Tube tape echo

[rdfuze]

can any one tell me if when using a tube tape echo box , it is supposed to add some distortion to the signal or should it be pretty clean when the tape echo is engaged

[AlfredB]

Originally Posted by rdfuze

can any one tell me if when using a tube tape echo box , it is supposed to add some distortion to the signal or should it be pretty clean when the tape echo is engaged

I would imagine that the effect has a "volume" knob ... so you should be able to dial in the distortion.

if not you should be able to get a "cleaner" tube e.g. by using a 12au7 (gain factor ~70) instead of a 12ax7 (gain factor ~100)

bye!
alfred

[Farview]

The reason anyone would mess with these things anymore is because of how it degrades the signal.
A well worn piece of tape, a thirty year old tube, and worn & dirty heads, distortion is inevitable.

[rdfuze]

i hear ya but it didnt sound like John Lennon had distortion on his vocal when he used the tape delay effect

[Farview]

That was probably a well maintained and new(ish) unit. These things could sound clean under the right conditions but, even then, the second or third repeat would be noticably darker and fuzzier.