The Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter is an analog delay pedal, and as MusicRadar's reviewer Michael Astley-Brown put it, "at its heart, it's an old-school analogue delay with a few modern additions"1. Those additions are what set it apart from a straightforward delay pedal: a tap tempo footswitch, a foot-adjustable delay-time slider, and oscillation and modulation switches that take the repeats from warm and steady into pitch-shifted, self-oscillating territory1.
Controls and how they work
The delay itself is set with three controls: feedback, mix and a delay-time slider, which MusicRadar's reviewer called "an awesome delay-time slider"1. The slider sits in the middle of the pedal and is usable in real time with a foot, so you can bend the delay time while playing3. A tap tempo footswitch sits alongside it for more precise delay times1.
The two switches are where the ES2 gets strange. MusicRadar describes the oscillation switch as the "spaceship" sound you get from upping a delay's repeats so much that the pedal begins to feed back on itself, available at the flick of a switch1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer Mike B was blunter: "the Oscillation mode is not one for the faint-hearted, as it will take your signal and twist, mangle and electrify it"3.
The modulation switch adds pitch-shifted repeats and pitchy effects1. Guitar World's review describes a modulation feature that "can add subtle chorusing, vibrato-like flutters or slow groaning siren sweeps," depending on the depth control setting2. Pedal of the Day frames it as a tape-echo flavor: "Modulation gives your delay that slight nuance of a tape echo feel, generating slight, random bits of ancient warble-y goodness"3.
The modulation depth control has a wide useful range. MusicRadar found that turning up to 12 o'clock adds a chorus-y shimmer to the repeats, but anything above that gets dramatically pitchy1. Together, the switches give what MusicRadar summed up as "all sorts of sonic mayhem - from pitch-shifted repeats to whirring UFO take-offs"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Feedback (with oscillation on/off switch) | Sets the number of repeats; the switch makes the pedal feed back on itself13 |
| Mix | Blends the delayed signal with your dry sound1 |
| Delay-time slider | Foot-adjustable delay time, 30ms to one second13 |
| Modulation depth | Shapes the modulation, from subtle chorusing to pitchy siren sweeps12 |
| Tap tempo footswitch | Sets delay time by tapping for more precise timing1 |
Power and connections
The ES2 runs on a nine-volt battery or adapter, according to Guitar World's review2. Pedal of the Day specifies the adapter as an external AC adapter, the Ibanez AC509, sold separately3. Connections are simple: Guitar World notes "The Echo Shifter features 1/4-inch mono input and output jacks," so it is a mono pedal with no stereo output2.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's review was warm on the whole package, praising everything "from its Seventies-style wood-and-stamped-steel housing to its well-placed controls and classic and clean styling"2. MusicRadar's one stated drawback was the modulation section: "No rate control"1, meaning you can set how deep the modulation goes but not how fast.
Where it sits in Ibanez's delay line
Ibanez has a long history of delay pedals, and the ES2 is the analog entry among them. Players comparing it within the current range might also look at the Ibanez ES3 Echo Shifter, the Ibanez Analog Delay Mini, or the newer Ibanez LD303 Layer Delayer, which Ibanez launched in January 2026 as a feature-packed delay at $279.99. For a broader view of the type, see the site's delay pedals page.
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Questions
Is the Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter analog or digital?
It is analog. MusicRadar's reviewer, Michael Astley-Brown, described it as "at its heart, it's an old-school analog delay with a few modern additions," the modern additions being the tap tempo footswitch and the oscillation and modulation switches that sit on top of the basic analog delay circuit.
Does the Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter take a battery?
Yes. Guitar World's review notes that the Echo Shifter is powered by a nine-volt battery or adapter, so it can run on a battery for players who do not want to use a power supply on their board.
Does the ES2 Echo Shifter come with a power adapter?
No. Pedal of the Day's review lists the power option as an external AC adapter, the Ibanez AC509, sold separately. If you want to run it from mains power rather than a battery, plan on picking up an adapter.
What is the delay time range of the ES2 Echo Shifter?
The delay time runs from 30ms to one second. MusicRadar gives the range as 30ms to one second, and Pedal of the Day lists it as 30ms to 1000ms, which is the same span expressed in milliseconds.
Does the ES2 Echo Shifter have tap tempo?
Yes. MusicRadar notes a tap tempo footswitch for more precise delay times, alongside the foot-adjustable delay-time slider that gives the pedal its name.
Is the ES2 Echo Shifter mono or stereo?
It is mono. Guitar World's review states that the Echo Shifter features 1/4-inch mono input and output jacks, so there is no stereo output for a two-amp setup.
Sources (3)
- Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter review, MusicRadar, 2014-03-07
- Review: Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter, Guitar World, 2014-10-30
- Ibanez ES2 Echo Shifter Analog Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2014-08-29
