the character of a tape echo in a pedal
We all know about tape echoes, the first delay technology providing organic and slightly distorted repeats.
This particular tone is due to two elements: the magnetic tape and all the imperfections it implies, but also the internal preamp.
Many musicians, such as Eric Johnson, have used their tape echoes in a different way, using the preamp alone, without the echo, as a dirty boost
to overload their amps and make them saturate while bringing a unique character.
The Tape Preamp was inspired by the JFET preamp circuit of a popular tape echo from the 70’s, known for its unique delay and warm preamp.
Of course, we couldn’t stop there, and we redesigned the circuit in our own way to offer a whole new range of tones,
while keeping the original character of the effect. All of this without the need for a real tape echo.
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the character of a
tape echo in a pedal
We all know about tape echoes, the first delay technology providing organic and slightly distorted repeats, due to the magnetic tape, but also the internal preamp.
Many musicians, such as Eric Johnson, have used this preamp alone, without the echo, as a dirty boost
to overload their amps and make them saturate while bringing a unique character.
The Tape Preamp was inspired by the JFET preamp circuit of a popular tape echo from the 70’s, that we redesigned in our own way to offer a whole new range of tones. While keeping the original character of the effect, without the need for a real tape echo.
adjustable headroom up to 27V
The original circuit is known to operate at 25V, which gives the preamp a great dynamic range.
We obviously tried to find a way to offer the same dynamics in our pedal,
but we also thought it would be interesting to be able to control that dynamic range
to provide a whole bunch of new textures.
So we developed a circuit that allows us to adjust the voltage of the circuit from 3 to 27V,
from a broken console-like preamp, to a rich and expressive saturation.
All this from your standard 9V power supply, the pedal takes care of everything!
jfets sorted one by one
We spent time testing different JFETs to get closer to our ideal sound,
until we found the component with the perfect characteristics.
Unfortunately, the tolerances of these components are huge, and if we don’t sort them out,
we can end up with a significant sound variation from one pedal to another.
We therefore decided to keep only JFETs with similar characteristics to our reference component,
which represents about 40% of our stock.
Our JFETs are tested one by one by measuring their characteristics,
to keep only those that match our criteria.
After this step, the bias of each pedal is precisely adjusted by hand,
so that each pedal sounds perfect.
give your delay a vintage touch
up to 27V headroom
We tried to find a way to offer the same original 25V dynamic in our pedal, but we also thought it would be interesting to be able to control that dynamic range to provide a whole bunch of new textures.
So we developed a circuit that allows us to adjust the voltage of the circuit from 3 to 27V,
from a broken console-like preamp, to a rich and expressive saturation.
All this from your standard 9V power supply, the pedal takes care of everything!
jfets sorted one by one
We spent time testing different JFETs to get closer to our ideal sound, until we found the component with the perfect characteristics.
Unfortunately, the tolerances of these components are huge, and can generate significant sound variation from one pedal to another.
That’s why our JFETs are tested one by one by measuring their characteristics, to keep only the 40% that match our criteria, and the bias of each pedal is precisely adjust so that each pedal sounds perfect.
give your delay a
vintage touch
The Tape Preamp can have many applications, whether as a dynamic and expressive boost, as a simple warm overdrive, or as a velcro preamp with a broken and granular sound.
During the video shoot for Palf, our YouTube channel, we were impressed by the combination of the Tape Preamp and the Utopia (our PT2399 delay).
We found that the Tape Preamp works wonderfully with a clean and bright delay to get back to the spirit of vintage tape echoes,
adding character to the repeats.
It is the perfect partner for the Utopia or your clean delay, offering a warmth and texture typical of older delay technologies.
During the video shoot for Palf, our YouTube channel, we found that the combination of the Tape Preamp and the Utopia (our PT2399 delay) bring back the spirit of vintage tape echoes, adding character to the repeats.
It is the perfect partner for the Utopia or any clean delay, offering a warmth and texture typical of older delay technologies.
choose your side
soldering you said? not my cup of tea.
The FX Teacher line is designed and manufactured in France,
in Anasounds’ workshops under the same conditions than the Origins line.
With the same quality and guarantee.
The pedals are delivered, assembled and tuned with the team’s favorite components and internal settings.
No hassle, let’s plug it in and play right away!
A bag of components to be mounted on the terminal blocks accompanies it
in order to customize its pedal as much as possible with only a screwdriver!
No need for soldering iron and tools.
aspiring designer
A better price for the same sound quality!
And yes, making a pedal is definitely a long process….
The satisfaction of having given birth to your own effect. You are the creator.
An unlimited access to our knowledge database,
enough to really understand and master your tone!
A direct interaction with the designers by submitting comments on the blog articles.
An ingenious method to assemble your kit and make sure it works.
a boost with huge potential
As always with FX Teacher, the Tape Preamp offers a wide range of sounds with settings designed to fully customize the pedal,
while remaining simple and intuitive to use.
From a warm and dynamic boost, to a roaring overdrive, to a granular and gated preamp, the Tape Preamp can go into many different territories.
And of course, there is always the option of ordering it assembled, or as a kit, so you can build the pedal yourself while learning how it works.
potentiometers
LOUDER: acts on both the volume and gain of the preamp, to overload the input of an amp.
DYNAMIC: changes the bias and voltage from 3 to 27V, from a broken console type preamp
to an expressive boost.
toggle switch
BASS:
Up, the voicing of the original preamp, with deep and thick basses.
Down, cleaner basses for a more harmonious sound.
In the middle, a bass cut, for more definition and presence.
technology
True bypass made with a gold-plated 3PDT footswitch. Exchangeable.
Lumberg DC jack.
Two-tone plexiglass plate engraved with a laser.
100% analog processing.
features
9V DC negative center power supply
Off-load consumption: 59 mA
Power consumption switched on: 64 mA
Dimensions: 12.7 x 6.7 x 5.9 cm | 5 x 2.64 x 2.32 inch
Weight: 283g
a boost with huge potential
As always with FX Teacher, the Tape Preamp offers a wide range of sounds with settings designed to fully customize the pedal, while remaining simple and intuitive to use.
From a warm and dynamic boost, to a roaring overdrive, to a granular and gated preamp, the Tape Preamp can go into many different territories.
And of course, there is always the option of ordering it assembled, or as a kit, so you can build the pedal yourself while learning how it works.
potentiometers
LOUDER:
acts on both the volume and gain of the preamp, to overload the input of an amp.
DYNAMIC:
changes the bias and voltage from 3 to 27V, from a broken console type preamp to an expressive boost.
toggle switch
BASS:
Up, the voicing of the original preamp, with deep and thick basses.
Down, cleaner basses for a more harmonious sound.
In the middle, a bass cut, for more definition and presence.
what if it wasn’t so complicated?
We all know (well, almost) the frustration of putting together a kit and figuring out that it doesn’t work.
Yet we tried everything and we don’t understand where we’re stuck…
This is how the FX Teacher project was born with the promise of giving you all the methods, and all the tools you need to do it!
After some patience and a few elbow greases, you will finally be the master and the creator of your own effects.
Isn’t that wonderful? So here’s what we suggest you do to get there:
You will learn the basics of electronics and DIY through our blog articles.
Everything is free and open to everyone, of course.
We have developed an almost infallible kit assembly method.
With this if you can’t make it, it’s because you’re trying to provoke us!
We provide you a selection of tools.
With these, there is no need to search for the right reference on several different sites.
We still use some of them for our production.
And, the guarantee is to be claimed from our supplier in France!
Each kit is designed exactly like an Anasounds pedal.
That is to say, quality components, selected and sorted.
Enough to last for years with a good sound!
In addition, to stay in the Anasounds quality,
you won’t need to buy tools for the preparation of the case.
We send it to you ready with our designs on it. Hot, isn’t it?
We will soon be organizing masterclasses!
The objective is to spend a day together and go back home with
your own pedal!
To register for the masterclass it’s right here!
the next masterclasses
Disclaimer: Anasounds and FX Teacher are not associated with or endorsed by the creators or brands
of the pedals mentioned or used in the design and/or creation of these effect pedals.
Anasounds and FX Teacher are not responsible for the use and the assembly of your kits.
A soldering iron heats up, burns, be careful. The use of high voltages is prohibited!
The use of chemicals and toxic products is dangerous, do not ingest them. Be caution! Take care!
Also be careful when buying a used pedal, the serial numbers starting
by “D” on the certificate are not manufactured by our team but by DIYers. Then, they are not under warranty.
choose your side
soldering you said? not my cup of tea.
The FX Teacher line is designed and manufactured in France, in Anasounds’ workshops under the same conditions than the Origins line. With the same quality and guarantee.
The pedals are delivered, assembled and tuned with the team’s favorite components and internal settings. No hassle, let’s plug it in and play right away!
A bag of components to be mounted on the terminal blocks accompanies it in order to customize its pedal as much as possible with only a screwdriver!
No need for soldering iron and tools.
aspiring designer
A better price for the same sound quality!
And yes, making a pedal is definitely a long process… The satisfaction of having given birth to your own effect. You are the creator.
An unlimited access to our knowledge database, enough to really understand and master your tone!
A direct interaction with the designers by submitting comments on the blog articles.
An ingenious method to assemble your kit and make sure it works.
Disclaimer: Anasounds and FX Teacher are not associated with or endorsed by the creators or brands of the pedals mentioned or used in the design and/or creation of these effect pedals.
Anasounds and FX Teacher are not responsible for the use and the assembly of your kits. A soldering iron heats up, burns, be careful. The use of high voltages is prohibited!
The use of chemicals and toxic products is dangerous, do not ingest them. Be caution! Take care! Also be careful when buying a used pedal, the serial numbers starting by “D” on the certificate are not manufactured by our team but by DIYers. Then, they are not under warranty.
