HCSE and the later Burns era

[jgoatcher]

Hi Charlie, Had my new H & C echo for just over a week now and have to say Im really impressed with the sounds particularly the early Echomatic 1 & 2 and the Roland patches. The halo effect from the valve meazzi is incredibly realistic.
My query concerns songs from the later Burns period during which very little echo if any is apparent on the records. Is this why most of those numbers are ommitted from the suggested patch list? Are there any patches you would consider suitable for those numbers, or is it a case of editing certain patches to remove the echo? or alternatively is it better to use a dedicated reverb pedal( I have a TC Electronics Nova reverb which does a good job and is very quiet).
regards
JohnG

[Charlie Hall]

Hi John,
I have noticed that on many Burns numbers where echo can be heard, the echo seems more in the background than it was before. This might have as much or more to do with the use of the AC30 top boost channel, where the mids are considerably reduced. Reducing the mids will reduce the apparent echo amount, since the old echo sounds are mostly made up of mids.
There does seem to be a distinct lack of echo on some tunes. However, I think Hank always liked to use echo of some sort, so maybe some later 60s tunes would work with the Binson patch P44, but perhaps with the echo level reduced until the echo is well in the background.
Regards.
Charlie

[jgoatcher]

Thats very interesting, Charlie. I actually have a replica AC30/4 ( one imported by Geoff strachan from Australia about 10 yrs ago) with an added Top Boost unit ( by Roger Allcock) wired into the vib trem channel. I also run a Caline 10 band EQ in the chain so I can scoop out the mids quite well but I havnt noticed a great difference in the echo level.Ill keep tinkering - its part of the fun! Tried patchP44 and it certainly has very little echo but to me sounds very dry when you lower the echo level. Is there an equivalent to the Nivram patch on the Q20?
By the way , I have been having a problem with volume dropoutrecently ( whilst playing the volume suddenly fades out and then some moments later comes back up). By a process of elimination I think the problem lies with the TC Elect. reverb unit. Any idea what might be wrong? or is it terminal!
regards
JohnG

[Charlie Hall]

Hi John,
The EFTP patch for Nivram was based on a small jazz room reverb effect. There isn't an equivalent on the H & C but you could try patch P9 or patch P11 with the Echo Level control set lower.
Probably the only thing you can do yourself with the TC unit is to try cleaning the input and output sockets.
Regards,
Charlie

[jgoatcher]

OK Charlie, many thanks for your suggestions.
John