All Strymon Delay Pedals Comparison

►► Shop Strymon pedals here (this Sweetwater affiliate link supports my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 😊)
→ sweetwater.sjv.io/rQqBP3
►► Free Mini-Course on Ambient Guitar Chord Structures: 🎁
→ www.ambientguitaracademy.com/...
0:00 - Quick audition between all pedals
0:48 - Talking about differences in features
3:30 - Looping maximum times
3:58 - What's this pedal best at: Brigadier
6:01 - What's this pedal best at: El Capistan
7:46 - What's this pedal best at: DIG
9:51 - What's this pedal best at: Timeline
12:35 - What's this pedal best at: Volante
15:31 - Volante vs. El Capistan
16:37 - Timeline = 90% solution
17:31 - Timeline replicating El Capistan
18:22 - Timeline replicating Brigadier
18:52 - Timeline replicating DIG
19:45 - Which pedal you should get according to your needs (wrap up)
22:14 - My special gift to you
Are you confused about which Strymon Delay pedal you should get? Want to know the differences between all of them? Wonder if the Timeline can replicate exactly the sounds of the smaller pedals?
I'm answering all of that in this video!
Here we compare the sounds and feature of the:
- Strymon Brigadier
- Strymon El Capistan
- Strymon DIG
- Strymon Timeline
- Strymon Volante
If you still have unanswered questions, use the comment section!
Enjoy!
__________
► Full list of the pedals and gear I use to make music (these Sweetwater affiliate links support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 😊)
- Singular Sound Aeros Looper Gold Edition (get 10% off by entering ANTOINE10 at checkout): www.singularsound.com/product...
- Strymon BigSky: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQqBPR
- Strymon Timeline: sweetwater.sjv.io/JzvW0R
- Strymon El Capistan: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PxqY9
- Strymon Ola: sweetwater.sjv.io/21LJ6O
- Strymon Iridium: sweetwater.sjv.io/zN5O2M
- Mission Engineering VM Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/6eQD4N
- EHX Micro POG: sweetwater.sjv.io/eK5jjZ
- EHX Mel9: sweetwater.sjv.io/m5J1NM
- TC Electronic Polytune: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyvnnM
- Vox AC15 with Alnico Blue speaker: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyvEE9
- eBow Plus: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PxMoo
- Mogami Gold Cables: sweetwater.sjv.io/XYvKBg
- George L’s Patch Cables: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrvWjA
- Arturia Keylab 88: sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQvR51
- Arturia Keylab 49: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW1537
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i8: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW155J
- Shure SM57: sweetwater.sjv.io/VmvddJ
- Shure SM7B: sweetwater.sjv.io/XYvE5y
- Sennheiser MKE 600: sweetwater.sjv.io/0ZMzBY
- Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitors: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrvELK
- Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 4x4: sweetwater.sjv.io/R5NED2
- Sennheiser HD280 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PxMBL
- Pedaltrain Classic Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/NkvEYP
- Cubase Artist: sweetwater.sjv.io/Y9vKkK
- Strymon BigSky Plugin: sweetwater.sjv.io/m5J1ky
More lessons and music:
► Ambient Guitar Academy (online courses): ambientguitaracademy.com/
► My studio albums : monochromeseasons.bandcamp.com
Subscribe:
►► kzbin.info...
This is the Ambient Guitar youtube channel of Canadian multi-instrumentist Antoine Michaud. Through original ambient music, chordal guitar lessons and tips on guitar pedals, Antoine is looking to educate and inspire aspiring ambient musicians to learn everything about the world of ambient guitar and chordal voicings on guitar.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

►► Shop Strymon pedals here (this Sweetwater affiliate link supports my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 😊) → sweetwater.sjv.io/rQqBP3

[@christianpescado4826]

Best strymon comparison I’ve seen so far! Thank you!

[@keoni927]

What a great lesson Antoine! Thanks for sharing all of that information on each of these pedals. There really are a lot of different choices and they are all good depending on what style of music you play. Great tips by the Master of Ambient Guitar!!!

[@rattlecage666]

What an outstanding review. I love how you play the same riff over and over. This really allows me to the hear the differences. A hearty well done!!

[@kentong515]

Thanks for the brief and highlights of Strymon delay series. It is useful!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

0:00 - Quick audition between all pedals 0:48 - Talking about differences in features 3:30 - Looping maximum times 3:58 - What's this pedal best at: Brigadier 6:01 - What's this pedal best at: El Capistan 7:46 - What's this pedal best at: DIG 9:51 - What's this pedal best at: Timeline 12:35 - What's this pedal best at: Volante 15:31 - Volante vs. El Capistan 16:37 - Timeline = 90% solution 17:31 - Timeline replicating El Capistan 18:22 - Timeline replicating Brigadier 18:52 - Timeline replicating DIG 19:45 - Which pedal you should get according to your needs (wrap up) 22:14 - My special gift to you

[@Saurondor]

Great video! Best comparison I've seen and one that brings out the great features of all the pedals. It will be a time saver for many looking to make a decision. Wish I had it a few months back before I got my Volante. Not that I would have bought something else, but it would have saved me days if not weeks. I ended up buying the Volante as I found it to be the most "historically rich" peddal of them all mixed in with some modern features like midi and expression peddal support. For me it's the best mix between present and past. I find the Volante brings back features lost in time. Those features from the old tape and drum units that would be lost in the more compact and reliable units to come. Features such as the low fidelity of the drum delay and the multiple heads of the early magnetic units. The Volante can go from low fidelity drum to hifi studio tape. Mechanical wear can be simulated and the spacing knob is just a killer feature that allows head spacing to be adjusted for infinite rhythmic options. Oh and the record heads can be panned individually left or right and that just makes for a killer effect. It blew everything else right out of the water when I heard it and you should really include that in your video. It's worth the trouble of a stereo path and recording. That being said I'd like to point out that the Volante has 300 presets. Eight can be accessed through the buttons and the rest through MIDI. The support for MIDI opens a world of opportunities in regards to configuration on stage.

[@agerven]

24 very entertaining and interesting minutes, thank you Antoine!

[@richardryan8462]

Excellent review. You put a lot of thought and work into this. Thank you for this.

[@utai4571]

i don't know why i'm watching this! i've been losing sleep for the last month over my decision between the volante and the El cap, and now i also want the brigadier!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

OOPS!

[@NicZanski]

I'm the same, did you make a choice?

[@benjaminjacob6716]

@@NicZanski Same here! Leaning toward El cap for simplicity

[@NicZanski]

@@benjaminjacob6716 Haha! i decided to go for the Volante simply because one showed up used but in new condition for 230 (and the el cap goes for around 200 used). One thing i will say i hardly ever touch the left hand side of the Volante pedal. Once i have the pre vol set and wear then theres no need to. The "mechanics" can be a bit unnecessary for 99% of delay situation (for me anyway) and the low cut is a nice addition. i don't see much difference between the types of tape delay either so in reality i probably should have got the el cap for tone, but just got a bit lucky with the price of an opened new Volante (i knew i could sell it on for more than what i bought it for). Go for the El Cap, or if you are anything like me and wont be happy till you get the apparently best try a Volante but check the used market. i personally knew El cap was more for me but got greedy. Hope this helps!

[@louierubio]

What did you get? Would you have considered the Timeline?

[@NitishShiggaon]

What a complete in-depth review! Thanks!

[@tomsonkolson9007]

Damn, I really liked that Brigadier! Cheers for the hard work with this comparison 🙂

[@treyvisqueux7973]

I got one recently -- thanks to Antoine's previous video -- and it's great, nicely complementing the El Cap and others. The long delay and modulation are real attractions, and you can get one used for around $200.

[@tomsonkolson9007]

Trey Visqueux will need to check it ASAP!

[@tommyburnhamsmusic]

Tomson kolson I have one for sale if you fancy it

[@francoisst-pierre732]

That's the video i was looking for today! Thanks!

[@sph33_]

I had both the volante and the el cap and kept the volante. You can get it to make those warm sounds if you mess with the rec level and other controls.

[@snapdragon6084]

Great comparison video. I once had all of these smaller Strymon delays and sold them. Will be getting them again. Best delays on the market.

[@Wooburnmusic]

Sir this is probably the best educational video on KZbin that I have seen, thankyou very much 👍

[@blizzbee]

Thanks so much for this comparison. It is super useful.

[@JimNavarro]

Thank You Antoine! very very helpful! Thanks for sharing all of that information on each of these pedals, help me to get my Strymon Dig!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Enjoy your DIG man :-)

[@mikemeehan2505]

What a great video! I have the Timeline and the el Capistan and it was useful to hear them compared. Thanks for taking the time- appreciated.

[@FindabandNewZealand]

Do you find you use one or the other more? I'm weighing up getting Timeline to cover "everything" or just getting the sound I love the most - the El Cap.

[@dahliafiend]

Man I have the timeline because I need the reverse and digital delays but the el cap I can’t quite match. I did match my boss Waza bucket completely as well my boss digital but the el cap I miss something even using the flint spring. That said I really need the variety of the timeline and the ability to save patches and set bpms . If money wasn’t an issue I would have kept the el cap and the Avalanche Run but I gotta sell anything I don’t have on my board and the timeline is the best all around that I’ve encountered. I had the new line 6 Dl4 and returned it within a week.

[@ftlaud911]

Great review!! Well done explaining differences. Crazy how one could be happy owning just one or all of them and not feel like they overlap each other. Use to Iove reverb the most, but found out I love delay more. Can never have enough!!!

[@Danthehorse]

Great demo, thank you. And a nice chap too.

[@Zoso_1990]

Just picked up a Volante, but that El Cap is special. Honestly, leaving here a big fan of the DIG, may just need to get one of those too.

[@rasher009]

That is a great piece of work. Thank you for this comparison. Love the Brigadier, although I need a Lex next.

[@matttheknife3652]

Super helpful video mate - thank you!

[@ryanspencerlauderdale687]

I do agree with you, Antoine, on the learning curve of the Timeline. I bought one within the last couple months. It is slightly frustrating to grasp, but once you get it, it’s fine. I just find that for the ambient stuff that I play regularly, the Timeline (due to sounds and presets) is worth the investment. At $450 USD, it is exactly that: an investment.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

What a great comparison. Thanks man.

[@wolfnstrings]

I enjoyed this. I’d like to see a comparison of reverb pedals from any brand you have on hand.

[@chicolopez8722]

Good job on this dude!

[@sebrura]

Great vid! Just was I was looking for.

[@GNeuman]

Great comparison/demo.... To my ears, the El Capistan sounds the richest and most interesting delay.. I've got two of them plus the DIG and Volante...Strymon make superb delays....

[@joshuabenton3785]

what a wonderful vid! now what to do....i will take all of them.

[@musicbypetegonzales4814]

Great format for comparison!

[@joelgraham3]

absolutely wonderful and yes, I am interested in your course

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thanks Joel!

[@Joldrath]

excellent video. Really opened my eyes to the El Capistan. Thank you for that.

[@Joldrath]

yeah I actually bought the El Capistan today just because of you! Better video explaining what you get with these delay pedals doesn't exist on KZbin. Have a great summer :D

[@the5chord]

Thanks man! This is awesome

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Really useful comparisons. 👌🏽

[@IamCarlFree]

Thanks for the comparison! This helped me a lot in deciding what to get. I play keys and synths so I mights go with Timline or Volante. I like DIG the best out of the smaller pedals.

[@Patrick-857]

The Dig is a magical pedal for ambient sounds. It can sound almost like a reverb.

[@Matthew-b2i]

Thank you. And impressive foot pointing.

[@MrClarkio]

Really good review and summary. Judging by the boomerang ii Looper peeking out top left I'd say you're something of a connoisseur of loop and delay pedals.

[@fadefadfaf]

great job! very helpful video

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Big help! Thanks!

[@dortola]

Great review! Thank you!

[@simonwarner3601]

Excellent video. Very helpful.

[@MK-tj5bf]

Great video!

[@johnwoodham5940]

Very nice video one of the best comparison videos. As for the el capistan can be set pretty clean if set the tape age to nil. And wow and flutter all the way left secondary bias function all the way to left.

[@Skytalker777]

Great review, thank you.

[@coupe-lee]

Most useful demo/comparison for prospective buyers. THANK YOU!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Very welcome!

[@xpump876]

thx for the demos

[@paulheartsongs]

Thank you for a great comparison! I’ve used the timeline since it was released… It does everything I need and a lot more. The presets are a winner. There are only a couple of pedals which compete well with the timeline. Thanks again for a great review!

[@jeffreygrantsr4525]

Highly detailed and focused comparisons. I can't even think of a question to ask for choosing one or more pedals as all my questions were answered. I have the El Capistan and have been wanting to get the timeline as well. I'm still juggling on whether to get the Volante or not. I think it's great using more than one delay. Thanks again Antoine.

[@imaseeker100]

a most excellent overview

[@Lael128]

Had the Brigadier & Dig at one point. Sold the Dig to get a Boss DD500, and kept the Brigadier which causes lust and envy from my guitar buddies. It’s such an underrated pedal that has so much life on the repeats. One of my favourite settings makes it sound like a pad underneath my guitar tone!

[@suckerfrank72]

if you play reggae and dub style Dig or Brigadier?

[@masterofreality230]

@@suckerfrank72 Volante is good for that tbh

[@Lorneplumber]

I have everything apart from the brigadier. I like el cap into dig the most but the volante in stereo is very very impressive

[@warmitag]

I just wanted to comment that you're very good at explaining things, and getting your ideas across.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

I appreciate that, thank you!

[@DeyBwah]

Great video man! I like the way you say "pretty"!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Timeline is my favorite delay pedal. Like the unique sounds and easy to use.

[@arvee72]

Excellent Review. Thanks ! BTW, to the viewers, I'm using Beyer headphones and this review has excellent sound quality!

[@atarirob]

I debated between the El Cap and the Volante for a while. Ended up with the Volante because of the looper, but honestly I feel as though it's complete overkill as I literally use it for slapback and looping, with guitar and nothing else! That being said, it's only £100 more than the El Cap and to me does a hell of a lot more (fleshed out looper, 2 more delay types, infinitely more rhythmic possibilites, built in favourite switch). I use software delays everywhere when recording, so it will be fun to put it through it's paces in a recording environment, especially with drums.

[@michaeloberly6129]

Thanks for this. I recently bought the DIG, and I love it, but really interested in the El Capistan...just a great sound. Great demo of these fine pedals.

[@pCeLobster]

The El Capistan is like a living thing. It really feels like some rickety old contraption from grandpa's attic.

[@joelgraham3]

@@pCeLobster lol interesting

[@michaelgriffin5304]

I know this is old but DANG is that a beautiful line up of pedals. :P I recently got into Strymon and they are simply amazing.

[@philippevleminckx2607]

Bonjour Antoine, j'ai une petite question : la Timeline est-elle aussi complète que la El Capistan, dans son mode dtape ? Ou bien certaines features sont différentes ? Merci beaucoup, d'avance !

[@mydaydreamrecords]

I have the 3 in the middle. I like DIG better than the Timeline & El Cap for what I do.

[@guilhermevideira1]

Man, they're all great!

[@aeronemusic7343]

one of the best comparison! now im intrigued by the Brigadier

[@tommyburnhamsmusic]

aeronemusic I have one for sale if you are interested mate

[@tonyadams6985]

Thanks so much for this! I was really struggling with which Delay I should go with for live and studio.. Very cool!

[@tomgnau]

The delays -- beautiful. The accent -- perfect.

[@merkaba555]

Lol

[@IamMusicNerd]

Awesome review! I’m curious how the UAFX Starlight compares to these, since that pedal has numerous types of delays all in one also.

[@vinniedixiemusic]

El cap for me. small amazing unit. beautiful delay.

[@nathanmielke1977]

I love that 'Rang 3 on the top of the board!

[@alexandarcorda]

Great video 🎸🤩 thanks

[@KunchangLeeMusic]

Great comparison

[@MrStayCoul]

Bravo et merci Antoine

[@hoplophobe]

Great video but 2 points. Anyone considering everything Strymon should also know about the Deco. I felt the best features of the Dig were overlooked, how the dual delays interact (or not). I also still don't yet know if the TimeLine or Volante have any dual delay capabilities.

[@MikhailMedvedev]

I've forgoten about other delays after buying Volante)

[@louierubio]

Amazing video. God Bless!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thank you!

[@TomPark1986]

The Volante blossoms very well

[@SandauxBeats]

How does Volante fare with dirt pedals, other modulation pedals, pitch shifter and envelope filter pedals?

[@badkatrising3918]

I’ve had 4 out of 5. Volante for easy flexibility, el cap for ease, timeline for hours spent chasing tone, brig for bottom end.

[@Patrick-857]

The Dig is probably my favorite. It's ridiculous how awesome it sounds especially in stereo.

[@simonw.9853]

Now i want all thank you

[@joelgraham3]

Thanks - with an Iridium and 3 or 4 Strymon pedals in a row which would you choose and in what order? I asked under one of your videos already sorry

[@charlestrupia9916]

Antoine, appreciate sharing your knowledge. I can say I've have benefited from your instructional videos, for my personal growth with the guitar. my question, can the Volante pedal come close to mirroring the Dig pedal, which I'm gravitating to. For my needs is definitely at least 3 recallable sound presets for gigging, on the fly. Thank you sir, Charles from Florida.

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Thanks...Going Volante. But if I was loaded Id get the Capistan for that one taoe sound. But I'm sure with some tweaking the Volante will get close with the tape speed.

[@dantedefeo1984]

Are there any videos that have examples of these delays with overdrive/distortion?

[@andivax]

Awesome analysis! Do you have TimeLine VS Empress video comparison?

[@ChuckLopez]

Volante and el Capistan for me

[@IndyRockStar]

I want the Volante. Hoping to get it for my birthday.

Hi Antoine. Awesome video! Two questions. Can the Timeline also do 2 delays at the same time like the DIG? Does the Timeline have the capacity to create the golden ratio by itself without needing another delay pedal? Thank you very much bro!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Yes, the Timeline has the Dual mode, which is pretty much the same thing as the Dig. I guess you could setup a golden ratio by yourself, but there is not a 'golden ratio sub' ready to be used like on the Dig!

[@alantracy6757]

They make expensive great pedals I particularly like the riverside timeline dig and big sky Ambient tools 🛠

[@smellytele9629]

It's not for everyone, but the Volante is my favorite pedal I've ever owned. My bandmates would disagree though, too much knob twiddling LOL!

[@UmVtCg]

You should not let your bandmates twiddle those knobs.

[@lancecamposano3633]

I was waiting for you to play the riff at 5:30 on timeline :( That hauntingly cool lo fi delay

[@Pan_Kosmi]

nice video thanks

[@mrt77wv]

I like to think of the El Cap as an "instant Boards of Canada" pedal.

[@michaelcraig9449]

El Capitan Canada

[@johnzuker]

Excellent overview!

[@delatronics3257]

I like your reviews on Strymon products but what about Eventide who are the main rival? What are your thoughts?

[@vabyanvaneudaimonia2712]

Thank you for this great comparison! You say the volante has (almost) every parameters on its surface, otherwise than the smaller pedals. Is this also case with the timeline?

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Not exactly, on some modes with the Timeline, you have to push the ''Value'' button and access other parameters inside. The Timeline allows to tweak more, even more than the Volante!

[@analogblues9606]

Thanks so much for the great info! I’m old school and presently is a Boss DD-2 for my delays and a Mad Professor Silver Spring Reverb. I only have space for small Strymon boxes on my board and I’m ok with having 2 presets. One with always on reverb with slight slap for thickness and other for solo delay’s. What are your thoughts? Thanks! 😊

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

I would go more with the Brigadier or El Capistan in that case. It really depends which kind of sound you like the most: analog or tape? It's a question taste more than functionality at this point!

[@analogblues9606]

@@AntoineMichaudGuitar Thanks! :-)

[@stratcat4450]

I love the modulation on the timeline. When I followed up with getting a blue sky I was suprised that I dont like the modulation on that pedal.

[@Patrick-857]

I have the Bigsky, and I find it to be very intense. I play ambient music, and I tend to set the Bigsky up with a subtle long reverb at the end of the chain, and then stack my delays for the wash and swell sounds as delays are less complex and tend to be cleaner. I started out being more into reverb than delay, but now I'm the other way around.

[@BobaFettBountyHunter]

He talks about the "warmth" of the El Capistan, but the primary tone (dry) seems to have trebles attenuated as much as the echoes. That leads me to think that the tonal range of the El Cap is skewed to the bass, relative to the more trebly tonal range overall of the Volante.

[@rdean150]

I'm curious how the Volante compares to the El Cap when using at the half-speed setting and with the low cut knob all the way CCW (you're probably high passing some of that low-end warmth away), and the Mechanics knob turned down a bit too. And then maybe with it in Drum mode. Also you had the Spring reverb all the way down - that reverb really makes it sound more lush and warm.

[@shckltnebay]

Did you mention Analog Dry Through?