DLS Echo Tap

Straight forward. Tap function works well.

Ok...I've had lots of delays in the last few months...Way Huge Aqua Puss, T-Rex Replica, Dan Electro Wasabi, and the DLS. The Way Huge was great...but I couldn't resist selling it for over $500 :-), plus it was only 300 ms and not tap tempo. The T-Rex Replica...sounds killer...but the newest version is only around 1100 ms and hard to find the older ones that are over 1800 ms but very cool. I must add that the T-Rex...man...it sounds so great...no tone loss! Ok..the Wasabi...sounded really good actually...It's just big and clunky...ok ok...the DLS...point of the review. Ok, the guy who makes them is very nice and is really trying...and I'm confident he'll get it eventually...but ..NOT YET. This thing...at least in my Marshall effects loop...sucked tone. It sounded "compressed"...sounded digital...16 bit if you will. I couldn't quite put my finger on it...but mmm...maybe compressed is the best word here. I sent it right back. So if you want a long delay with tap tempo...search for an older T-Rex pedal without the wall wart (newer version has the wall wart and is 700 ms shorter...which sucks - imho).

Seemed to be built well.

The guy from DLS seemed really nice...I'm pulling for him..but he needs to fix the tone change issue...

Rock alt...blues...Marshall JTM 60 tube tone...all about tone. I use delay in an effects loop only...sounds the best to me that way.

The EchoTAP is a stereo delay with 2 "patches" (ok not really patches but 2 delay settings, one preset and the other through a tap tempo footswitch) from 30ms to 3 seconds. It is incredibly easy to use, you just dial in your preset delay time on the center delay time knob, and tap your foot on the tap/toggle button to set the tap delay time. What could be simpler? Each delay has it's own volume control, and there are global repeats and tone controls.

The sound quality is excellent. Either straight into an amp, in an effects loop or into my digital 8-track, the EchoTAP adds zero circuit noise and doesn't mess with the original tone. It has true hard-wired bypass (i.e. the on/off button physically removes the delay circuit from the signal path). The delay is a tape-style delay and is really warm and 60s in character. The stereo out into my 8-track gives a really wide and classy image that makes me want to get a 2nd amp for live use. I'm only rating it as 9 though because the delay is fixed in character, it's a warm delay you can dial in more warmth to but basically you just have that one style of delay.

I haven't really had it long enough to comment, but it's built like a Sherman tank. I reckon it would withstand severe roadie attack!

Excellent, I emailed for advice and they responded very quickly. Seems like they are a small and friendly outfit.

This is a near-perfect echo box for me. It has a small footprint and usable delays up to 3 seconds (does anyone really need a 23-second delay?) and all the warmth and character I need. I play 60s/70s style rock and this unit is ideal. If I lost it I'd get another without hesitation. I tried various rack units plus the inevitable Boss & Line 6 stompboxes before getting the EchoTAP - the others had more options and settings maybe but this one just does exactly what I want with no need to dig through a manual to find out how it works or scroll through menus on a tiny screen to set it up.

The Echo TAP is a stompbox twin delay stereo unit which is very easy to use. There are 2 seperate delays (TAP and preset), a footswitch which toggles between them (and also is the tap tempo footswitch when on the TAP delay), a footswitch to bypass the unit, individual delay volumes, master repeat and tone (hf roll-off), delay time for preset delay. The delay is fairly dark even with the tone control on minimum roll-off, and disappears totally if you dial in more roll-off. The tone control is consequently effectively useless and would have been better as a second repeats control. Overall though the unit is very user-friendly.

Good overall given that the Echo TAP has a retro tape-type delay with hf roll-off on each repeat. Let down a little by the useless tone control and the dark delays. The unit isn't noisy, either in front of an amp or in an fx loop (I'm using it with a THD BiValve). Leaving the tone always on minimum cut gives you 2 very usable delays - I set it up with a short preset delay for reverb/ambience and use the tap for longer delays for solos. It would be much better with individual repeats rather than the master repeat control.

Built like a tank, internal construction looks excellent. Although I haven't had it long I can imagine it lasting for years. It's a well-made bit of kit.

I emailed DLS about the dark delay and they replied within 24hrs - I'm not sure if they can suggest anything to make the unit suit me more in terms of delay tone, but I got a very quick response. I reckon they're a good firm to deal with.

I play mainly in a rock covers band and this pedal suits the varying delays I need over a range of musical styles. The tap tempo facility is excellent, the construction is excellent, I just wish the option of brighter delays was in there. In terms of delay tone I rate my Danelectro Reel Echo higher, although the DLS is more usable. If I lost it I'd probably replace it, but I'd have to think about it.

the unit is very easy to use. It has a delay time of 50ms-3sec. it is similar to most other echo pedals; control nobs for delay volume, number of repeats, delay length and tone(delay hi-cut). there are two modes of delay length; manual echo and tap tempo. these both have independently controlled volume. finding great tone took less than 2 minutes out of the box. the pedal is capable of true stereo operation. It also allows for easy connection to a pedal power block in both polarities.
i do have one complaint, the manual echo can only be set to certain presets, ie. 50ms, 100m, 150ms etc. i would much prefer to be able to set this to any value. you can of course set this though the tap tempo, but it would still be nice to have this option available by hand. i guess you just can't please everyone

Sound quality is AMAZING! Truly AMAZING i am not overstating this. This is by far the warmest(not muddy) and most versatile echo pedal i have ever used. Over the past couple of years i have been on a quest to find the best echo device i can in a pedal. i have had and used to the point of the newness wearing off, these pedals. 2 sib echodrives(digital and analog), Line6 delay modeler, Boss dd-2, Boss dd-3, Alesis quadraverb, Maxon AD-900, H&K Replex, and a Roland Space Echo. i have also tried the t-rex replica. each of these pedals have their own unique character with some being better in what they do. to me, what sets this pedal apart is its versatility. using the tone nob, one can set any flavor of echo needed. from pristine digital echo like the line6 or Boss pedals to warm analog of Tape Echo. This pedal covers it all with a warmth and purity that none of the others have matched. Something that also put the pedal over the top for me is price. No other device that I?m aware of can be bought for less the $300(in 1/04) that has as many features or sound quality. While I might keep a couple of the other pedals for their particular character, I would think that it is going to be a long time before someone beats this for the price and sound quality.

had it for only a little over a month. it seems built quite well, as well as any other top of the line pedal. though i do wonder about the tap echo switch, how much can one of these really take.

don't know yet, hope i dont have to find out.

best echo devices i have ever used, period. it rivals a good clean tape echo without the mess. it has true stereo operation. has tap tempo. paid a fair price. most importantly, it makes me want to play music for hours on end. would i buy it again, yes.