Ibanez EM-5 Echo Machine

[griff10672]

so I like to look for circuits to do that are pedals no longer produced .... and that have gained popularity enough to drive the prices way up ...

usually besides maybe some huge name having it on their pedalboard ... the rarity of the parts used helps push the price up ...

seems like the EM-5's are going for around 300 these days give or take ...

it utilizes a digital IC that uses a analog interface .... the vids I'm finding have me interested enough to maybe doing one ..

the chips aren't super rare .... and I can get NOS ones

anyone want to chime in on this pedal ?? If you used one .. have one ... it's the old soundtank series ...

current ad on Reverb for one

https://reverb.com/p/ibanez-soundta...xE2h-FV0lKmDIdEFRZ2398a4fD0cLn78aAuB_EALw_wcB

 

[cobrahead1030]

I’m a sucker for any type of delay/echo, so it’s very likely I’d buy one.

 

[LPMojoGL]

so I like to look for circuits to do that are pedals no longer produced .... and that have gained popularity enough to drive the prices way up ...

usually besides maybe some huge name having it on their pedalboard ... the rarity of the parts used helps push the price up ...

seems like the EM-5's are going for around 300 these days give or take ...

it utilizes a digital IC that uses a analog interface .... the vids I'm finding have me interested enough to maybe doing one ..

the chips aren't super rare .... and I can get NOS ones

anyone want to chime in on this pedal ?? If you used one .. have one ... it's the old soundtank series ...

current ad on Reverb for one

https://reverb.com/p/ibanez-soundta...xE2h-FV0lKmDIdEFRZ2398a4fD0cLn78aAuB_EALw_wcB

I have a handmade copy, with tap tempo, tone knob and modulation with different wave shapes. Sweet sounding pedal. Doesn't get much use tho. Noisy in the effects loop, not as feature rich as my other delays. Great pedal if you just want a good sounding delay.

 

[marvcus]

so I like to look for circuits to do that are pedals no longer produced .... and that have gained popularity enough to drive the prices way up ...

usually besides maybe some huge name having it on their pedalboard ... the rarity of the parts used helps push the price up ...

seems like the EM-5's are going for around 300 these days give or take ...

it utilizes a digital IC that uses a analog interface .... the vids I'm finding have me interested enough to maybe doing one ..

the chips aren't super rare .... and I can get NOS ones

anyone want to chime in on this pedal ?? If you used one .. have one ... it's the old soundtank series ...

current ad on Reverb for one

https://reverb.com/p/ibanez-soundta...xE2h-FV0lKmDIdEFRZ2398a4fD0cLn78aAuB_EALw_wcB

Holy what?? Those were like $25 new

 

[Shask]

I built a clone of one of these and I really like it. It is brighter than something like my DM-2 clone, but not as bright as a digital. It seems to not be as flat sounding as a PT2399 based delay. It seems to have just enough high cut to sit well. I think it is just a good sounding basic delay.

 

[skoora]

Wow! Some of the cheapest Ibanez pedals ever made and somehow it’s now precious and collectible? People who pay 3-400 for one of those are literally insane.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I have an original Echo Machine. And before you ask, no I didn't pay $300 for it. I got one back when they were still cheap.

Side bar I have the entire potato bug series. A Powerlead was my first pedal. I got nostalgic a while back and collected the whole set. At the time they were all still dirt cheap. I got most for $10-$20. I think the most I paid for one was $40. Seeing some like the black noise, slam punk, or modern fusion being listed for hundreds of dollars makes my head spin.

Back to the main subject... The echo Machine is a really nice echo pedal, probably the best delay/echo Ibanez ever made. I think it got it's reputation because it's more natural sounding than other delay pedals. I'm not a big FX person so I don't use mine much. That plus the plastic shell and not true bypass. If I had a sturdier, true bypass version of it I'd probably keep it in arms reach.

I think it would be worthwhile to make a clone of the Echo Machine.

 

[Luca79]

I use one; is mint with the original box. Nice echo, but not worth the hype... I think the DL8 can do the same job for much less $.

I don't get the hype around gear, especially pedals: https://reverb.com/p/hermida-audio-zendrive-2#price-guide

 

[griff10672]

I use one; is mint with the original box. Nice echo, but not worth the hype... I think the DL8 can do the same job for much less $.

I don't get the hype around gear, especially pedals: https://reverb.com/p/hermida-audio-zendrive-2#price-guide

shit ... I'll build you a Zen Drive for 135.00 ... exact clone ....... I'll have one ready in a week or so actually

I have an original Echo Machine. And before you ask, no I didn't pay $300 for it. I got one back when they were still cheap.

Side bar I have the entire potato bug series. A Powerlead was my first pedal. I got nostalgic a while back and collected the whole set. At the time they were all still dirt cheap. I got most for $10-$20. I think the most I paid for one was $40. Seeing some like the black noise, slam punk, or modern fusion being listed for hundreds of dollars makes my head spin.

Back to the main subject... The echo Machine is a really nice echo pedal, probably the best delay/echo Ibanez ever made. I think it got it's reputation because it's more natural sounding than other delay pedals. I'm not a big FX person so I don't use mine much. That plus the plastic shell and not true bypass. If I had a sturdier, true bypass version of it I'd probably keep it in arms reach.

I think it would be worthwhile to make a clone of the Echo Machine.

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View attachment 430962

I'm probably going to do one .... and it will be true bypass ..... I'm going to see if I can reduce the noise too ..... but I think the noise is mostly coming from the Digital Chip ... which I can do nothing about ...

 

[BeZo]

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I don't use delay because I love to syncopate the delays and I can't do that with my drummer. That makes tap tempo a REALLY important feature.

 

[griff10672]

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I don't use delay because I love to syncopate the delays and I can't do that with my drummer. That makes tap tempo a REALLY important feature.

yeah ..... all my Delays have tap tempo ..... it's important to me also ...

adding tap tempo involves me having to learn some digital programming ... and learn digital components ...

there's only so much time in a day ... and I have been wanting to start working on doing some actual video / sound footage of stuff I'm already building ..

maybe I can have AI do it for me ?

the delay chip in this one is digital .... I want to see if I even like it .... then maybe I can start tackling tap tempo ... cause to be honest I'd really like to add tap tempo to my Photo Cell Vibe

 

[chumbucket]

I don't know the Echomachine but the DE-7 was a decent pedal. Digital but EQ'd to sound more analog. They were a hot seller on the used market at one time but it's died down now.

 

[BeZo]

yeah ..... all my Delays have tap tempo ..... it's important to me also ...

adding tap tempo involves me having to learn some digital programming ... and learn digital components ...

there's only so much time in a day ... and I have been wanting to start working on doing some actual video / sound footage of stuff I'm already building ..

maybe I can have AI do it for me ?

the delay chip in this one is digital .... I want to see if I even like it .... then maybe I can start tackling tap tempo ... cause to be honest I'd really like to add tap tempo to my Photo Cell Vibe

Yes.

 

[skoora]

I have an original Echo Machine. And before you ask, no I didn't pay $300 for it. I got one back when they were still cheap.

Side bar I have the entire potato bug series. A Powerlead was my first pedal. I got nostalgic a while back and collected the whole set. At the time they were all still dirt cheap. I got most for $10-$20. I think the most I paid for one was $40. Seeing some like the black noise, slam punk, or modern fusion being listed for hundreds of dollars makes my head spin.

Back to the main subject... The echo Machine is a really nice echo pedal, probably the best delay/echo Ibanez ever made. I think it got it's reputation because it's more natural sounding than other delay pedals. I'm not a big FX person so I don't use mine much. That plus the plastic shell and not true bypass. If I had a sturdier, true bypass version of it I'd probably keep it in arms reach.

I think it would be worthwhile to make a clone of the Echo Machine.

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View attachment 430962

Just one is kind of sad but to have all of them is actually quite awesome. You now need to post a vid of you playing with all of them engaged at once!

 

[DanTravis62]

Good sounding pedal but really noisy.

I really like the soundtank series - the slam punk is one of my favorite distortion pedals of all time.

 

[GuitarVacation]

The Ibanez EM5 Echomachine is the longest standing pedal in my set up. I use it as an always on delay because I don't care for reverb in that role.

My use is in the background, but audible. The way the repeats sit, I've never been able to find a delay to replace it. I think my ears are tuned to it haha.

The circuit is unique from what I've read, incorporating what amounts to a "distortion stage" which is what creates the particular color on the repeats.

I have an original, used for many years. The switches suck, and the bypass never bothered me, but it's not true bypass and I've read complaints from folks who didn't care for what the bypass did to their tone.

The good news: there are clones that are not hard to obtain or super expensive. I currently have the Artisanal Effects Magic Delay, $175 new. It's on my board and the original soundtank is on the shelf. The Artisanal effects is a dead on clone, sounds just like the original, and it's true bypass.

Also, Drunken Beaver Effects has a clone they call the EM-1, which has an added tone knob. It's only $90 new.

I have seen 1 off or limited builds that worked in a tap tempo, and even an adjustable modulation knob to the EM5 circuit.

Those features aren't really needed for the way I use it, and what I like about it. I do use tap tempo for my more up front delays from other boxes. Incidentally running the EM5 in series into other delays, which I do since mine is always on, adds it's great character to whatever delay is downstream.

tldr version: I like the Ibanez EM5 echo machine haha.

 

[japetus]

De-7 is a way better pedal and echo is better

 

[Shask]

The Ibanez EM5 Echomachine is the longest standing pedal in my set up. I use it as an always on delay because I don't care for reverb in that role.

My use is in the background, but audible. The way the repeats sit, I've never been able to find a delay to replace it. I think my ears are tuned to it haha.

The circuit is unique from what I've read, incorporating what amounts to a "distortion stage" which is what creates the particular color on the repeats.

I have an original, used for many years. The switches suck, and the bypass never bothered me, but it's not true bypass and I've read complaints from folks who didn't care for what the bypass did to their tone.

The good news: there are clones that are not hard to obtain or super expensive. I currently have the Artisanal Effects Magic Delay, $175 new. It's on my board and the original soundtank is on the shelf. The Artisanal effects is a dead on clone, sounds just like the original, and it's true bypass.

Also, Drunken Beaver Effects has a clone they call the EM-1, which has an added tone knob. It's only $90 new.

I have seen 1 off or limited builds that worked in a tap tempo, and even an adjustable modulation knob to the EM5 circuit.

Those features aren't really needed for the way I use it, and what I like about it. I do use tap tempo for my more up front delays from other boxes. Incidentally running the EM5 in series into other delays, which I do since mine is always on, adds it's great character to whatever delay is downstream.

tldr version: I like the Ibanez EM5 echo machine haha.

The repeats basically have a tubescreamer circuit on them, so that is where the coloring on the repeats come from.

 

[Luca79]

shit ... I'll build you a Zen Drive for 135.00 ... exact clone ....... I'll have one ready in a week or so actually

Thanks, but i am at the other side of the planet Don't know why the Zendrive 2 got so expensive; i remember nobody cared when it came out, and people were saying the additional tube not was giving any audible effect compared to the Zen 1.

Anyway my EM-5 is not noisy at all. Meanwhile my DE-7 is a bit noisy and is a different echo.

 

[GuitarVacation]

The repeats basically have a tubescreamer circuit on them, so that is where the coloring on the repeats come from.

Dang, all this time, I thought I hadn’t had a tube screamer on my board in a while haha.

I looked at a schematic, but it’s above my pay grade, I’m not even rudimentary level with electronics.

How similar is that part of the circuit to like a TS 808? Is it simplified some, or is it pretty much as TS circuit?