Recording - December 2020 - 8

REVIEW

Echo Fix EF-X2 Tape Echo
An analog tape echo with modern features and pristine sound
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.
AND MIKE SCHEIBINGER

ustralia-based Echo Fix is
one of the premier analog
tape echo restoration companies in the world, specializing in
revitalizing the classics. It was only
natural that Echo Fix would take its
decade-plus involvement to the next
level-designing and manufacturing
a factory fresh modern analog tape
echo dubbed the EF-X2.

Familiar yet modern

The EF-X2 is heavily inspired by the
classic, multi-head Roland RE-201 Space
Echo in form and function, sporting a
similar look and layout that provides a
familiar foundation for supporting both
its standard and updated controls and
features. Both units share a 24 lb., 16.5
x 11.4 x 7.3" black Tolex-covered enclosure with a hinged hood covering the
works. Under the inner plexiglass cover lies the new, Echo Fix-designed tape
transport, engineered from scratch. The
entire device features the utmost machine
build quality and attention to detail.

On the front

The EF-X2 is available in a choice of
black, blue or space echo green. Nine
knobs control input, individual effects
levels, bass and treble, speed (RE-201
'repeat rate') feedback, (RE-201 'intensity') and reverb decay control.
Input is monitored with a classic VU-style
meter and a glowing green ring around
the large seven-step pattern selection dial
that glows red to indicate signal peaks.

Toggle

Six white switches turn off the direct
signal for 100% wet operation, bypass
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RECORDING December 2020

the echo signal, and select low or high
output levels. Another turns the tape
transport motor on or off independent
of the master power switch; this extends the life of the motor, tape heads
and tape, and it can perform creative
tape-stop effects as well. Last is a switch
labeled 'S. on S.' Rather than a typical
looping, sound-on-sound mode, this control engages a fourth tape head offering
an additional longer tap.

The ins and outs

The EF-X2 offers adjustable 1/4" TS
Hi-Z/Guitar input or TRS line inputs, plus
TRS line-level out on the front and fixed
balanced XLR I/O on the back.

Echo-plex

The Hi-Z/Guitar input is a vintage FET
pre-amp based on the famed Maestro
Echoplex EP-3 input stage favored by
many guitarists for its unique breakup
and saturation.

Take control

Additional 1/4" TRS inputs across the
front offer external control of the speed
and feedback parameters via an expression pedal or the CV outputs on a synthesizer, and you can engage or bypass

the echo and reverb signals with a standard dual-channel footswitch. An external brick-style power supply is included.

Echo Modes

The EF-X2 offers seven head option
settings that alter the delay taps or create unique rhythmic patterns. The first
three correspond singularly to heads
1-3. Setting four combines heads 1-2,
five utilizes heads 2-3, six is 1-3, and
seven uses all three heads.
The EF-X2 offers 56 ms to 800 ms
of delay time. Engaging the 'S. on S.'
control adds the fourth tap to the above
combinations, adding up to 1290 ms of
delay. Sadly, there's no option to use the
fourth head by itself.

Springs, digital reverb, and
chorus

The EF-X2 includes a real mechanical
spring reverb unit onboard plus a basic
digital reverb option with a reverb time
control. A toggle switch located under
the top cover allows you to select between either or both reverbs. Also under
the lid is a digital chorus option that can
be chosen in place of the digital reverb;
here the reverb decay control becomes
chorus intensity.

Recording - December 2020

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