The SSL Native X-Echo is an echo effects unit inspired by the early tape delay hardware of the 60s and 70s. X-Echo revitalises this classic effect with SSL’s signature sound and is brought up-to-date with an intuitive workflow.
Bring the gloriously warm sound of vintage tape to your productions. X-Echo models soft compression hiss and tape degradation with meticulous attention to detail. Combined with SSL’s renowned saturation and LF/HF EQ, as well as advanced waveform visualisation, built-in De-Esser, and delay Width control, X-Echo features a brand-new SSL reverb design that is capable of achieving both subtle and massive spaces all via a single Diffusion control.
Deliver classic tape delay effects like swirling echoes and classic slapback effortlessly. The X-Echo is also capable of contemporary delays, so you can get extremely creative with self-oscillation via Feedback or creative swells via Freeze and Kill. Please Note: This product comes in the form of a digital download code that will be sent to your email for activation.
The Visualiser
At the heart of X-Echo’s intuitive design is the visualiser. The visualiser captures up to four seconds of an input signal so that you can see how the waveforms overlap and interact. This is particularly useful when working with transient material like drums and seeing how the delayed signals interact with your original signal. To capture a signal in the visualiser, simply move your DAW playhead to any section of audio and press play.
Delay type and tone
Offering up to four tape heads that can be switched into the signal path, X-Echo offers plenty of versatility and a varied palette of delay tones. Just like the real thing, these tape heads are at intervals of the main tape head: 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4. Take direct control over tone with a comprehensive range of parameters such as Wow and Flutter, pitch variation emulating the mechanical components of a tape machine. Freeze the contents of the tape loop, causing the signal to repeat and slowly degrade. Kill the input to the tape machine and allow the tail to die off musically. Adjust the number of repeats emulated by the tape machine with Feedback. Feedback greater than 100 causes self-oscillation for the creation of crazy sounds. Saturation introduces analog saturation characteristics such as soft clipping. A single knob de-esser can soften the sibilant frequencies that tape machines commonly accentuate. Switch the tape delay into a true ping-pong mode for stereo space and width. As well as all this, X-Echo offers a brand-new reverb design that lets you blend through different room types and sizes with a Diffusion parameter. There are plenty more tone development parameters to create unique and interesting delay sounds. For example, a simplified EQ and mid-side processor let you carve a space for the delay to sit precisely within your mix by boosting or cutting bass and treble frequencies in your signal. Furthermore, the mid-side processor goes from mono to stereo to super wide.
Time modes
There are a few ways to control how your delay relates to the timing of your mix. The overall delay of the initial tape head can either be controlled within the visualiser or using the tape speed knob. Furthermore, Snap mode allows you to quickly set the delay time to a time division such as crochet or dotted quaver. Finally, when sync is enabled, the BPM of X-Echo follows your DAW.
Features
– Inspired by early hardware delay units
– Combine tape-style analog degradation with classic SSL-style distortion
– Wow & Flutter and Saturation controls
– Freeze and Kill abilities to build risers and drops
– One-knob Diffusion control featuring a unique reverb design
– Built-in De-esser for controlling sibilant frequencies
– Unique interface and waveform visualisation
– Sync delay to note values
– Four switchable tape heads
– Turn mono into stereo signals with phase shifting
– Built on the SSL Plug-in Engine
– Cross-platform preset management and A/B system
Specifications
Operating system:
Mac: macOS Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11), Monterey (12)
Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit), 11 (64-bit)
Processor:
Mac: M1/ARM or Intel Dual Core Mac running at 2.4GHz or higher
Windows: Intel Core 2 (or comparable) CPU running at 2.4GHz or higher
Format:
Mac: AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native
Windows: VST2 (64-bit), VST3 (64-bit), AAX Native (64-bit)
Product code: 1331-1018
