ERS EchORek2
by DDMF · Delay · Binson Echorec 2 delay model
Not rated yet
ERS EchORek2 is a delay plugin modelled on the Binson Echorec 2, the magnetic drum echo heard on early Pink Floyd records.
It models the tube stages and delay patterns from the original schematics, adds stereo crossing effects and host sync, and costs $49.
Best for: Guitars, Vocals, Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Rock & Indie, Ambient & Cinematic, Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: hardware emulation, tube, drums, electric guitar, 60s, AUv3/iOS, creative, mixing, rhythmic, slapback, sound design, subtle, tempo-synced, vintage, vocals, warm.
What it does
ERS EchORek2 is a plugin model of the Binson Echorec 2, the magnetic-drum echo unit, built to capture the hardware's sound and its "benign unpredictability" with some enhanced controls. It was developed by Harrie Munnik's Dutch company EmptyRoomSystems; DDMF now develops and sells the ERS line.
- Original controls: input volume, delay volume, a tone control for the delayed signal, and a delay selector that picks the delay times and repeat patterns.
- Tube emulation: tube stages in both the input and the post-delay sections, for the unit's warmth and drive.
- Range: from short slapback echoes to the self-oscillation the hardware is known for.
- Stereo crossing: three channel selector knobs, added in version 2 and not on the hardware, route repeats across the stereo field.
- Sync: delay timings follow the host BPM or a BPM you set.
Free demos are available.
When to use it
ERS EchORek2 is the pick for an affordable, focused Echorec sound with a stereo option the original never had. Compared with EchoBoy, it covers only one unit, but it follows that unit's controls and signal flow closely; some users still find EchoBoy's and UA's Echorec takes more convincing. Unlike Valhalla Delay or Timeless 3, it has no modulation or filtering sections, just the hardware's input, tone and head-pattern controls.
- Best for: psychedelic guitar echoes, multi-head rhythmic repeats and self-oscillating effects.
- Genres: rock, psychedelia, ambient and electronic music.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a clean digital delay or many delay types in one plugin; Valhalla Delay or Timeless 3 fit better. For many vintage echo units in one window, EchoBoy.
- Tip: learn the Echorec's signal flow first; a Loopy Pro user found the manual for the Catalinbread Echorec pedal helpful for that.
What producers say
iOS users on the Loopy Pro forum liked its sound, with some saying it is subtler than the best Echorec emulations.
- Loopy Pro forum users called it "pretty great sounding" and "a great effect that honours its inspiration well," and found it an improvement on Tone House's version.
- Criticisms: some felt it lacks the original's darker tone and unpredictable feedback, and rated the UA and Soundtoys emulations higher; one reported laggy buttons on iOS 15.1.
- Value: users thought it "worth it" at DDMF's Black Friday price.
Where to buy
- PluginFox: $49
- AudioDeluxe: $49
Similar plugins
- Echoes T7E mkII by Audiority · Binson Echorec drum echo model · $65
- Echorec by Pulsar Audio · Magnetic drum echo · $49
- Blue Tubes Oilcan Echo TLE2S by Nomad Factory · Oilcan echo emulation · $9
- Echo Cat by Wavesfactory · Tape echo (Copicat-style) · $79
- PlexiTape by Audiority · Echoplex EP-3 tape echo model · $65
- TD-201 by Black Rooster Audio · Space Echo-style tape echo · $49
- Tape Echo by AIR Music Technology · Multi-head tape delay · $99
- Repeater by D16 Group · Vintage delay modeler · $99
- Tube Delay by Softube · Tube delay · $89
- X-Echo by Solid State Logic · Tape echo · $99
More from DDMF
- Plugindoctor by DDMF · Utility · $49
- Metaplugin by DDMF · Utility · $59
- Superplugin by DDMF · Utility · $59
- MagicVerb by DDMF · Reverb · $99
- GrandEQ by DDMF · EQ · $139
- NoLimits2 by DDMF · Limiter · $59
- MagicDeathEye by DDMF · Compressor · $99
- 6144 by DDMF · EQ · $39