Showing posts with label marshall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marshall. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 05, 2024
Saturday, September 07, 2024
The ongoing quest for a good simple delay: The Marshall EH-1 Echohead
video upload by Richard DeHove
"Enter the vast realm of Pedal Land and choose your quest. Will it be the ever-popular Quest for the Ultimate Reverb, or will you choose an easy side quest like The Best Classic Phaser? How about one of the original favorites: The Quest for Best Simple Delay.
But what do you call simple? Is the lack of a tap tempo too simple? Does it need more than one core sound? What about the delay length? Is the pedal's physical size important? Will you be happy with mono? Is it simple if it had dual-function knobs?
My idea of a good simple delay is a small footprint, good sound (of course), reasonable delay length, tap tempo, and maybe at least one other sound-shaping function. I don't want any hidden functions or mystery knobs. It needs to have just enough features so you don't keep wanting to slide in your big stereo unit instead.
I recently bought the Arp87 delay to satisfy these criteria and it's a good delay. But I don't use it often enough to remember what the "X" knob does and I've already forgotten how to get into the hidden fifth mode.
Enter the now discontinued Marshall EH-1 Echohead. It satisfies all my criteria and is cheap. It's sort of ugly though quirky enough to get a pass. The knobs are unreadable (I can feel a reknob coming) but with a tap tempo attached and the level set permanently at maximum the only knobs to worry about are the delay type and the feedback.
The EH-1 was released in 2006 joining a range of similarly-styled effects that started in 1998. I couldn't find out when they were discontinued so it's hard to know how old my unit may be. I'm guessing they finished up around 2014. Anyone have any info on this?
Anyway it's been flawless so far, no noise, pot crackle, jack issues or feezes and I've had it running for days at a stretch. It's so good I might even let my Arp87 go (but the DM-2w definitely stays).
As usual there is no external processing or limiting. Slight volume changes that happen when I talk is because the music is ducked against my voice.
0:00 Intro gumpf & specs
2:10 Mono test
3:38 The six algorithms
4:44 Tap tempo
6:17 Ping Pong
7:09 Analog
7:28 Tape
7:54 Multitap
8:07 Reverse
8:21 Filtered
8:36 Slow sounds
11:01 Slow tape
12:04 Slow reverse
12:30 Filter blips
13:20 Conclusion
Many thanks to my kind patrons who keep this channel ad-free
My website: https://richarddehove.com/
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Marshall The Guv´nor - RE-303
Published on Oct 22, 2017 acidoo.com
"Marshall The Guv´nor - RE-303
http://acidoo.com
re303 - the guv´nor- motu 828mk3 - ableton (eventide h9 hall reverb as send effect)"
See this post for info on the Din Sync RE-303. A search on RE-303 will bring up additional posts.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Marshall Electronics Time Modulator 5402 1978
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Note the seller also has a Yamaha FS1R listed here.
On the Marshall: "Legendary analog delay unit with a sound all its own. If you're looking at this listing, then I'm sure you're quite familiar with how rare and precious this item is. This particular unit has been recapped and refurbished, including the replacement of the DBX compander boards and a new power supply, by Studio Electronics in Burbank, who are the world experts of these fine machines. Cosmetically, not mint, as you can see from the pictures there are some nicks on the front panel, but the electronics are in great shape, and the unit sounds great."
via this auction
Note the seller also has a Yamaha FS1R listed here.
On the Marshall: "Legendary analog delay unit with a sound all its own. If you're looking at this listing, then I'm sure you're quite familiar with how rare and precious this item is. This particular unit has been recapped and refurbished, including the replacement of the DBX compander boards and a new power supply, by Studio Electronics in Burbank, who are the world experts of these fine machines. Cosmetically, not mint, as you can see from the pictures there are some nicks on the front panel, but the electronics are in great shape, and the unit sounds great."
Monday, July 16, 2007
Marshall Time Modulator and the Marshall Tape Eliminator
"To my friends at Whatever Works:
I'm very pleased to announce that I've signed an agreement with the wife of the late Steven St. Croix to sell and service the Marshall Time Modulator and the Marshall Tape Eliminator.
Lots of engineers know these remarkable units, and I'll bet that some here bought their MTM decades ago. It certainly was a beloved piece of gear! Here's a brief history, and for those who don't know it, description of what the MTM does.
The MTM is an analog effects unit that Steve developed in the late 70's. It doesn't truly modulate time; you can't go back and buy Apple stock for $15. It does modulate and manipulate audio delay time, producing many unique and amazing effects. The input signal passes through two analog delay lines. The delay time is adjusted by manual control, a wide range LFO circuit, or (for most effects) a combination of the two. Dry and delayed signal are combined, with feedback added to taste.
This simplified description may sound quite dull, but the sounds produced by the MTM are utterly amazing. Effects include vibrato, positive flange, negative flange, cardboard tube echo, automatic double (and triple) tracking with pitch and delay dithering, resonant flange, circus vibrato, arpeggio, pitch quantizing, and many more. The MTM was used to create Darth Vader's voice in Star Wars, and was used on many hit records.
My understanding is that Steve developed the very first prototype in 1975, to win a bet. He brought it into a studio to try it out in session, and everyone was blown away. The AES Convention happened to be a few days away, and everyone encouraged Steve to produce a finished demo model and show it, which he did. His booth was mobbed at the AES and the Time Modulator instantly got lots of great press. Initial prototype runs were produced, with early batches going to Stevie Wonder and Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis. Wrestling with improvements and tweaks, it was another two years or so to before Steve went into production. But when the 5002 Time Modulator was finally released, it scored rave reviews in Studio Sound, REP, and Modern Recording, and sales took off.
The 5002 was followed by the 5402, which featured a new control set and greatly extended delay times. Steve also developed the AR-300 Tape Eliminator, which simulated delay at various tape "speeds". It included a tape-like EQ curve and natural sounding tape compression -- just like the boxes released today. Of course, he beat all the new guys to it, by 20 years or so!
It's worth repeating that these were analog boxes, totally free of quantization noise and other digital artifacts. The MTM had a signal to noise ratio of 95 db! This was an amazing and unheard of feat, that most modern gear still can't equal. Steve was a real perfectionist. Plug in a Time Modulator, turn the monitors all the way up and you hear...nothing. No background noise.
Mr. St. Croix also authored the Fast Lane column in Mix Magazine for 18 years. I understand that a book featuring some of the best columns is in the works. He proposed a device to make legible the "erased" Nixon tapes after Watergate, and later founded Intelligent Devices. I.D. produces hardware and software for forensic audio and law enforcement applications. The company has been very successful and is still active.
Steve was truly a renaissance man, surely a genius. This brief description barely scratches the surface of his accomplishments. I've copied over a thousand pages of original documentation, and will be adding extensive historical info about the man and these products to my site.
Steve's tech room contained a large number of Time Modulators and other products. We will be servicing and completing these units, offering both repaired units and brand new ones for sale. We intend to stock all the parts used in these models, and will be glad to service and calibrate these Marshall products to their original specs.
Steve created a 15 minute Time Modulator demo record, which was pressed on Evatone Sound Sheets. Last year I created an MP3 of this recording. Here's the link.
There's much more that I'd like to say about Mr. St. Croix and the amazing Time Modulators, but I wanted to keep this initial post on the short side. I'll do my best to answer any technical or historical questions. I'm very grateful to Steve's wife -- a very cool lady who is utterly dedicated to doing Steve's memory right -- for allowing me to help carry on the legacy for these amazing products."
Filing this one under effects. via the PSW Recording Forums where you will find more discussion.
I'm very pleased to announce that I've signed an agreement with the wife of the late Steven St. Croix to sell and service the Marshall Time Modulator and the Marshall Tape Eliminator.
Lots of engineers know these remarkable units, and I'll bet that some here bought their MTM decades ago. It certainly was a beloved piece of gear! Here's a brief history, and for those who don't know it, description of what the MTM does.
The MTM is an analog effects unit that Steve developed in the late 70's. It doesn't truly modulate time; you can't go back and buy Apple stock for $15. It does modulate and manipulate audio delay time, producing many unique and amazing effects. The input signal passes through two analog delay lines. The delay time is adjusted by manual control, a wide range LFO circuit, or (for most effects) a combination of the two. Dry and delayed signal are combined, with feedback added to taste.
This simplified description may sound quite dull, but the sounds produced by the MTM are utterly amazing. Effects include vibrato, positive flange, negative flange, cardboard tube echo, automatic double (and triple) tracking with pitch and delay dithering, resonant flange, circus vibrato, arpeggio, pitch quantizing, and many more. The MTM was used to create Darth Vader's voice in Star Wars, and was used on many hit records.
My understanding is that Steve developed the very first prototype in 1975, to win a bet. He brought it into a studio to try it out in session, and everyone was blown away. The AES Convention happened to be a few days away, and everyone encouraged Steve to produce a finished demo model and show it, which he did. His booth was mobbed at the AES and the Time Modulator instantly got lots of great press. Initial prototype runs were produced, with early batches going to Stevie Wonder and Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis. Wrestling with improvements and tweaks, it was another two years or so to before Steve went into production. But when the 5002 Time Modulator was finally released, it scored rave reviews in Studio Sound, REP, and Modern Recording, and sales took off.
The 5002 was followed by the 5402, which featured a new control set and greatly extended delay times. Steve also developed the AR-300 Tape Eliminator, which simulated delay at various tape "speeds". It included a tape-like EQ curve and natural sounding tape compression -- just like the boxes released today. Of course, he beat all the new guys to it, by 20 years or so!
It's worth repeating that these were analog boxes, totally free of quantization noise and other digital artifacts. The MTM had a signal to noise ratio of 95 db! This was an amazing and unheard of feat, that most modern gear still can't equal. Steve was a real perfectionist. Plug in a Time Modulator, turn the monitors all the way up and you hear...nothing. No background noise.
Mr. St. Croix also authored the Fast Lane column in Mix Magazine for 18 years. I understand that a book featuring some of the best columns is in the works. He proposed a device to make legible the "erased" Nixon tapes after Watergate, and later founded Intelligent Devices. I.D. produces hardware and software for forensic audio and law enforcement applications. The company has been very successful and is still active.
Steve was truly a renaissance man, surely a genius. This brief description barely scratches the surface of his accomplishments. I've copied over a thousand pages of original documentation, and will be adding extensive historical info about the man and these products to my site.
Steve's tech room contained a large number of Time Modulators and other products. We will be servicing and completing these units, offering both repaired units and brand new ones for sale. We intend to stock all the parts used in these models, and will be glad to service and calibrate these Marshall products to their original specs.
Steve created a 15 minute Time Modulator demo record, which was pressed on Evatone Sound Sheets. Last year I created an MP3 of this recording. Here's the link.
There's much more that I'd like to say about Mr. St. Croix and the amazing Time Modulators, but I wanted to keep this initial post on the short side. I'll do my best to answer any technical or historical questions. I'm very grateful to Steve's wife -- a very cool lady who is utterly dedicated to doing Steve's memory right -- for allowing me to help carry on the legacy for these amazing products."
Filing this one under effects. via the PSW Recording Forums where you will find more discussion.
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH