Escape Plan Pedals Fuzzy Memory Echo/Reverb

A good echo pedal should first sound good, then maybe have a cool feature or two, and finally look cool. Ok, so the last one doesn’t really count, but it’s always a bonus, right? Fortunately, the Fuzzy Memory (V2) from Escape Plan Pedals has all of these characteristics, which makes for a good test time and fun review session.

The Fuzzy Memory is a lo-fi delay that maxes out at 350ms of delayed time. That short time span throws it more into the category of an echo, and can pull off a cool reverb sound with ease, but there’s an added feature that really makes it stand out. Time controls the amount of time between the repeated notes, Blend mixes your wet and dry signals to your liking and Repeats determine how much feedback the pedal is putting out. This knob can be a lot of fun – when cranked up, it produces a wild self-oscillation that will take your tone to infinity and beyond. The tones pouring out of the Fuzzy Memory are warm and inviting, and the range of the controls allows for lots of off-the-cuff playing and experimentation.

A key part in said experiments is the Infinity Switch, which can be added on as a bonus option (but really, why wouldn’t you?). This is a fast-track way to send your signal into that wicked self-oscillation, and it’s nice to be able to control it with such ease, as the repeats on this puppy can get out of control in a hurry. There’s even some warning about damage to your hearing and equipment in the manual, so look out! Once you figure out how it works, this feature can become a HUGE part of your sound, adding in tasty morsels of infinite repeats scattered throughout your set or recording session. A truly worthy upgrade to this pedal, and a functions that really projects its uniqueness.

This particular pedal is the new V2, which features an upgraded transparent buffer and a redesigned filtering section on the repeats. Not officially available until next month, I got a sneak peak at the new version, and got to test it out for myself. It sounds great, looks incredible and has the ability to basically perform the functions of 3 different pedals. Plus, that Infinity Switch makes it all that more appealing, and who doesn’t love a good self-oscillation? Am I right? Thanks to Andy and all at Escape Plan Pedals for giving us the opportunity to be the first test dummy for this pedal – look for it and other rad gear at their website now!