Should You Buy A Strymon Volante?

[@armandoarciniega1462]

Rhett just stop it now.. and record an instrumental album, that intro is great!!

[@Abbaddonna]

armando arciniega +100!!

[@michaelkrogers]

Amen! Rhett is a beast!

[@FrozenCharlottes]

I was just about to comment the same thing!

[@videosuperhighway7655]

sakamuras s maybe maybe not who cares. Would be nice if he does produce it anyhow as a single.

[@Saurondor]

Totally. That intro was great. I almost stopped watching the video after the intro. What else was needed? I wad sold on the volante! Rhett great point on focusing on one's preferred sounds. In a time and age of do it all pedals its great to find one which does one thing great and without a clutter of switches and settings.

[@JV-rx3ov]

This is probably the best straight out review of the Volante. Well done, Rhett. I've been using Strymon for years as well but have always found the Timeline to be overkill for what I need. I have the Deco on my board currently but have been on the fence between getting the Volante or something like the T-Rex Replicator Jr.(prices have gotten very reasonable lately). I'm pretty sure that this video has pushed me to buy a Volante now. Damn, KZbin is expensive.

[@mssqlguy]

That opening track was very cool - nicely done sir...

[@72864]

Just got a volante today. Love the simplicity. Doing like you said. Putting the timeline away for awhile on my board ( not getting rid of it though!) and running the volante as my main delay. Love the tape sound! Thanks Rhett, love the effort you put into your reviews

[@brianpetersen3429]

I'm definitely going to pick one up. Loved the demo from Andertons Music.

[@kennycorso]

Great video! Really enjoyed your editing in the intro. Totally agree with your thoughts on the timeline. I pretty much always end up using the tape as well. Keep up the great content🎸

[@seal-nowweretalking6753]

Such a great and useful take on this pedal. Honestly I found it to be more informative, committed and to the point than most of the other reviews out there. Thanks. -Seal.

[@rixyarbrough1702]

That tone on “Run Like Hell” sounded like the studio recording

[@mattgilbert7347]

Studio: MXR Digital rack delays Live: MXR in some photos, a DD-2 & DD-3 in others. Depends on the era/tour

[@michaelwoods9005]

Except gilmour was using digital delays by then

[@SeanZetterlund]

love the intro jams on your videos man, well done!

[@yugiohllavaneras]

Love the honesty of your gear demos Rhett!

[@jshphysicistatyahoo]

Great review. I liked the instrumental at the beginning, but the part I most valued was hearing you discuss the pedal at a down to earth level I could understand. Thank you Rhett.

[@davidethangraham]

This is the best video yet, Dr. Shull.

[@thedeadxtras9927]

Good review Rhett, I like how you actually tell people your honest opinion including the Cons for you and not just all about the Pro’s.

[@thehound2161]

A $400 free pedal is still a payment. Not that is matters but perspective can get lost by many who's complete pedal board is about that value. It is nice that KZbinr's are now required to release information about compensation however, and i am not singling out anyone for any reason. It is just a pedal that i would never consider due to cost, no matter how good it is. I can still dream and watch the high end reviews and know who bought the item and who was gifted it.

[@mattgilbert7347]

It's around $750-795 in Australia. Fk that.

[@dirtycelinefrenchman]

It's only $100 more than the El Capistan and way more feature-packed.

[@drdre4397]

Yes budget should factor but... Who the fuck buys a pedal just because it's expensive? The two pedals I bought that were between 300-400 CAD were both because they did a sound I couldn't get with any other pedal... Strymom deco, steel string supreme... Yes you could say they are just expensive pedals but cost wasn't the driving factor of my purchase, I don't mention the cost when I mention what they do at jam sessions... Buy the gear that gets you the sounds you want. If a cheap set up can do it for you, great! But bashing something for the sake of cost is stupid. There's a lot of expensive components, design, and building required to make these pedals, it's not like it's a 30$ unit upcharged...

[@michaelanthony9797]

Now that is how you do an informative and honest review of a piece of gear. Thanks Rhett!

[@DanielSeriffMusic]

Man, your playing shots and B roll are so killer!!

[@jaybells7772]

Sounds like an awesome addition to a rig... You're videos are awesome, the stuff you review shows that you spend quite a bit of time mastering the functions of the gear before you make a video. I appreciate that

[@ZigbertD]

I have the Volante and the Catlinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe. Volante iis definitely more versatile. The buttons for the four playback/feedback heads combined with the spacing knob on the Volante can give you endless variations on delay patterns, and the wear, low cut and record level knobs allow you to shape the tone of the repeats in myriad ways. The three different settings all add a different character, my favorite is the drum (echorec) setting, it's the most gritty and lo fi. So Volante is great. But I still can't bring myself to take the Belle Epoch Deluxe off my board, the EP preamp sound in it is just too good, and with it's other delay type settings and an expression pedal you can do some pretty awesome stuff. I know you can use an expression pedal with the Volante too, but the Catlinbread is just vibey-er and a little more unpredictable (like sweeping the resonant filter delay setting, which is always just on the edge of going into runaway self-oscillation). So for now, they're both still on my board, which is kind of a lot of space for two delay pedals, but I like them both too much.

[@worshipguitarjapan]

Thanks Rhett!! You just helped me deciding on buying the timeline. I was curious about the volante, though but couldn't use tape delay alone...

[@aaronsanchez93]

I bought one last week came in the mail yesterday loving it. Thanks man for this video helped me out a lot

[@bigcountryplatinum2477]

Been my favorite and most versatile pedal I’ve ever had so far... great review Rhett!

[@PhinnOz]

Definitely more like these man! Great video and great songs!

[@jimmannella2291]

Late to this video but have to say I’m interested in the Volante because, like you, I live mainly on tape type delays. And I love your to-the-point, straight ahead reviews 👍

[@JFK1180]

Just the review i needed. Thanks man. You are a pro!

[@Rowen170]

Would it be possible when you have time to do a quick lesson on the lick at 4:08? Or if anyone knows or can send a KZbin link of someone teaching a similar lick. Thanks for any help

[@charlotte7230]

After seeing you clip, I think I am going to buy this pedal. You answered all my questions. Thanks !

[@jeffd8597]

Great review! Great pedal! Thanks Rhett.

[@jimliedeka3978]

For tape echo sound, I really like my Keely Magnetic Echo. It does one thing really well. Only down side is I have to manually dial in dotted eighth note delay.

[@JoePacheco]

Sounds as usual fantastic!! Sick tones!!

[@RiggsTaylor]

Sounds killer Rhett. I really dig the golden & silver ratio functions on the Volante. Also- best intro to date!

[@alexstagemusic2361]

Hey Rhett! Great video and that intro song was my favorite yet! :D

[@SHSRogue]

This demo sold me on the Volante. I have a TimeLine but much like Rhett all I used regularly is the tape setting. I have only had the Volante for a day and it’s already inspiring me to find new sounds and play more. Keeping the TimeLine for now too but the Volante is gonna be my default for the foreseeable future.

[@alpadg]

Yea- that intro was great! Rhett, thanks for the review. Like you, I really hover on analog on tape. I come from years of a RE-301 chorus echo and now that its busticated, having a hard time finding the right "modern" replacement. The Volante is tops on my list right now - and your demo/review really puts my thoughts right - it's just a little outa my price range these days....

[@RemiCardona]

That intro was nothing short of spectacular! It deserves thumbs ups of its own!

[@guccitothemax]

Just picked one up today. I’ve got the DD-500 and the tape sounds on there are good especially after the update. But tonight I’ve found myself getting some really really really cool (but still musical) tones by playing with the spacing knob. Combine that with spot on tone, and I call that $400 well spent. I might find myself missing my analog sounds though. We’ll see. I’ve been able to tweak the wear knob to trim the highs and get in the ball park

[@maxheadroom6067]

As always a well thought out, practical, and honest opinion. Good review.

[@JasonM96]

Loved the intro! Your instrumental pieces are always superb. I think the Volante is an outstanding pedal, but being that I don't use delay a great deal, I'll likely opt to keep using a delay that's cheaper and takes up less real estate on my board.

[@shook9042]

Definitely getting one. Great demo!

[@toolbros]

You are such a good player man. Shames me cause I have been playing since about '68. Love your sweepy open chord stylings, hoping to pick up some chops from watching your videos. Some people are just more creative I guess. Love your stuff. And thanks for the Volante recommendation, I just bought one, looking forward to using it. Already have 4 different Strymons and love them all. And its all cause of you and your videos. Just love that huge, open sound!

[@Joec9t]

Your tones are fantastic, definitely makes me want to buy a Kemper.

[@ShawnTubbs]

I'm going to buy one for sure. Great video Rhett!

[@RhettShull]

Thanks Shawn!

[@rodrigolaporte274]

Great review!!! I'm a novice with the guitar, only do some riffs here and there. However I'm SUPER interested in this pedal for my synths and drum machines. The stereo in/out and midi are perfect for my setup

[@christianoulrich]

I LOVE mine! I took it out of the box, plugged it in without changing a thing, and got lost for almost half an hour. The simplicity of it inspires me more than my Timeline.

[@ruben_skyline_]

great insight. i have a couple of friends who could benefit from getting rid of their reverb pedal and just using the volante. that's definitely the unsung feature imo, incredibly useful

[@ncbassplayer]

100% agree. I had a Timeline and got rid of it. Replaced it with the Volante. There's nothing about the Timeline that I miss. I Volante absolutely beats out the Timeline because of the multiple delay heads and the ability to change the timing between them. For ambient playing which I do alot of, this allows the Volante to replace a cascade of 2-3 delay pedals. I'm using a Kemper as well. In performance mode, the Kemper can call up Volante presets. Perfect!

[@achilleszaluar5825]

love it, love your sound!!

[@c.j.robert5350]

Hello sir from Montreal!! Glad to be able to tune in!!

[@memygtar]

Best demo I’ve seen of this pedal thanks

[@danjack-son4871]

have owned a Timeline, el Capitan, H9/ Timefactor and TC Electronic triple delay, and yes I can clearly say it's the best delay barr none.

[@fran6b]

That Pink Floyd part was very convincing! That sounded so good!

[@jairyess1074]

Excellent intro! Good stuff!

[@mootsym]

what a great sound and great demo. I'm thrilled to have found this channel. Great content. I'm curious if you remember what speaker was used in your Lightning profile? I'm really digging the sound, and considering buying an actual Lightning combo. I'm assuming the Alnico Gold was in or the Morgan profile?

[@cantstartafire]

Dude!!! Amazing tone... I can't believe how good that sounded through computer speakers. I agree with Armando, you need to do an album.

[@musicmann1967]

Seems cool as hell to me. Like you Rhett, I usually just use the tape setting on my Timeline too. I particularly love the Binson / drum sound on the Volante. Very unique. I think I would do a lot more digging around with this pedal than I do on my Timeline. This is a specialty pedal, and I dig it's specialty!

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Very insightful review. I will look at the Timeline as well before I decide. Thanks! P.S. Cool intro!👊

[@philspill6854]

2 years ago, I watched this. As impressed as I was, I had other delays and didn't see buying another. Ffw, mine is on its way!!!

[@JakeBisognin]

I'm so torn about swapping my Timeline out for the Volante! Like you, I'm on the Tape setting 95% of the time, but the screen does make it handy to see when I change presets on my ES-8, what delay I've switched to.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I like Timeline better

[@JakeBisognin]

@@GuitarsAndSynths I ended up getting a Volante, and kept the Timeline too 😅 I love them both for different things, but I think the Volante has an edge in sound over the Timeline.

[@Wooburnmusic]

Use the ears !

[@JakeBisognin]

@@Wooburnmusic that’s why I recently sold the Timeline! The Volante just always sounded better 🕺🏼

[@Wooburnmusic]

Thankyou Jake 😁👍 yeh

[@station2station544]

7:13 YES yes yes. Sing it, Brother. THIS!

[@Mike_Spor]

killer intro Rhett, hell yes!

[@KyleKingGuitar]

9:45 I'm in the exact same boat. I just got a timeline and bigsky a week or so ago, and granted I haven't made a conscious effort to dive deep into every preset and start crazily tweaking. I find myself just sticking to the dtape setting on the timeline because tape delay is my absolute favourite. I won't sell the timeline as some of the settings are really damn cool, but granted having more control and more focus on the tape settings would be good, so I'm definitely gonna pick a volante up. Sigh, I just bought a pedaltrain novo 24 and it looks like I'm going out shopping for a bigger board already. Awesome sounds at the start dude, if I had a kemper I'd be considering picking that pack up.

[@norithmusic]

What video editing program do you use? Any LUTS? Thank you kindly. Loved it!

[@vf7vico]

nice balanced take, Rhett -- will keep in mind if I find myself heading into tape delay territory (the local guitar shop/Strymon dealer is literally across the street from where I live here in SB!)

[@danielcavazuti8476]

Just got mine, love it!

[@RalphGuzzo]

Great vibe you create !

[@emiliorizzo7690]

Great Video! The best thing about this pedal is you can see what other players do with it and try it out! love mine!

[@chrisslacker]

I’m glad you made this video, I noticed it on your board in that rehearsal with Jess you did recently and was wondering how you liked it in the timelines place. Cool pedal. Do you find the options with head selecting to be intuitive or does it take a while to master?

[@musicmedicineman6836]

Amazing sound! Nailed it.

[@KevinSmith-wb4ju]

Yes... more videos on these types of pedals. Thanks!!!

[@rando53]

Nice presentation, good info, but...... when you say you are not getting paid, well getting a $400 pedal is getting paid, in my opinion...

[@diggerd6489]

Randy H 100% correct!

[@patrickfoster4586]

Yep, I'd do a kiss ass review for any free pedal, especially a $400 one.

[@copheart]

I didn't think he was given the pedal to keep, only sent one to demo it. No?

[@archie3k433]

@@copheart I doubt he has to return it.. Strymon is out how much money for giving this pedal away? $100ish, maybe? And this video already has 65,000+ views.... As far as marketing goes, that's one hell of a deal for Strymon. And Strymon already knew this guy liked the Timeline and BigSky, and given that the Volante is a really nice product, it was an easy call to assume that he'd say mostly good things about it. So Strymon is out maybe $100ish and in return they have a video mostly praising their product, with tens of thousand of views.... Again, one hell of a deal for Strymon. All they have to do is sell a couple of pedals and their investment is made up for, and then anything past that is just icing on the cake and free marketing.

[@hakonsoreide]

Yes, getting something "for free" is the same as getting paid, and even if you think you are trying to be unbiased, you will want to give it a better review because you want to get more free stuff in the future. The bias may be entirely subconscious, but it is definitely there. It takes a bit of experience knowing how to interpret a review from someone getting free things, but if it is a good review, they will show you all aspects of something leaving it up to you to make up your own mind, and it will point out whatever might be shortcomings according to the reviewer.

[@dan_brett_rosenthal]

Great review and sounds, this just cost me 1 x Volante plus shipping :P

[@wolfnstrings]

Great review!

[@RocketinExile]

Great track man

[@smellytele9629]

mine is coming today!! got the new gear shakes

[@ericvituccimusic]

Rhett that intro is killer! Volante sounds good. Have you ever played a Digitech Timebender? I think your intro inspired me to write something with the Timebender!

[@eggman1978]

Thinking of selling my memory man and going down the volante road... I've got the big sky by strymon and I've got to say the sound and build quality is top of the class.

[@droleheart]

I know this is an old video, but I have a question. I have a Boss RE-20 on my board and it's definitely my favorite one on it. I was wondering if the Volante would be a worthy upgrade from the RE-20...

[@BigfootPreston]

Keep the RE-20, that is a fantastic pedal, yet underrated. Get a volante too. This is what I am about to do too besides keeping my RE-20.

[@gitapik]

I ordered the Volante and Timeline, letting the dealer know I’d be returning one of the two. Spent a good amount of time on both.Timeline is serious but I’m a BIG fan of El Cap and have always wished it had more presets along with MIDI capabilities. So it’s no surprise that I kept the Volante. I just wanted to be sure, though. I’m with you, Rhett: Cool as the effects are on the Timeline; I just knew I wouldn’t be using most of them. Love the Volante. Cool video. Thanks!

[@realtruenorth]

Does the Volante sound better than the El cap? I'm looking for a good delay & tape delay pedal.

[@wankstaGG]

Would like to see some of your fav Volante settings. Like maybe a little in depth video of it.

[@alexwong7]

Sounds awesome.... I keep looking for a stereo replacement for my FTT Flight Time and this sounds as good if not better. If only it had the Flight Times Realtime BPM Analyzer...

[@xchump]

"they're not sponsoring in any way other then providing me it for free" lol that's a $400 sponsoring! But great sounds nonetheless :)

[@ChadWork1]

The time spent making a video like this is worth more than the 400.00 pedal, so Strymon got the better deal.

[@constantine412]

@@ChadWork1 He is also paid by you tube for the number of views

[@daviskreeling7062]

@@constantine412 Payment for 80k views is pretty much zero dollars.

[@markdavidofficial4274]

Chad Johnson uhhhhhhhhh...I would heavily disagree. This may be an awesome pedal but it still would never Persuade me to get one

[@amritjanardhanan]

@@markdavidofficial4274 You can't convince everyone but this is the best demo I've heard out there and this is my dream delay (other than a real tape echo)

[@joethompson2910]

Strymon does make killer shit, Ive got a Big Sky and love it... that being said, the new Audio Source Collider can play a tape echo and Binson oil can delay at the same time... and the AS spring reverb sound quality is unsurpassed... all in a smaller pkg with the option of using a phone app or puter to fine edit if one so wishes... these are cool times we live in..

[@AlexPriceMusician]

I recently invested in the Empress Echosystem and Reverb and before that I was using a Blue Sky and a DIG from Strymon. I'm thinking about selling the DIG to fund the Volante. The hands-on approach of it is really appealing and it'll be a great option for my smaller board when I do fly gigs and ship contracts.

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Thanks for your thoughts Rhett.

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

Got it. Love it. I don't think it will ever leave my board.

[@therewasascene]

The individual panning for each tape head is a huge personal seller for me I dream of double ping-pong (I have an old Ibanez pan delay) so I was really interested in the Seymour Duncan Dark Sun Delay/Reverb - also the hall reverb on that thing sounds GREAT - but the Volante’s beauteeful delay tone + the panning makes it the winner

[@coreywinters2129]

Really enjoyed the intro track.

[@MarkThomasMusic]

Like you, I SORELY under utilized my timeline. Volante + Nightsky + Vox AC30HW = ❤️

[@dubroyboy]

as a drummie, doing jamaican stuff, i need a delay that can double in a flick or half, or triplet. volante and do it as well as DIG. dig doesn't sound as good. i'd have to run it thru a tube screamer or the walrus 385...

[@scottfennimore44]

Well I can't afford it, but I bought it anyway. I use a Specular Tempus also, but this just fills that "niche". It's a beautiful sounding pedal and more versatile than you might think. Thanks Rhett!

[@alcoyot]

That was an incredible demo. Cheers to you man. New competition for Pete thorn now. The only 2 pedalers I watch.

[@AndrewCCM]

That Pedal Show is pretty great too if you like getting really deep in long form video.

[@Joldrath]

Awesome. Thank you.

[@Hesohi]

I would love to see videos like this on your tried and true gear. Recording/Performing/Writing...

[@foxyfoxtrot4233]

Thanks for also pointing out the disadvantages. I think I‘ll just keep my El Capistan and for the money get a Flux Echo and an Echosex Baby to go along with it.

[@kellybil]

I have this pedal and it sounds great, however its usabilty without the addition of a separate midi device is not good, there is no way to select presets when using it live

[@jeffschaefer186]

I have the Volante and love it. Can you compare it to the Timeline tape and Kemper tape?

[@edwardbosloper2445]

Man this demo was excellent! I have had this pedal since 2019 and I gotta say, it’s the best delay pedal I have ever heard. Top video, keep up the great work!

[@jshphysicistatyahoo]

I vote MORE VIDEOS reviewing pedals. This video is highly apropos for me, and you nicely distilled your likes and dislikes and gave us an excellent perspective of what the pedal is. Your review is highly relevant to me since I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these VOLANTEs, and now I have a much better idea of what the pedal would mean to me as an average dude who tools about on his guitar. I totally dug this review man! Thanks Rhett.

[@lrmars]

Wow...you've got some serious talent my friend...you are a gifted man indeed! Great review!

[@GarrettMillerproductions]

Great video, what drum VI or sample library was used in the song? They sound great and a little like the Darren King pack from That Sound.

[@RhettShull]

Great ear, that was from the DK pack!

[@SveinOlavGlesaaenNyberg]

I notice the Strymon Volante costs more or less the same as the Timeline. Given that you say the Volante is a "light" version of Timeline, isn't it worth going for Timeline? Or are there factors making the Volante the better choice anyway?

[@mathis_remy]

Is the Strymon Volante able to replace the Boss DD 500 (delay) ?