Collaborations or crossovers can be a very difficult thing to pull off successfully, but the recent pairing of Death By Audio and EarthQuaker Devices for the development of the Time Shadows pedal is the music industry equivalent of the kung fu-meets-samurai brilliance of Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman. Time Shadows II is described as “Subharmonic Multi-Delay Resonator,” but that just scratches the surface of the incredibly complex effects lurking within this diminutive yet powerful stompbox. In essence, Time Shadows is an advanced unit with three very distinctive algorithms or modes.
EQD mode (developed by EarthQuaker Devices) is “an envelope-controlled sub-octave filter delay” or “pitch-morphed delay filter;” DBA mode (contributed by Death By Audio) is a “multi-delay regenerating filter” or “multi-delay filter remorphinator;” and !¡ mode, a new addition that wasn’t featured on the initial limited-edition version of the pedal, is a “pitch-warping dual delay” created by EQD’s Jamie Stillman and completed for the new version of Time Shadows. Each mode has its own distinct personality, which gives the box functionality similar to three entirely separate multi-effect and/or synth pedals. Time Shadows provides only three controls for tweaking sounds – Time (delay time), Filter (filter frequency envelope and gate for EQD mode, filter frequency and phased delay line shift point for DBA mode, mix for !¡ mode) and Span (intensity) – but this modest-seeming array can summon a multitude of compelling effects and textures.
The new “II” iteration adds several new features, including a fourth knob/rotary switch that accesses six user-programmable presets. The pedal can also switch between preset and live (current knob settings) operating modes. A TRS expression pedal connected to the side-mounted jack can control either Time, Filter or Span, with the desired function independently assignable to each preset.
Manually sweeping parameters can generate some truly mind-blowing sounds. So what does Time Shadows sound like? Its effects defy description and are really something you need to hear in person. EQD mode can combine deep, gritty sub-octave boom and bowed string or horn textures with hypnotic cavern reverbs, while DBA provides dreamy lo-fi smears with long, sustaining tails or percolating delays or even dramatic washes of flanging.
!¡ mode reminds me of the simultaneous pitch shift up and down effects that lurk with the old MXR Model 129 Pitch Transposer (like those heard during the “freak out” section of Queen’s ). Playing with Time Shadows brought me back to the glorious post-punk era of the early ’80s when bands like Cabaret Voltaire, Wire and Throbbing Gristle challenged the conventions of pop music and generated some truly captivating sounds with a ton of imagination, experimentation and complete disregard for the status quo. For musicians with open minds (it sounds equally great with , , synth and drum machines), Time Shadows offers incredible inspiration that will significantly expand your mind and your sonic palette.
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