Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo Guitar Effects Pedal

A Timeless Classic Reborn – The Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo Guitar Effects Pedal

Experience the dreamy sound of a classic ‘60s tape echo complete with
the harmonic richness of the accompanying tube preamp. Enjoy organic
and ethereal modulation produced by countless subtle mechanical
imperfections, and easily dial in anything from warm slapback to
expansive echo feedback beds with a strikingly gorgeous stereo image.
With beautifully-tuned low frequency response, lush tape saturation and
sublime echo decay, EC-1 provides all the best of what a tube driven
tape echo can deliver.

• MIDI
• True/Buffered Bypass
• JFET Input
• Stereo
• ARM Processor

Full-Featured Compact Stereo Tape Echo

EC-1 offers impressive power and flexibility in a small and elegant form factor: Selectable tube-modeled preamp voices. Artifact-free tap tempo. Discrete stereo operation for independent processing of the left and right stereo inputs. Straightforward controls and expression pedal capability. High-impedance, ultra-low noise discrete Class A JFET stereo input preamp for exceptional touch sensitivity, dynamics and feel. MIDI control of tempo, patch save/recall and more. Premium components, rugged construction and a USB jack for performing firmware updates or controlling the pedal from a computer.

Tape, Tubes, and the Best of the Best

Development of EC-1 started with the groundbreaking single moving head algorithm originally developed for Strymon’s El Capistan pedal, which is renowned for its lifelike reproduction of vintage tape echo. From there, Strymon were fortunate to acquire what turned out to be a very special Echoplex EP-2, as the unit was in amazingly good condition and had been worked on by storied technician Cesar Diaz. Strymon discovered that several purposeful and skillfully-implemented modifications had been made to the unit, including tweaks to the tube preamp for a warmer sound closer in frequency response to an EP-3. The modifications seemed aimed at bringing the best aspects of the various vintage Echoplex models into a single unit, and the inspiring result significantly informed development of EC-1, imbuing it with a special character that is immediately nostalgic.

Preamp – Input Signal Enhancer

Featuring meticulous tube modeling techniques, EC-1 offers a choice of two authentically reproduced preamp circuits that lend a subtle vintage character to your input signal. One is based on the classic EP-2 tube preamp and features an enhanced high-end shelf perfect for brightening up darker humbuckers. The other preamp option (the default setting) produces a warm, balanced response based on the modded preamp circuit in the EP-2 unit that Strymon studied during the development of EC-1. This option adds a pleasing sense of heft, especially to single-coils. Both preamp choices offer an optional boost of up to +6dB, or the preamp can be bypassed for an unprocessed dry signal if desired.

Strymon dTape System – Tale of the Tape

Strymon’s unique dTape technology was first developed for El Capistan, and Strymon have expanded on it to reproduce all the inspiring nuances Strymon encountered while studying a recently-acquired tube Echoplex that was in uncommonly superb condition. Strymon’s dTape system allows precise replication of every aspect of every tape echo Strymon studied, and in EC-1 this includes the effect of the moving head, the tape condition, the bias setting, the mechanical effects of motors, capstan slippage and all the irregularities that add up to create the unmistakable, inspiring sound of vintage tape echo repeats.

Record Level – Satisfying Saturation

Whether you want the cleanest repeats, subtle fattening or even downright dirty echoes, you can instantly dial in the desired amount of tape saturation with the flip of a switch. Providing pleasing tonal shifts from thinner to fatter, EC-1’s three-way Record Level toggle switch selects the gain of the signal fed into the virtual record head. Choose the low position for unity gain with optimized bias for the cleanest repeats, medium for a 6dB input signal boost with increased bias for slightly saturated repeats, or high for a 12dB input signal boost with further increased bias for heavily saturated repeats. This control also gives you a fast and easy way to match EC-1’s response to your input signal level to obtain the desired sound from any pickup type or pedalboard configuration.

Mechanics – The Beauty of Imperfection

For EC-1, fluctuations from motors and mechanical components were thoroughly studied to accurately capture their imperfections. At the lower end of the Mechanics control’s range only slower motor-related wow and flutter are present, but at around one o’clock these fluctuations are reduced in favor of faster disturbances from crinkle, splices, and capstan slippage which accurately replicate the sound of Strymon’s golden EP-2 unit. This setting can create uniquely reverberant and three-dimensional echoes that spread across the stereo spectrum. The slower fluctuations are mixed back in more prominently as you approach the maximum Mechanics setting, and the unique combination of multiple imperfections create truly gorgeous, organic stereo modulation effects unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

Tape Age – Mature Media

The frequency characteristics of tape echo repeats are determined in part by the bandwidth of the actual tape stock, so older tapes will have a lower bandwidth with a warmer top end. EC-1 allows you to faithfully reproduce these characteristics by turning up the Tape Age knob for warmer repeats, or turning it toward minimum for the full-bandwidth sound of fresh tape.

Repeats – Everything Is Under Control

EC-1 is designed to allow high levels of repeats that are truly lush but that don’t spiral into uncontrollable feedback. That wide sweet spot on the edge of runaway feedback can create intriguing sound beds under your lead or rhythm playing. Of course if you want to crank the Repeats control to maximum and play with the unique pitch effects that only a sliding record head tape echo can produce, those effects are all precisely replicated in sound and response.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Audio Quality: Premium JFET analog front end
• Converters: Ultra low noise, high performance 24-bit 96kHz A/D and D/A converters provide uncompromising audio quality
• Processor: 520MHz ARM Superscalar processor
• Processing: 32-bit floating point processing
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
• Audio Input Impedance: 1M Ohm
• Audio Output Impedance: 100 Ohm
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 116dB (typical)
• Chassis: Strong and lightweight anodized aluminum
• Power Requirements: Maximum 9V DC center-negative, minimum 250mA (power supply NOT included)
• Dimensions: 4.6” deep x 2.7” wide x 2.5” tall (11.7 cm deep x 6.9 cm wide x 6.4 cm tall)

Manufacturer: Strymon
Model: Z120-EC1
SKU: I822347-N-6-WHXX
UPC: 852571008592

We are Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center

Since 1958, Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center has been the trusted destination for musicians and audio professionals across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Family-owned and operated, our legendary music store delivers Everything in Music®—from instruments and recording gear to pro audio, rentals, and repair services.

Our team of musicians and industry experts lives and breathes gear, helping you build the perfect setup for your next performance, studio session, or installation. As an authorized dealer for top brands, we also offer our award-winning CHUCKSCLUSIVE line—exclusive, limited-edition instruments and collaborations recognized with the NAMM Top 100 Dealer Innovation Award for redefining what a music retail experience can be.

Chuck Levin’s isn’t just a store—it’s a community built by players, engineers, and creators who share a lifelong passion for sound. Stop by our legendary Wheaton, MD showroom or contact us anytime for expert advice, product questions, or the best possible deal on your next piece of gear.