Universal Audio Uafx Orion Tape Echo Delay Pedal Review

Common Audio UAFX Orion Tape Echo Prolong pedal: What’s it?

Of the entire pedals within the first collection of UAFX compact pedals, the Orion has probably the most direct festival on payment and contours. The cast-state Maestro EP-3 Echoplex that emerged in 1970 is the definitive prolong for lots of gamers – no longer sudden making an allowance for it used to be showcased through Eddie Van Halen, Joe Walsh, Brian Might, Jimmy Web page, Andy Summers and David Gilmour. Even much less sudden is the recognition of pedal emulations of this tape prolong; Dunlop, Catalinbread, Gurus and Lovepedal are all within the combine with sturdy choices. However no longer all be offering the entire EP-3’s charms in a single package deal. 

The EP-3’s tube-driven preamp is so interesting that Xotic, Dunlop and Catalinbread make separate pedals focussed on emulating it as a blank spice up. No longer dangerous for a preamp that wasn’t tube-based like its two forbears. 

Common Audio UAFX Orion Tape Echo Prolong pedal: Efficiency and verdict

Within the daylight what to start with appears to be a black steel casing unearths a blue sparkle – like starlight. Great contact however there is not any getting across the feeling the Orion, and the opposite compact pedals in UA’s first wave, glance beautiful… utilitarian. They do not precisely say ‘top class’ to have a look at whilst stamping their id like the larger UAFX  stompboxes. Regardless that they’ve the similar rugged plastic jack socket nuts as them, and matte regulate knobs as the second one collection of the bigger UAFX results. It is on no account on the height of the consequences pedal precedence checklist, however visible attraction is a factor, and obviously many manufacturers take it significantly for a explanation why and at this price-point, seems to be really feel like they topic extra.

However in terms of sounds, there aren’t any query marks right here. Not like the EP-3 sounds within the UAFX Del-Verb pedal, the emulation of the unique unit’s preamp degree is not just integrated right here, however you’ll transfer it off and on on the rear of the pedal. That is reasonably a promoting level. 

The achieve and compression it provides make for a really perfect tone fattener and blank headroom spice up. In Trails mode (additionally switchable on the again) you’ll take pleasure in this preamp emulation even if the pedal is off. Hello presto; an always-on tone enhancer that I would by no means need to flip off anyway. However in fact, there is a lot more to be had right here, however it is a actual plus for the Orion’s usability and price proposition individually. 

In the case of controls right here, Prolong units period of the tape echo fee (80-700 milliseconds), Combine units the dry / rainy with complete being 100% rainy prolong, Comments is the choice of repeats… up to now so acquainted. Then WONK, indubitably my favourite parameter identify of 2023 so I am hanging it in daring caps, dials in modulation and tape splice sounds. This has a lot more affect at the Outdated and Worn tape age modes in comparison to the Mint. 

Those 3 modes are adjustable by means of a mini toggle transfer and transfer from new outdated inventory with ‘snappy’ compression to ‘gently used’ early ’70s however and not using a commander compression circuit to a mid-’70s tape gadget with worn tape and ‘warbly, chorus-like’ repeats. They very a lot reside as much as the ones descriptions in follow too. 

In any case that, File Stage is comparable to a prolong degree, relatively than a mixture – it’s how sizzling your enter sign to recorded to the digital tape, distorting at upper ranges.  

There is a lot to discover in all this, simply as there used to be at the Starlight Echo Station the place those sounds will also be discovered. Excellent antique rockabilly slapback and gritty atmospherics for longer prolong instances sound particularly grand with single-coil Strat chime. You do not get the benefit of the Starlight’s – admittedly beautiful miserly – unmarried preset slot so you’ll be able to wish to dial in sounds as required between songs, however it is user-friendly sufficient for that and you’ll be able to get to understand your candy spots.

It is an extremely addictive pedal for lead paintings the place it simply blends underneath the notes so neatly – including persona and heat, or truly skewing issues with the Outdated / Wonk combo ramped up. After the prolong and comments are set low you’ll additionally get some cool modulation-only tones with the File Stage including the achieve. 

In case your prolong wishes require extra scope, the UA’s Starlight Echo Station provides the similar package deal with very good Bucket Brigade Reminiscence Guy-esque and virtual prolong sounds, whilst the Del-Verb throws in the ones along reverb, however does not have the similar degree of regulate (or preamp mode). They are $399 and $349, respectively so imagine your wishes and it’s worthwhile to finally end up with a greater deal in the long term. Because it stands within the context its festival although, I truly really feel the standard of the Orion is acceptably priced for the options it provides as an EP-3 emulation with this degree of regulate.

MusicRadar verdict: The Orion is a top-tier emulation of the EP-III and its always-on preamp possibility must no longer be lost sight of as a gorgeous and helpful a part of the deal. It delivers what it guarantees from an organization at the leading edge of modelling vintage antique {hardware}.

Common Audio UAFX Orion Tape Echo Prolong pedal: Fingers-on demos

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Common Audio UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb pedal: Specs

• TYPE: Pedal emulation of Maestro Echoplex EP-3 solid-state tape prolong
• CONTROLS: Prolong, Combine, Mint / Worn / Outdated tape age mode mini toggle transfer, Comments, Wonk, File Stage bypass footswitch, Trails / True bypass transfer, Preamp on / off transfer  
• POWER: 9V DC pedalboard remoted energy provide (250mA energy draw)
• CONTACT: Common Audio