Catalinbread Belle Epoch + Tape Echo w/ Tap Tempo
An upgrade in every conceivable way over our original Belle Epoch, the Belle Epoch + gives you that classic Echoplex emulation with tap tempo capability, soft-touch switching, three different tape age programs, better bypass options, a more robust preamp and buffer, higher dynamic range and more delay time.
We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of the Belle Epoch +, our first compact delay with full tap tempo capabilities and a slew of other upgrades to our flagship tape echo simulator. Much R&D was implemented to make the Belle Epoch + the best version of itself that it could possibly be. Tapping in a beat couldn’t be easier; simply hold the footswitch to enter tap mode and hold it again to enter tap bypass mode. Apart from the tap tempo circuit, the Belle Epoch + just gives you more, more headroom, a redesigned Mix control, improved buffered bypass, a touch of noise gating and better impedance specs for rig integration.
The preamp has been tweaked to provide a higher dynamic range with the same feel and response of the original Echoplex pre, giving you a more hi-fi sparkling tone that you’ve come to expect from the classic circuit. We’ve also expanded the feature set by offering three modes that correspond to wear on the virtual tape, from a pristine “fresh off the line” Echoplex to a dusty unit that’s been sitting in an attic for 40 years. Step into (and onto) the next generation of our classic echo unit!
CONTROLS:
SUSTAIN: This controls the amount of signal fed back into the delay line, resulting in more or fewer repeats. Turn it down for a killer slapback delay or up for an expansive barrage of repeats. May self-oscillate at extreme settings.
MIX: Goes from 100% dry (whatever you feed into the Belle Epoch +) to 100% wet (only the delayed signal will be heard). The original Belle Epoch had this control active even when in buffered bypass, that is no longer the case.
TAPE FX: The “wow and flutter” found in tape echoes are what separates them from a “normal” delay; this control increases the amount of “tape warble” found in the repeats.
REC LEVEL: This control governs how hard the preamp hits the delay line and affects the first repeat, giving you a measurable initial “attack” from which the repeats then decay. This control includes a tape saturation circuit that emulates the crunch found on the EP-3 when you dig in. Higher levels give a thick, gainier initial burst of signal while lower levels sit a little lower in the mix for organic echoing that enhances leads and solos.
ECHO DELAY: Governs the delay time, giving up to ~900ms of rich tape-like delay. Turning this knob while in Tap mode will return the delay time to the knob position.
POWER SUPPLY:
The Belle Epoch + accepts a center-negative power supply capable of supplying 9VDC with at least 200mA of current (over 200mA is fine). Anything beyond these specs (center-positive, AC, etc) will cause the Belle Epoch + to not function properly (best case) or brick (worst case). Improper powering voids your warranty and your excitement. Please do not do this! Double check your supply!
