The Fabulous Echoplex!
Mike Battle invented the Echoplex machine in the 1960's which lead to an industry standard for incorporating
echo and delay type effects in the studio (and live) for guitar and vocals. Its functionality has been time proven and almost every delay effect made after it has paid homage to its design: variable delay time, variable repeats/regeneration, wet/dry balance control all in one panel easily adjusted by the player. I first heard of the Echoplex via Brian May of Queen who used it both live and in the studio for layering guitars on top of each other. Freddy Mercury also used this effect live singing harmonies on top of delayed vocal lines.
echo and delay type effects in the studio (and live) for guitar and vocals. Its functionality has been time proven and almost every delay effect made after it has paid homage to its design: variable delay time, variable repeats/regeneration, wet/dry balance control all in one panel easily adjusted by the player. I first heard of the Echoplex via Brian May of Queen who used it both live and in the studio for layering guitars on top of each other. Freddy Mercury also used this effect live singing harmonies on top of delayed vocal lines. Mike's designs offer more than just great features, they bring a certain feel to the way they operate, similar to a guitar or amplifier has a feel to it. It has been used by countless numbers of electric guitarists, saxophonists, singers, sythnesizer players, and more. it.
Guitarists have been the main users of this effect. Mostly due to the effects boom of the 1960's and 1970's when musical effects were all new ground yet to be explored.
A Little History
Originally it was designed for Country and Western music. Chet Atkins was one of Mike's first users who instantly took to it. Another one of Mike's clients was Les Paul. Country music would not be the same to this day without the Echoplex.
The rock n' roll musicians took their guitar sounds to the new limits by creating counter-rhythms, slap-backs, intense echo repeats, and pitch shifted notes all through mega wattage sound systems. It wasn't long until rock musicians saw the benefits of echo in their tunes. Both Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Joe Walsh of James Gang/Eagles fame used the Echoplex device in their music.
Below is a nice interview with Mike Battle not too long ago.
Below is a link to a very nice website by Regis Coyne featuring the entire history of the Echoplex. Very nice!
Cheers to you Mike!
Remembering Mike Battle
Inventor of the Echoplex
1918-2008
