Delay & Reverb Shootout + Opinion: Source Audio Collider vs. Strymon Flint & Source Audio Nemesis

My current delay and reverb setup (the Strymon Flint & the Source Audio Nemesis) vs. an one-in-all solution, the Source Audio Collider.
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[@dylanris6209]

I used to have a Flint, but now I have a Collider. They both sound great, but one important factor for me was signal chain order. I like the end of my signal chain to go tremolo into delay into reverb. You can do that with the Collider (if you put a tremolo pedal in front of it). You can't do that with the Flint. The Flint is easier to use out of the box, but the Collider can do everything the Flint can reverb-wise, and then some. So if you put in the time (and maybe control it with another MIDI device), the Collider can do pretty much anything you want. And you can have reverb or delay last in your signal chain. Also probably goes without saying, but a little of these effects go a long way. I've been at shows where players seem determined to use every effect on their board, and the performance quickly gets sterile and dull. Get one of these pedals, but don't build your whole sound around effects. A wiser option is to play the guitar better!

[@MadebyMiike]

Hi Dylan thanks for your feedback! 100% agree on your last paragraph!

[@U2WB]

Collider is my #1 pedal. Frankly, I’ve owned a few Strymon pedals and the only one I didn’t sell on eBay is the Deco. Fantastic, fantastic pedal. All the others I had suffered from the same malady: using 5 controls to perform the functions of 15. “Turn this after double-tapping that while hopping on one foot to control the Feedback level”, aka Line 6 Disease. Don’t get me wrong, Strymon’s engineering is superb; they’re just typically too complicated to be practical. Source Audio understands that performing musicians need quick access to functions.

[@ransombaggins9301]

All amazing pedals, but..$250 less, half the size, almost all the tones, and MOST of the tones people will actually use.... Collider is a fantastic pedal.

[@ImpostorModanica]

What a video! Why so little views!? For me, the Collider sounds exactly like what you hear on actual studio recordings, whereas the Flint sounds more like a modern take on it, or rather, more like an imitation than an actual implementation. Although particularly, the tremolo on the Flint is so musical in combination with the reverb it's crazy (that's what matters at the end of the day in what these units are trying to accomplish). Bottom line I'm going for the Collider. Flexible routing, midi, 128 presets, studio level algorithms, cascaded DACs, 56-bit internal processing - and most of all - everything is controllable from the pedal. What could you want more. Thanks for reading!

[@Honking_Goose]

Yeah it uses the same spring setting as the Ventris so its a clear winner

[@PinchTune]

I'm considering a Collider after researching the Nemesis. Do you think I'm going to miss the ease of use of the Nemesis? Given the Collider has to do more with the buttons and knobs? I know I'm not going to end up buying a Nemesis + Ventris, so it's either only Nemesis or only Collider. How does the Tap tempo work on the Collider, since it's a multi-function switch?

[@the5chord]

Flint sounds darker which I personally like because the reverb doesn’t jump out in front of your playing but the Collider sounds great. Also, great recording job!

[@vladlabyrinth6335]

use Tone knob and make it darker

[@nomadicexplorers]

I agree that it could of been adjusted better to have it darker. The collider needed the bass brought up a bit

[@SiLeach1]

Collider, all day long !

[@Alanaran9]

One of the best pedal comparison videos i've ever seen, well done!!

[@nik_elektrik]

Love the collider! Great for synths, too.

[@123eitle]

Very late to the party, but 3 years later this unexpectedly made me want the Flint. Collider sounds great, is newer, way better features etc etc. but the Flint just sits in the mix so well. It kinda haunts the signal while the collider really saturates it. Both sound great, but to me that haunting quality is more inspiring. Just goes to show "the best" gear for you can't be judged on a check list of features or specs. Thanks for the vid!

[@NunyaB1s]

You like that faded, washed out sound that reminds me of a leviathan record. Yeah, unironically even though I do synths, I prefer the flint in this comparison.

[@jbf16falcon]

Liked the depth of the Collider more.

[@tbgtbg6311]

The SAC shines in it's Dual Delay capabilities.

[@trebleboost7]

I just picked up a Collider to replace a Nemesis and give me a better Reverb option and so far I really like it. Maybe it’s a placebo effect but the analog dry through seemed to make a difference to my ears. I am still keeping my Mr Black Eterna on the board though as I so far prefer its shimmer color and it is easier to engage as a specific effect with my switcher.

[@Rulon-bo1ig]

I'm wondering did you find that you were loosing much versatility delay wise when replacing an all delay pedal like the nemesis with the collider which has less algorithms? Im new to guitar pedals

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

Collider is great. Flint is great. Nemesis is great. This is a dilemma of having this sort of stuff as a hobby. Any hobby really - there's so many choices, but you can't have them all at once. Realistically. Just go with your gut, don't overthink it.

[@DelReiRock]

Interesting! Thanks for it! One thing I noticed was that Collider have a “pop”…. Or is it just my impression?

[@MadebyMiike]

Yes it does! I guess because it was (set to) True Bypass in this video (not sure if you can set it to digital bypass - without the "pop"). Maybe an owner can chime in?

[@DelReiRock]

@@MadebyMiike Nice! Thanks for the info, man. The collider seems to be a really awesome pedal!

[@MadebyMiike]

@@DelReiRock No problem mate! And yes it is! ;-)

[@sunsetjunior9313]

had the collider and unless youre using it for washy/ambient stuff, i could hear its "digital" nature and sold it. sure, it has a lot of features and sounds, but.... the flint is a classic. keep it, add a strymon el capistan for delays and youre good, imo....

[@christopherphipps627]

Great demo exactly what I needed Both set ups sound amazing for the money I think I’m going to go w Collider

[@1redgate8]

If I had the two I wouldn't buy, but I didn't have either, so got the Collider...and happy as a pig in mud!

[@LuckyJAmbrose]

The Flint is simply delicious.

[@pCeLobster]

I tried the Collider and couldn't really get past how the switches wiggle, as if the bushings are too small for the hole they're in. Made it feel cheap. Confusing also how the physical position of the knobs does not represent the actual setting.

[@Bluebear2016]

pCeLobster try the GFI specular tempus as it has a screen which tells you the previous position/setting.

[@KipCount]

I agree with some of that. I love the sound of the Collider, and also the Ventris, but I hate the way I'm never sure if the knobs represent the actual setting. Usually they don't and I need to wiggle each knob to get it to sync up with the actual knob location. I have been toying with the idea of replacing the Collider with a Strymon reverb like the Flint or Bluesky, so this video comes at a good time for me. I use the Strymon DIG as my primary (and favorite delay) so I'm not giving up that much in the delay department giving up the Collider. I am ok with the feeling of the switches though. That doesn't really bother me.

[@LeF11]

The collider uses the flashing control light to let you know when you reach the starting point for a particular knob setting when you start to adjust it. I’m not a fan of over-complicated pedals but I feel like the source audio pedals do their best to make them as simple as they can considering how much control you have over the sound. Read the manual before you get rid of it maybe.

[@PinchTune]

​@@LeF11 Does the Nemesis do the same thing? As in, the knobs don't necessarily the actual setting? Or is this a case only for the Collider, since it has to do the Reverb settings too? @Kip Count

[@JinjaBeard]

PinchTune nemesis knobs work the same as collider knobs in this case (when you select a preset, wiggle the knobs and when the light goes red you’ve found the settings for that preset. You can control this function a couple different ways using the neuro app). It would be super cool if the source audio knobs had digital/led lights to show you the exact settings in real time... but alas, not quite!

[@ussrantiquehunt7164]

Hi Mike! I'll be getting one mostly dues it's spring reverb and analog delay... I'm worried if is there any sort of downgrade cmparing this unit spring reverb to the true spring reverb pedal (standalone spring reverb pedal). If they share the same features. Thanks

[@MadebyMiike]

The way I understand it it is the same algorithm! Should sound the same!

[@Squidz66]

Flint sounds amazing. Let’s face it.

[@williamneiva8154]

Awesome video .. congrats .. I am a big fan of Collider, small size huge sound !

[@norax1436]

Collider is colder, Flint is warmer, I like Flint better.

[@iamnoone4046]

I have the collider and you are right. I am a fan of it though. It sounds clean and pristine as well. It’s on my pedalboard and I use it when I want a colder, clear delay or reverb.

[@dylanris6209]

I think the Flint default setting is warmer, but you can dial in any tone you want with the Collider. Tone Knob 2 helps add a bit more bass, and the Plate setting is a little less "pristine" than the True Spring setting, which gives it that sense of warmth.

[@YOutsider]

Collider is a compromise. $350US. Nemesis and Flint are singular entities, combined $600US. I own a Collider. Your demo makes the Flint sound warmer, which i like. however the ping pong separation was set wider on the Nemesis than your settings on the Collider. It sounds better. To me, Collider offers convenience thats only $50US more than one of the other two units. The two units sound better in series, but the collider has settings for series/parallel effects routing. Thinking the Collider would’ve performed better had it been properly set to match. good comparison though. thanks.

[@PinchTune]

Thanks for this. I keep thinking if I'm better off getting a Nemesis, as it's meant to do ONE thing. Not sure how I feel about the multi-functions knobs. I kinda like being able to look down and seeing the knobs tell me what my actual settings are. The only workaround I see is: given more than likely I'll be changing delay settings more often than Reverb settings, would be to set and forget my reverb and then keep the switch set to delay, so that my knobs match what's actually going on. Any advice?

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

I've come from the future to say that the Flint sounds considerably more real and evocative, the Collider having more sheen and shine...Flint takes me somewhere, Collider makes me think of DAW's and computer screens. I will return to the future now.

[@andyjm7122]

Brill demo. Surprised how well the Strymons Spring held up against the Ventris. It gets a bit of stick but it actually does a good job of emulating a a subtle onboard reverb if you don't have reverb on your amp.

[@daveeastcott9323]

Can U not import all sounds from Nemesys using the app?

[@MadebyMiike]

No!

[@mp9508]

Needs more breathy narration.

[@redstrat5976]

8:42 is my fav setting

[@tricko2286]

I have Strymon Flint & Strymon Iridium - awesome...

[@olivierjanssens1184]

Flint into Iridium it thé opposite ??

[@reversepain.canada]

Does Collider give same ping pong delay effect?

[@heartpath1]

Nicely done.

[@shckltnebay]

The Nemesis omission of the tone tone knob is why I sold it and the Collider gives you analog dry though

[@mattgilbert7347]

I use the Nemesis & Fender Tre Verb. Basically the same setup. The Nemesis has no analog dry-thru which really grinds my gears. However, I only paid $350 for my Nemesis and the Tre Verb was on special - Collider is very expensive in Australia.

[@1redgate8]

Yep, Just paid $650 for mine...but it's awesome.

[@g.m.1672]

I have nemesis and flint and now you really confused me with that video.

[@adamcoe]

i have owned a Nemesis for several years. I owned a DL4 for several years. they are both excellent and while you can't go wrong with either, I gotta go with the Nemesis based on the smaller footprint and the absolutely insane level of customization. if there is a delay sound that the Nemesis doesn't replicate then you don't need a new delay pedal, you need a doctor

[@seansabu310]

If you used the zio with the collider than your oacking sone serious fire power i use an alesis quadraverb as well and that definitely gets the job done, i never was to gung ho ovr strymon but yhis is a great video

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

I have the Nemesis and Mercury7, but also have the Collider.

[@elixir9659]

And ... ?

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

@@elixir9659 and, the Collider won't replace the Nemesis! The Mercury7 is very unique, so it stays too!

[@vicvaughan997]

That's what I'm talking about! Stacked delays, super cool reverbs. I can hear the angels singing😁💞🙏

[@charleswesley1490]

Just sold my Collider when I got a Flint.

[@alexzaytsevguitar]

What did you like about the flint more than collider?

[@charleswesley1490]

​@@alexzaytsevguitar Ease of use. I found that with the collider I pretty much used the spring reverb setting 80% of the time. I don't like that on the Collider when I recall a preset I don't know where the knobs actually are without using the app. Also the Flint is a little warmer/more vintage sounding to me. I don't know why some players criticize the spring reverb on the Flint. I think it's great.

[@MatthaeusEbonah]

And here my broke ass is with a NuX Atlantica

[@NickfromHighTide]

Ain’t no shame in that. The Nux Atlantic is killer pedal with great sounding verb and delay.

[@mattgilbert7347]

I use it all the time and I have a Nemesis and Tre Verb (Flint clone) Damn fine pedal

[@MatthaeusEbonah]

@@mattgilbert7347 I sold it and now use a MXR M300 Reverb and carbon copy deluxe. I can't say I miss it. But there where things about it I miss. Like if I had a show that I could only bring one pedal. That would have been the one. Because I can use the amp for drive.

[@andrewmaher8409]

I got a great deal on a second hand but like new Collider so I bought it. but otherwise that Nux delay reverb is a great budget pedal for the price and size. Sometimes simple is good. Just play the @ss off whatever you can afford.

[@billwilkie6211]

Collider with external tap and external preset scrolling.

[@danielmarcondes5899]

Flint é Flint Pai.. fora o tremolo... junta mais um troco e pega um El Capistan... e boaaa

[@kentrey]

Are you trying not to wake up your parents when you are talking?. Ha. Jk. That Collider tho.

[@JuanJimenez-uj6pb]

I could achieve the audio of the first 3 minutes with my 505 zoom, what comes Next no upps

[@Clarity-808]

Great video! Surprised to hear you say people put delay AFTER reverb... I've only ever seen/done delay first, which is why Collider is like that. But I do rhythmic stuff - maybe for ambient music you'd put reverb first :)

[@MadebyMiike]

What? No, Delay definitely BEFORE Reverb! Where did I say that?

[@Clarity-808]

@@MadebyMiike 11:55 ... maybe I misunderstood then? :) did you mean just putting reverb on the left but keeping it *after* delay in the signal path?

[@andrewmaher8409]

@@Clarity-808 I think he was referring to how the reverb is on the right side of the collider pedal and the delays are on the left side. We normally think in terms of signal going from right to left on pedals because traditionally the input plug is on the right and output on left. So I think Mike was saying the they should have the pedal layout to visually suit the normal delay before reverb signal path… At least, I think that’s what he was referring to.