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JamMan / Echoplex Comparison
by Matthias Grob
version 1.0
January 4, 1997
I created a Plex-JM comparison file, two years ago. It gives some technical comparison, but I feel that does not really say it. Since I am not neutral and never tried the JamMan, I am not going to say more about it. Matthias Grob - Jan 4, 1997
Overview
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Category
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JamMan
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Echoplex DP
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| Price |
$450
($360 street) |
$800
($560 street) |
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| Standard DelayTime |
8 sec |
12.5 sec |
| upgradeable to |
35 sec |
198 sec |
| Upgrade form |
expensive ZIP ram |
30 pin SIMMs
(old computer parts!) |
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| Footswitches |
3 |
7 switch pedal board
(not included) |
| Function access |
Modes/Steps |
immediate |
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| Functions |
Layer |
Overdub |
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Mute/Sample |
Mute |
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Replace |
Replace |
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- |
Rnd/Unrnd Multiply |
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- |
Insert |
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- |
Undo |
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- |
Rehearse |
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Echo Mode |
Delay mode |
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Phrased |
Quantize |
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Sample Fw/Bw |
Reverse |
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- |
Loop Copy - audio and
time base |
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- |
sampler like triggering
over midi |
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- |
Retrigger |
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| Max. parallel Loops |
8 |
9 |
| Feedback Control |
16 steps |
Continuously variable with
knob, footpedal, or midi |
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| MIDI Sync |
In and Out |
In and Out |
| Ext Source sync |
? |
Switch or audio or MIDI |
| Beat definition |
multiples of 2 and 3 |
1/8...64/8 and Multiply |
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| MIDI control |
Program change |
Notes, Controllers,
Program Change |
| Sync on Sample level |
no |
yes (important for stereo coupling!) |
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| Display |
minimal |
LoopTime, Multiple, loop number,
level indicators, 3 colour LEDs |
Sampling
Quality |
32 KHz, 16 bit
15 khz bandwidth |
41.4 KHz, 16 bit
19.5 Khz bandwidth |
Structural and philosophy differences
The Echoplex uses the traditional delay structure, running through all the memory constantly like an infinite tape and defining times by address offsets. This structure simplifies rounding and undoing functions. Since Musicians want to be flexible in definitions of rhythm and nobody is capable to touch switches accurate enough, we have to care to find the meaning of the operations and round them to the right places.
The JamMan uses the Sampler structure, starting to record at zero and returning there as soon as the Sample is finished. This simplifies the organization of several independent Loops in the memory but turns Multiply and Undo almost impossible. Also, the redefining of the start point is not inherent to this structure.
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