Testing out totally new and unique pedals is something that really gets us all excited here at Pedal of the Day, and our featured gem today couldn’t be more unique or more original if it could try. Utilizing an ancient (!) form of audio recording to produce its sound, the Landscape HC-TT Human Controlled Tape Transport is a sonic manipulation device that blends the past, present and future into one funky and quirky little silver box.
How does this thing work? Glad you asked – we can’t wait to tell you! First, you insert a cassette tape (youngsters, ask your folks what that is) into the HC-TT (either the one they provide, or one from the box in your garage that hasn’t been opened since the early 2000s), then turn the giant blue knob to produce sound. All of the sound produced from this pedal comes from the cassette, and although it has no recording ability, there’s a ton a fun to be had anyway.
Turning the knob rotates the cassette spindle, moving the tape across an internal tape head, thus producing the sound already recorded on the cassette itself. What you end up with is a sound that rivals old-school hip-hop record scratching, making for some wonderfully vintage and nostalgic (for us, at least) sounds that you couldn’t really produce before in a pedal. There are stereo outputs, too, each one with it’s own volume control, for even more mixing abilities. The small blue switch in the corner is a momentary switch, letting you cut the signal in and out as you see fit.
If you check out the video below, you’ll see how the HC-TT works on its own, as well as how it plays nice with other effects (we used Delay for the demo). Super-innovative, futuristic-looking with a vintage kickback and a ton of fun, the crew at Landscape have truly created something special in the Human Controlled Tape Transport. Thanks to them for sending this chrome-dipped beauty our way to check out – here’s to hoping they keep the creative juices flowing, and blow our minds once again with their next innovative creation!
Specs:
Bushed aluminum case with acid etched graphics (4.7″ x 3.7″ x1.5″)
Large “playback” knob (directly moves a regular cassette in the forward direction and a homemade cassette loop in either direction)
Cassette tape opening along front edge (lift playback knob, slide in tape, reseat knob shaft into cassette spindle)
Blue momentary mute switch with spring return
Stereo L/R volume knobs
1/4″ outputs (Stereo L/R)
3.5mm outputs (Stereo L/R)
9v Regulated (tip +) power supply NOTE: Only use this power supply to avoid damage!
NOS stereo tape head
Circuit designed around NOS cassette deck preamp chip
Shipped with one randomly selected old cassette tape
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