3 Ways John Martyn Used the Echoplex on 'I'd Rather Be the Devil'

The Echoplex created the song’s signature swirling, psychedelic guitar sound. Martyn used the tape delay to layer and repeat his phrases, giving the track a hypnotic, drifting quality.

He set the delay to a slow, rhythmic repeat that synced with the song’s tempo. This turned simple guitar lines into complex, cascading patterns that defined the track’s mood.

Martyn manipulated the Echoplex’s controls live, adjusting the feedback and delay time during the performance. This added unpredictable, organic textures that a digital delay could not replicate.