Three dub essentials

Tape echo 1

Echoes are essential to the dub sound, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Tape echoes are a classic sound, giving an organic, loose feel to your delay effects. As all-rounders go, it’s very hard to beat a classic Roland Space Echo, the hardware unit which is probably most closely associated with the tape echo sound. But it’s not cheap. Decent vintage units start at around £500, but there are also software emulations and digital clones available at lower price points. Arturia’s Delay TAPE-201 is excellent, priced at 99 euros.

Spring reverb 2

The other essential style of echo is the twangy, metallic sound of spring reverb. The easiest starting point in hardware form is probably with a pedalbased spring reverb effect, which are usually aimed at guitar players. For those who like to get their hands dirty, there are also lots of DIY options, from repurposing reverb tanks to hacking and modding old guitar amps.

Alternatively, for a more modern take, look to contemporary brands like Vermona, who offer a range of creative spring-based effects, or Knas. From the former we love the Retroverb Lancet, which combines filtering and reverb, while the latter offers the Ekdahl Moisturizer, a reverb unit where the focus is on the exposed springs, encouraging you to hit and manipulate them for some weird dubby effects.

Melodica 3

Augustus Pablo is credited with popularising the melodica in dub, playing melodies on top of riddims as a subtly wistful counterpoint to the bass elements underneath. Halfway between a piano and a harmonica, the melodica is a very basic instrument which has been used to help children learn how to play music, but its distinctive sound has a charming appeal in almost any context. Prices start at around £15 for a good basic model.