The World’s First True Stereo Magnetic Drum Delay

Real magnetic drum. Four independently pannable playback heads. True balanced stereo. Handmade in Denmark.

The T-Rex Binson Stereophonica takes the legendary magnetic-drum echo concept into an entirely new dimension.

At its heart is a real rotating magnetic drum — not a digital simulation — with two selectable record heads and four independently controlled playback heads.

But Stereophonica goes further.

Each playback head has its own Volume and Pan control, allowing individual echoes to be positioned anywhere across the stereo field. From classic drum echo to wide, moving rhythmic textures, Stereophonica turns magnetic delay into a true stereo instrument.

Real Magnetic Drum. Real Stereo Movement.

Traditional multi-head delays create different repeats in time.

Stereophonica lets you control those repeats in time and space.

Each of the four playback heads can be independently switched, leveled, and panned.

That means one head can appear on the left.

Another can answer from the right.

Others can sit between them.

Combine the heads and the echoes can move across the stereo image as part of the composition itself.

This is not stereo added after the delay.

Stereo is built into the architecture of the instrument.

Two Record Heads

Stereophonica includes two selectable record heads:

SHORT
For tighter delay structures and faster rhythmic patterns.

LONG
For longer spacing and more expansive echoes.

Combined with the four playback heads and variable drum speed, these two recording positions give you a remarkably wide range of rhythmic relationships.

Four Independent Playback Heads

The four playback heads are the heart of the Stereophonica.

Each one provides:

• Independent On/Off control
• Independent playback level
• Independent stereo pan position

Use a single head for a focused echo.

Combine two for rhythmic interplay.

Bring in all four and build complex patterns that spread naturally across the stereo field.

The interaction between the physical drum, record head, playback heads, and feedback system means that the resulting textures can feel alive in a way conventional delay architectures do not.

Drive the Magnetic Drum

The Record Level control determines how strongly the signal is recorded onto the magnetic drum.

Keep it restrained for cleaner echoes.

Push it harder and the magnetic recording stage begins adding saturation, compression, and harmonic character.

That relationship between recording level and the physical magnetic medium is part of what makes a real drum echo behave differently from a digital model.

Variable Drum Speed

The drum itself becomes part of the performance.

Changing the drum speed changes the timing of the entire echo structure and can introduce natural pitch movement as the mechanical system accelerates or slows.

Stereophonica also supports expression-pedal control of drum speed, allowing you to manipulate that movement in real time.

Repeats or Swell

Switch between traditional repeating echoes and Swell behavior.

In Repeats mode, feedback creates the familiar regeneration of a multi-head drum delay.

In Swell mode, the echoes can build into denser, more atmospheric textures.

From subtle ambience to rhythmic patterns to expansive evolving soundscapes, the same mechanical system can behave very differently depending on how you drive it.

True Balanced Stereo I/O

Stereophonica was designed as much for the studio as for the adventurous musician.

It provides balanced left and right inputs and outputs, along with unbalanced stereo connections and a separate instrument input.

That allows the Stereophonica to integrate directly with:

• Recording consoles
• Audio interfaces
• Studio patchbays
• Synthesizers
• Keyboards
• Guitar rigs
• Stereo pedalboards
• Outboard-effects loops

It is not simply a guitar pedal with stereo jacks.

It is a stereo studio processor built around a real magnetic recording system.

Kill Dry for Parallel Processing

Stereophonica includes Kill Dry, allowing the direct signal to be removed from the output.

That makes it particularly useful in professional studio environments where the unit is used on an auxiliary send or parallel effects path.

Send a signal to the Stereophonica, return only the processed magnetic echoes, and control the dry/effect balance from the console or DAW.

It is a small feature with major implications for studio integration.

Full MIDI Implementation

The Stereophonica brings its mechanical echo system into a modern control environment with MIDI In and Out and full MIDI implementation.

That allows the instrument to integrate with sophisticated studio, switching, and performance systems while preserving the physical magnetic-drum architecture at its core.

Expression Control

An expression-pedal input provides real-time control of drum speed and feedback, making the mechanical behavior of the echo part of the performance itself.

Rather than simply recalling another preset, you can physically manipulate how the machine responds.

Features

• World’s first true stereo magnetic drum delay
• Real rotating magnetic drum
• Inspired by the legendary Binson Echorec
• Two selectable record heads: Short and Long
• Four independently switchable playback heads
• Individual Volume control for every playback head
• Individual Pan control for every playback head
• Wide stereo imaging
• Magnetic saturation and harmonic character
• Variable drum speed
• Expression control for speed and feedback
• Repeat and Swell modes
• Echo Tone control
• Kill Dry operation
• True balanced stereo inputs and outputs
• Unbalanced stereo inputs and outputs
• Dedicated instrument input
• Full MIDI implementation
• Included 24V DC power supply
• Handcrafted in Denmark

Specifications

• Type: Electromechanical stereo magnetic drum delay
• Record heads: 2 selectable — Short / Long
• Playback heads: 4 independently switchable
• Playback controls: Individual Volume and Pan
• Input impedance: greater than 500kΩ @ 1kHz
• Output impedance: less than 1kΩ @ 1kHz
• Maximum input level: approximately 2.5–3.0 Vp-p; instrument input adjustable
• Instrument input: Yes
• Balanced inputs: Left / Right
• Unbalanced inputs: Left / Right
• Balanced outputs: Left / Right
• Unbalanced outputs: Left / Right
• Expression input: Drum Speed / Feedback control
• MIDI: In / Out
• Power: 24V DC, center negative
• Center pin: 2.0mm
• Current draw: 350mA
• Power supply: Included
• Dimensions: 9.84 × 5.59 × 8.81 in
• Metric dimensions: 250 × 142 × 224 mm
• Weight: 7.36 lb / 3.34 kg
• Construction: Handcrafted in Denmark

Power Budget

24V DC / 350mA

Stereophonica uses a dedicated 24V DC, center-negative power supply, which is included with the unit. T-Rex specifically recommends using the original power supply.

Because this is a specialized electromechanical studio instrument, we recommend using the supplied T-Rex power adapter rather than attempting to power it from a conventional pedalboard supply.

This is another example of the Power Budget principle:

Voltage must match.
AC/DC must match.
Polarity must match.
And sufficient current must be available.

Learn more: Understanding Your Pedalboard Power Budget

Handmade in Denmark

Stereophonica is handcrafted in Denmark by T-Rex Effects.

Inside is a mechanical magnetic recording system: a rotating drum, recording heads, playback heads, precision mechanics, analog electronics, and modern control systems working together.

This is not merely another DSP effect in a larger enclosure.

It is a real electromechanical instrument built for studios and musicians who want to interact with sound physically.

Echo Becomes Space

The original Echorec made delay rhythmic.

Stereophonica makes it spatial.

Four playback heads.

Four independent pan positions.

A real magnetic drum.

True stereo signal paths.

Modern studio control.

What began as one of the most distinctive echo concepts of the 1950s now becomes something the original designers could never have built:

a true stereo magnetic-drum instrument.