Moody Shadows and Resonant Repeats from Two Circuit Savants
The Time Shadows II subharmonic multi-delay resonator pedal finds EarthQuaker Devices and Death by Audio reimagining a previous collaboration with new additions such as preset saves and expression pedal mapping for any parameter you choose. Warped delays, synth-like filters, powerful atmospherics — if these sounds intrigue you, you’ll find the Time Shadows II Subharmonic Multi-delay Resonator full of surprises and inspiration. Time Shadows II is an experimental delay with straightforward controls that make tone experiments joyful and effortless, yet full of surprises. The Time Shadows II covers everything from menacing filtered fuzz delays to clean repeats filtered to a bright or shadowy point. You complicate the core delay sounds using the Time Shadow II’s filter cutoff frequency control, which can squeeze sounds into menacing subharmonic growls, or brighten things up for sunny, uplifting repeats with a warm ambient wash. The pedal’s versatile delay range supplies the fuel for spooky, chorused slapback to lingering ambience. Pedal fanatics here at Sweetwater are truly impressed with the possibilities that twist your perception of delay into a Time Shadow of its former self.
Note: The Time Shadows II’s strong envelope component makes the resulting sounds more sensitive to input levels than the average stompbox. Sweetwater tip: Always start at a lower input volume and adjust if needed when trying out new settings. The builders recommend starting with short delay times and high-span settings as you begin your sonic voyage.
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Three controls + three modes = endless variety
The Time Shadows II’s three controls (Time, Span, and Filter) fuel an impressive variety beyond what meets the eye. Time and Span settings have a highly interactive relationship, with Span working as a compound setting that alters the decay, width, feedback, and more. The Filter parameter darkens tone at counterclockwise settings, while clockwise adjustments raise the filter’s cutoff for brighter sounds and aggressive resonant peaks. Testers at Sweetwater were struck by the Time Shadows II’s filtration range, which readily adapts not only to guitar but also to bass, synths, keyboards, and even programmed beats!
- Mode 1 (EarthQuaker Devices): This mode is true to the EarthQuaker Devices’ ethos, with a blend of bombastic dirt and distortion transformed by menacing repeats. The incoming signal is distorted, expanded with sub-octave shimmer, and finally delayed before hitting the filtration stage. It’s ominous, moody, and even a bit intimidating, but that’s the point! Volume swells and single-note runs are rewarded with rich harmonics similar to orchestral brass or a bowed cello. Extreme Span settings can approximate ring mod sounds to complement spacey jams and funky leads. For menacing drone notes that rattle the walls, first dial in your preferred delay, then place the filter frequency at or below nine o’clock!
- Mode 2: Ripe with mysterious bidirectional energy beams, angelic shrapnel, and infernal octaves, Mode 2 has a mysterious personality that cools down filtration for cleaner, crisper repeats. Notably, with Mode 2, the Filter control becomes a mix control that blends in your delayed signal. Alternatively, you can assign the mix parameter to an expression pedal and fade the effect in and out for dynamic dimensions on the fly! Mode 2 loves to be paired with experimental reverbs, such as the EarthQuaker Devices’ Afterneath or Avalanche Run.
- Mode 3 (Death By Audio): Mode 3, or the “multi-delay filter remorphinator,” was sculpted by Death By Audio founder Oliver Ackermann. Here, you’ll find clean-sounding filtered delays with warm-sounding repeats that compete with traditional digital or analog delays. Mode 3 particularly shines on guitar with extremely short delay times, as chorus-like repeats add an icy rippling cadence that’s perfect for melodic leads and moody chords.
Expression control for any parameter
You can quickly map width, rate, and balance parameters to the expression pedal for an exponential increase in tones onboard. Try mapping the filter cutoff to an expression pedal for interactive fades between shadows and brightness. What’s more, synth users can even control expression functions by connecting a CV source to the expression pedal jack, which accepts CV of 0v to 3.3v.
Six preset banks
Players here at Sweetwater were beyond excited to see EQD’s inclusion of six preset banks, which can also store expression pedal assignments. The front panel’s center LED illuminates red for preset mode and green for live. You can switch modes by holding the Time Shadows II’s footswitch while the pedal is engaged or manually use the save/recall button to toggle between presets and live settings.
EarthQuaker Devices Time Shadows II Features:
- An experimental delay pedal with musical results that are fun to experiment with
- Co-designed by EarthQuaker Devices and Death By Audio
- 3 delay voices combine resonate filters, fuzz, phasing, shimmer swells, and shadowy subharmonics to varying degrees
- Wide-ranging filter range adapts to guitar, synth, bass, beats, and beyond!
- Save and recall your favorite tones with 6 preset banks (as well as storage for expression pedal assignments)
- Expression pedal control over each parameter
- Flexi-Switch offers momentary or latch-style switching, both true bypass
- Additional expression control voltage option with a CV range of 0v to 3.3v
- Handcrafted in Akron, OH
