Web Logs
3/16/2005 - Roland Chorus Echo & Delays, Delays, Delays...
Ugh!!!!
Must finish...
the arranging...
on this stupid album...
I own six physical synthesizers and no less than four virtual one and when NONE of them make a sound that I want then you know I'm being way too obsessive and need to take a day and get out of the house.
One new piece of gear that really is pulling its weight is my new Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo. I've been wanting one of these for a long time and now seemed as good as any to snatch one from Ebay.
The Chorus Echo, for those who don't know, is a vintage effects box who's biggest trick is to create a delay effect using a loop of magnetic tape. Unlike a normal tape deck who's record and playback heads are located in the exact same spot, this unit has them separated from each other, thus creating a delay in the time it takes the tape to travel from the record to head playback head.
Such devices are popular because, unlike digital delay which creates a perfect copy in each bounce, the old tape units add grunge, warble, and a lot a character to the sound. Their interface is great as well. Look at all those dials and buttons -- no searching thru submenus on a tiny lcd display.
Listen to the difference it makes on a simple horn line:
- Dry horn line - rather boring.
- Wet horn line - Cool and ghostly. Tons of hiss, but for bits here and there in a song it's perfect
