How hard is it...

[Gustav]

to change the tape in this thing ? http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46947&item=3750490378&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Anyone with any experience with these units at all ? I wanna get one of these and a space echo.

Gustav

 

[thermionic]

It's a cartridge which is easy to replace. I know for a fact that there are one or two firms selling repro cartridges out there, this company claims to have some non-descript Roland Tape Echo cartridges: http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:8cK_C91JiBYJ:www.nicoterasmusic.com/new_old.html+roland+tape+echo+cartridges+(new)&hl=en

I haven't tried it, but if you have a splicing block you *may* be able to pull apart the one in there and replace the tape, but I could be very wrong...

You could always drop a line to this firm (they sell replica Echoplexs, they may have a link for Roland carts): http://www.fulltone.com/tte.asp

These guys could maybe have a link to a source for Roland carts as well: http://www.binson.com

Justin

 

[Gustav]

Thanks. If it IS the tape it doesnt look like its to costly.

Gustav

 

[Guest]

Here's a guy in Croatia who sells new replacement tape loops for Space Echos. A 5 pack for 35.00 Euro. He also does repair.

http://www.foi.hr/~rlogozar/mbsn1/AnalogSynthsTapeLoopsForTapeEchoes.html

Cheers,

elco

 

[soundguy]

Unless the 501 is different from the 301, 201, and 101, I dont think its a cartridge, which is what an echoplex uses. Its just a loop of tape held in bay in the echo, so all you need to do is splice together a loop of 1/4" tape and you are good to go. I suppose its reccomended that you use lubricated tape, you could rip apart an 8 track to find old stock of that stuff, I have just used regular tape like 478 in mine and it doesnt stick or cause any problems. But short answer, its just tape, so its much easier to deal with than an echoplex, which needs a special cartridge.

dave

 

[toby]

i've seen loads of places selling ready made loops for watkins copycats, i'm sure you could buy ready made loops for this from somewhere.

 

[Gustav]

I just bought a copy cat instead. Ill see what the roland is up to later.

Just looking to get a few of these vibe machines.

Gustav

 

[toby]

copycats are really cool. i wish i had one. i just can't resist pushing in all the buttons though.......

 

[Gustav]

[quote author="toby"]copycats are really cool. i wish i had one. i just can't resist pushing in all the buttons though....... [/quote]

hehe...

Gustav

 

[chrissugar]

I am a big fan of tape delay effects. I like the real thing but managed to find some digital ones that sound good. One is the Roland SP808 tape delay. The other is a VST plugin.

Here are some freeware tape delay plugins that sounds nice:
www.interruptor.ch/vst_overview.shtml
The TAPE DELAY is simple but if you turn up the feedback and use the filters you can create some very interesting textures.
The ANALOGIC DELAY emulates the one from Logic audio.

chrissugar

 

[robomatique]

I have the rack version (sre-555) and it is really fantastic!!! No hiss or hum, just super quality delay, spring reverb and a beautiful chorus.
Yes, you can buy tape loops, but they are overpriced, so just go and buy some tape instead and splice your own loops.

This guy sells loop, and he is extremely expensive, but he also explains what tapes to choose (stupid?) You can buy a roll for around $10 and that would last you a lifetime.

Info about the roland range:
http://www.foi.hr/~rlogozar/mbsn1/AnalogSynthsRolandTapeEchoes.html

Tape info:
http://www.foi.hr/~rlogozar/mbsn1/TheBestTapesForLoops.html

Robert

 

[mik]

i got one RE 501 wen i found it , no tape was inside, I've done a loop tape
by my self, from 3 m of a 1/4 inch standat ampex tape, I made trasfersal cut a la old faschion, it'is still working condition.
very nice unit to make reggae. :grin: