The Hotone Binary Eko is a compact stereo delay pedal from Hotone, a delay workstation with 17 different delay types and 10 user presets in a dual-footswitch enclosure. It was announced as part of Hotone's Binary series of dual-footswitch pedals and was available for $1391.
The delay types
The Binary Eko's core is a set of 17 delay algorithms. Delicious Audio lists analog, digital, tape, dual, ping-pong, filtered, modulated and slap back among them, with a variable maximum delay time ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 ms3. Premier Guitar's reviewer adds that among the 17 types are emulations of classic Maxon and Electro-Harmonix models, in addition to a handful of modulated and BBD-based sounds2.
Controls and footswitches
The pedal is controlled via knobs for Mix, A, B, Feedback and Time4. Premier Guitar describes the layout in detail: a row of smaller knobs along the top control mix, feedback, and time, while knobs marked A and B control different parameters on each setting, such as depth, rate, high cut, low cut, sweep, frequency, and tone2.
The dual footswitches divide the work:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Left footswitch | Engages the effect2 |
| Right footswitch | Moves through the different patches and handles tap tempo2 |
| Both footswitches together | Moves between the banks of presets2 |
Presets and banks
The Binary Eko stores 10 presets arranged as 5 banks of 23. Premier Guitar's reviewer counted the preset storage as a limitation, listing "Only 10 presets available" among the cons, but praised the editing workflow: "Very convenient preset editor. Easy to move between presets on the fly."2
Stereo operation and expression pedal
The Binary Eko is a stereo pedal, and it also brings a connection for an expression pedal4. That makes it possible to control a delay parameter in real time from an external expression pedal, which pairs with the A and B knobs' per-mode parameters24.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer summed the pedal up as "a workstation that has a wealth of delay options available at the flick of a foot"2. The pros listed were the convenient preset editor and easy movement between presets on the fly, with the 10-preset limit as the noted con2.
Videos
HotoneAudio
HotoneAudio
The Pedal Guy
Questions
Does the Hotone Binary Eko have tap tempo?
Yes. The right footswitch moves through the different patches and handles tap tempo, according to Premier Guitar's review. Delicious Audio also lists tap-tempo among the pedal's features, alongside a variable maximum delay time ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 ms.
How many presets does the Hotone Binary Eko store?
The Binary Eko stores 10 presets, arranged as 5 banks of 2. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted the 10-preset count as a limitation, but also called the preset editor very convenient and found it easy to move between presets on the fly.
Is the Hotone Binary Eko a stereo pedal?
Yes. gearnews.com describes it as a stereo pedal, and notes that it also brings a connection for an expression pedal.
Can you connect an expression pedal to the Hotone Binary Eko?
Yes. The pedal includes a connection for an expression pedal, according to gearnews.com's report on the Binary series. That lets a player control a parameter of the delay from an external expression pedal.
What delay types are in the Hotone Binary Eko?
The Binary Eko offers 17 delay types, including analog, digital, tape, dual, ping-pong, filtered, modulated and slap back, among others. Premier Guitar adds that the 17 types include emulations of classic Maxon and Electro-Harmonix models, plus a handful of modulated and BBD-based sounds.
How do you switch banks on the Hotone Binary Eko?
Press both footswitches together. Premier Guitar's review explains that the leftmost footswitch engages the effect, the right footswitch moves through patches and handles tap tempo, and hitting both moves between the banks of presets.
Sources (4)
- Hotone unveils 4 “versatile, pro-level” Binary dual-footswitch pedals with OLED displays, MusicRadar, 2018-06-21
- Quick Hit: Hotone Audio Binary Eko Review, Premier Guitar, 2018-11-29
- New At The BKLYN Stompbox Exhibit: Hotone Binary Series, Delicious Audio, 2018-05-21
- Hotone intros Binary series of budget pedals: Amp, Cab, Mod and Eko, gearnews.com, 2018-06-22
