rockinrob86
Well-known member
I have an EP3 echoplex that I've become addicted to, and basically HAVE to have to play electric guitar now.
However, I think it could be better and that it isn't performing quite up to spec. I'm not really experienced with tape machines, so I think I need a little guidance.
Main problems:
1) It is noisier than it should be - the noise is a hissy sound
2) It doesn't oscillate or make space noises even with the repeats turned up
I have adjusted the bias settings and never really gotten much of an improvement in either. I'm aware of the importance of gain staging with these, and balancing the recording volume, bias settings and mix control, but I end up with the machine basically too noisy to use if the mix is above 1, unless the recording volume is too high for the erase head to erase.
Thing's I've done - Obviously, I've de-magged, cleaned the tape path, changed tape - normal maintenance. My first troubleshooting check was to remove the tape and run the echoplex tapeless - noise levels were nearly the same. This to me says it is the circuit.
The original TIS98 transistors were replaced when I bought this one, and it had some other little issues. I returned it to stock, but in the process of troubleshooting lost the replacement transistors, which were not a good match anyways. It currently has 2n222A.
What would be a better replacement for TIS98?
I have a scope, but am still learning how to use it. I'v only really used it for biasing before...
It works and sounds great as is, but I do think if I could lower the noise floor it would be even more useful at both subtle and extreme settings!
However, I think it could be better and that it isn't performing quite up to spec. I'm not really experienced with tape machines, so I think I need a little guidance.
Main problems:
1) It is noisier than it should be - the noise is a hissy sound
2) It doesn't oscillate or make space noises even with the repeats turned up
I have adjusted the bias settings and never really gotten much of an improvement in either. I'm aware of the importance of gain staging with these, and balancing the recording volume, bias settings and mix control, but I end up with the machine basically too noisy to use if the mix is above 1, unless the recording volume is too high for the erase head to erase.
Thing's I've done - Obviously, I've de-magged, cleaned the tape path, changed tape - normal maintenance. My first troubleshooting check was to remove the tape and run the echoplex tapeless - noise levels were nearly the same. This to me says it is the circuit.
The original TIS98 transistors were replaced when I bought this one, and it had some other little issues. I returned it to stock, but in the process of troubleshooting lost the replacement transistors, which were not a good match anyways. It currently has 2n222A.
What would be a better replacement for TIS98?
I have a scope, but am still learning how to use it. I'v only really used it for biasing before...
It works and sounds great as is, but I do think if I could lower the noise floor it would be even more useful at both subtle and extreme settings!
