Features: High quality tape echo made in Japan and distributed by Fernandes; 1,500 ms delay; Low noise; Footswitchable transposable pitch/speed; Footswitchable on/off or hold; Compact and light weight; Free-running tape system; Continuous/Auto-Stop; No ICs used in signal path; Rackmountable
The Good;
Real analog tape echo! Affordable, compact dimensions and quiet.
I have owned a few tape delays in my years and they were a mixed bag of sonic delight and maintenance hell.
This little gem promises to be more reliable- time will tell. It sounds really nice-not as thick as my old EP3 but quieter and more versatile.
There are 3 different modes: short delays, long delays up to almost 2 seconds (very low fi at that length) and a dual delay mode where you get both long and short delays together.
The unit has two playback heads. One is close to the record head one is farther.
If you use the farther head you will get a more high fi sound closer to a very warm digital delay on the first couple of repeats.
You can use the first head at a lower speed to get most of the same delay times but with a warmer and more vintage tone. It does self oscillate into spaceship sounds if you like.
The CTE does killer slapback unrivaled by digital or analog pedals. The input acts as a drive control and you can push it to distortion if you choose. In automatic mode the tape reel motor
shuts off when no signal is present to preserve tape and head life.
The Bad
Not true bypass as the signal always goes through the preamp;
No footswitch included. Doesn’t have the sonic nirvana of a vintage Echoplex- closer in sound to a Space Echo.
The Verdict
Thumbs up to Hiwatt for bringing us the CTE. If you are an Echo Junkie like me,
this little gem is will see lots of use on guitar, vocals and synths.
Jon St. James