The Danelectro DE-1 Dan-Echo is a delay pedal that pairs a digital circuit with a vintage-flavored voice. Pedal of the Day calls it "an affordable, digital-but-warm delay" and "a remarkably impressive sounding digital delay pedal based around the PT2395 digital delay chip." Danelectro's own pitch for it was warmth with convenience: "The Danelectro DE-1 Dan-Echo offers you the warmth of 'all-tube' echo and the convenience of a pedal."1
It is a compact, purple-enclosed pedal, and it was made in large numbers: Pedal of the Day notes "there were roughly 400,000 of these made," which helps explain why it shows up regularly on the used market at modest prices.1
The controls
The Dan-Echo keeps things simple: four knobs and one switch.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mix | Blends the echoed signal with your dry sound1 |
| Speed | Sets the delay time1 |
| Repeats | Sets how many times the echo repeats1 |
| Hi-Cut | Cuts the highs on repeats to simulate the tone of a 60s-era tape echo, while keeping the sound studio quiet1 |
| Lo-Hi switch | Selects the range of the delay times1 |
The Hi-Cut knob is the control that gives the pedal its character. Rather than leaving digital repeats bright and clean, it rolls off the top end of each repeat the way a worn tape loop would, and Pedal of the Day's reviewer found it does this "while still ensuring the sound is studio quiet."1
On the used market and as a mod platform
Because so many were built, the Dan-Echo is easy to find secondhand. Pedal of the Day, writing in June 2023, put the going rate at "50 bucks or so, depending on the condition."1
The pedal has also found a second life among players who modify their gear. Pedal of the Day notes "it has also proven to be a wonderful vehicle for modifications, including Hold/Loop functions, 100% Wet signal ability, Feedback Extension and more." For a player comfortable opening a pedal up, that makes a cheap used unit a common starting point for a customized delay.1
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's 2023 review was unreservedly positive, calling the DE-1 "a remarkably impressive sounding digital delay pedal" and "a highly underrated piece of gear."1
If the Dan-Echo interests you, it sits in a family of Danelectro delays covered elsewhere on the site, including the Danelectro Back Talk Reverse Delay, the Danelectro Reel Echo Tape Delay and the Danelectro D-4 Fab Echo. For the wider picture, see the Delay Pedals type page.
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Questions
What chip does the Dan-Echo use?
The DE-1 Dan-Echo is a digital delay pedal built around the PT2395 digital delay chip. Pedal of the Day describes it as a digital-but-warm delay, and the PT2395 is the heart of that circuit.
What does the Hi-Cut knob do on the Dan-Echo?
The Hi-Cut knob cuts the highs on the repeats, which Pedal of the Day says simulates the tone of a 60s-era tape echo while keeping the sound studio quiet. It shapes the echoed signal only, so your dry tone stays untouched.
How much does a used Dan-Echo cost?
According to Pedal of the Day in 2023, you can find a used Dan-Echo for around 50 dollars, depending on condition. As with any used pedal, condition varies from unit to unit.
How many Dan-Echo pedals were made?
Pedal of the Day puts production at roughly 400,000 units, which is one reason the pedal turns up often and cheaply on the used market.
What mods are done to the Dan-Echo?
The Dan-Echo has proven a popular platform for modifications. Documented mods include Hold/Loop functions, 100% wet signal ability, and Feedback Extension, among others.
Sources (1)
- Danelectro DE-1 Dan-Echo Delay Echo, Pedal of the Day, 2023-06-18
