuff you know)
p.s. with hardware I feel like whenever you switch out a tube or tape etc. it needs a "warm-up" period before it's at its best.
Excellent video. Analog gear and the supporting materials have never been close to perfect. Exactly what gave studios of the past their unique, signature sounds.
If you listen closely to some top 10 hits from the '70s & '80s, you will hear everything from drift to dropouts that sound like a bad edit point.
If the pinch roller rubber has hardened, you will get random slips and snags that alter the pitch. Motor fatigue is another issue.
Inthe next Reaper update video, maybe inform those not aware about the change to how Reaper now handles 32 bit Bridging.
Keep up the good work and, Happy Tracking!
And thank you for giving up supplies :P
Yeah, even in "bypass" (UG), the signal is transformed when it passes through. Some people have their dedicated analog fx chain and it's nice
You really think Cade had that tape cartridge in his basement?? Man, that tape came from outta space !! :D
haha
Nothing beats the sound of a real tape echo, it's what I imagine inner peace sounds like
IMO... the "new" tape that someone gave you may have been sitting around for a LOOONNG time. Could be degraded somewhat. But it's still working well so.... Win?
very well could be older tape than what was in there, but surely less physical damage to it. We'll see if it lasts another 12 years.
Interesting how it got quieter...Maybe that NOS tape isn't so good. Doesn't tape break down after a period? I think the magnetism loses value. I don't know though, I'm not a physicist. Just an idea because NOS paper in oil caps breakdown over time...So maybe the same with tape. But the Roland is cool and highly desirable.
I have to think it was my fault, bumping the send level from my interface or something. But it's definitely possible that the tape is just different as it varies between different batches.
I guess I thought the sound would be much brighter like crystal clear lol. I'm happy with it though.
take into consideration thata the new tape is apparently new. It is aged. It is deteriorated as any tape. Lucky you could use it and it has again oxide layer. Moreover you just cleaned the transport. You didn't serviced it ... at least in video ... status of the pinch roller rubber should be checked as well. Internal belts, if ever, the same. Just to put it in full order 😉
As a person who's done HUNDREDS of Tape machine alignments, it blows my mind that what used to be considered bad, is now somehow GOOD? ... SMH
Are you talking about sonic imperfections in the delayed sound?
@@chadweiske Yes, the replacement Tape must be a different type (chromium or ferric), requiring different Biasing (usually with a switch), and the capstan / pinch roller set-up is suffering, probably re-hydration is needed, and maybe a different Azimuth skew due to tape stiffness.
Old tape sounds better.