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Universal Audio UAFX Starlight Echo Station Delay Pedal

Stereo Delay Pedal with Tape, Bucket-brigade, and Digital Delay Types
$399.00

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Universal Audio UAFX Starlight Echo Station Delay Pedal
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Tap Into a Legendary Collection of Echo Effects

Universal Audio runs the game when it comes to spot-on emulations of classic studio hardware and effects, all powered by their cutting-edge DSP. Now, they’ve taken those effects to the stage with a killer line of guitar pedals packed with emulations of some of the most desirable delays of all time. The Universal Audio Starlight Echo Station is a delay lover’s Holy Grail, loaded with two stunning re-creations of legendary echo units and a pristine custom-designed digital delay in a single, ultra-robust chassis. From the crunchy repeats of the Tape EP-III and the dark, brooding modulated bucket-brigade echoes of the Analog DDM to the crystalline chime of the Precision delay, the Starlight Echo Station is the ultimate foil for shoegazers, psych-rockers, and experimentalists. Plus, with enhanced features such as stereo and dual-mono operation, true bypass with silent switching, and a preset mode for switching between two delay types while preserving your echo tails, the Starlight Echo Station offers inexhaustible creative potential!

Tape EP-III

There’s something special about tape delay — the less-than-perfect repeats, the subtle wow and flutter of the tape, and that intangible vibe that just makes you crave more! The Echo Station’s Tape EP-III effect is an accurate emulation of one of music’s most renowned tape delays, which was heartily embraced by guitar luminaries such as Neil Young, Jimmy Page, and Eric Johnson. The Tape EP-III captures the vibe of the original unit, including the musical preamp section, which can be driven into gritty distortion for adding more bite to the delayed signal — making for the opposite effect of the darkening repeats heard on bucket-brigade delays. Additionally, the Tape EP-III features the dropouts, tape slices, and noise inherent to the vintage devices, but it allows you to season them to taste. Finally, the Tape EP-III comes in three variations, each with its own distinctive character.

Analog DMM

Based on the iconic vintage delay pedal housed in a massive trapezoid chassis, the Analog DMM is the prototypical bucket-brigade delay: warm and wooly with disintegrating repeats that made it a favorite choice of shoegazers in the 1990s. Like the original, the Analog DMM includes a chorus-vibrato control for adding a touch of seasick warble. Plus, Universal Audio took this effect further than the original, stretching the delay time to a full second versus the original unit’s contestable claim of 400ms. Faithfully re-creating the standard by which all other bucket-brigade delays are judged, the Analog DMM is absolutely addictive!

Precision

While many musicians love colorful analog delays, sometimes a part demands the pristine clarity of a cutting-edge digital delay unity. That’s where Precision comes in. Designed from the ground up for the Starlight Echo Station, Precision serves up crystal-clear repeats with loads of modulation options derived from UAD’s venerable plug-in library. For crisp ambient textures, Precision is a no-brainer; however, it also pairs excellently with hardware synthesizers for concocting Vangelis-style synthscapes.

Free bonus effect: Cooper Time Cube

Along with the three stunning stock effects, Universal Audio throws in an additional effect when you register your Starlight Echo Station — Cooper Time Cube — which can be loaded onto the pedal via USB. Designed by Bill Putnam and Duane H. Cooper, the Cooper Time Cube was the world’s first electromechanical delay, which used a coiled garden hose to provide a unique echo effect with a fixed delay time. With modern champions like Jack White and award-winning engineer Vance Powell, the Cooper Time Cube has seen a recent resurgence — it has a magical way of fattening any signal and adding stereo width to a mono source.

UAFX Control app for even more control

Download the UAFX Control app for iOS or Android and expand your sonic options. The app lets you witch between true bypass and trails bypass on your Starlight Echo Station. Plus, the app lets you turn on preamp coloration even when the delay effect is off, along with changing the behavior or the right footswitch to choose a preset, tap tempo, or both.

Universal Audio Starlight Echo Station Delay Pedal Features:

  • 2 legendary echo unit emulations and a cutting digital delay powered by UAD DSP
  • Tape EP-III re-creates the vibey, idiosyncratic character of celebrated tape echo
  • Analog DMM is a faithful reproduction of the standard-bearer for bucket-brigade delay
  • Precision offers crystal-clear digital delay with modulation derived from UAD’s plug-in library
  • Preset mode for switching between 2 different effects with a spillover option for preserving echo tails
  • Free bonus effect upon registration: Cooper Time Cube
  • Operates in mono, dual-mono, and stereo modes with automatic mono/stereo detection
  • Rugged enclosure with top-notch components
  • True bypass and optional buffered bypass modes
  • UAFX Control app expands functionality

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Delay, Echo
  • Analog/Digital: Digital
  • Presets: Recall Stored Settings, 6 x Subdivision Options, 2 x Dual-delay Modes
  • Effects: Tape EP-III, Analog DMM, Precision Digital Delay, Cooper Time Cube Delay (download)
  • Max Delay Time: 2500ms
  • Inputs: 2 x 1/4" TS (L/mono,R)
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TS (L/mono,R)
  • USB: USB-C (updates)
  • True Bypass: Yes, Switchable to Buffered (via software)
  • Features: Dual-processor UAFX Engine
  • Software: UAFX Control app (Android/iOS 11 or later)
  • Power Source: 9V DC 400mA power supply (sold separately)
  • Height: 2.56"
  • Width: 3.62"
  • Depth: 5.55"
  • Weight: 1.24 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: GPM-STAR

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Best delay sounds available!!!

Okay, I've tried Strymon, Eventude, GFI, Walrus, JHS, etc.

This is the best SOUNDING delay tone I've ever heard. I tried one at The Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney TX. The guy told me that Andy Timmons (McKinney native), who notoriously uses vintage Echo Plexes on his rig, bought two of these to replace those bad boys.

Cons: Only one preset. No visible BPM aside from blinking.
Pros: It is the best sounding delay and as simple as could be.

I couldn't be happier.
Rated 5/5

The delay to end all delays

This might be the last delay pedal I ever purchase. I love U2 and the Memory Man mode on this is so cool. Feels and sounds great. Sold a Canyons delay (EHX?) and this is a huge upgrade. Big fan of UA … the stuff they are doing in pedals just feels really right to me. It's inspiring. There really aren't bad sounds with these pedals which makes playing really fun.
Rated 5/5

UA Starlight

After decades of searching for a delay that emulated the sound I wanted to hear, and after purchasing numerous delay pedals and processors with delays, I finally was directed to the Universal Audio Starlight, thanks to the reccommendation by Mason Marangello, the Rig Doctor and fearless leader of Vertex Effects, a man who's expert klnowledge and experience transcends mere opinion.

This is the 3rd piece of musical equipment I purchased on Mason's reccommendation, the first 2 being the Line 6 M9 processor and the Michael Landau Fender HotRod Deville, with the 4th being the Vertex effects Buffer Interface and I could not be happier or more satisfied. Thanks again Mason, you are "The Man".

After returning a Strymon Volante because it did not perform to my standards or expectations and was rediculiously over priced at $, I purchased the Universal Audio Starlight ($ for sale ) and could not be happier. The UA is the best echo-delay processor I have ever used, including the analog delay I have had since the mid 1980's and the Roland Space Echo loaned me in the late 1980's and definitely an improvement on the Boss Re 202 Space echo I bought from Sweetwater which is the Boss attempt to make a solid state version of the classic Roland tape Space Echo which is a fairly good simulation, but not great.

My search for the right delay is over. it is safe to say I have achieved the next level of guitar tone where the improvement offered by any new product will be so subtle it will be neartly imperceptible. The Starlight comes as close to achieving the decay of the echo trails to an old school tape delay as possible yet the tonal contour is notably more precise and pristine than the old school tape delays, which tend toward muddy and distorted.



The Trade-off:
While the break up of the decay is not as organic as an old school tape delay, the advantage gained in the trade off is clarity and I love to hear every note ring true and given my preference, I will take clarity over cloud like muddiness almost every time.

However, the Starlight is on a whole other order of magnitude and as close to what I was seeking, not only the decay of the repeats which is close to tape but the tone is blissfully beautiful, lush, clean and clear with pristine contours.
Music background: Full time Working Musician/ Guitar Modifications
Rated 5/5

It's as fun to play as you think

This pedal has mojo... it's just really fun to play. I had a EHX Canyons delay prior to this, which was good. But Starlight feels like it has a lot more depth in the sound and more personality. It's great.
Rated 5/5

Sonically Spectacular

This is perhaps the best sounding delay I've used or owned... from most of the well known pedals to the iconic TC 2290. Articulate and musical across the breadth of its delay types with excellent coloration/modulation parameters when desired. Exceptional stereo width. Easy to learn and use. The app is fantastic. If you're gigging and navigating a broad range of delay presets this may not be for you but for everything else it's a joy.
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