In a previous article we covered the Delay effect in depth, in this post, we will explore the infamous Echo DJ effect provided as standard stock to any DJ mixer or software. The Echo DJ effect is a handy tool in a DJ’s arsenal, capable of transforming a simple track into an immersive experience. Echo, similar to Delay, creates a sense of depth and space within a mix.
While Delay involves duplicating a sound with a specific time offset, Echo adds multiple repeats of decreasing decay to a sound, creating a series of reflections that enrich the listening experience. Understanding and mastering the Echo effect can elevate your DJ sets, making them more dynamic and engaging for your audience.
Table of Contents
What is the Echo DJ Effect?
The Echo DJ effect replicates a sound multiple times, each repeat gradually decreasing in volume, creating a series of reflections audibly sensed as depth and space. Unlike the Delay effect, which simply repeats a sound at regular intervals, Echo adds a decaying quality to subsequent repeats, making the sound seem as if it is bouncing off distant surfaces.
To visualize this, imagine shouting in a large canyon. Your voice echoes back to you, but each echo is a bit quieter than the last. At base, this is how the Echo effect works. The initial sound is repeated several times, with each repeat fading out more than the previous one. Take a look at the image below for a visual.
Example of the Echo Effect
Using our example of clapping hands in a large empty room above, let’s examine the echo effect. On sounding, the initial clap sound is followed by multiple quieter claps, each one softer than the last, as the sound waves bounce off the walls and return to your ears. This is a natural echo.
Similarly, in a DJ set or DAW (like Ableton Live), the Echo effect takes a track as signal input and outputs a copy of it with diminishing repeats. If you need a refresher on how DJ Effects units work, you can read about What DJ Effects (FX) Units are in this article.
Additionally, think of the difference between a clean vocal sample and one with an Echo applied. When Echo is added, the vocal appears to trail off, creating a rich, spatial quality. This can be especially effective in live DJ sets, where adding Echo to certain elements can make the mix feel more expansive and immersive. Let’s listen for the difference between a clean vocal sample and one with an echo applied to it.
Example: Clean Vocal Sample
Example: 50/50 DRY-WET Echo on Vocal Sample
What is the Echo Effect used for?
In music production, the Echo effect can create fullness and give a sample more body and presence. It can also be used to create more depth and intrigue within a track – for example transient hits during a break. Echo can give a sound the colour of a larger environment, adding ambiance
What are the main parameters for Echo?
The primary parameter that controls the Echo effect is Feedback.
Parameter 1: Feedback
Feedback controls how much of the echo signal is fed back into the effected output to create additional echoes. Essentially, it determines the number of repeats and their intensity audibly heard.
- High Feedback: When feedback is high, the initial sound will be repeated many times. Each repeat gradually decreasing in volume. This can create a dense, reverberant effect, making the sound feel like it is bouncing around a large space.
- Low Feedback: When feedback is low, there will be fewer repeats, and the echoes will fade out more quickly. This produces a subtle, short echo, adding a slight sense of space without overwhelming the original sound.
Excess Feedback (> 100%)
Interestingly, some devices allow you to set the feedback value to greater than 100%. This means you tip the balance of the unit to the point that subsequent echos will feed back into the device and create a steady state echo at some point that infinitely repeats which can sound ominous.
Examples of Using the Echo Effect’s Parameters
Compare the difference between the following four beat vocals played with 25%, 80% and 120% feedback. Notice how as the feedback increases, the number of repetitions does too; eventually, prior signals overlap and in the case of excess feedback the sample will continue self-amplifying.
How to use the Echo Effect in DJing?
Understanding the technical aspects of the Echo effect is crucial, but knowing how to apply it in practical scenarios is what makes it truly valuable. Here are some effective tactics for using the Echo effect in your DJ sets:
Tactic 1: Adding Depth and Space to Tracks
Using Echo can transform a flat-sounding break into an immersive experience. Apply a moderate Feedback with 50/50 DRY-WET to avoid drowning out the input signal and this can be a great place to put FX for breakdowns and ambient sections of a set.
Tactic 2: Enhancing Vocals and Acapellas
Echo is classically used with dry vocals and acapellas to give more presence and character. By setting a small feedback to create a subtle echo, you can make the vocal sound fuller and more integrated with the rest of the track.
Tactic 3: Tension with Cuts
I’ve seen this performance technique used primarily in Afro focused DJ sets for genres like Amapiano and GQOM. Apply a high feedback with moderate balance of DRY-WET. In time to the beat of the track, quickly cut all audio by pushing the volume fader down, hear the echo and then pull it back up. Do this a couple of times and the crowd will be roaring.
Conclusion
The Echo DJ effect is a versatile effect that can add performance an fun to your mixes.Whether you’re adding depth to acapellas or creating fun and engaging performance tricks you’ll need to experiment with different settings to gain an intuition for the right and wrong placements. The more you practice, the more you’ll uncover the creative possibilities of this essential effect.
Like this article? We cover a variety of DJ effects in depth in L2DJ’s Beginner to Intermediate course for Electronic / House / Techno DJs.
