I adopted a tiny analog echo factory. Below is a no-nonsense, musician-first breakdown of what the Mimic Mock I is, what she can do, how to get the most out of her in my rigs, and a few practical tips so she behaves like a storyteller and not a noisy tourist.
What it is (short answer)
The Mimic Mock I is a small, all-analog Bucket-Brigade-Device (BBD) style delay pedal with simple controls (Time, Level, Repeat) and short-ish maximum delay time (roughly ~300–400 ms depending on the unit). It’s built in the USA by HomeBrew Electronics (H.B.E.) and is known for warm, slightly noisy, characterful repeats that can be pushed into pleasing self-oscillation.
Why she is a good buy
- These pedals often trade used in the ~US$80–$200 range depending on model/condition; at the price I’ve paid, I essentially paid pocket change for a genuine analog BBD flavor.
- BBD delays are prized for musical degradation — repeats that lose hi-end and bloom, which is exactly the sort of imperfect texture I like. (Translation: it gives character rather than sterile repeats.)
Controls & practical use (the four motions I’ll actually touch)
- Time — delay length. Keep it short for slapback/rock, crank it for ambience.
- Level — wet repeat output level (use this to match pedal-on loudness to bypass).
- Repeat (or Repeats/Feedback) — more repeats = more wash; max this and I’ll hit self-oscillation.
- Internal trim pot — some units have an internal trim to set the maximum delay range (useful if unit feels short or I want to tighten the max).
Tone character & how she behaves in my chains
- Warm and slightly lo-fi: repeats lose top end like tape — great when I want the echo to sit behind the note rather than mirror it.
- Noisy at times: BBD circuits can introduce hiss; driven repeats get dirtier. That’s part of the charm, but watch it in quiet recording.
- Placement (based on ,my rigs):
- Love Notes (after drive) — put Mimic after my drive pedals for repeats that reflect my dirt; nice for solos that need character.
- Interaction with dirt: dirty signals will make the repeats grainier — sometimes wonderful for grunge; other times she muddies the low end. Use Repeat and Level to taste.
How she stacks vs. well-known analog delays
- People compare the Mimic to MXR Carbon Copy and the Boss DM-2 family — similar warm BBD vibe but each has her own voice. Many players call the Mimic a strong boutique alternative. Note: some forum threads argue about whether certain versions are truly “analog” — vendor specs and shop pages describe her as a BBD analog delay, so treat those forum gripes as specific-unit anecdotes.
Final verdict (for my setup)
I bought a small, characterful analog delay that does exactly what I like: adds imperfect, story-telling repeats. She’s a bargain even if she’s a bit noisy. Use her for slapback, grunge-friendly repeats, or leaned-back ambient textures (especially through Orca). Keep it simple: she’s not the “perfect” studio delay, she’s a storyteller’s echo — exactly my thing.