Is your playing sounding a little “two-dimensional? Why not add some “time-based goodness” to your sound? If you play a lot of guitar solos, then mixing in a little some echo can really make your phrasing pop. In this Donner Echo Square Review, I’ll tell why this stompbox is a great choice for a mini-pedal, especially if you are on a budget.
The Donner Echo Square has 7 versatile presets that will give you everything you are looking for in an effects pedal and then some.
Keep on reading to learn more!
What Is The “Echo Square” Echo Pedal?
The Donner Echo Square is an echo mini-pedal that gives you seven selectable echo modes with 3 setting adjustments that control each mode.
It features a digital circuit design with true bypass to keep your sound pure when the unit is not engaged.
The unit’s small footprint allows it to take up minimal space on your pedalboard. It is built to last and is housed in a sturdy aluminum-alloy case.
Donner Company Profile
Donner was founded in 2012 as a company that became known for making high-quality and affordable musical instruments and accessories.
The company has four separate brands (divisions).
- Donner – guitars, effect pedals, keyboards, amplifiers, DMX wireless products, electric drums, mandolins, and ukuleles
- Eastar – violins, wind Instruments, and children’s drums
- Moukey – microphones, headphones, and party lights
- Reditmo – various children’s products
They offer a 30-day return on their products and
free technical support. Donner has a 1 to 2-year warranty on their products, 1 year on all instrument accessories.
Who Is The Echo Square Pedal For?
The Donner Echo Square echo pedal is for anyone that wants a high-quality unit at an affordable price.
This pedal is a popular choice for beginning players and can easily satisfy the requirements of seasoned professional guitarists.
The right echo setup can give your solo a touch of David Gilmour’s otherworldliness, Brian Setzer’s rockabilly slap, or the chicken-picking mayhem of Brad Paisley.
If playing rhythm guitar is your thing, then using a subtle dose of echo can really make your chords stand out.
The Echo Square is can be used with any guitar amplifier, although it sounds best with an amp that has an effects loop if you use a lot of effects between your guitar and amp on the front-end.
How The Echo Square Works
The pedal’s operation is straightforward and works exactly as expected.
Seven Echo Modes With Three Control Knobs
The seven modes feature two classic echo sounds (Analog & Tape) plus five modern modes, which all essentially sound the way you would expect them to, based on their name.
The Digital mode duplicates the repeated notes spot-on.
Mod (modulated) mode can add some interesting chorus-type overtones to your playing. It is a very unique setting.
Each echo mode is controlled by 3 adjustment knobs. Begin by setting the Mix, Time, and F. Back control knobs at 12 o’clock and then adjust to taste.
The following table summarizes the unit’s layout, function, and specifications.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Echo Mode Switch | |
| Digital | Duplicated notes are accurately reproduced |
| Analog | Softer-sounding repeats |
| Tape | Warm-sounding echo |
| Mod | Modulated & “chorusy” repeats |
| Sweep | Filter Sweep creates “Wah-Effect” on repeats |
| Lofi | Low fidelity repeats give a “live/dirty” effect |
| Reverse | Delay signal is “reversed” |
| Echo Control Knobs | |
| Mix | Mixes the dry sound with the delay |
| Time | Adjusts echo decay time |
| F. Back | Adjusts the number of repeated notes |
| On/Off Switch | True bypass |
| LED On/Off Indicator | Lights up yellow-amber when unit is on |
| Input/Output Jacks | Mono |
| Power Adapter Jack | 9 Volts DC (Center Pole Negative) |
| Weight | 8.81 oz (250 g) |
| Dimensions | 95(D)*45(W)*48(H) mm. |
| Warranty | 1 year |
To check out my review on the Donner reverb unit, go to Donner Reverb Pedal Review – Affordable And Easy To Use!
Features And Benefits
Here are some of the features and benefits of this pedal, which generally apply to the entire Donner effects pedal line.
Simplicity
This echo has a simple digital circuit design that can give you years of problem-free service.
The pedal’s controls are laid out logically, and with a little practice, you can quickly find all the echo settings and tones you will probably ever need.
Functionality
For the price of this pedal, the Echo Square gives you a ton of functionality! The three control knobs make it easy to change guitars and dial in your sound.
If your sound relies heavily on echo then this unit can easily become an irreplaceable part of your setup. It won’t take you long to find your favorite settings.
Sturdy Housing
The pedal comes housed in a high-quality aluminum-alloy case that can withstand the rigors of the road or an overly aggressive pedal stomper. All Donner pedals are attractively color-coded for easy identification, even on a dark stage.
True Bypass
True bypass keeps your original guitar signal transparent and pure. It is a must if you have a large pedalboard.
What I Like About The Echo Square
Here are some of the things I really think stand out about this echo pedal.
Great Value For The Money!
You probably cannot find a nicer-sounding and fuller functioning echo pedal for the money! Donner is well-known for making high-value, low-cost products. This echo could easily be used on-stage or in a recording studio.
Seven High Quality Echo Modes
Each echo mode is natural-sounding and can be customized with the Mix, Time, and F. Back controls to work well with a variety of guitars and amplifiers. The unit works fine between the guitar and amp but is best placed in the effects loop.
Add your favorite delay pedal to make the Echo Square really come alive.
Although it can’t equal the quality of an actual echo chamber, the Echo Square does not sound artificial, brittle, or tinny, as some digital echos do.
Pedalboard-Friendly Mini-Pedal Design
The Donner Echo Square has a compact design that will take up minimal space on your pedalboard. Mini pedals are great, especially if you have a small overcrowded pedalboard setup.
What You Might Not Like About The Echo Square
There’s very little to criticize about this pedal. Donner has done a great job in every regard. Still, here are some things you might consider.
Power Adapter Not Included
An AC power adapter is not included with the unit. To be fair, you can’t really expect to get one with a $46 pedal! Most of the digital echo pedals that cost four times as much do not come with a power adapter.
No Stereo Input Or Output
The Donner Echo Square has a mono input and output, but you still get more than you pay for with this unit. Compare the Donner to a stereo product like the $160 BOSS TE-2 Tera Echo pedal and the price difference is obvious.
Small Control Knobs May Be Difficult To Adjust
To be picky, the small Mix, Time, and F. Back control knobs could be difficult to adjust if the unit is in a large crowded pedalboard on a dimly lit stage. This small knob setup gives you the tradeoff that you find in any mini-pedal design.
Some Echo Modes Can Give Unexpected Results
The Sweep, Lofi, and Reverse modes can be a little “glitchy or even non-musical,” depending on your settings and the equipment you are using, but they are generally very usable and fun to play with.
Beware Of This Pedal’s Power Requirements
This pedal is not made to put a 9 Volt battery inside the unit because the housing is too small to accommodate one. This is not unusual for mini-pedals, which are made to be connected to the external power supply of a pedalboard.
If you are not using this unit on a pedalboard, then you can either buy a stand-alone power adapter or an external battery connector that attaches a 9 Volt battery to the power adaptor jack
What Is The Donner DP-1 Guitar Pedal Power Supply?
The DP-1 Power Supply is an effect-pedal power distribution system that is powered by its own 18 Volt power adapter.
It is specifically made to power eight Donner 9-Volt mini-pedals, one 12-Volt pedal, and one 18-Volt pedal.
The DP-1 has an LED power indicator for each of the 10 outputs. Each output is voltage regulated with its own short circuit protection circuit.
You can add the DP-1 to your pedalboard if it doesn’t already have its own power supply.
What Is The Donner 9V Battery Clip Connector Converter?
The Donner 9 Volt battery clip converter allows you to connect your Donner mini-pedal to a 9 Volt battery via the power adaptor jack.
This can be useful if you don’t want to buy a single 9 Volt power adapter (not included) for the pedal.
If you have more than one effects pedal then you might want to eventually purchase the Donner DP-1 or another 9 Volt (center negative) multi-pedal power supply.
Is The Echo Square Pedal Legit?
The Donner Echo Square gives you a full complement of high-quality echo modes.
The three control knobs let you dial in virtually any echo sound you require for any musical style. This pedal is very easy to adapt to any guitar and amp setup.
The Echo Square routinely gets high user-review ratings and is designated as an “Amazon’s Choice” item. You really can’t go wrong with this unit!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions I get asked most about Donner effects pedals.
Where Are Donner Pedals Made?
Donner is based in Hong Kong. Their pedals are made in China and shipped to warehouses in California, USA, and Canada for distribution.
Is There A Warranty On Donner Pedals?
All Donner effects pedals come with a one-year warranty.
Can You Use This Pedal With A 9 Volt Battery?
Yes, you can connect a 9 Volt battery to the pedal’s power adapter jack on the outside of the unit.
Does The Donner Echo Square Work Well With Other Pedals?
This echo unit works great with other pedals, especially if you put it in the amplifier’s effects loop.
Final Thoughts On The Donner Echo Square Review
Donner is well known for making high-quality, low-cost musical equipment. Their effects pedals are popular among beginning players and professionals.
The donner echo guitar pedal has seven very usable modes that can cover virtually any playing style and musical genre. If your amp has an effects loop then this is where the Echo Square pedal will sound best, otherwise put it in the signal chain between your guitar and amplifier input jack.
All in all, for the money, the Donner Echo Square unit is an excellent echo pedal. So, if you are looking for a highly versatile mini-pedal for your pedalboard, then you should definitely give the Donner Echo Square a try.
Be aware that this pedal requires an external 9 Volt (center negative) power source.
For more info on echo pedals, see What Is A Guitar Stomp Box – Attractive, Little, Tantalizing.
Tell Me What You Think
Please leave a comment below if you enjoyed this Donner Echo pedal review, have any questions about this product, or want to leave your own review. I will be happy to help you.
- Do you own a Donner Echo Square echo pedal or have you tried one? What do you think about it?
- What is your favorite echo setting on this pedal?
- After reading this review would you buy this pedal? Why or why not?
Hey, Frank,
I’m going to have a Friendsgiving with family soon, and this looks like a good option. My cousin is an amateur guitar player and reading through your review, I’m sure the Donner Echo would be a great addition. I’m looking for something affordable, and I know my cousin likes simple things, too, so this might do the trick.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Enrique
Thank You for your comments!
This echo pedal would be an excellent gift for any electric guitar player, but make sure your cousin doesn’t already have one.
Frank
My son just bought his first electric guitar. I know nothing about them, but Christmas is coming up. Is this something that would be good for a beginner guitar player? It’s a great idea to get him something for his guitar. I just wasn’t sure what, any other ideas? He just started playing and is taking lessons currently.
Hi, Leahrae
Thank You for your comments!
I’ll bet your son is very excited. It sounds like it is a little too soon to buy effects devices since he is brand new and probably can’t play many songs. If he is advancing quickly AND has a guitar amplifier, you can consider buying him this echo stompbox, which is cheap (as these devices go) and works great.
You might want to buy him something that he will find more useful, like a digital guitar tuner, strap, picks, guitar lessons, etc.
I hope this helps.
Happy Holidays!
Frank