Guitarist Vudi of American Music Club Crafts His Own Musical Identity with Eclipse
2/16/2009 - "There is no doubt that the Eclipse is very guitarist friendly." - Vudi
American Music Club was back on the road for most of 2008 and the band’s lead guitarist, Vudi, has utilized Eventide’s Eclipse™ effects processor for its versatility, portability, and sound effect capabilities. Vudi has also used the Eclipse while fronting the San Francisco-based group Clovis de Floret and playing with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti.
“A few years ago I was working in a studio with [recording engineer] Mark Howard wondering how he achieved such unique pitch shifting and echoes. Mark then introduced me to the Eventide Eclipse, the piece of gear that was able to produce a sound I had always wanted in my own music,” said Vudi. “I purchased the Eclipse in 2005 because I knew that Eventide had processing power that I could trust.”
Optimized for live performance, the Eclipse is the only effects processor in its class to feature 24-bit digital conversion and 96kHz sampling. There are 90 of Eventide’s best effects algorithms in the Eclipse along with two processing engines. The dual routing configurations makes it possible to use the Eclipse as two independent effects processors. The two effects blocks’ inputs and outputs can be used in parallel or serial for maximum flexibility.
“When the band goes on the road we no longer need to bring a keyboard player, because I can create the same sound as an organ or a string section with the Eclipse. In this way, the Eclipse has helped save on touring expenses,” said Vudi. “Countless times after a live performance I have had people ask me whether or not the band was using a backing track, when in fact, all we had used was the Eclipse.”
Explaining the Eclipse’s interaction with other pieces of equipment, Vudi said, “The Eclipse is the only digital box that I have ever seen where you can go straight through to an amplifier. There is no doubt that this product is very guitarist friendly.”
Recently, Vudi has also started using the ModFactor and TimeFactor stomboxes. “The Eventide stomboxes are the best I have ever experienced and I have just begun my adventure with them,” he said.
Continuing with his vigorous schedule, Vudi plans to hit the road again with the American Music Club, but he hopes to start recording on his own to showcase what he can manifest from his own talents using the Eclipse, ModFactor, and TimeFactor.