Deluxe Digital Tape Delay Faithful to the Original EP-3
Catalinbread has done loads of research in producing the Belle Epoch Deluxe Tape Echo Pedal, and the result is a user-friendly digital incarnation that perfectly honors the well-loved Maestro Echoplex EP-3 tape delay. The Belle Epoch Deluxe digitally delivers all the fantastic analog variation and dynamic power of the EP-3, with its discrete preamp and the self-oscillation functionality that helped make it a legend. The Belle's up-front controls also replicate those on the original EP-3, and it's all encased in a tour-tough metal chassis that can handle life on the road.
Related Videos: Belle Epoch Deluxe Tape Echo Pedal - Silver
All that's missing is the tape (and the maintenance)
The Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe features a modern version of every functional part of the EP-3 except for the tape cartridge components. It comes complete with the EP-3's six Echo Program presets, a Depth knob to change modulation depth, and controls for both Record Level (how hard the virtual "tape" is being hit) and Echo Volume. You also get the Echo Sustain knob (control over how much of the delay signal is fed back for multiple repeats), as well as an Echo Delay knob that lets you choose a delay time within the original EP-3's range, from 80ms up to 800ms. And while Vintage EP-3's required significant maintenance, you won't have to worry about that with the Belle Epoch Deluxe.
Value added — in a big way
Catalinbread has packed the Belle Epoch Deluxe with even more creative controls. On the front there is an unusual control: there is a toggle for changing the operation of your expression pedal (input on the rear panel). Move it to the right, and your pedal controls delay time; move it to the left and — depending on which Echo Program is selected — your expression pedal can control delay playback volume, filter sweep, or rotary speed for the roto-swirl function. On top of all this, you have a left-side latch for instant runaway repeats and a right-side footswitch that can be set via an internal slider switch to either true-bypass or "buffer" — what Catalinbread calls "trails" mode. Trails mode allows the repeats to decay fully, even after the footswitch is depressed, for greater continuity and some major swell.
Gear that makes you want to play
The self-avowed gearheads at Catalinbread focus on making musical devices that they want to use themselves — "gear that gets us excited and inspires us to play." The result of that authentic focus and unwavering integrity is the type of innovation that isn't market-driven; Catalinbread creates its own market for products players love, whether overdrive, delay/reverb, fuzz/distortion, or tremolo/modulation pedals (many of which are available at Sweetwater). The Belle Epoch Deluxe Tape Echo Pedal is a great example of Catalinbread's exciting, inspiring innovation.
Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe Tape Echo Pedal Features:
- Faithful digital re-creation and physical reconstruction of the original EP-3 Tape delay units
- Discrete preamp improves your guitar tone from low-volume cleans to saturated fuzz
- Depth knob for setting the depth of the modulation
- Record Level control determines how hard the virtual "tape" is hit
- Echo Sustain lets you decide how much delay signal to feed back into the delay line
- Echo Delay controls delay time; set it anywhere within the EP-3's original 80–800ms range
- Self-oscillation (Echo Sustain set high) makes it an instrument in itself
- Expression pedal input with topside toggle switch for pedal control of delay time, playback volume, filter sweep, or rotary speed
- Made in the USA
