EarthQuaker Devices Disaster Transport Jr.
EarthQuaker Devices’ Disaster Transport Jr. is an analog-style digital delay, designed for guitarists who are seeking a nice vintage-style tape echo. It’s a simple, neat-looking pedal with four control knobs (time, repeats, mix, and tone) and an on/off switch.
The mix control adjusts the output level of the effect, with everything above around a 50 per cent setting providing a boosted signal compared to the original signal.The tone control allows the user to choose their desired sound colours and emulates more natural-sounding tape-like repeats. This control also serves as a noise-cancellation setting for longer delay times. The time control sets the delay from 30ms through to 625ms.
The Repeat control allows everything one single repeat through to self-oscillation.
Some adjustment of the tone control is required to get the pedal to sound natural when engaged so that the shift in overall frequency doesn’t sound unrealistic. The delay effects are clean and very authentic-sounding from a digital device. The pedal is easy to use and provides a viable digital delay solution with an analog sound and a classic retro look. This pedal will run on a standard 9-volt DC power supply, but does not use batteries.
The Disaster Transport Jr. retails for $199.
Malekko Ekko 616 Mk II
Malekko’s Ekko 616 Mk II is an old-school delay/modulation effect with a number of new-school features. The pedal sounds authentic and provides genuinely interesting results when the modulation and delay settings are engaged simultaneously. The time, mix and regeneration controls provide delay times up to 650ms as well as the repeats and the overall effect level. Four smaller additional controls at the top of the pedal control the on/off, speed, and depth controls for the modulation effect as well as the toggle to choose between true bypass and buffered bypass. These settings certainly add to the pedal’s versatility but in a live setting they are most likely a ‘set and forget’ proposition due to their location on the pedal and their diminutive sizes. Nevertheless, the modulation effect can be set from subtle to bizarre and will most likely suit players looking for more extreme modulation.
An internal level pot also allows users to set the buffered bypass level to suit their individual level requirements. This makes the pedal a contender for keyboard players or for use as an outboard effect. The pedal operates on a 9-volt battery or optional 9-volt power supply.
The Ekko 616 Mk II retails for $199.
Malekko Lofi Ekko 616 Mk II
Described by Malekko as a ‘dirtier, stranger, uglier, more flexible and unmusical analog delay’, the Lo-Fi Ekko 616 Mk II features the same controls as the Ekko 616 Mk II but has been tweaked to provide more gloriously off-putting delay and modulation effects. Space-rock fans will love the extreme effects on tap here. The delay time still runs out to a maximum of 650ms, the main difference here is that the modulation settings have been altered to allow more diversity and control. Essentially the components that make the regular Ekko 616 a flagship model for Malekko have been intentionally altered or removed to provide an angry, off-kilter delay solution for more experimental guitarists. The pedal operates on a 9-volt battery or optional 9-volt power supply.
The Ekko Lo-Fi 616 Mk II retails for $199.
MXR Carbon Copy
The MXR Carbon Copy provides highly useable delays up to 600ms in additional to a gorgeous modulation effect. Like many pedals of this type, the pedal features internal trim pots which can be utilised to adjust the modulation settings, but straight out of the box the effect sounds great if a more subtle, commercial sound is desired.
Delay, mix, and regeneration controls allow the user to fashion delays from short slap-style reflections to sprawling, seemingly endless echo saturation. The circuitry is completely analog and the pedal features true bypass to preserve signal integrity when the effect is not engaged. The Carbon Copy is an excellent option for tone-conscious guitarists looking for high-quality sound manipulation. The pedal operates on a 9-volt battery or optional 9-volt power supply.
The MXR Carbon Copy retails for $209.
All products reviewed at The Rock Inn, Mt. Lawley.
CHRIS GIBBS
