Designing a new Tape Echo

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HollowRootStudio
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Designing a new Tape Echo

Post by HollowRootStudio » Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:46 am

That's how obsessed I've become (:
www.theghostecho.com
It's in prototype phase and I would love feedback.
This world is all about desire. If you desire something enough, focus with all your heart and mind, it will manifest.

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interruptor
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Post by interruptor » Sat Oct 05, 2013 1:50 am

A beautiful project. I'd never be patient enough to actually finish something like this.. After reading the different sections of your website I am very impressed with your confidence in approaching seemingly huge projects. After seeing those pictures of your house I am sure you will also succeed with that ghost echo :-)
I wish you all the best with the fx unit as well as with your wife, children and business!

HollowRootStudio
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Thanks!!!

Post by HollowRootStudio » Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:02 am

Thank you Interruptor! I appreciate the encouragement! :)

This forum has always been a great resource and education spot for dub/reggae music and gear. It has been a go to for me, even long before joining. Very glad it's here!

I hope it's ok to post pics & such as the project progresses.

Thx again,
Peace
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interruptor
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Post by interruptor » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:09 pm

That's no problem of course..

HollowRootStudio
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Update!!!

Post by HollowRootStudio » Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:12 am

Just finished a video update of The Ghost Echo.

here is the full blog post:
http://theghostecho.com/?p=193

Just the video:
http://youtu.be/V7wwwSYabh0

I'd love any feedback (:
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AUX1Dub
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Post by AUX1Dub » Thu Oct 17, 2013 5:09 pm

Ill be interested in your results. Keep us posted.

HollowRootStudio
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Little Update

Post by HollowRootStudio » Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:03 am

Made some headway on the eq section & integrating it with the spring reverb. Also redesigned the pcb again... smaller and smaller is better. Here's a pic of the beginning of the second prototype with a blank proto board ready for components. In this prototype all components and hardware will be very close to their final resting spot. This should better test for noise or other signal issues.

Image
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AUX1Dub
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Post by AUX1Dub » Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:11 pm

The question is, are you gonna build them for sale? Im curious to see how this comes out.
How are you going to store the tape?

HollowRootStudio
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Right on

Post by HollowRootStudio » Fri Oct 18, 2013 5:07 pm

Thanks for the question and interest Aux1Dub.

The tape transport will be very simple - similar to the Copicat, Echoverb, Reverbatape, and other short loop systems. The loop will be about 26" and be very easily replaced. The 3 play heads will be movable. Here's the rough layout so far.

Image

I'm hoping to sell them if there is enough interest and it proves to be a good machine :)
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Post by AUX1Dub » Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:54 pm

Heck... I would be interested in the reverb alone. I love to support DIY musicians. If the price is comparable you can put me down for one. To me paying $1000 for a Fulltone is not an option especially when you hear so much negativity about Mike Fuller.
I am tired of my Echoplex and would love to add on to my collection. I like your design and hope you do build copies. Consider selling your reverbs separate perhaps.

HollowRootStudio
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Right on

Post by HollowRootStudio » Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:02 pm

The reverb alone unit would definitely be 'affordable'. Most cost associated with the multi-effect is in the tape echo components (heads especially).

I have thought about a standalone reverb unit as well. It would be a stereo / dual mono unit, also with a single band parametric for live or static tone shaping.

First I want to get a good working prototype of the echo/rev/eq and then think about the details of a second auxiliary unit.

Any input is appreciated to as I'm is still developing the machine.

Thanks mate!
This world is all about desire. If you desire something enough, focus with all your heart and mind, it will manifest.

HollowRootStudio
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Video Update and Pics

Post by HollowRootStudio » Wed Nov 06, 2013 5:53 am

This last stint took a while. Now the Reverb and EQ sections are working. Here's a like to the video demo with the machine as an aux effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vg1uDeBp30

Here's a couple pics of it's current state as well.

Image

Image

Image

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.
This world is all about desire. If you desire something enough, focus with all your heart and mind, it will manifest.

pryere
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Post by pryere » Sun Nov 10, 2013 5:38 pm

Very impressive. I will follow your progress with interest.

HollowRootStudio
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Swing/Tension Arm

Post by HollowRootStudio » Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:52 am

My focus is now on the tape transport section of the tape echo. Here's a couple pics of the swing/tension arm...

Image

Image

One of the rollers in the pic was machined here at home and likely will be how I make them for a while.
Last edited by HollowRootStudio on Sun Dec 01, 2013 2:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This world is all about desire. If you desire something enough, focus with all your heart and mind, it will manifest.

Red eye
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Post by Red eye » Sat Nov 30, 2013 7:30 am

Thats a great looking project youre working on!!!
Cant wait to see the progress and see and hear the result.
Big up for only even starting building stuff like that!

Maybe it would be cool to have some control over the brightness in the spring verb part in any way instead of just dry/wet.
Thats just a thought tho...this thing rocks big time any way!

Respect and good luck on finishing it.
Keep posting please!

HollowRootStudio
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Feedback

Post by HollowRootStudio » Sun Dec 01, 2013 2:32 pm

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback Red eye!

I'll think about the brightness level on the reverb. Practically, I think a 'bright' & 'dark' switch would be a way to go for that... giving a different flavor of reverb without allowing the reverb to feedback too easily. Hmmm...
I'll get into that after the tape echo section is functional and see how everything is working together.

Cheers! (:
This world is all about desire. If you desire something enough, focus with all your heart and mind, it will manifest.

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