Electro-Harmonix: Battalion review

[Al Kraft]

It seems like it would but I can’t find anything in video reviews or product description- just wanted to make sure before buying.

Please post when you learn the answer. It seems like it would have been a worthwhile addition to the design and IME EHX stuff is usually thoughtfully feature-packed.

 

[jaibeau]

Please post when you learn the answer. It seems like it would have been a worthwhile addition to the design and IME EHX stuff is usually thoughtfully feature-packed.

I will. I actually feel stupid asking because it seems like a no brainer. But usually a 48v button is next to a active DI. But I also thought the HX stomp hAd an xlr amd was mind blown it didn’t... like, they almost had it right

 

[Prapitat]

I have probably run through * and discarded * a dozen OD and distortion pedals/effects over the years and the Battalion is the one size fits all (as mentioned earlier) Swiss Army knife. It just cuts and growls and grinds in equal measure. I found the DarkGlass distortions to be a bit of a one-trick pony and very sterile. I ran with the SansAmp for a while, and the Blueberry, and the Big Muff Deluxe andandandandandandand. Battalion has the goods. Built like a tank and super versatile for tone shaping and power. Yes. you have to 'find' the tones, but once you explore the edges *as with any pedal* it makes sense and is easily mapped for your own style. I don't see the need to look further, and that is saying something. See above for just the partial list of what I thought were the be all/end all, and know that cut/run is coming fast if the pedal doesn't hit the mark. This video whetted the appetite enough to pull the trigger I have "sold" 3 other bassists on it by virtue of this vid as well as just hearing my rig in live setting. (Barefaced Big Twin/Mesa TT-800 and/or Mesa Walkabout with (too many) basses.

 

[Robodabie]

About 1 year ago, I decided to streamline my pedal chain to a few essential units. The result is shown in the picture below. (The only other pedal that I'd like to add at this point is a looping unit, even though the Empress Echo System in my chain has a looping feature.)

One radical change that I made in crafting this chain was to sell my faithful Tech21 SansAmp DI/Preamp unit, which I'd used steadily since forever. That pedal was the only one which I carried constantly everywhere, every time. Yet I sold it after 30 years of fantastic service. The reason is I never could made any use of the «drive» feature on it. It was at 1/4 forever.

The reason I sold my SansAmp DI, was because I acquired an Electro-Harmonix Battalion: A DI and preamp that doubles as a full-featured 4-band overdrive, completed with a limiter and compression. The pedal not only offers you all the flexibility to connect for studio or for live, it allows you a fully customizable overdriven sound, which can then be switched to match the preamp tone any way you desire: OD before EQ; EQ before OD; or OD and EQ in parallel.

These last few days, I was kind of shopping around for a drive pedal. Maybe a Darkglass, maybe a TS9B... Then I remembered that I purchased that super potent EH DI/preamp. And low and behold: It does the Darkglass and TS9B without losing a breath! It's a killer overdrive unit, on top of accomplishing what the SansAmp did.

I recommend it.View attachment 4042126

Its funny how we all find different sounds appealing. I recently bought a bddi v1 to replace my battalion. I couldn't get a good fuzz tone, way to much mids. But I paired them together, and got a sick tone, with plenty of grit and low end. I'm curious what settings you use on the battalion, since you like it so much. Im thinking of keeping it now, after your review. I dont feel like it can do what the bddi does, imo

 

[Raman]

Its funny how we all find different sounds appealing. I recently bought a bddi v1 to replace my battalion. I couldn't get a good fuzz tone, way to much mids. But I paired them together, and got a sick tone, with plenty of grit and low end. I'm curious what settings you use on the battalion, since you like it so much. Im thinking of keeping it now, after your review. I dont feel like it can do what the bddi does, imo

Sorry to disappoint, but I ended up selling the Battalion last year. I still think it's a very good design and enjoyed it for 2 years, but I have a difficult relationship with OD/Dist effects, especially when seeking a "warm tube" type OD. I have yet to encounter the one that I won't grow dissatisfied with over time.

Presently, I have 3 OD/dist pedals that I'm playing with.
-I have an Empress Multidrive that takes care of the heavier "in your face" dist and fuzz effects. I'm very happy with it. I couple it with a Blender effect to tame it.
-I did get a Darkglass Vintage Microtubes to try and get the "warm tube" OD effect. It does get me very close, though only one setting works for me really.
-And very recently, like 1 week ago, I got a Zoom B1 Four. I didn't buy it for OD at all. But surprisingly, I'm finding very interesting dist, amp and preamp combinations on it.

In short, the quest goes on.

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

EHX or Sonicake?