Malekko Ekko 616

A Brief History of Bucket Brigade

Delay effects have been produced by different means for over 50 years, from physical tape manipulation to "delay in a box" units of all shapes and sizes. Short, gritty slapback delays can be heard throughout country tunes of the past few decades. Long, oscillating delays can be found amongst the likes of rock and experimental genres. Even contemporary pop musicians use delays to create bigger, wider sounding vocal effects.

Now with so many delay effects and emulators widely available to musicians and audio engineers, even through digital software, it's hard to imagine a need for physical delays in the future. Despite the vast changes in technology over the years, there is still a market for delay units among guitarists and other musicians who use electronic instruments--particularly in the area of live performance. While there are a variety of options to choose from, musicians who use delays generally want two things: versatility and good tone.

EKKO…..Ekko….ekko

The Malekko Ekko 616 analog delay fits the bill for both versatility and good tone, and has been a popular delay pedal since it was first released in 2009. The Ekko 616 features a 100% analog signal path and a selection of simple controls with powerful capabilities:

- Delay Time: fully adjustable from 0 to 650 milliseconds
- Mix: blends between dry signal and roughly 75% wet signal (the dry signal is never completely lost)
- Feedback: controls the repeats from none to infinite (infinite repeats will eventually create a chaotic oscillation effect)

In addition to these basic controls there is an optional modulation mode that sounds reminiscent of classic tape delays, and the modulation rate and mix may be separately controlled as well. Finally, there is a switch that selects between true bypass and buffered modes. While I understand the function of these two modes, the only major difference I have noticed between the two is that the true bypass setting sounds 'warmer' and the buffered setting gives the dry signal a clearer, brighter tone. I tend to leave my Ekko 616 on the buffered mode, because it keeps the overall volume of my signal at a consistent level.

The Ekko 616 is capable of producing everything from subtle slapback sounds to infinitesimal repeats that carry your instrument into unknown sonic territory. Even when the feedback repeats are turned up all the way and the signal begins oscillating, the sound can continue to be manipulated by the delay time and modulation settings. This kind of flexibility can momentarily transform the pedal into a musical instrument all its own, leading to very experimental sounds in the hands of the musician.

Quirks

There are many great qualities to the Malekko Ekko 616, but it also comes with its own set of quirks.

Like many basic stompboxes, the Ekko 616 requires power from a 9V adaptor or 9V battery (although I prefer to use an adaptor). One thing to note if you plan to use a 9V adaptor, though, is that the adapter plug is located on the right side of the pedal, next to the 1/4 inch input of the pedal. This is the only pedal I've ever used or seen with this design element, but I have not found it to be a major issue when I have assembled pedal boards in the past.

Another thing to be aware of is that the pedal also includes an internal trim potentiometer that adjusts the gain for the buffered mode of the pedal, and the 'stock' setting on this trim pot may not be equal to your guitar signal. In fact, when I first turned on my Ekko 616, it boosted my guitar signal by about 3 or 4 dB. So before you slap this pedal on your board and take it to your first gig, you may want to screw off the back plate and adjust the trim pot as needed to fit your personal signal chain.

Bottom-Line

For what it's worth, the Malekko Ekko 616 is a wonderful boutique pedal available at a very reasonable price. There are not many delays that offer this degree of quality and versatility for $150 or less.

- 650 milliseconds of delay time

- Controls for speed, volume, and feedback (labelled: time, mix, regen)

- Switchable true/buffered bypass

- Switchable modulation (controls for speed, depth)

- Powered by 9v DC (-) input, or 9v battery. Draws 200 mA of current

- Internal gain/volume trimpot



UTILIZATION

Malekko has done an excellent job packing an impressive array of features into a compact pedal that is simple to use. Everything is clearly labelled, sturdily built, and intuitive to control. It will work with standard boss style adapters which is very convenient.

That said, the controls are very sensitive (true analog circuitry), and will take a little while to get used to and dial in.

It is well built with high quality components (jacks and plugs are top notch), and in my experience, Josh at Malekko is happy to help you out in the event that any issues arise.

SOUND QUALITY

The consistency of sound quality is the most impressive aspect of this pedal. I've used it with both high gain amps (in the loop) as well as in front of cleaner vintage fenders, with single coils, humbuckers and soapbar pickups. The 616 is very difficult to clip out, and is a great analog delay for pretty much any setup.

This delay will not deliver perfect repeats, if that is what you are after, look into something digital. On the other hand, it does produce warm and organic echos that will disintegrate gradually in a very musical way.

My one issue with the pedal is the ease with which it can be sent into wild oscillation. Some players like the crazy sounds it can produce, but I found it wasn't very useful in most types of music. The modulation controls are similarly sensitive, they sound fantastic at lower levels, but get wild very easily. That said, once it is dialed in to optimum settings, it sounds fantastic.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, for the relatively low price these can be found for, it is unbeatable. I have yet to find a similarly priced delay that will sound this good, and I have been through many.

The 616 sounds great with any setup, is packed full of features, and is very easy to use. Aside from a few delicate control issues, it is fantastic.

It will not sound as lush as some higher end delays, but gets you pretty close without breaking the bank.

Highly recommended.

See other opinions.
This is after using it I knew I did not need an analog delay, but digital ...
Pedal shop that smells seriously impeccable quality of workmanship.
One caveat: I think I remember (check) that the disengaging, the delay repeats are cut live ... Now, that is not very well thought out.

UTILIZATION

The config is simple. The manual was very good, with some examples (including the modulation part) rather well chosen. You can easily find the desired sound.

SOUND QUALITY

Good quality! The analog Dlay once set to one of the modes is vraiement quality!
I just do not like the story of the two modes with the switch "T / B" between the two modes I had a big increase in volume, I'm not exactly come to settle, even with the trimpot internally. When it was set with the T / B button, and I removed the button, I had a muffled sound. The stuff that does not suit me.
When I buy a pedal with two possible modes, I want to use the two modes!
Anyway rehearsals sounded very natural.

When the modulation effects, I do not really useful. I passed because I thought the effect was far too fast.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it several months.
I tried a few models before purchase (including Carbon Copy), I bought it at the time, trusting the sellers store in Paris (you know, best known for the pedals to Pigalle - no pun crappy ^ ^). Their advice was pretty good because this pedal is good, however it is not exactly what I needed.
I liked his warmth and precision, as well as its compliance with the signal guitar - amp, but I've never really managed to adjust to use the two modes. So I sold it, I believe it is better suited to someone who really useful!
The value for money is very good! Today I think it is a shame to have sold because it would have allowed me to have a buffer pedal end of the chain, and the rigging on a single mode, I could have analog dealy order to "grow" my sound and that makes me enjoy a buffer quality. It would have been a good addition to the Flashback.
Like what, the truth of the day is not the next day! With experience, so I would do this choice, but I can not be (or not ^ ^) to sell it.
I console myself by saying that it would give me another pedal +, and I quite like it already! : D
Anyway, for those seeking a delay of quality, relatively transparent without being cold, a fair price, you can go! You will not be disappointed

Analog Delay pedal boutique style handmade to states.

When disassembling the door, you can see all the electronics and we see immediately that this is a job well done: it's clean, it's beautiful and it inspires confidence. Metal case red solid but not as much as the fulltone example (bcp pedal is lighter than my fulltone plimsoul from home).

Précsions that the maximum delay is 650 ms (which is already more than enough for me).

The pedal also proposes to add to the delay modulation effects, so you can have rehearsals with a chorus effect.

The pedal 9volts supplies and consumes 200 ma, a conventional power supply boss types therefore the case.

UTILIZATION

Use could not be more simple, we are dealing with the analog very "plug and play".

For some delay, 3 settings archi classic "Time" to set the delay time, "Mix" to manage the effect level, "Regen" to set the number of repetitions.

For part chorus, classical as: a button "mod" must be depressed to activate and lights a red LED indicating that it is activated, and both traditional settings "speed" and "depth".

During my first contact with the pedal, I got a surprise reaction, the activated effect causing an increase in the volume significant.
After reading the manual not included but available via the brand's website (in English only), then I understand it, unscrew the base to access a setting called internal TRIMPOT to adjust the volume depending the effect is switched on or not.
You turn the pedal with the base open, you put the mix level to zero, turn the trimpot (anticlockwise for me) then you compare the volume generated when the pedal is off until the réultat expected. A bit boring but necessary if you do not want any surprises!

Otherwise use could not be easier.

SOUND QUALITY

Delay for the part, it's beautiful, warm, natural, organic, short is beautiful and it's your stuff at once beautifully and it is realism saisisant, I love this side rehearsal a little "dirty" specific analog.

Rendering is excellent both in its clean as saturated.

We are not in the delay flashy as some digital stuff, the effect can be discrete (with a mix level at 10 for example) but effective, you disable and you feel you found "naked" with the feeling that something is missing in your sound. A higher level of mix also makes beautifully is all about the sound you want to achieve. The knobs are super efficient, turn a few millimeters makes changes clearly visible, there's no better way to refine the sound you want, I love it!

It can also be used to completely crossed noisy effects, you put all the knobs at the bottom, you sound out then you tounez button "time" anticlockwise then you go back and so, it goes "live" in every sense, great.

Concerning the effect of modulation, attention to quirks if you go too the setting of "depth" we are closer to a vibrato effect with a sound completely "Detune", "ghost", I leave the personal depth to zero and I only play with the knob "speed" to keep a chorus and there it's very good (chorus far more noticeable than the mxr carbon copy).

OVERALL OPINION

Used for a few days, I do not regret the abandonment of digital too cold for my taste

A must for the affordable handmade in the USA, I would not be surprised if one day the price climbed.

The video fastredponycar (about 20 minutes) on you tube is very representative and faithful to what we can draw from this little gem.