There are a TON of tape echo/delay pedals out on the market these days, and there have been for years, but how many of them can say they use REAL TAPE to achieve the sounds they create? Precious few, honestly, especially ones that aren’t decades old and riddled with maintenance problems and unavailable or expensive replacement parts. The first Replicator from T-Rex solved those problems, as they released a fresh, modern and much more reliable tape echo machine a couple years back. A couple of years after that, they came out with a slimmed-down, more affordable version, the Replicator Junior, which we are really excited to bring to you today.
The basis of the Replicator Jr is an effect for those who want the tape echo sounds the original Replicator delivers, but without any of the bells and whistles that larger machine comes with. A single playback head with three controls for Level, Feedback and Time makes tweaking a set-and-forget affair. There’s an added tap tempo switch, a kill-dry switch and a saturation control, for use in various setups and to make it easy to adjust the unit for optimal sound. The control knobs can even be pushed in, so they sit flush with the top of the enclosure, avoiding accidental knob movements as well. In this very special world of reels, rollers, motors, the unmistakable sound of a true tape echo that’s ever so slightly uneven, lo-fi and unpredictable is welcomed and revered.
After some initial rumors about T-Rex being out of business, we were excited to hear that the original founders, Sebastian and Lars, purchased the company back, and are committed to bringing a positive energy back to the brand. That said, we can’t wait to see what’s next for their product line, and what new innovations they can create. If any of them are like the Replicator Jr, we’re all in for a good old time. This simplistic but powerful delay pedal really takes you back to the tape echo sounds of the 70’s, with a rich, warm, saturated effect that CAN be replicated well, but just doesn’t have the same gusto without the actual tape. Check out our meandering demo below for a taste of the awesomeness the Replicator Junior has in store, and have a great weekend!
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