Line 6 Echo Pro

Maybe I am being a little hard here but by omission they have caused great difficulty. They have built a fine sports car and forgot to put on any brakes! Why in the world wouldn't you have a simple on/off or bypass foot switch port. Instead you have to program a dead setting which as we know still affects your sound. Also if you are on #37 and you want to turn it off you may have to go to #31 to get it to stop or reach down and hit it with your hands. Do these guys play guitar?

Most of these delay effects are awesome

So far very dependable

After several unknowledgable persons I finally got someone to admit that they had not built in a real good way to bypass via footswitch. I will seriously try to avoid buying one of their products in the future if I can because of the lack of care they showed when I was trying to get assistance

OK for pure Studio work or if you need a good reproduction of those wacky delay sounds from the past. Not user friendly if you want to use it out.

Very easy to use. Most parameters can be dialed in from the front panel and it is easily tweakable. Editing patches is a breeze. The manual is very well laid out and easy to understand and navigate. There are a lot of very handy functions on the unit that even make it more practicle like being able to display delay time in either seconds or BPM. Also the global button is very handy.

I use this unit as a delay unit in a guitar set-up in the effects loop of my amp (Egnater TOL50 & Mesa Rectoverb) and run it in series. I'm not sure why this unit has gotten a bad rap in other reviews but I can honestly say that it works great and is probably one of the cooler and more useful pieces of gear I have bought in the last few years. The delays are very good and clear. The unit models about 15 different vintage and newer delays. I am not sure how the original units really sound but the delays from this unit are very good and musical. The analog delays are warm, the digital delays are clear, the ping-pong delay really bounces back and forth and the dynamic delay does what it is suppose to. Line6 has also added some delays with some cool effects that will give you some pretty far out sounds if that is what your into. I found that it is easy to dial in U2 type delays with this unit using either the ping-pong or stereo delay which is a benchmark test for me when it comes to delays. The BPM is a cool way to display delay time as well because I just ask our drummer what time he is using and dial it in. Also having a global button for tap tempo is great.

One reviewer said it sucked the tone right out of his amp but I haven't found this to be the case. It does attenuate the signal because of the -10db I/O's but my amp basically sounds the same as it did before I put the unit in the loop. Also it has no noise problems what so ever.

So far I can depend on it, no problems yet.

I have generally found that LINE 6 is hit and miss with sending them emails and getting a quick response but their website is good for FAQ's.

I play in a rock style praise and worship band. This unit really provides the delays I was looking for and has opened up a lot of possibilities for me musically that I didn't have before. I also own a Rocktron Multivale which is a great effects unit but it only has one kind of delay so I sought out another unit for delay and got the Echo Pro. If it were stolen I would replace it instantly. It is just so easy to use and provides great delay options and sound quality. I have been playing for over 15 years and am a tone freak and I can assure you that this unit fits in perfectly with my set-up and sound. If you don't believe me then read Guitar Player Magazine, they gave it an editor's choice award.

easy to get good sound
editing patch is almost guitar player easy.
the manual is just fine.
n.a.

the set up is in this order (output 1 & 2 )
1.) nord modular
2.) line 6 echo pro
3.) lexicon mpx110 dual channel processor
4.) peavey lm 16 channel line mixer
5.) boss BR532 digital studio

yes. there have been no problems.
yes it has been very reliable.

miusicall style is not an issue echo pro does its job well and is easy to use .It is very useful as a tool to compliment the sounds of my sytnth.has good midi implementation and is in easy to sync. to my computer based sequencer( Cubase 5.0)

It really depends on what you want to use it for. I play guitar and wanted the Echo Pro for something like my Jamman with longer looping times (I also have the Delay Modeler). The Echo Pro has a minutes worth of loop time (better than an out of production Jamman) and it sounds good, but ... I agree with the other reviewers about the MIDI dilemma and the inaccuracy of the clock. I usually don't link units together via MIDI so that doesn't bother me. What does, however, is that there's not much in the way of foot controllers out there that either aren't so damn huge that they take up half of your floor space or aren't easy to program for simple needs. I just want to be able to control the looping functions with a footswitch and Line 6 didn't have the foresight to provide a dedicated jack to accommodate one. Worse yet, they don't make one!!!

If you only want to use the Echo pro as a delay unit, which I am doing right now, I have no major issues. It's pretty easy to tweak and tweeze (to use the Line 6 nomenclature), especially if you've ever used the Delay modeler. Saving patches is a breeze and I haven't had any problems with bypass issues and such. But... the main reason I bought it was for the looper... oh well. I wonder what I can get for it in trade?

Here's where I 'm not in agreement with some of the other reviewers. I don't seem to have a problem with bypass, noise, or poor sound quality. Right now I'm using the Echo Pro in the effects loop of my Peavey Ecoustic 112 (vocal and guitar channel) to add a variety of echo tones to my vocals and guitar. I also have a plethora of pedals going into the front of my amp with Presonus Blue Tube to smooth out the overall tone. I also use a Loop Station at the end of the chain on the guitar channel.

The Echo Pro definitely needed tweaking but it does a great job as an echo unit if you don't need to mess with MIDI or change patcher very often in the middle of a song. I also really like the tones of the DL 4. My favorite echo models are the E-H Memory Man, both the Tape and Tube Echoplex, the basic digital delay is excellent, and the reverse delay will cause a pretty good flashback.

Many reviewers gave the Echo Pro crappy ratings for sound but I don't feel this is where the problem lies. It sounds just fine, but it just doesn't do much more than the DL 4 and what it does beyond the DL 4 is just too much of a pain in the ass.

I've had it since August and no prob. My other Line 6 gear has held up well. I wouldn't use it on a gig.

Great web site but I've never needed to contact them (which is a good thing don't you think?)

I've been playing mostly jam based folkadelic stuff for 25 years and for what I bought the Echo Pro for, it's not a good match because there's not dedicated footswitch for controlling looping functions and there's not a wide range of choices for MIDI controllers out there. Don't tell me to buy a Behringer IT'S TOO DAMN BIG!

I've owned or own a Jamman, DL 4, Loop Station, Boomerang (old one with 1 MB before they offered upgrade), Headrush, plus numerous delay/echo units over the years. Since I really wanted this as a looper, I'll address this: Echo Pro doesn't sound as good as my Jamman, sounds comparable with DL 4, Loop Staion, and better than the others. I haven't had the pleasure to use an Echoplex Digital Pro. I like it as a delay/echo unit. I'm frustrated with the aforementioned floor pedal issues and am planning to trade it when the right opportunity comes along. If you want it as looper, DON'T get it! There are better options out there. I'll give it a 7 because sounds and variety of models redeem the unit. Peace

Two parameters. 'nuff said.

blah. It doesn't dazzle, but as a send effect in a mixer, it won't dominate in a mix anyways.

If you do anything at a set tempo (like electronic or sequenced music) FORGET ANY LINE 6 PRODUCT!!! I own a filter pro and an echo pro - I set both to the same tempo, and within ten seconds, they're a good sixteenth note off. The internal clocks suck. As far as slaving the clock to MIDI timecode goes, another waste - they don't listen, they just recognize tempo changes, so fine: you set two line 6 units to 136 bpm from your sequencer, and soon enough they're out of sync with each other and with your sequencer. Sure, you can change the tempo at the sequencer, but they are still out. the tap tempo buttons are there for show only, I am sure of it!!!

I haven't called line 6 - they can't fix something that's an essential design flaw, so why bother? I was stupid and threw out the boxes when I mounted 'em in a rack case, and now I can't return 'em.

LESSON LEARNED.

The effects might be OK, but the MIDI operation and internal clocks make these units virtually useless to anybody who sequences. You guitarists might like 'em, but not me damn it.

***Once again***

I understand what all the bypass modes are for very clearly. Who cares how many bypass settings it has if it doesn?t have one that works in *series* (most BOSS, TC Electronic and DigiTech units can do this). Why should you have to get a mixer? Or be forced to put unit in an effects (parallel) loop? The bottom line is it doesn?t do what I need it to do.

Besides, if you really want any chance of making this thing replicate any vintage sounds, putting it before the preamp would be the best option (which means in most cases no effects loop option). Putting the unit after the preamp it sounds way to digital and the levels are all over the place (from preset to preset). Also not to mention again all the hum and noise it generates. I guess if you are using a cheap amp and some stomp boxes one probably wouldn?t notice any of this, nor would it be an issue.

It's bad enough the unit sounds like crap as is without adding more peripherals (mixer, etc.), but what do you want for $299. I guess it's painfully obvious you get what you pay for. I really wanted to like the unit, it was a good idea some of the sounds could have been really cool (minus the noise).

Perhaps someone (other company) will make it better.

Lesson learned (never again).

The proverbial trade-off associated with rack gear: processing power versus ease of use. And this unit's got a lot of power. that said, I think the guys at Line 6 did a pretty good job of cramming a comprehensive, yet informative and relatively easily to manipulate user interface into a 1 space rack unit. This is an area where this unit really shines, and they've provided some interface features taht are really intuitive and that I find very useful as a player

Pluses:
* the manual is VERY comprehensive (a must for good rack gear, IMHO)
* the bpm/note value time settings are ingenious -- major kudos here
* the ability to save your own tweaks into the factory model initial settings -- way cool
* pretty comprehensive MIDI implementation
* LED status lights on tweak and tweeze knobs are essential (always hated not knowing what was what on the DL4 stompbox)
* compare function for knob settings helps you fine tune presets (another MAJOR gripe of mine on the DL4 stompbox)
* USER/FACT status flash when saving programs helps you not overwrite presets you've created for other stuff -- VERY COOL

It's still a rack unit, still got presets, and is never gonna be as easy as reaching down and grabbing one of 4 knobs on my delay stompbox, but my stompbox won't do but probably 1/16th of what this unit will. Ya feel me?

Setup first: I have run this in about every signal chain configuration imagineable, with several amps; preferred location is in the parallel loop of my head or preamp. Guitar -> (wireless) -> Boss TU-2 -> Dunlop 95Q wah, -> Axess Electronics GRX4 MIDI loop switcher (switches various pedals in and out) -> Mod Pro -> preamp or head (all tube ALWAYS) -> HUSH Super C (series loop) -> ECHO PRO (parallel loop) -> power section (all tube ALWAYS) and speaker cab. I go into detail here simply because configuration I have discovered to be a MAJOR issue in results with this unit.

First of all, a word on bypass, an issue mentioned in several other reviews. I think Line 6 has done extremely well here (how many effects processors offer you 4 bypass modes, including TRUE BYPASS?) You get your choice of:

* DRY (routes through DSP -- not very desireable IMHO, but also the standard in low to mid level rack units)
* INPUT MUTE (what I use--if you're running the unit in an amp's parallel loop, or with a line mixer, this is how you get delays that trail out after bypass, and across channel changes--smooth.)
* ALL MUTE (the application of this is not obvious to me at 4:30 AM, but another non-inline application)
* ANALOG BYPASS -- does what it says. Someone below complained of no echo trails over a true bypass -- you've stated the reason in your statement of the problem. TRUE BYPASS means no DSP stage allowed in the audio. If you want echo trails, you've gotta have DSP in there. You simply can't have both. BTW, not sure if the DRY bypass mode allows echos to trail over, as I've never used it -- I can see a potential gripe there though, if not...

I won't comment on the accuracy of the models, as many other have done that, and personally I haven't owned much of any of the originals. I use the ducking delay mostly, which I have used in other units as well--creates good ambience without smearing phrases as they're played. Over all, the diversity of echo effects is staggering for one unit, and I definitely find more than a few useable (though I gravitate toward one setting--true blue stompbox guy after all, I guess...)

OK HERE'S MY MAJOR GRIPE -- NOISE AND GAIN STRUCTURE! Take note this applies to ALL Line 6 Pro series modelers (I've actually had worse issues with the Mod Pro since I have to run it inline). I'll try to quickly hit the big areas:

* bottom chassis of the unit is UNPAINTED metal. Let that touch any other chassis in your rack and you've got ground loop issues (even assuming you've already gone to the trouble to isolate the chassis from the rack rails with humfrees)
* unit comes with a 3 conductor power cord; nice until you consider there's no AC groud lift (or signal, for that matter) ground lift switch, so trying to isolate the unit from ground loops is a bear (a task I have spent HOURS on and STILL have not solved)
* the 1/4" in/outs are -10 dbV operating level, the XLR jacks +4dbu. Kudos for including both, but what about the large portion of the world running at +4 UNbalanced? That's right, we're screwed. I understand this is probably not the simplest of issues in design, but take my Rocktron HUSH unit for example, that has a -10/+4 switch FOR THE 1/4" JACKS. The problem is about any tube amp worth it's salt out there (and probably some solid state ones too) is gonna blow the dog out of an FX unit's input stage operating at -10dbV, so you've got 3 choices at this point:

1. run analog bypass (if you run inline) and watch your volume and headroom disappear when you engage a delay
2. run DRY bypass, sacrifice vast portions of headroom, tone, and S/N ratio continuously, and make up for it by cranking your power section
3. to access the XLR jacks (+4 op level) put inline transformers in your rack, which I'm told will kill your headroom, thus making accessing the +4 level pretty pointless anyway.

The ONLY way I'm getting around all of this is by running this unit in my amp's parallel

Used for about 9 months now, no technical problems whatsoever (other than the design shortcomings discussed above, if you count that). Use without backup all the time.

Line 6 customer support is very friendly, and pretty thorough in my opinion. Talked with them twice, several months apart, trying to solve the level mismatch problem discussed above. I came to all the conclusions discussed above with a tech on the phone, about how I have to run my Mod Pro in front of the amp, and the only way I'm getting away with the Echo Pro after preamp is because of teh parallel loop, and he was like "yeah, I'm afraid that's the case". i respect the honesty, and appreciate the patience, research, listening, and the calling back they did. Just wish I could have known these things before I sold 80% of my stompboxes to afford to replace them with stereo rack FX units that I can't run in stereo now.

I play melodic modern rock in a nationally touring band. Have owned a boatload of mid-level (sub-boutique) stompboxes (mostly Dunlop, TC, MXR, older Ibanez), and a Lexicon MPX G2 (in another class, price-wise and feature-wise, but IMHO is too powerful to have a simple user interface, and I had reliability issues with mine). If my Echo Pro was stolen, I'm not real sure I would get another one. Like I said, I want to love it, but I'm still up in the air as to whether the flexiblity and breadth of tones available outweighs the headroom/level matching issues, and the grounding issues associated with this unit in a rack. I've got the Echo Pro situated pretty well in my rig right now (though in mono) -- my Mod Pro is NOT where I would like it to be in the signal chain (and never can be), and causes me major noise problems -- if either of them goes, it'll definitely be the Mod Pro. Echo Pro is definitely a cooler and more useable piece, as many have said. Just wanted prospective buyers to be aware of some less discussed issues, because if I had known then what I know now, I might not have bought (especially since it was before the recent price drop!) It'll do more than any # of stompboxes you could get for even double (or way more) the money, but you can't be afraid of MIDI and programming if you're gonna get you're worth out of it in a live context. Bought this and the Mod Pro to help widen my tonal and effect possibilities, but I seem to fighting them as much as I'm using them (more so the Mod).

Hope all this helps...

***In regards to the post below***

Let me be more clear...

You can set bypass on the effect to ring out, however, it kills the dry signal. You can't get a dry signal too in the IMUT mode (as stated in the manuel). It's one or the other, you can't let the effect bleed out and bypass back to a dry signal.

Yeah, there are several bypass modes; but none that do the obvious.

I would love to be proven wrong. They (Line6) say it can't be done, the product was not designed that way. If you (really) know something Line6 doesn't know please e-mail me.

One last note; the noise this thing makes is awful! I use a Mesa/Boogie Triaxis, Mesa/Boogie 2:90 power amp, TC Electronic G-Force, TC Electronic G-Major, Rocktron Patchmate and a Dunlop Rack mount Crybaby.

I had no noise until I put the line6 unit in the rig. I had tried it in many different configurations in the chain and totally isolated it (I even tried it with The Hum Eliminator and VHT Valvulator 1). Once it was extracted from the rig so was the noise.

Covered well by other reviews

I'm writing this section only because it is the only area which isn't covered well by the other reviews. I've been playing for 25 years and I've got all top notch equipment. I bought the Echo Pro because it is light weight, and I thought I'd check it out in the loop of my H&K Zentera for fun at a small practice or gig. The bottom line is that this thing is terrible: a true tone killer. Simply setting this unit's Bybass mode to analog and tapping the bypass easily demonstrates how poor the sound quality on the echo pro is. In non-bypass mode, with the effect mix set to 100% dry, this thing sucks the tone and dynamics right out of your guitar. The effects are fair, but the straight signal going through sounds like you've added a cheap amp sim as well as an effect. This is nothing like the quality of delays you get from a lexicon or a TC. Avoid this pedal if you're serious about your sound.

Incredibly kind, but of zero use whatsoever. The phone support at Line6 is completely not associated with the engineers who design and control their products. Stick with a small company and you'll

If you think my review is out of whack-- that I'm some kind of tone freak, try for yourself and you'll see that this Echo Pro makes you sound like you've got 1" of wet toilet paper on your speakers. Great for amatuers-- very educational... but NOT PRO GEAR!!!

The reviewer below, peter, thinks that this
box doesn't have delay remain, but it does. There
are several bypass modes on the Echo Pro selectable
from the front panel. For delay remain just
select DSP bypass.