NUX NDD-7 Tape Echo

A few months back, we reviewed and demoed the NUX Tape Core Deluxe, an excellent vintage tape echo machine, with a ton of features packed into a small pedal. Well, NUX decided that they wanted to give us all more of that classic flavor, so we present to you the NDD-7 Tape Echo. A tribute to the Japanese-made Space Echo from 1974, offers all the essential components from the old machines, plus some modern features, for an incredible delay unit.

First, a little echo history: Analogue tape echo devices record incoming audio to a loop of magnetic tape, then replays the continuous loop over the playback head before it is erased again by new incoming audio. The Space Echo units used the standard 1/4″ tape designed to spool onto tape-reels, however, this device used no reels of any kind; the tape is transported via a capstan drive. The tape loop is contained in a loose, constantly moving jumble in the tape chamber (also known as the tape tank) under a plastic panel which protects the tape and keeps it from getting tangled. The design resulted in lower levels of noise, wow, and flutter, and cut down on tape wear.

The NDD-7 Tape Echo uses Core-Image technology to capture these characteristics, including Bass, Treble, Repeat Rate (Time), Intensity (Repeat), Echo Volume (Level) and Reverb Volume (Reverb). Hold down the Select knob, and you get access to secondary control for physical features like Wow, Flutter, Saturation, Kill Dry and more. Crank up the Repeat knob and listen to the Tape Echo go into wild self-oscillation, conjuring up spaced-out, trippy sounds from decades past. Plus, using the Tap Tempo footswitch, you can get delay times of up to 1600ms if need be…

Speaking of the Select knob, turning this one click at a time lets you scroll through different combination of the Repro-Tape Heads, for a myriad of colorful soundscapes and gorgeous auditory bliss. Add in the Reverb to taste, and you’re transported right back to 1974, letting your freak flag fly across the land. You can even set the OLED display to show you these settings in Milliseconds (MS) or Beats Per Minute (BPM), whichever you personally prefer.

There’s an SOS (Sound on Sound) function here as well – by holding down both footswitches at once, you go into Looper mode, where you can record, play and overdub til the cows come home. Having access to the looper that easily makes the NDD-7 Tape Echo a valuable 2-in-1, for switching between the 2 modes on the fly in live or practice situations. 40 seconds of stereo phase looping, MIDI In/Out (via supplied 1/8″ cables), Stereo Output connectivity and Expression control of the Time, Repeat or Level controls round out the amazing skill set that the NUX NDD-7 Tape Echo delivers. Available soon worldwide, check out the NUX website for more info and ordering instructions. While you wait, though, grab a coffee and enjoy our in-depth video below – cheers!

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