The Neunaber Technology Echelon Stereo Echo is a stereo delay pedal with a true stereo signal path, designed by Brian Neunaber. It sells direct for $229.001. MusicPlayers.com's reviewer found it had "an excellent mix of ever-so-slight modulation and frequency roll-off," an organic and analog sound despite the digital underpinnings, and noted that even at maximum regeneration the sound never tips into oscillation1.
Controls and expression inputs
There are three knobs on the face of the pedal, marked Mix, Time and Repeats1. The Time knob sets the delay time, and in tap tempo mode it also functions to set the timing division2. On the Echelon Stereo Echo, the marks around the Time knob indicate the time in fractions of the tapped quarter-note tempo, per the maker's tap tempo documentation3.
Beyond the knobs, the pedal carries two 3.5mm expression pedal inputs that can control the mix and time settings, which lets a player sweep either parameter by foot1.
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Mix | Blend of dry and delayed signal1 |
| Time | Sets delay time; sets the timing division in tap tempo mode12 |
| Repeats | Regeneration of the repeats1 |
| Expression inputs (two, 3.5mm) | Control the mix and time settings by expression pedal1 |
Cross-fading Time Change and Scatter mode
One of the Echelon's unique features, as MusicPlayers.com's reviewer Bruce Sokolovic described it, is its "Cross-fading Time Change," which enables you to manipulate delay time without impacting pitch1. For players who like to sweep delay times live, that means the repeats do not smear or warble as the time changes.
The pedal also offers a Scatter mod. According to the review, Scatter has increased modulation settings over the stock setting, and its scatter repeats diffuse quickly and respond more like reverb1.
Sound and how reviewers heard it
MusicPlayers.com's reviewer found the Echelon's character leaned organic despite its digital circuitry: "It sounded like it had an excellent mix of ever-so-slight modulation and frequency roll-off," describing an organic and analog sound despite the digital underpinnings that never got muddy1. The same review noted that Brian Neunaber "tends to pack all sorts of cool studio goodness into his little metal boxes"1.
On self-oscillation, the reviewer pushed the Regeneration knob through its complete cycle and could not push the sound into oscillation, noting that maximum regeneration stops just short of that point1. Players who want runaway delay feedback will not find it here.
Power and connections
The Echelon does not run off batteries, and its 9V center negative BOSS-style power adapter is necessary but not included1.
The pedal is a high impedance pedal with a buffered bypass, two 1/4-inch inputs and two 1/4-inch outputs, making it a true stereo effects pedal1. For players building a stereo rig or running it at the end of a chain alongside other delay pedals, the buffered bypass and stereo ins and outs are the practical points to plan around.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Neunaber Audio
Eli Friedmann
Questions
Is the Neunaber Echelon Stereo Echo true stereo?
Yes. MusicPlayers.com's review describes it as a true stereo effects pedal, with two 1/4-inch inputs and two 1/4-inch outputs, so stereo instruments or stereo pedal chains can pass through it without collapsing to mono.
Can the Echelon run on a battery?
No. MusicPlayers.com's review states plainly that the Echelon Stereo Echo does not run off batteries. It needs a BOSS-style 9V center negative power adapter, which is not included with the pedal.
What is Cross-fading Time Change?
It is a feature MusicPlayers.com highlights as unique to the Echelon. Cross-fading Time Change lets you manipulate the delay time without impacting pitch, so turning the Time knob while a signal is repeating does not produce the pitch-bending smears some digital delays create.
Does the Echelon self-oscillate?
Not in MusicPlayers.com's testing. The reviewer pushed the Regeneration knob through its complete cycle and could not push the sound into oscillation, noting that maximum regeneration stops just short of that point.
What does Scatter mode do?
Scatter is a modulation option with increased modulation settings over the stock setting. Its scatter repeats diffuse quickly and respond more like reverb, according to MusicPlayers.com's review.
What is the maximum delay time on the Echelon?
One second. MusicPlayers.com describes the Echelon as a digital delay pedal with up to one second maximum delay time.
Sources (3)
- Neunaber Technology Echelon Stereo Echo, MusicPlayers.com, 2014-08-14
- Neunaber Echelon Stereo Echo review, MusicRadar, 2016-02-20
- µTap Tempo Pedal User Guide, Quilter Labs
