BLEAK DISTRICT ELECTRIC Tapescape

About the BLEAK DISTRICT ELECTRIC Tapescape

The new and improved Bleak District Electric Tapescape is a dual-footswitch modulated delay pedal with expression pedal input, which generates all the organic idiosyncrasies associated with tape delays of old - but with way more going on under the hood.

Featuring 7 control knobs, 4 toggle switches, and a host of internal dipswitches, this is possibly the only tape-style delay (or as Phil dubs it, "Magnetic Ambience Generator") you'll ever need!

The new Tapescape massively improves the maximum delay time, from 750ms on the older model to 1100ms here, for some incredible atmospheric washes.

Tapescape Controls

The tone of the repeats is based on the Boss DM-2, with a low-pass filter removing some extra top end with each repeat: while slackback settings remain nice and crisp, longer delay times result in a much more analogue feel.

Crank the feedback for a distorted, self-oscillating, atmospheric delay reminiscent of the WEM/ Watkins Copicat tape echo.

The momentary Rise footswitch ramps the feedback for an interactive delay sound. An internal pot enables you to fine-tune its intensity.

Time Adjusts the speed of the "tape", which in turn alters the time of the delays. Fully anticlockwise gives you a minimum delay time of 30ms, while fully clockwise gives a maximum delay time of 1100ms.

Feedback Adjusts the number of repeats. From just one repeat when fully anticlockwise to self-oscillating when fully clockwise.

Mix Adjusts the volume of the delayed repeats, to achieve a mix with your dry signal. You can also use the Dry toggle switch to kill your dry signal entirely.

Wow The Wow control adds a slow and random pitch modulation to the delayed signal, simulating lower frequency fluctuations in pitch due to worn out mechanical parts of the tape machine. The control ranges from none through subtle and into complete malfunction.

As an added variation, the randomness of the Wow modulation can be set to a more predictable sine wave on an internal dipswitch. This also gives you access to some more traditional chorus sounds.

Flutter This controls the depth of the tape flutter. Traditionally, flutter is the higher frequency modulation of the delayed signal, often caused by mechanical faults in the machinery. Anticlockwise is less, clockwise is more. It also adds to the degradation of the repeats in certain settings.

Rate Adjusts the rate of the tape flutter. Use the Rate control alongside the Type toggle switch to generate interesting sounds, from fast and random failure artifacts to long, gentle swoops or classic tremolo repeats, there's plenty to explore.

Swell On-the-fly feedback ramping, activated by using the momentary footswitch. This orange knob lets you dial in the speed and intensity of the ramping, and is also interactive with the Feedback control to dial in the exact response you're after, regardless of the other settings.

Dry The Dry toggle lets the dry signal through (up) or cuts it out for a realistic tape simulation (down).

Type This 3-way toggle adjusts the character of the Flutter modulation. In the up position, it is sharp and random, like the tape heads are about to give up completely. In the middle position, it is a softer random modulation for gentle imperfections on the wet signal. In the down position, it's a consistent sine wave modulation, giving more traditional flutter or tremolo effects.

LPF The 3-way LPF toggle sets the character of the low pass filter, which acts on the wet signal only. It simulates the loss in high frequencies of an old tape and can reduce the noise induced by the very slowest of tape speeds. It's also useful for placing repeats further back in the mix. The up position is darkest, middle is standard, and down is darker.

EXP The Expression input allows you to control either delay time or flutter rate from a TRS expression pedal. The adjacent toggle switch determines the parameter: Time (up), Off (middle), or Rate (down).

Tapescape Demos

Tapescape Features

• Modulated tape-style delay with expression input
• New and improved design
• Up to 1100ms of delay time
  
• Dry kill for worn out tape simulation or super-wet ambience
• Momentary footswitch for feedback ramping using the Swell control
• Buffered bypass
• Quiet switching
• All parts made in the UK
• Designed and assembled in the UK
• Power: 9V DC centre-negative (not included)
• Current draw: 49mA