Behringer EM600 Echo Machine - Review and Description
(Rating 6/10)

The Behringer EM600 Echo Machine has been in production since around 2012 (an estimate only) and is excellent value as a low budget, echo/delay stomp pedal, having a good set of useful delay options.

An important consideration for the purchase of the EM600 was that this unit can be used as Stereo In/Out or Mono In with Stereo Out (most similar pedals are Mono only or Mono In with Stereo Out).

The EM600 has a good array of echo / delay models including:
3 Tap Tempo variants (1/4 note, 1/8 note, Dotted Note), Slap, Swell, Sweep, Ducking, Multi 1, Multi 2, Ping/Pong and Reverse.
A basic set of controls includes: Mix, Repeat, Time, Mode, Tone
and switches for Type: Tape / Digital / Analogue and Trails: ON / OFF .

  About Review and Description articles, click to expand

The EM600 has been a solid workhorse for about years now. I'm using it primarily with a small mixer in the FX loop, along with a Behringer RV600 Reverb Machine. A simple and compact ambience solution for a small keyboard, synth (etc.), sub-mixer setup.

The EM600 Echo Machine has been around for a while and generally gets good to excellent reviews. While certainly not a trend-setter, this old beast still does a great job for its price-point. Definitely much better than some of the reviews I read before purchasing one (back in 2016).


Audio Quality (9/10)

For a budget priced pedal, the overall audio quality really is quite excellent. I'm using this pedal where a rack unit should be.

Even though the EM600 was never intended to be used with line level signals, it works fine (undistorted) with some careful signal level control.

There is no inherent noise to speak of and the various settings provide some great Echo / Delay effects. One would need to spend a considerable amount more to get better results.

Note:
The provided specifications make no mention of Frequency Response, Noise Levels or Sampling Frequencies (A/D, D/A), for the EM600. Sad, but not unexpected coming from Behringer.

Features (7/10)

For a small footprint single switch stompbox, the EM600 Echo Machine really is quite well optioned. Some echo effects being more 'useful' than others.

• Worth remembering is that all delay/echo effects are being simultaneously generated across two channels (in stereo).
• Remembers Power On/Off State - If power is disconnected while device is ON, device switches ON when power is restored.

The Type (Tape / Digi / Analog) switch provides emulations of old-school tape echo (with tonal damping), analog echo (bucket brigade with iteration degradation), along with the now standard and squeaky clean, digital echo. A nice touch that noticeably varies the flavour of the resulting delay/echo sounds.

The Trails ON/OFF switch is a must-have for any delay-centric device.

• Maximum Delay/Echo Length is not specified. Some may consider this inconsequential but It matters to me.

I remember modding my old Boss DD-3 (pic at right >>) to almost double its delay length. It's amazing what you can achieve with just a switch and some component tweaking. Unlike today's digital delays, the DD-3 sound did gradually degrade with successive iterations.

Just by the way the EM600 totally slays the old DD-3 in every conceivable way other than construction.

Behringer's PR for the EM600 include this: "Real Sound Modeling (RSM) combines state-of-the-art DSP technology with sophisticated algorithms to emulate real acoustic environments". Yes, that 'state-of-the-art' thing - I'm thinking that would have been some ten years ago ;-)

Wishlist:
A short 'timed fade-out' (a variation on the trails idea) would also be a useful addition for those really long delay settings. Also ducking should be available for all delay/echo options (and better implemented).


'The Echo Machine Setting Options:

• 3 Tap Tempo variants (1/4 note, 1/8 note, Dotted Note) - Useful if you need to sync your echoes to a beat. Unfortunately, the pedal is somewhat difficult to 'tap' on.
  
  
• Slap - Very fast echo return.
  
  
• Swell - Echo volume increases with time, then fades out.
  
  
• Sweep - Echo repeats get closer over time.
  
  
• Ducking - Acts similar to a compressor. Reduces the level of the delayed sound while you are playing, then fades up the delayed sound level when you stop playing.
  
  Ducking really should be available on all delay settings. Sadly, the EM600 ducking effect is poorly implemented and too noticeable.
  
  
• Multi 1 - A multi-tap delay
  
  
• Multi 2 - A multi-tap delay variation
  
  
• Ping/Pong - Echo outputs swap between A and B channels.
  
  
• Reverse - Reversed signal delay style.

The EM600 pedal's electronic bypass is clean and without issues.



EM600 Echo Machine - Build Quality (7/10)
Durability & Reliability (Not Rated)

While the externals are all plastic, they are quite solid (case and knobs). The design is efficient for minimal material usage. The case relies on a metal base-plate to give the whole device some weight and to prevent it from blowing away at the slightest artistic fart.

The internal build quality / soldering was good in this case.

Durability & Reliability have not been scored because the device has hardly ever been used as a stompbox, in the years I have been using it. As such I'm unable to comment on micro switch durability and hinge reliability. The hinges are plastic, so my expectations would be low.

In my application it is left permanently on (with a DC supply) - coming on when the keyboards are fired up.

The actual micro switch (upper photo, lower right SW3) does look flimsy, though these switches are usually rated at 500K cycles or greater.

Click on the image at right for a larger version -->

Note: The EM600 Echo Machine and RV600 Reverb Machine use the same primary DSP chipsets.



Some Additional Notes

Battery Operation & Performance (Sucks badly!)

Important! if operating with batteries - Remember to unplug the guitar lead when not in use to avoid unnecessary battery depletion.

The Behringer EM600 Echo Machine (like the RV600 Reverb Machine) depletes 9 Volt batteries at a truly frightening pace. In truth, it is really not practical to operate these devices with batteries and the instructions should say as much.

Because of their 'hunger', these stomp boxes are not rechargeable battery friendly. If you absolutely need pedals that run on battery power, give the EM600 and RV600 a miss.

Strongly recommend a suitable 9V DC power pack that can comfortably provide 100mA (stated minimum required is 60mA) to the 2mm, negative centre, DC socket.


Warranty

All new and registered Behringer products come with a 3 year limited warranty. The catch of course, is that the product should be registered within 90 days of purchase and the warranty is not transferable upon resale ... and you have to jump through their hoops, which is to say they try to put you off from completing this [Warranty - Please go here].

  About Behringer products

Review Ratings:

• Feature Set - 6 / 10 (good but dated)
• Sounds Quality - 8 / 10   (very good, low noise, clean bypass)
• Ease of Use - Interface & Settings - 6 / 10 (ok but not suitable for live tweaking)
• Build Quality - 7 / 10 (materials & quality control ok)
• Durability & Reliability - x / 10 (not scored, not primarily used as a stompbox)
• Battery performance - 3 /10 (it is intended as a stompbox and it should do better)
• Value for Money - 7 /10
  
  
• Overall Average Score ... 6 / 10 - If nothing else, an inexpensive and handy device to have around.

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Incept Date: Wizard - 200124
Last Update: Wizard - 221229