Latest in the Drunk Beaver Affordable XR Series - is the suitably lush sounding EM-1 Echo Machine, a fantastic emulation of the Ibanez EM-5 with additional Tone control

So the EM-1 Echo Machine is a digital emulation of the Ibanez EM-5 Analog Delay - which is kind of adjacent to the Boss DM-2 also. The XR Series EM-1 adds a further 4th Tone control - which allows you to shape the output more towards Digital Delay if you wish (Brighter) or else Dampen the output for a more subtle darker vintage sound. The addition of the Tone control really gives the EM-1 its versatility.

Controls - Tone (< dampen | brighten >), Feedback / Repeats, Delay Level, Delay Time : 50ms > 600ms.

It’s also a little reminiscent of of the Mad Professor Deep Blue, which I have in a custom Hello Sailor Effects SeaWolf sort of replica enhanced edition - that one is a PT2399 type and runs a little more lush than most. The EM-1 is not quite as lush as my SeaWolf - not quite so bold either - while it is exceptionally musical - and even with the Delay Level at max - doesn’t really get in the way of your playing.

This is surely a perfect first delay for someone - it has enough versatility and variety to suit most purposes - and it sounds really lush and musical at all times - with the added advantage of that extra tone-shaping ability.

This is such a well-behaved delay - even with feedback at max it doesn’t get particularly unruly - it’s pretty much as good as it can be!

If you like any of those delays I mentioned - Ibanez EM-5, Boss DM-2, and Mad Professor Deep Blue - then you should really like this more affordable digital emulation of that whole class of early classic analog and analog-style delays!

The EM-1 Echo Machine can be yours for just $90 on the Drunk Beaver Rocks Webstore.

And if you’ve still to check out the others in that Exar-inspired series then you should make that a priority! - the OD-1 Overdrive, MM-1 Moon Metal High Gain Distortion, and my current favourite XR pedal - he SF-1 Sustain Filter Fuzz - all of which are at $90 too - such fantastic value!

If I were to only to get 1 of these - I would go for either the SF-1 Fuzz, or this new EM-1 Echo Machine - better still - go for both of those - they pair beautifully too!

As mentioned previously on this site - the Drunk Beaver XR Series revives, enhances and reissues former legendary Polish vintage pedals - mostly from the EXAR brand, but a couple of other minor ones too!