Strymon Brig dBucket Delay - Deep Dive with Sound Designer Pete Celi

Learn more about Brig ► bit.ly/3OcY6ve
In this video, Strymon co-founder and senior DSP engineer Pete Celi takes you on an in-depth tour of Strymon's latest creation, Brig dBucket Delay. And as a pretty big bonus, he gives us a crash course on how bucket brigade delays work and insights into various analog bucket brigade delay design features and their effects on the resulting sounds.
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The delays that become true classics do not simply repeat the notes you play. They do something special to each delay repeat - something that evokes a feeling, fueling the music and inspiring you.
Plug into Brig, play a note, and you’re instantly drawn in by repeats that evolve with captivating complexity and uncommonly rich tonal characteristics.
Brig delivers all the warmth, subtle grit and unique tactile playing experience of analog bucket brigade delays (BBDs), offering three distinct delay voicings in one highly addictive stereo pedal.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:36 Three Delay Voices
01:18 What is a Bucket Brigade?
03:05 Brig Control Knobs
04:06 What is Companding?
04:46 Filtering in Bucket Brigade Circuits
05:57 3205 Voice
09:07 3205 Compander
12:25 Modulation
14:33 dBucket Chorus
15:19 Pre-emphasis/De-emphasis
16:51 3005 Voice
18:02 3005 Bonus Noise
20:17 3005 Compander
22:42 Multi Voice
24:29 Tap Tempo
28:29 Infinite Mode
29:25 New Platform
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[@LeonTodd]

One of my favourite things about a new Strymon release is getting to watch these deep dives. A treasure trove of knowledge!

[@NoizExMachina]

Masterclass in engineering and music. So grateful for Strymon and you guys are the top shelf of all guitar pedals

[@gcoller]

"It's for guitar players, man!" - whether or not I need this particular pedal I love Pete's dedication to to the craft.

[@michaelfolsom6654]

Pete's Strymon videos are always my favorite ones.

[@a_boundless_plangency]

New Strymon video with Pete! It must be X-Mas

[@blakevanhouten1672]

Love these deep dive videos. Learning so much from him! Appreciate the lengths they go to to recreate these sounds!

[@IsothermeMusic]

That sound at 22:00 to 22:18. So amazingly luscious. THIS is what I’d buy the Brig for.

[@AndyDemos]

Amazing, just covers every single aspect I love about BBD delays 👍🏻

[@Station2Station-du2gh]

That modulation is gorgeous

[@patrickhay2561]

Every time Pete does a video I learn something cool & useful. Keeping my Timeline for now, but appreciate the deep dive into what makes these types of delay sound the way they do.

[@gilguajardo7808]

Pete needs to start wearing a black turtleneck, 501’s, and gray New Balance shoes during these deep dive videos! Appreciate you, Pete!

[@AlainHubert]

Those 30 minutes just felt like 10. Great demonstration by Pete. I've calculated that in Tap Tempo mode's maximum 2 seconds delay time, it would require over six MN3205 chips to achieve this, and building an analog pedal with so many MN3205 and MN3005 and NE570 compander chips and filters and clock control would result in a physically big and heavy pedal and a price tag also huge! So at this price point, and with this form factor, with all of the controls and meticulous attention to detail, the Brig is a super value for money and a no-brainer.

[@AlainHubert]

UPDATE: I just bought this pedal and, oh man is it incredible! I've owned a few analog delay pedals in the past, and this emulation of those chips is spot on, down to minute details in the repeats, and the behavior of the repeats is really natural and random, just like on real BBD chips. I enjoy very much the Multi setting which can create almost a spring reverb at fast tempo settings. The Mod knob is perfectly calibrated to give smooth chorus as well as vibrato at maximum setting. I use it with analog synths in stereo/stereo mode, and the only thing that I wasn't expecting is, with the Mod knob at minimum, the repeats are in mono even with a panned input signal. But that's the only minor setback on this. Also, the fact that there's no PSU supplied, on a pedal that doesn't take a 9V battery, made me think "That's a bit cheap from Strymon". Luckily I was able to bargain to get one free included with my purchase at my local music shop. One last thing, if you want to use this pedal in stereo, like I do, you need TRS to TS splitter adaptors, obviously not included.

[@billharris7698]

Pete is the Pedal Wizard and he loves his feedback! Kudos to your work and all the people at Strymon for the many great American pedals that are favorites across the globe!

[@teknical100]

The multi is simply astonishingly great.

[@doogdoogdoogdoogdoogdoog]

Fantastic pedal, fantastic demo, fantastic presentation; kudos!

[@TheFlutecart]

Pete gives the best breakdown. This is a nice little pedal, all the bells and whistles. I'd love to see Strymon produce a little oil can delay like this, I would buy it pretty quick. The one I'm using now lacks presets. Volante, DECO and Nightsky reside in my collection.

[@gregmize01]

holy cow, that bonus chorus sound its great!

[@ROKZLEON]

My favorite Strymon pedal had a baby!!! Awesome!!! 👍🏻

[@alexandergilman3394]

Sounds really authentic!

[@sayhuhhhh]

Even though 90% of the first six minutes of this is way over my head, I love listening to Pete dig into the details of these designs.

[@kenjisuzuki]

That's a very understandable sound review! I also love BRIG's lo-fi and ambient sound!🙌

[@danielduplantier3741]

Pete Celi! Terrific video and teaching. I don't have the right language to describe how great the pedal sounds. Best wishes from Danny Duplantier (M.I. 1988-89)

[@peteceli6565]

Danny! Nice to hear from you! Thanks for the kind words.

[@mickl2793]

Great demo, I’ve ordered one 🎉

[@MattXScott]

Love it!

[@conorkane4203]

This is amazing.

[@garretfox7807]

Pete, you are a legend.

[@hoganshideout]

Very cool pedal!!

[@Jimbo386000]

I want all your delay pedals. I currently have Volante. The only one i dont want is the timeline. Its a personal preference because i dislike menus. I ordered a timeline at first and didnt like dealing with it. As a synth player, being able to tweak as you play is important to me, and the menu on timeline didnt feel easy to use. But the Volante doesnt have that problem so it works amazing for me. It also sounds amazing. My favorite effect!

[@alex-kenivel]

Question! Are you able to tap tempo via MIDI and still retain Time knob functionality (pitch changes, oscillation)? I like to have both available. If so, take my money!!

[@ricksnowden2150]

Great to see Pete again! Does the brig handle line level ok as with most of your other models?

[@strymon]

Yes, Brig can easily accept line level signals with an up to +10dBu max input level 🙂

[@zachp7684]

I love how even the man that designed it can't resist warping time by twisting the knobs while a chord is still ringing out. You all know what I'm talking about.

[@brandonbro218]

Would you put this before or after the deco? I put my delays before my deco and deco into flint. Btw just bought one!

[@strymon]

It depends on a few things, mainly on what tones you're using your Deco for. If you typically put your delays before Deco, try that first!

[@jframjams]

Pete is extremely knowledgeable, and intelligent, but also a great player!!

[@Mitch_Master]

Thanks Pete. 4real mon

[@savedalsman2081]

Does the tap average/quantize multiple taps like the firmware uodate modified in the Timeline or does it only set off of two with no tap averaging like the Brigadier and other delays in that series?

[@savedalsman2081]

BUMP

[@savedalsman2081]

bump...must not average, oh well, back to the drawing board for Styrymon

[@glyman1212]

Can you turn this on and off with midi from your mic position when the brig is in your amp's effect loop?

[@strymon]

You bet!

[@andyjm7122]

Dear Strymon, I absolutely LOVE the sound of this pedal and its functions, BUT would much prefer it to have had a dedicated tap tempo switch. Please consider revising this. The 'hold for tap' function is not ideal in a live situation, and having to buy an external tap just takes up more space on the pedalboard. Surely another switch would have fit? Or just keep the regular Strymon sized enclosure and have the regular two switches like on the El Cap for example?

[@BobGuido]

Nice to see you Pete. Great demonstration as always. With modeling the characteristics of the Matsushita MN3005 chip and the Panasonic MN3205 chip, does BRIG's overall voicing and modulation aim to emulate the two most popular signature analog delay sounds of the Deluxe Memory Man and DM-2?

[@strymon]

I'd say that the two products you mentioned would definitely be part of the study and research for the 3205 and 3005 Voices, in that the multiple chip configuration and higher operating voltage (15V) of the 3005 Voice sounds very different than the single 3205 Voice that runs on voltage in the 5-9V range, so it has less theoretical headroom. The Multi voice is a custom Pete config, and my fave. All good stuff! Hope that helps...

[@BobGuido]

@@strymon Thanks!

[@Theliraan]

Let's hail new era of Strymon: 1 footswitch cut era. (To be honest: love your pedals, I had several. Probably keep Sunset forever. But heading to "same things /w few tweaks" is boring)

[@andyjm7122]

I prefer having two switches tbh.

[@mickl2793]

How do you set it up for trails?

[@strymon]

You'll want to set it to Spillover Mode for that. Start by pressing and hold the FOOTSWITCH for at least 2 seconds while powering up Brig. Once the LED flashes RED, release the footswitch. Turn the MOD (SPILLOVER MODE) knob to set Spillover Mode on or off. The LED will change color to indicate the current status as you turn the knob. • Spillover Mode Off: AMBER (default, minimum) • Spillover Mode On: PURPLE (maximum) Then press the FOOTSWITCH to save this setting. Note that because of the buffer architecture, the current preset must be active for at least 5 seconds before Spillover between presets will be operational.

[@mickl2793]

@@strymonthank you 😊

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

What’s better for dirt tones like Hard rock and metal the Dig or the Brig?

[@strymon]

If you're looking for more modern rock & metal tones, DIG is going to be a better choices for really clean, studio hi-fi delays. Brig will have a more analog, retro feel, which is definitely great for certain types of rock as well.

[@gumbochamp]

What guitar is Pete playing?

[@shckltnebay]

Agile 2600

[@RCHguitar89]

Is it analog dry through?

[@strymon]

Yes, that is one of three possible dry signal options.

[@tubingforever]

Can it do that Aquapuss tape style thing?

[@strymon]

Yup. Check out the whole video, and the Brig Combos video as well.

[@italoop7850]

What would be really NEW is releasing the LONG TIME PROMISED and ANNOUNCED Nixie software version! Please.....

[@mattgilbert7347]

Analog dry through?

[@strymon]

Yes, one of the three possible dry through options.

[@jmsclbwmn]

I might be in the minority, but hear me out. DSP used to emulate a readily available analog process, yet still maintaining the drawbacks of analog, is something I just don’t get. I can appreciate the different tonal characteristics of each mode, but I hate how the available delay times change. As much as I loved my Brigadier (even paid to have external tap added to it because it sounded so good), the delay time thing is the reason why I sold it. I was really hoping this would fix that problem, but it just seems to be your dBucket algo (albeit tweaked a little) on your new platform. FWIW, I’m not a hater. Quite the opposite, actually. I’ve owned many Strymon products over the years and just feel like this was a missed opportunity.

[@jmsclbwmn]

Update: Just got to the end of the video. You did it! K, I am definitely buying this. Well done. 😊

[@strymon]

Hey there - it may not have been that obvious, but the limitations you're talking about have indeed been taken care of with Brig. When you're in any of the three Voices, there is a limit to the Time knob (it has to have a value of some type, and many folks like having the delay amounts be finite so that they can set the pot on a dark stage easily). However! If you tap tempo, anything up to about 2 seconds is available in any Voice. It means that you now have the ability to choose the kind of sonic response you want by choosing the relevant Voice, and then if you Tap the tempo you can get any value up to about 2 seconds that you wish, and the Time pot does the subdivisions in that mode. Works great. I hope that helps!

[@strymon]

Thank you for this comment, James! Just wanted to make sure you know that in Tap Mode, the maximum available delay time is two seconds regardless of which voice is selected. You can see more about how Tap (tempo) mode works starting at 24:29. When not in Tap mode, Brig behaves as you've stated, in the interest of authentically recreating each delay circuit design with its particular feel and expected range of tones. Delay time is then determined by the clock rate (which also affects audio fidelity), and available delay time is also determined by how many chips were used (3205 design uses a single chip, while the 3005 design uses two chips, thereby providing more "buckets" and a longer delay time at a given clock rate). Hope this helps.

[@JonDoe-wb1qo]

First time I fell in love was with a girl.. second time was with Strymon

[@FakeGlasses]

It's for guitar players, man.

[@sagittated]

Strymon keeps referring to this as "analog bbd" but it's all chips, right? Is it not a digital delay? I'm missing something.

[@strymon]

We use our proprietary dBucket algorithm to meticulously model the sounds and characteristics of analog BBD circuits. Since it's a digital algorithm, it also allows us offer things like MIDI presets, tap tempo, and reduced noise that wouldn't be possible with vintage analog pedals.

[@sagittated]

@@strymon thank you so much for clearing that up. Right now I'm going back and questioning everything I thought I knew about the differences between analog and digital delay. I've been thinking I needed something I've labeled "digital delay" in my head to get specific sounds, like when Radiohead plays Everything in its Right Place live. (And others) But now I think what I need is the Brig. But perhaps your Timeline would be even better. More to learn!

[@richardwalley2862]

First

[@toneshop]

Dead Ringer for Walter White!

[@edmundmoon556]

i wonder... should we consider ever fact-checking pete... it just all sounds too good to be true...

[@tubingforever]

Just don’t see the point of this pedal. Yeah it might SOUND good, but it’s never gonna FEEL like a real analog delay. It’s still just digital

[@strymon]

Our dBucket algorithm literally operates internally exactly like a real Bucket Brigade chip does - the rate at which the signal is passed from bucket-to-bucket is even controlled by a clock, which has sonic dependencies just like in the analog domain. Most players we talk to find it indistinguishable. Hope that helps!

[@tubingforever]

@@strymon Can it do that tapeecho-reverby thing that my Aquapuss does? I can’t live without that sound. It’s mostly both my reverb and delay at the same time.

[@AndyTateMEMPHIS]

A great pedal.. not so great demo person..takes forever in speech..boring he is.. I have many strymon products,perfect they are.! Tkank you strymon..!

[@shoobydubois1]

Maybe you'd prefer to have a clown do the demo.