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GUYATONE TD-X FLIP TUBE ECHO
by Mark Starlin
Echo is a naturally occurring effect. Since the first days of recording, men have attempted to create an artificial method of duplicating this effect. The first attempts were echo chambers (or rooms) that created a natural echo. These rooms still exist at some recording studios. Tape echo effects came next, offering portability and variable rates of echo. These units were often noisy, but are still favored for their warm echo tone. Analog delays solved the problems inherent with tape (bad tubes, noisy tape, and misaligned or worn out tape heads), but they had limitations in the length of their delay. Digital delays offered more delay time and added features but also came with sterile sounding tone. With the Flip Tube Echo, Guyatone has attempted to create a single pedal that simulates the best qualities of each of the echo technologies without their weaknesses.
TECHNOLOGIES AND FEATURES –
The TD-X Tube Echo is a hybrid analog/digital delay with up to 2.6 seconds of delay time. It features a custom filter that simulates the tone of tape echo and analog delay units. In addition, it incorporates a Sovtek 12AX7 LPS tube to add tube characteristics to the delayed tone. It has a metal True Bypass switch and mono/stereo output jacks and comes housed in a solid metal case. It includes a 12 volt power adaptor.
CONTROLS –
The pedal has five control knobs and a small switch to change the basic delay time. There are three delay settings (short: 20-160 ms/medium: 80-650 ms/long: 330-2600 ms), with a Delay Time knob to give you full control of the delay time for each setting. The Level knob allows you to adjust the volume of the echo compared to the original signal, and the Feedback control lets you control how many times the echo will repeat. There are also two “Simulation” knobs that control the tone of the echo (but not the original signal). The Analog knob allows you to overdrive the 12AX7 tube and add warmth or distortion to the signal. The Tape control cuts the high and ultra low frequencies, and also boosts the mid and low frequencies to simulate tape saturation.
THE TONE –
The one word that best describes the Flip Tube Echo is “warm.” The two tone controls allow you to dial in anything from clean to heavy distortion. The Tape control is particularly nice at getting that old tape echo tone (without the hiss). The Analog (it really should be labeled Tube) control does add some nice tube distortion when used sparingly. However, I found that using the Analog setting over 3 resulted in “fuzzy” distortion that was not very pleasing to my ears. When using a clean original signal, the resulting distorted echo sounds odd. Maybe that is something worth exploring with longer delay settings.
IN USE –
Using the Tube Echo is a snap. It really only does on thing: echoes. There are no looping or infinite repeat functions, and no tap tempo control. You simply dial up a great delay tone and switch it in when needed. One warning: Turning the Feedback control over 7 results in each consecutive repeat being louder than the last, and could damage your amp. Kevin Bolembach from Godlyke (Guyatone’s distributor) explains:
“This is known as self-oscillation, a common (and often desirable) feature of analog delays that most digital units cannot duplicate (except for the TD-X, of course). Basically, you are going into continuous regeneration and it will cause a continual volume increase until eventually you would fry you amp if not checked!”
You will also need to find another outlet for a wall wart, since there is no option for battery use.
FINAL THOUGHTS –
If you are looking for a full-featured digital delay, look elsewhere. But, if you are looking for a simple echo pedal with great tone, the Flip Tube Echo is definitely a contender. It has delay time that makes most analog pedals blush, and warmth that digital delays can only dream about.
RATING: 4 picks (good)
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