Space Echo Tones On A Budget? – NUX Tape Echo Review

Legendary Japanese echo tones in a compact two button enclosure, built-in looper and a desktop editor for less than 200€. But is it good?

Disclaimer: NUX Tape Echo was provided to me by NUX. However, the company has no say on the things I mention in the video, nor do they get to see the video/post before it is published.

Specifications

• Up to 1600ms stereo delay time by Tap Tempo
• 7 Repro-Tape Heads combinations and Reverb only
• Core-Image technology brings natural Tape Echo with parallel spring reverb sound back
• Holding ON footswitch for self-feedback
• Sub-division time signature with Tap Tempo foot switch
• 40 seconds stereo phrase loop with OLED status display
• Optional delay time display (MS / BPM)
• MIDI In/Out
• Holding ON footswitch for self-feedback
• Sampling rate：48kHz
• A/D Converter：32Bit
• Signal Processing：32Bit
• Power：9V DC(Negative tip, Optional ACD-006A adapter)
• Current Draw：approximately 100mA，<150mA
• Dimensions：105mm(L)x115mm(W)x58(H)mm
• Weight：440g

What Is NUX Tape Echo?

It’s no secret that NUX Tape Echo aims to capture the legendary tones of the Roland Space Echo. They even display an image on their website with the Tape Echo placed on the Space Echo unit. In addition to echo and reverb sounds, the two-button pedal offers a built-in looper. Holding the ON switch creates awesome self-feedback. The tap footswitch not only controls the tempo of the repeats but also changes to different subdivisions. You can plug the unit into a computer and use the editor software to tweak the pedal’s sounds.

Using the NUX Tape Echo for Music Production

I wanted to try a more out-of-the-box approach and decided to re-record one of my songs using the NUX Tape Echo—specifically, the song “Ocean” from my EP ‘The First Four.’ Testing the pedal this way was a lot of fun. I ran the pedal in the loop of my Line6 POD GO and got all the reverb and delay sounds from the Tape Echo. Depending on the part I was recording, I alternated the amount of reverb, modulation, and delay with great results. Using a bit of reverb on all the rhythm guitar tracks helped glue the track together. If I’m totally honest, this version of the song might actually sound better than what’s on the official release.

Is NUX Tape Echo Good?

The NUX Tape Echo sounds really good. I’d like to think I know the sound of the original echo unit well enough to say that NUX’s take on it nails it. The pedal has some clever features that make it a viable option for live use, and having a desktop editor is great.

All of the NUX Verdugo series pedals (the ones with two buttons) are well-built and feel like they will last you a long time. The company also keeps its products updated, and since the time I shot my demo, they’ve added a Freeze function to it as well.

If you’re a fan of the sound, the NUX Tape Echo is a very solid option with a price that won’t break the bank.

If you’re interested in acquiring this pedal and supporting what I do, you can find affiliate links here:

►►Get NUX Tape Echo On Thomann(affiliate): https://thmn.to/thoprod/539421?offid=1&affid=394

►►Get NUX Tape Echo On Reverb: https://reverb.partnerlinks.io/nux-tape-echo

►►Hanki NUX-tuotteet Suomesta: https://www.musiikkisilfverberg.fi/tuotehaku?s=nux https://www.vantaanmusiikki.fi/tuotehaku?s=nux