Strymon Volante – Delay Dude – the delay specialist

Should I get the Strymon Volante or the El Capistan?

A reader’s question to the Dude:

“I am torn between the Strymon Volante and the El Capistan.
I have seen your video a million times and am still not sure. I like the rhythmic possibilities you can get with the Volante, the rec level knob which can add some dirt to the repeats, the 3 delay types and the 4s max delay time.
But I am tempted with the warm sound, and the simplicity of the El Capistan.
I want the unit as a main delay (currently have a Boss DD7 which will stay on the pedalboard as a second delay).
Do you think it is worth it to lose that extra warmth for all that pros of the Volante?
Currently, I am playing a Les Paul through a Bugera 5W tube amp.
I mostly play ambient and progressive to blues rock (Huge Pink Floyd fan).
Also, if you have the time, what is your favorite (or favorites) delay pedal(s) and why?” Continue reading “Should I get the Strymon Volante or the El Capistan?”

Ask the Dude: Is there a pedal sounding like the Binson Echorec?

Recently, I found the following request in my mailbox:

“I think, I actually would need a Binson Echorec, but they are in fact beyond price. I love the flutter echo mash, that the Echorec is able to create.
In the meantime, I think, that an analog delay is able to produce every sound, I long for. Digital delays with analog emulation do not sound that nice to me. But at the same time, I don’t want to get into dept.
Could you tell me, if the Ibanez Echo Shifter might be a suitable pedal for me? Especially in contrast to the Ibanez analog delay, AD9, mini or even the EHX Memory Toy?
I have already tried to many sappy pedals. Right now, I do (still!) use the Hardwire DL8. But in my opinion, it is too cold and inorganic.” Continue reading “Ask the Dude: Is there a pedal sounding like the Binson Echorec?”

Strymon Volante vs. Crazy Tube Circuits Echotopia

This is a stereo comparison of the Strymon Volante with the Crazy Tube Circuits Echotopia.
Find out more about marvellous sound options of these two vintage style tape echo emulation pedals.

Please use your headphones!

Reverse delays

Almost since musicians used tape recording, there are also reverse delays. Very early artists like the Rolling Stones or Jimi Hendrix experimented with this type of delay sounds. At those days, creating reverse delays was pretty complicated because the recording tapes had to be cut and played backwards. Continue reading “Reverse delays”

Binson Echorec

Concerning the categorization of delay pedals, guitarists mostly refer to analog delays, tape delays and digital delay pedals. But one true classic is often overlooked because it is pretty rare and only available in used condition: the Binson Echorec. Continue reading “Binson Echorec”

+++ NAMM 2019 News Part 1 +++

Before the NAMM 2019 opens the doors for guitar geeks from all over the world, the first information about new pedals, amps and instruments are announced. Here I would like to present a small selection of interesting news: Continue reading “+++ NAMM 2019 News Part 1 +++”