Strymon Volante vs Boss RE-202 vs Line 6 DL4 MkII - Delay Pedal Shootout!

[@sagnier]

The volante is definitely the most expensive in terms of RRP, but you can’t deny that the DL4 is the greenest pedal, at least in terms of the colour of the finish. To its credit though, the BOSS pedal has a hyphen in its name. These stark contrasts aside, I think we can agree that each device can be used to produce delay effects.

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

Pin this comment above. As a sidenote, The Volante has the most buttons, but the DL4 has the bigger ones.

[@filipdinevmusic]

Ahaahh

[@cotyroberts]

Hilarious

[@SamCaseyFromSouthlake]

The tone in the RE-202 feels a bit darker than the tone on the DL4, but it's a bit wider on the DL4! To each their own

[@delatronics3257]

I am the ex senior engineer of Roland UK. Who didn't use the Space Echo? I have worked on units from Radiohead , Scorpions, Pulp, Hank Marvin, Zak Starkey...and many more since 1988. Hank Marvin started with WEM Copycat but moved on to the RE-501 and RE-301 sometimes in series (I owned his RE-301 a while back. I also worked as a contractor for Line 6 and love their products but Strymon are new to me but I dig the sound!

[@RyanMcQuen]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@bertrandvanasch]

Wow Hank Marvin ! 🤩 legend great memories indeed !

[@paulwatson9217]

So which do you rate higher the Boss re202 or the Line 6

[@delatronics3257]

@paulwatson9217 probably the 202

[@youbecha64]

I only wanted to throw the money down for one (I already had a Oceans 12 for reverb/tremolo etc) So I got the Volante (based on AMC and other reviews). It just sounds gorgeous ...I am nowhere near exploring all its capabilities, but I an happy with the investment.

[@coleytownson653]

Just stopped by to say I love my DL4. You can go on for hours and hours messing with different settings. Don’t think I’ll ever get bored with it.

[@CMHobbies]

The Line 6 has SO much on it. For the money, it’s hard to beat for its versatility. I have all of those delays on my HX Stomp and I use them a lot. Pure sound quality though, the Volante is the cream of the crop and unbeaten (IMO).

[@middle_pickup]

We live in the best time ever for gear. All of these are sick!

[@1pfarrior]

Would love to see Anderson’s hook up a midi controller to send midi clock to pedals so the delays can be changed quickly and maintain the same BPM from one unit to the next.

[@danielzdziarski7017]

I have a Volante and RE-202. One thing Pete said is something I totally noticed as well: the Volante is a big sounding delay that has a very Chorus-y type thing going on in the sound. I love both pedals, but I've been tending to fall on the side of the RE-202. I love the character of the pedal and it has a really cool sound in the repeats.

[@TheGrahamSnyder]

That's why I'm selling my Volante . It also has this high end I can't get rid of

[@JosipAngeloBorovac]

For me this is a clear-cut victory for Volante...just has this 3D sound to it, compared to others. Well done Strymon and I am not an easy guy to be convinced :-)

[@JaymeSilverstein]

Exactly

[@masterofreality230]

Its a keeper, when I eventually get a Meris LVX I will be set for life.......or a while at least lol

[@DeathMetalGuitar]

Capt. Lee 6:40 -> Brian Setzer, Yngwie and Randy Rhoads = Roland RE-201... Alex Lifeson as well (Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures)

[@massimos6863]

Great Demo All Great Sounding Delay pedals but I think the Volante sounds slightly better than the other 2

[@markdavidofficial4274]

I’d say the Volante is best straight up echo, the RE-202 is a Space Echo, and the Line 6 is the most versatile

[@Citizen-1a]

Volante sounded noticeably better to my ears. But they all sounded good. Pah, kids today - totally spoiled.

[@stan5585]

The reverb on the original Space Echo was key to Dub/Reggae.

[@rsguitar335]

While the Volante has a nice warm sound by itself (one guitar), I have concerns of how well it would cut through a live mix, competing with keys, bass, drums, rhythm guitar. I like the Space Echo.

[@MickeyDs14]

If you turn the Rec Level up, it increases the gain since it’s like a preamp. It would definitely cut through a mix if dialed in high enough and the echo level turned up.

[@cortmiller]

I have been obsessed with the space echo lately. I wonder if boss will do a firmware update in the future allowing stereo delay repeats. If so it would push the boss into the clear winner for me

[@straycatscott82]

@andertons Hank Marvin originally used a couple of meazzis and also had a binson baby, he used a re301 around 1977 then moved on to the re301 until around 1995.

[@jacksonrepetskimusic]

I bought a volante on black Friday, and it is the best delay on the plant. Hands down.

[@ernielamprell4532]

The Hall & Collins is equal, but also has Meazxi Echomatics, Vox Long Tom and others. The Volante, will not allow these head spacings, so a compromise is required for Shadows numbers. The Volante sounds excellent though. Also, lets not exclude the TVS3 🙂

[@kylebichler2258]

Mine is on the way!

[@nateonearth]

Why did you put it on your “plant”?

[@kh485]

He “planted” it on his pedalboard 😂

[@mjrisinsd6836]

I think the DL4 is completely different than the other two. I would have it on my board along with a dedicated tape echo for the looper and swiss army capabilities, so it’s not really in competition in my mind. Also, I chose the RE-202, so can attest that it is great. It sounds amazing with distortion and has very intense amounts of wow; flutter; and also reverb.

[@IamMusicNerd]

I liked the Boss Space Echo the best

[@moduley340]

Volante: tape echo and spring(stereo) are connected in series. RE-201and 202: tape echo and spring(mono) are connected in parallel. DL4 MkII: I don't know. RE-202 is an exact clone of RE-201.

[@BluesCover]

Thank you. I much prefer a comparison that let the listener decide for him self rather tell him what he should think or which tool is the better tool. But... I also think that there is a fail in all of this comparisons, because the boss re 202 should be compered to the Strymon el Capistan and not to the Volante. The Volante is different animal with different features. The DL4 should be compered to the Strymon Timeline.

[@uelude]

I love the capistan, what do you think of the 202 Vs cap? Is Volante worth more than a used timeline? It sounds a bit "digital" - 202 sounds more dirty.. but missing something

[@BluesCover]

@@uelude Hi. I think that it is very much depends on what you aim for sound wise. if you wont the sound of dirty tape delay with "this sound of a tape machine delay" go with the El Capistan or the RE202. if you after more clean and precise delay that goes from almost digital but not digital if you know what I mean, to tape delay go with the Volante. the Timeline and DL4 has a little bit of everything and some other interesting delays. it is also depends if you gonna use it in studio and recording environment only, or live performing? if the answer is both and you can afford only 1 I would go with the Timeline. it has big advantages in live situations and no one will ever notice the differences between El Capistan RE202 and Volante and DL4 and Timeline when played live with full band. especially when played in mono. if you are going to use it in studio recording environment, in my opinion it goes between the El Capistan and RE202 and depends on your taste and what you aim for. and what style of music you play. the Volante as I mention before is a unique thing that does it own thing. if you got more then 1 overdrive you can have more then 1 delay, especially if you are collecting pedals for studio recordings. so to sum it up: for live : timeline. for studio recordings (depends on your budget and taste and what you aim for) : I recommend to get 1st the El Capistan or RE202 and if you got the money and need, get the Volante after.

[@chrisdavies9143]

Volante sounds so much better to me, just a bigger image even in mono, not to mention that killer stereo field. Boss sounds too thin, I'm really underwhelmed by what I've heard so far. I think the Volante sounds better than the DL4 on this particular algorithm but I think the DL4 is an incredible pedal considering the range of delay types and those reverbs

[@BrentAdams]

I just went for the TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay. Three delay engines, each with 12 delay types plus 4 Tone Print slots to save special settings, that can be combined either in serial or parallel mode! It's so inspiring!

[@toddlogan9023]

All do their own things great…had a volante sounded great solo but sound as good in a mix…had a re-2 but didn’t cut as well also…have the dl4 while it can’t do what the other two excel at…it’s got it’s own sort of gritty lo-fi thing going for it that just moves me and inspires me All professional gear!

[@proteusswarm7291]

Volante wins with the SOS mode alone. I think it's the best delay available today.

[@masterofreality230]

Thats what I use, I might get a delay with a ton of different modes to go with it like the dl4

[@qlyde]

It blows me away how good these sound. But why do people still crap on digital, if so many of these big popular pedals today are digital? I get that digital amps don’t sound like an amp in a room or feel the same, but what’s the difference between using strymon pedals vs a Helix if you’re running into a Tube Amp? 4 cable method Helix lets you bypass a tube amps preamp section and use a DSP preamp model, into a tube power section, with a real cabinet and it sounds amazing. Turned my Marshall Origin Head into a Fender or Vox and tbh I think the 4 cable method Helix setup with a Tube Amp is the best tones I’ve ever gotten.

[@ryanmaroney4793]

Gotta be the Volante for me, seems like DP even plays better with it and takes less time "adjusting" to the new sound.

[@simonunderwood4696]

Hank Marvin never used a Copicat. He started off with a Meazzi, moving on to a Binson and an RE301 and 501 in later years.

[@bloved6938]

I would like to see a comparison between the Boss space echo and the catlinbread deluxe belle epoche.

[@horstglasmann3477]

Can the Boss do global tap tempo?Got a Volante, but decided to sell it because it can't.I don't like to tap in the tempo again every time I change the patch in the middle of a song.Good pedal for home use though.

[@fraenkiboii]

Video suggestion: Lee & Pete: Could you talk a little bit about how you set up your victory amps? I bought myself a V40 and now I'm trying to find a video where you show some of the settings, but the amps are basically hidden most of the time.

[@Daveskater]

Pretty sure Pete just has his all at noon on the EQ. Lee has mentioned it before

[@nicolasrivera5310]

The quality in tone of the Volante is clearly above the other units.

[@rickya3877]

I would choose the Volante

[@muluman88]

Can't wait for TPS's 90 minutes video on the same topic tomorrow :D Edit: I'm stupid, it was Wednesday so I meant to write "Friday" or "the day after tomorrow"

[@Duke_de_Plata]

wow that RE202 is just something else. I get this warm fuzzy feeling inside when its active

[@empathysgone96]

Should have added empress echosystem

[@f33fifofum]

Bit of an unfair comparison, Volante is a serious step up on the other two. But good to hear all the tones nonetheless

[@johnjgibson6807]

It would be time for 3 Pedal Board Builds 👍👍🎶🎶🎸You Can Never have Too Many. Awesome Video.

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Actually only listened to it, couldn't see which was on, was funny how much less different they sounded once my eyes were taken out of the equation. They are different but not as much as your eyes think they are.

[@TomSJazzBass]

I have to disagree with the captain on this. The DL4 is the one I care the least about precisely because it does too many different things. I'd gladly spend more for either the Volante or the Space Echo. And I disagree with Pete in that while I could instantly tell when the DL4 got switched on, I absolutely did not prefer it because it sounded too clean

[@jasonthomas208]

Brian Setzer uses Space Echo too.

[@glenproctor1999]

New challenge to find a working Watkins Copycat! I had chance to borrow one in the 70's and it was amazing!

[@jimmyjimmy951]

If you can find a Digitech Time Bender you can nail all the combined tones in these units for less money.. Great underrated piece of kit.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Wow Volante wiped the floor... Nice since I own that already lol

[@naturalrestingface1884]

Please review the Memphis Sun delay. It's got it's own character and worth a look if you want that Sun sound! I already bought one from you!

[@m0j0b0ne]

Brian Setzer travels with like, six Space Echoes.

[@ErikOosterwal]

The Strymon seems to have greater stereo separation than the others.

[@mmhcreates]

I think the others are mono only. Or at least that's how it was explained in the video.

[@davedavem]

@@mmhcreates BOSS says the re-202 is "true stereo input and output", and they have a ton of cables there... Maybe the effects aren't stereo? Certainly the Strymon sounds "more stereo", if that's a thing.

[@ErikOosterwal]

This video by Dr. Mix might explain a bit of Strymon's magic. They are probably implementing notch filters and delays to increase the perceived separation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4LSZ4RrorlsnKM

[@charliekrengel1344]

Can't speak for the DL4, but the RE-202 is a mono delay engine with a stereo reverb. The stereo in and out is for preservation of stereo effects pre and post the RE-202.

[@mmhcreates]

@@davedavem thank you for the information. Just based on what you and the video said, seems like the effect is mono. But 'true stereo' sounds like it should be a stereo effect. Otherwise, surely if the effect is mono, what we hear in both ears is also mono. I should just read up onit, instead of assuming.

[@XPJV]

And... by summarizing all, should I get Boss or Volante?

[@paddyofurniture705]

Listen to EVHs tone on the first album.Like Sir Pete was saying we try and get the tones from recordings. Listen to EVHs pre mix-down tones,all together different than the end tone.

[@gregmize01]

I'll take all 3😬

[@randysutton2120]

The RE-202 case makes me think that there may be a CE-1 reissue coming...

[@pCeLobster]

I hope not. That would be nearly impossible to resist.

[@brrblack497]

The Gear Gods are listening. My older Keeley delay Workstation just started acting funny. When ya' hit the second delay switch the volume lowers? Time to upgrade.

[@OssianEMills]

All 3 for the win!

[@DocRossi]

Volante has a great looper and 8 presets.

[@bradleyhenady2032]

300 with MIDI!!

[@musicandthewalk]

the much awaited comparison!!! Wuhoo!!

[@matzer8846]

WOW! ... just 3 great pedals ... each of 'em worth a try & buy ✅ The RE-202 is the most "old school"-appealing 🧔‍♀ the Strymon is "just a Strymon" ☑ and the new DL4 does it all 👍 Thanks a lot ... great comparison

[@segul67]

really got me to buy another pedal

[@SnappyJCM800]

I enjoy the Ten Years Goneish riff at around 1:00

[@bennyharderguitar]

The Volante is the best pedal on the market. They wipe the floor with Boss and Line 6

[@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet]

One of the most famous Space Echo connoisseurs is Brian Setzer.

[@NOMADCREATIVESOLUTIONS]

ive been wondering what the TC Electronics M100 Stereo multi-effects is like, given TC electronics have some good sounding pedals - the price suggests it wouldnt be great?? but for home studio use?

[@devinpatrickmusic]

I still prefer the Volante. It just sounds better to my ears.

[@peterschaefer1665]

You forgot to mention the fact that the DL4 mk2 has reverb as well

[@sixbladeknife44]

An older big box Deluxe Memory Man with a touch of vibrato dialed in does better tape sounds than all of these, despite that it’s an analog delay. I had the Volante, it’s nice and full featured but lost out to my old DMM in the pure tone dept. The other two sound good, not great.

[@Jimmy5934-e1y]

I agree about the DMM.

[@stilllifewithguitar184]

I have a late 70s DMM and I agree that there's magic in it for sure, but it can't do the multi-head thing, like if you wanted pick just heads 1 and 2 or whatever.

[@clayjr67]

I love watching you guys and I know you’re not trying to pick brands but the strymon is way better sounding on a good TV with a sound bar you can hear the sounds way better the strymon blows them away

[@jconner3891]

Line 6 all the way. For me anyways. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@2swifty4u._.18]

Caps' face tells it all. The Volante takes the crown.

[@TheFlutecart]

I've got the Volante and I love it. No reason to swap at all. I do still want the Catalinbread Bel Epoch Deluxe to add to my collection. But the Volante would stay on the board because MIDI. It's all about the program change.

[@senorleups6340]

The BED is epic. You won't regret buying it. (And I own the Volante)

[@uelude]

Could you please explain why to get the Bel when you have the Volante?

[@uelude]

@@senorleups6340 Why get the BED, please could you explain it's charms Vs Volante?

[@TheFlutecart]

@@uelude I collect things. And I have two pedal boards.

[@lasideasfugazes]

No doubts I'd go for the Volante.

[@davedavem]

This is the shoot-out we all wanted!!! And the Line 6 is also present... ;)

[@Prematron]

The line 6 has 15 hidden reverbs....

[@justincase4925]

What'? No digital readout?

[@peternorth6782]

The reason your drawn to the sapce echo is perception. It looks like something you love so you love it. Nowt wrong with that.

[@jesusblessthesecommentsamen]

Sounded like the space eco had more volume warmth the other 2 sounded tinny compared. But the delays were very similar.

[@wimdewild9345]

Gilmour used a digital delay, actually two, for Run like hell.

[@ericjenks9596]

When I think space echo I think Brian Setzer

[@waynedoherty7758]

Most authentic: re-202 Most lush: Volante Best? I can’t decide between Volante and its richer more modern chorus vs the gentle warble of the 202

[@micheleapicella1077]

Brian Setzer Is a big re-201 user

[@PMUP2016]

Most famous Space Echo user is Brian Setzer

[@stanislavmigra]

I was little bit expecting the UAFX delay to appear in this shootout. Im not big delay user and in no market, for any of these unit. But anytime I hear Volante is like, yes, thats awesome. And Boss is like, meh, just another delay. Was expecting more (esp, I like all the demos of old tape Space echo).

[@clydebillingsworth8574]

I can DIY a space echo. No way I could build myself a volante or dl4. But I hate the enclosure of the dl4. So I guess to me it's worth it in my eyes to not want to throw my board in the bin every time I look down.

[@Turbo-D]

same outcame as always, just BUY both 😂

[@patricklow5652]

I'm not high enough to decide which one I like best. I'll take a few more tokes off the ol' bong, watch the video again and let you guys know.

[@antoonhermans8953]

smoke em if you got it , if you ain't , you're gonna hit rock bottom : )

[@arturflor]

I think the tape setting on Volante simulates an EP-3 machine, not a Space Echo machine.

[@stratjed]

Space echo, Brian Setzer is the guy I think of.

[@KidAdil]

yes

[@justfunguitar1500]

I have Volante and ocean 12

[@OgamiItto70]

So, what's Pete saying? The Strymon doesn't sound like a tape echo, it sounds like the Platonic _ideal_ of a tape echo? Whereas the RE-202 sounds more like an actual RE-201? Slightly off-topic, but: For a while I had a Strymon El Capistan D'Tape. I bought it because of all the good reviews of how much capability it had in replicating the sound of an Echoplex across the range of sounds that Echoplexes make and because of how many of my heroes had used Echoplexes on so many of my favorite recordings and their enthusiasm for the sound of the device. And I wasn't disappointed. It sounded fantastic. I felt like I had stumbled onto some secret cheat where you could own an Echoplex without all the hassles of owning an Echoplex--price, maintenance, ease of use, adjustability. So, my fellow guitarists (or other instrumentalists who wish to use delay), if _you_ want to get the sound of an Echoplex without the expense and other drawbacks of owing an Echoplex, I personally can highly recommend the Strymon El Capistan D'Tape. It'll do the job for you brilliantly. But I sold the Strymon on and got myself an old t.c. electronic Nova Delay instead. I realized that I didn't need to own the world's most accurate simulation of an Echoplex in pedal form, I just needed a good-sounding delay that had a goodly amount of on-the-fly versatility. Which is just about the very definition of the Nova Delay.

[@jeffreyziemba5588]

I used to use an ep-3 religiously for years. My most favorite delays were my memory man and ep-3, i liked my dm-2 also. The elcap for me has a cool vibe but got washed out live. Sounded like a reverb pedal. In todays day in age id bet most players haven’t played a real tape echo. The “tape echo” settings on reproductions of most newer stuff are set to be way more colorful and cut the highs more than a tape echo really did.

[@seansabu310]

Watkins copicat is my fav. Also tc nova is the best pedal but the space echo is distinguished in it's deliverance and has the most girth I think the dl4 sounds amazing ran through an Alesis quadraverbs or reverb the volatane meh I don't like Strymon really

[@michaelatwood6912]

The reason Pete couldn't get the right Gilmour sound is because he isn't using a vintage Uni-Vibe

[@BetterCallJamie]

If your using that pedal, we want to hear “mother”

[@Magic_Man916]

Tell your children not to walk my way....

[@BetterCallJamie]

@@Magic_Man916 "Where have you gone"

[@KoaCharvel]

I have the Walrus Audio D1 V2 and it nails every delay I need. Though these bigger units look very sweet!

[@隠れた]

Personally I really like the re-202 and the dl4 more than the volante, I have really been thinking about grabbing the boss and dl4 lately, I imagine I’ll have both soon

[@station2station544]

RE-201 Brian Setzer.

[@ArvidNielsen]

And then there’s practical application, where often stereo is not, really, what’s called for, as it’ll take up too much space in a mix, whether live or in the studio. But, of course, nice to have the option.

[@musicrepairs]

Just not a line6 fan. I’ve ordered the re202

[@RamonZarete]

Brian Setzer

[@johnnolan4312]

NUX has a new tape echo, sounds pretty good also

[@phil.7064]

I don't know why but I'm biased against strymon- maybe it's just too new- or too good

[@pCeLobster]

I had that same bias at one point, but Strymon pedals are in fact a joy to play and use. They're a small company and all the sounds are designed by one guy.