EarthQuaker Devices Time Shadows V2

The EQD Time Shadows is a collaboration between EarthQuaker Devices and Death By Audio. This is the updated V2 — same concept as the original but with a new third mode, six onboard presets, user assignable expression control, and a Flexi-Switch relay bypass system.

So, what does it actually do? Each company built their own delay circuit.

EarthQuaker Devices’ side is a pitch morphed fuzz delay with a sub-octave and an envelope-controlled resonant filter. Death By Audio’s side is a multi-delay filter that sweeps from shimmer-like brightness to cavernous, reverberant bouncing repeats. A three-position toggle switches between the two — or the middle position, which simultaneously shifts pitch up and down with each regeneration.

All three modes share the same three controls — Time, Span, and Filter — but produce completely different results with identical settings.

The Three Modes

EQD Mode (toggle left): An envelope-controlled sub-octave filter delay. The signal is digitally distorted, blended with a polyphonic sub-octave, delayed, and then passed through a highly resonant envelope-controlled low pass filter. The result is aggressive, pitch-morphed, and filter-swept. EQD describe it as the sound of a “jazz space bazooka” — whatever that may mean, but we’re sure they’re right.

DBA Mode (toggle right): A multi-delay filter that covers a wide sonic range — from icy shimmer to deep repeats. Less aggressive than the EQD side and more atmospheric. The Filter control adjusts the filter frequency and the shift point of a precisely phased delay line, so sweeping the Filter gives a dramatically different characters rather than a simple tone change.

!¡ Mode (toggle middle — the V2 addition): A dual delay where each repeat shifts pitch upward and downward simultaneously with each regeneration. The two pitch-shifted delays diverge progressively from the original pitch as the repeats continue.

Controls

• Time: Controls the delay time across all three modes. At shorter Time settings in EQD mode, the envelope filter and sub-octave interaction is particularly pronounced.
• Span: Controls the intensity of repeats. Pro tip from EQD: short Time and high Span settings while manipulating the Filter control is where a lot of the most interesting territory is.
• Filter: The most variable control on the Time Shadows. In EQD mode it controls the envelope frequency and gate for the filter cutoff at the delay input. In DBA mode it controls the filter frequency and the pole-zero interpolation shift point. In !¡ mode it controls the mix between the two diverging pitch-shifted delay voices. Same knob, three completely different functions.
• Mode toggle: Three-position switch — left for EQD mode, right for DBA mode, centre for !¡ mode.
• Preset rotary: Six-position rotary switch selecting which preset slot is active. Time, Span, Filter settings, Mode switch position, and expression jack assignment can all be saved and recalled in any slot.
• Save/Recall switch: Green LED indicates Live Mode — the pedal responds to the current knob positions and changes do not affect saved presets. Red LED indicates Preset Mode — the pedal operates from the stored preset and physical knob positions are ignored. Hold to save the current settings to the selected preset slot.
• Footswitch: EQD Flexi-Switch relay true bypass. Short press latches on or off. Hold the footswitch while the effect is active to switch into the selected Preset Mode. Hold while the effect is off for momentary operation.
• Expression jack: User-assignable TRS expression input — assignable to any control, with different assignments saveable per preset. CV also supported, range 0 to 3.3V.

Key Features

• Three-mode delay resonator — EQD, !¡, and DBA modes
• EQD mode: envelope-controlled sub-octave filter delay with digital distortion
• !¡ mode: dual delay with simultaneous upward and downward pitch shift per repeat
• DBA mode: multi-delay resonating filter from shimmer to deep cave repeats
• Three controls — Time, Span, Filter
• Six onboard presets — saves Time, Span, Filter, Mode switch position, and expression assignment
• Live Mode and Preset Mode — switchable via Save/Recall switch or footswitch hold
• User-assignable expression input — TRS, assignable to any control, saved per preset
• CV input supported — 0 to 3.3V
• EQD Flexi-Switch relay true bypass — latching and momentary operation
• 9V DC centre-negative, 2.1mm, 75mA
• Input impedance: 500kΩ, output impedance: 100Ω
• Dimensions: 4.75″ x 2.50″ x 2.25″ (121 x 64 x 57mm)
• Collaboration between EarthQuaker Devices and Death By Audio
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Handmade in Akron, Ohio, USA

Power

The Time Shadows V2 requires a standard 9V DC centre-negative supply at 75mA. EQD specifically recommend transformer-isolated, pedal-specific power supplies or supplies with multiple isolated outputs — switching-type supplies and daisy chains may introduce noise. Any outlet on the CIOKS DC7 v2 or CIOKS SOL handles it comfortably. Do not run at higher voltages — EQD are emphatic on this point.

Who Is This For?

The Time Shadows V2 suits players who want genuinely experimental delay sounds that go well beyond conventional territory — pitch-morphed sub-octave filter effects, simultaneous upward and downward pitch-shifting repeats, and multi-delay filter textures, all in one pedal with presets and expression control.

It’s not a conventional delay. You wouldn’t expect it to be from a collaboration between EarthQuaker Devices and Death By Audio.

Watch It In Action

FAQs