the other question I have is, is there a more simple version of the Echoplex? a hardware device that can sync up to a midi tempo but that isn’t as advanced, and is less expensive?

thanks a lot!
henry

One question, mstr tea: I believe you, but I’m wondering how you know that, and if you can provide any more details about the setup?

Found this while looking for information about the gear Battle use. Curiosity mixed with the desire to do my own stuff but not necessarily knowing the right people to do it with. Technology, the best band mate you can find!

They are a great band but I do have quite a few criticisms. I’ve seen them three times and each gig was exactly the same as the last. Granted, they did these gigs over the space of 2 1/2 years on the foot of one album (which was the set plus one other cool track that’s not on Mirrored or the EP) so they probably didn’t have time to write new stuff but by the third gig I wasn’t that impressed. They have a LOT of equipment and I really don’t think that the music is all produced live, there has to be sampling which they manipulate live because it comes out sounding exactly the same as the album. I have a good memory for this kind of thing and remember these guys aren’t just another rock band so you come away with shit loads to remember from a gig. I can see that they do play instruments and they’re all fairly busy but it’s busy twiddling knobs and not playing the instruments. Personally I think it’s a bit of a cop out when someone plays one line on an instrument and loops it. I doubt they could play a riff as perfectly for the duration of the song and this doesn’t add up to an amazing musician. It’s more amazing to have the ability and control to play without looping. I know classical musicians don’t play the same melodies over and over but when you watch them even for a minute (especially on the double basses) play something quick and repetitive you have to say it’s incredible control and like watching a finely tuned athlete.
I really don’t like the singing thing, I think it’s really weak and they could do without it. Maybe it’s personal but I think it’s off putting and sometimes is more in focus than the really nice stuff going on behind it.
I think anyone with a lot of time and some of this equipment could definitely produce some pretty whacky sounds after a while. I don’t have much of this gear but left with a few effects pedals for a while I can certainly make some interesting sounds. That’s not blowing my trumpet, the nature of the effects and how they’re programmed allows this. Anyone could do it! I think they are unique as a band and unlike another 4 piece rock band they couldn’t very easily replace one of their members because they are very proficient in what they use and it’s not the kind of gear that many would be experts on. Not to mention the unique approach to songwriting and style.
Sorry for rambling but finally, they are not the best band on the planet. They have one album and one ep. If they can develop and explore new avenues while still making amazing music that is true to what they are and record really new and diverse albums (and not just Mirrored part 2) then I would agree that they are up there at the top.

Don’t mean to be a kill joy, just my two cents!

While they were setting during tonight’s show in NYC, I noticed a very strange thing: Tyondai hands a 1/4″ cable over to Ian to connect something between his gear and Ian’s.

But why??

My best guess is that either of them is using the cable to control some pedals that silence/put effects on the other person, to make the sound appear synchronized since it is actually one person controlling the ‘battle’, during songs like Atlas or Tonto where Ian and Tyondai would exchange melodies across the stage – like a battle of notes. Perhaps that’s why they call themselves Battles.

One thing interesting about the use of Echoplex is that they don’t actually need to use it. A bassist could have actually just play the rhythm – if he is skilful enough. However, the layering and looping using the Echoplex makes the sound *logical*, thus way more interesting to watch than a bassist dumbly plays the same loop over and over and over and over again (which is what most bands do, sometimes I do wonder why).

I watched them a couple times and was always fascinated by Dave starting a song by playing the bass and Echoplex – it is really like Mathematics: like a equation, these melodies, plus these melodies offset, equals this melody. Then he just casually sprinkle a note here or there during the course of the loop, or turning the knobs to makes it faster or pitch higher, etc. Very clever.

Thanks for the article, by the way. It explains why I loved Battles very well. Very well put.

QOTSA is the greatest musical on the planet, true story.