Sorry there’s not been a progress report on the Effectrode delay for sometime. This year we’ve been busy getting other pedals into production (Helios fuzz, new Tube Drive and Blackbird preamp), however I’m hoping to dedicate more time to the Effectrode delay project next year once the Delta-Trem tube tremolo is completed in spring. Some of the work I’m doing on the Delta-Trem will be used in the forthcoming delay – for instance, the tap-tempo control circuitry. So I kind of am working on it already! Also there’s something to be said for taking one’s time with a design as it allows me to take a more considered approach, explore different avenues, get other opinions and let ideas ferment – and nothing good is done in a hurry.
In the three years or so I’ve been researching this and planning I’ve talked to several knowlegable engineers, musicians and enthuisasts, some of which have had personel contact with engineers from Binson. For instance, David Bozzoni knew Dr Bini and several original Binson engineers and has been invaluable in providing technical and historical info. It’s important to me to have sense of the history and the people involved in the creation of the original Echorec – or it could be described as a sense of nostalgia. Anyway the spirit of this project is also very important – I want to create a product which reflects the obsessive detail that Dr Bini (Mr Binson) lavished on his products.
I’m also privileged to have had a few meetings with Steve Rothery (Marillion) and he has been kind enough to advise on what features should be included on the design. Additionally, Phil Taylor (Gilmour Music), who has been extremely invaluable in beta testing and fine-tuning many Effectrode pedal designs, will also have some input on this design. So I feel fortunate to be in such company, standing among giants of engineers and musicians. I cannot overemphasise the significance of having advice from such seasoned professionals in the design stage of a pedal. It’s reassuring to be able to talk to these guys. The devil (or God, depending how you look at it) really is in the detail and it is impossible to get all the details right without some external, objective help.
As usual, with all my other designs, I’m way behind schedule, but watch this space. It is happening!
