The T-Rex Effects Reptile Modulation Delay is a delay pedal with a built-in modulation section, made by Denmark's T-Rex Effects. Delays with modulation incorporated into them let the repeats carry a subtle movement of their own, and the Reptile uses that approach to emulate the classic "tape echo" pedals from past decades, the old tape-based echo machines whose wobbly, drifting repeats players still chase today1.
The pedal comes in a stompbox barely bigger than a standard Boss enclosure, so it takes up little room on a board despite carrying two separate effects1.
Controls
The Reptile keeps its controls to a row of large knobs, each doing one job:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time | Sets the delay time, going all the way up to one full second of delay |
| Repeat | Sets the amount of times the delay signal is repeated, from a single repeat to infinite ones |
| Level | Adjusts the volume of the effect |
| Depth | Adjusts the depth of the modulation |
| Speed | Adjusts the speed of the modulation |
| Input Level (side-mounted) | Input gain control that helps minimize distortion from hot pickups, with an LED for peak level monitoring |
The Time knob is the final large control on the pedal, and the Depth and Speed knobs work together to shape the modulation that gives the repeats their tape-like character1.
The modulation section and tape echo
The modulation section is the heart of the Reptile's take on tape echo. As Pedal of the Day's review puts it1:
"This section emulates the classic \"tape echo\" pedals from past decades"
A second footswitch activates the modulation section on its own, so the delay and the modulation can be switched independently during a set1.
There are two versions of the Reptile: the original Reptile Delay and a newer model, the Reptile 2. The original is the version covered here1.
What reviewers said
Reviewing the original Reptile in November 2015, Pedal of the Day's Mike B summed up the pedal's appeal for players who want the old tape echo sound without the old tape echo hardware1:
"few bring such a faithful recreation in such a small package, perfect for any pedalboard or setup"
Videos
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Questions
How long can the T-Rex Reptile delay time go?
The Reptile's Time knob, the final large control on the pedal, goes all the way up to one full second of delay. That covers everything from short slapback-style repeats to longer, more spacious echoes, and it is set alongside a Repeat knob that determines how many times the delayed signal repeats.
Does the T-Rex Reptile have a separate modulation switch?
Yes. The Reptile carries two On/Off footswitches, one for the delay effect and one for the modulation section, so you can switch the modulation in and out independently of the delay itself. The modulation section is what gives the pedal its tape echo character.
What does the Input Level control do on the Reptile?
The Input Level knob sits on the side of the pedal and helps to minimize any distortion that may occur if you are running hot pickups. It is a side-mounted input gain control with an LED for peak level monitoring, so you can watch for the signal running too hot and back it off.
Is the T-Rex Reptile a tape echo emulator?
The Reptile's modulation section emulates the classic tape echo pedals from past decades, according to Pedal of the Day's review. The reviewer found that few pedals bring such a faithful recreation of that sound in such a small package, making it easy to fit on a pedalboard.
Sources (1)
- T-Rex Effects Reptile Modulation Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2015-11-07
