In reviewing so many pedals, there can be periods where a group of effects all seem really similar, and although they may have slight differences, they feel like pedals we might have already reviewed before. There are, however, some pedal production companies who really set themselves apart from the rest, in terms of innovation, creativity and all-out awesomeness. A couple that come to mind off the bat are Red Panda, Dwarfcraft Devices, Infanem and today’s featured pedal builder, Death By Audio. The model pedal we’re checking out is the Echo Dream 2, a modulated delay with fuzz overtones, and so much more as well.
The Delay or Echo portion of the Echo Dream is pretty simple: Delay Time (2ms up to 1.2 seconds) and Feedback (number of repeats, turns to self-oscillation when maxed out). This sets up the basis for the rest of the pedal, and is perfectly useable as a solo delay on its own. There’s a Master Volume as well, plus a knob labeled simply Delay, which sets how intense the Delay effect is overall.
There’s a lone Fuzz control in the middle of the Echo Dream, which controls the gain output, adding in clean boost, overdrive and some tasty buzzsaws and beehive sounds, too, and when mixed with the delay, produces a whole new flavor of effects. The Modulator section controls how much chorus or warble is present in the delay, utilizing a couple of controls. Speed controls how fast the modulation is applied, Depth adjusts how intense it is, and a toggle switch lets you select between Sine and Square wavelengths. One more toggle switch allows selection between either a 50/50 Wet/Dry signal mix, or 100% Wet for total chaos and experimentation.
The Echo Dream is really one of those pedals you need to sit down with and play to fully appreciate, but for now, check out the video below to catch a small glimpse of the sonic prowess this pedal exudes. Yet another incredible inventive pedal from Death By Audio, you need to go to their website to check out the other pedals coming off of their production line, and decide how wacky your sound can get, and how far into outer space you truly want that sound to travel.
Submitted by Mike B, Website
Demo Rock pedalboard by West Coast Pedalboard
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July 16, 2017
This is one of my essential pedals, I’ve tried other delays inc Catalinbread Belle Epoch, but the Echo Dream 2 is by far my favourite.
Why ?
1stly because once you get past the wacky noises element of the pedal and learn to balance the delay, fuzz, and modulation controls a wide range of stimulating and usable sounds is available.
2ndly because I find it a really user friendly pedal. The larger casing, lack of internal trimpots (hello Catalinbread) and clearly numbered or graduated dials on all controls make setting the pedal up and repeating favourite sounds far easier than on many other pedals. Put simply it’s a pleasure to use.
The pedal isn’t perfect and if there is an Echo Dream 3 I would hope for a mix/blend pot for the affected/unaffected signal to replace the toggle switch and it would also be good to have more wave settings on the modulation plus the ability to switch the modulation off altogether…otherwise leave it alone.
I find most pedals have an initial period of infatuation followed by a gradual loss of interest, this hasn’t happened with the Echo Dream 2 and after 18 months I’m still very happy with it.