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Artec Analog Delay (SE-ADL)
List: $110
For those of us well acquainted with the ARTEC brand name, this Korean selection of effects pedals offer absolute value for money unless of course, we are brand conscious (ARTEC? Never heard of them…). The SE-ADL pedal is a delay proponent offering the fundamentals of its nature; anything more then it has to be re-labeled as ‘digital’.
Intro
The delay effect was the product of the musicians’ obsession with echo/ reverberation which positively adds depth to output. We understand that this refers to a distant repeat in signal, which could be either quick or significantly late. The typical analog delay does not dwell in a late response due to its technological capacity. It is basically transistorized conversion of the pioneering tape technology. Today’s breakthrough technology simply allows more time-based manipulation of the output which somehow triggers obsession; you wouldn’t believe the number of delay fanatics out there (less this reviewer).
Build/ features
The ARTEC school of build quality is one of BOSS-like endurance plus adequate buoyancy; nothing too feather weight to such an extent it becomes tug-prone (not an issue if you fix it down onto your pedal board). There are no complains pertaining to the responsiveness of the knobs (Time/ Mix/ Repeat) on board but we continue to ponder the wisdom of having the power supply access on a side location- wouldn’t it be less hassle to have top access (eg: BOSS) to facilitate occupation (spacing) consideration? Also, the base plate rubber grip could have been more rubber in quality; the synthetic material has more plastic quality to it.
Rating: 85%
In use
The trio of knobs on board is utilitarian in offering; the TIME control determines how much delay you wish to dial in while the REPEAT counterpart specifies the number of repeats you hear in the decay. The MIX knob here would serve to confuse the uninitiated; it doesn’t blend the TIME & REPEAT functions but serves to regulate the volume of delay you’ll hear in the output mix.
As this pedal isn’t one which professes in delay extensions, the TIME width is limited; in fact, the latest it has to offer comes close to 1 sec (that’s quite a delay in a musical context). As one dials this feature clockwise, the delay lag is reduced culminating in a very reverb-like response; you’d need bionic hearing to actually determine if there is any delay at all. The REPEAT feature does what it dutifully labels; specify the number of repeats the user requires. In its upper reaches, the pedal would turn psychedelic by inducing infinity & feedback; if you are a fan of U2’s the Edge, this detail is rather mandatory for necessary oddity.
The pedal’s simplicity means that you spend less time knob fiddling in an attempt to dial up a very basic delay offering (the mere repeat of what you are playing). The SE-ADL also has no problems churning out some inspiring surf-type slap echo (Wipeout anyone?) as well as that Twin Peaks type atmospherics (Oh dear, if you’re not brought up in that era, you won’t understand…). In its reverb-like mode, the pedal is truly an effective depth inducer. This reviewer used it as such in conjunction with his Epiphone Valve Jr head which does much better with a dose of reverberation. However, the highlight of this plain gem is its non-interference capacity; it does not colour your sacred cleans as well as that revered drive- simply wonderful, this Korean. Finally, unlike the digital delay counterparts, the SE-ADL isn’t one heck of a battery drainer.
Tone test equipment:
• Guitars: ESP Eclipse II/ Ibanez RG1550/ Gibson LP Std/ Fender Highway 1 Strat/ Edwards E-LP85SD/P
• Effects: Beta Aivin HM-200/ EHX Little Big Muff/ Ibanez CF7/ BOSS OD-3/ Behringer EQ700
• Amps: Sound Drive SG-612R Head/ Epiphone Valve Jr/ CRATE GT412ST
Rating: 93%
Conclusion
If you wish for a BOSS Digital Delay replication from this very pocket-friendly (delay-wise) ARTEC, you are indeed stomping on the wrong pedal; read: Analog Delay. The SE-ADL would reward those in need of a non-intrusive delay unit which has a no-frills feature because you aren’t too delay indulgent, you just need a pragmatic, low-cost device to propel some depth in the mix. This black ditty isn’t boutique grade, mind you, but its tone is simply one of the better ones in this analog domain. Love the price too.
Final rating: 90% (recommended)
Product available at:
• Look for Beez
• Ebenex
Likes:
• Idiot-proof
• Effective
• Not a battery drainer
• Price
Dislikes:
• PSU side access
• Rubber grip has a very plastic grade
Worthy competitors:
• Carl Martin: Red Repeat/ DeLayla
• Danelectro: FAB Echo/ BLT Slap echo
• Ibanez: AD9
• Rocktron: Short Timer
I nvr watched the show b4, just the trailer..;P
