TELEFUNKEN ECHOMIXER 1960s Spring Reverb Mixer

A testament to early sixties German engineering and build quality: a spring reverb unit with all-discrete components and a great sound.

Channel A is for unprocessed signals, Channels B & C pass through the spring reverb.

It’s a very clean-sounding unit, and a great spring reverb sound – but overloading the inputs is also a good creative option.

It is in very good cosmetic condition and excellent working order for a 50 year-old unit – note that the photos on this listing are currently stock photos; if you want to see pictures of the current unit (in equivalent condition) please get in touch.

Note that these unmodified units have DIN sockets on the inputs – we have DIN-jack cables in stock if required. The output is on a short trailing lead with a 1/4″ jack plug. Alternatively, we offer a full conversion to 1/4″ jack sockets, including a wet-only switch on the back panel – we should have one ready now on our Signal Processors page – if not please get in touch if interested.

This unit has just been serviced and earthed and sounds fabulous: these units have a particularly smooth unspringlike sound when used lightly

Please note that this is a very sensitive spring unit and will need to be positioned away from vibrations and knocks.

As it is an EU 240v model, it will require a step-up transformer for use in countries with 100-110v mains supplies.

Spring reverbs are a great ‘secret weapon’ to have in the studio arsenal – not just for the ‘boingy’ effect as used by dub and reggae pioneers such as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, but also for adding that unmistakable classic shimmery vibe to electric guitars. It’s a sound that lends itself well to modern production: the perfect treatment for overly-sterile digital delays and reverbs and it can be heard all over today’s music. Whether it’s cutting-edge dubstep from Rusko, or a top pop mix engineer like Tom Elmhirst (who used vintage spring reverb all over the last Adele album), the sound of springs is everywhere right now (check Alabama Shakes’ album, Boys & Girls).

Of course it sounds great with guitars – but we’ve found it really shines as a studio effect with whatever you put through it: keys, synths, vocals, loops, beats… it has a character that is very had to replicate digitally and sounds great in the mix – almost plate-like (and of course you can always give it a little kick if things are getting too polite during the mix…).

Try using a little tape delay before sending to a spring reverb, or use a digital/plug-in reverb and send the wet output from that to the spring to add character.

Check out the YouTube demo below to get an idea of what these wonderful reverbs sound like – the demo is not this actual unit (with thanks to the uploader):