JHS 3S Tape Delay

JHS 3S Tape Delay is a simplified and faithful throwback to classic units delay units, likt the Echoplex EP-1 and the Echosonic from 1953.

Tape delay was invented in the late 40s when Les Paul strung two Ampex Model 200A reel-to-reel tape recorders together. A little later, in 1953, Ray Butts invented the Echosonic, the first actual tape delay unit. This would be followed up by the Echoplex EP-1 in 1961 from Mike Battle and the Space Echo from Roland in 1974.

The JHS Pedals 3 Series Tape Delay is based on these classic units. The Mix control lets you control how much clean signal is blended in with the wet (delayed) signal (on the original unit, this was called Echo Volume). Tape Speed acts as a simulation of the RE-201’s tape motor speeding up and slowing down and determines how short or long the delay effect is. The Repeats control goes from a single repeat to many, reminiscent of a sound being written onto the tape loop with loss of fidelity each time.

Finally, when the Flutter toggle is turned on (up position), it replicates the wear & tear to the mechanical parts of a tape machine that happens over time. This causes mild modulation, warble, and flutter sounds in the echo path of the delay that so many players desire.

JHS 3S Tape Delay demo video