Strymon Delay Shootout: Dig V2 vs El Cap V2

The Strymon Dig digital delay and the Strymon El Capistan are both killer sounding delays. In this quick overview, we're listening to the tonal characteristics of each delay and discussing their pros and cons. Please forgive the random camera focus hunting. User error on my part. The demo still works to give you a good idea audio wise. Enjoy!
Details about the gear used in this video can be found below.
Gear & Settings
Guitars:
• ’19 Fender ’62 Reissue Strat (Custom Shop Fat 50’s pickups w/ Ilitich SSCS)
Pedals:
• Berkos FX Third Stone Fuzz
• Kingtone Blues Power Drive
• Strymon Sunset Dual Overdrive
• Strymon Dig Dual Digital Delay
• Kingtone El Capistan dTape Echo
• Universal Audio Golden Reverberator
Amps:
• Two Rock Classic Reverb Signature (Left Guitar)
• Two Rock 2x12 Cab (a pair of TR 1265B speakers)
• Germino Bass 35 head (Right Guitar)
• Germino 2x12 cab (a pair of 25 watt Celestion greenbacks)
• Tone King Ironman Mini II Attenuator
Recording Signal Chain
Microphones:
• Earthworks SR-25 condenser mic (voice)
• Neumann U87ai (guitar left)
• Sennheiser MD 421 II (guitar left)
• Beyerdynamic M-160 ribbon mic (guitar right)
• Shure SM-57 dynamic mic (guitar right)
Audio interface:
• Universal Apollo x8p
Mic preamps:
• API Vision Channel Strip Plugin for all guitar mics
• SSL E Channel Strip Plugin for voice
Recording Software:
• Universal Audio Console
• ECamm Live
Audio Plugins:
• Universal Audio LA3A compressor (for guitar left and right)
• Universal Audio Precision Limiter
Video Gear:
• Fujifilm X-H1 mirrorless digital camera with 23mm lens
• Aputure 120d for key lighting
• LIFX 80” LED strip + 40” LED strip for background lighting.
• iPhone 12 for pedalboard cam
• Adobe Premiere
Chapters:
00:00 - Music
00:47 - Intro
01:30 - Repeat comparison
02:45 - Modulation comparison
04:25 - Single note comparison
05:44 - Both delays
08:00 - Final thoughts

[@gordonl2140]

Aaaand from North Carolina, a 6'6" guard, number 23, Michael Jordan!

[@BufordT-ji6zg]

Your World Champion Chiago Bulls!!!

[@ckachurak2863]

😂

[@fruitiusmaximus925]

If only we had this kind of pedal power when I was a young dude: back in the 90's, if you wanted sound like this, you had to have a stack of rackmounts that cost as much as a new car, and maybe even some studio boards. Now we can do it with less than $2K worth of pedals, which are so much more fun to use ... and addictive to collect.

[@tonecast1]

I totally agree. I used to flip through catalogs from AMS, Carvin, Musician’s Friend, Sweetwater just dreaming of owning some of that stuff back then. Now we have such a variety of killer gear available to us at reasonable prices. What a great time to be a guitar player. Thanks for watching.

[@ian1630]

I was running my boss ps-2 into my boss me-6 back in 1993 and mucking about with all that dual delay/feedback/resonance on a students budget. Didn’t even know it was a thing back then, just that it sounded awesome!! 😂

[@fruitiusmaximus925]

@@ian1630 Boss pedals have always been a huge basket of awesomeness, but even Boss pedals are much better constructed and more powerful now than they were 30 years ago.

[@elkhanagaev4172]

So beautiful peace of music at the end! Nice demo!

[@MattChmielecki]

WOW! What a sound - the looped part with both delays....Jeez. GREAT demo!

[@tonecast1]

Thanks man! It was the first time I've recorded two amps the old school way (with microphones - no OX Box). I used two mics on each amp. It was a fun session to dial in tones.

[@KevinASmith-bu7hd]

Delicious playing Jimbo! Loving the pedalboard view

[@tonecast1]

Thanks Kevin. It was fun to record. I used mics for everything. So I moved myself left in the shot and forgot to reset the focus area on the camera. Thank you for suffering through the focus hunting. I'll also get the iPhone pedalboard cam out the shot next time. 😁

[@dylansneed4974]

Great tones and info, my man!

[@tonecast1]

Thanks man! Thanks for watching.

[@rdean150]

Dude that was a jam! Nicely done, goddamn!

[@tonecast1]

Ha! Thanks man.

[@chriskellervxstudios]

Subbed for Sirius. Grew up in Illinois in the 90s, gives me goosebumps every time. Just ordered a Dig V2 as well. Stoked

[@tonecast1]

I appreciate the sub. The Dig v2 is a great sounding delay and the user interface is designed to be easy to use. You’re gonna love it.

[@psysword]

Fabulous talent. I loved your playing

[@tonecast1]

Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching!

[@Danthehorse]

Great demo, very useful indeed. Thank you. I think the el cap can give some of that light TC2290 kind of vibe. You seem a top chap too, all the best mate.

[@tonecast1]

Glad you found the demo helpful. Thanks for the kind words.

[@skeres01]

Nice demo, and great choice of music with Sirius. I was waiting for you to break into the screaming solo! 😁+1 Sub.

[@tonecast1]

Bonus points for recognizing the tune! I’m not that great at ripping solos but I do enjoy a good loop and layering parts. Thanks for the sub and thanks for commenting!

[@stephensamber1]

Jimmmay! Nice 👍🏻

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Niiiiice. Enjoyed it.

[@tonecast1]

Thanks for watching!

[@sandyturner1911]

My problem, is that I want both. lol! I'm going to sell the Volante, and get the El Cap first, then the DiG. The volante is just too much. I want the sound, and the simplicity of the El Cap. They all sound Great! I just finally got the Flint..it's on the way. Once you have Strymon, nothing elae sounds as good..at least to me. I've been using the DECO for years. It's always on, and I love the Flanger side, with a tap tempo. Thanks for this! Great DEMO!

[@guitarsandguitaraccessories420]

Dude AWESOME

[@tonecast1]

Thanks for watching!

[@Nobody92421]

Sirius from the Alan Parsons project? Well done. That's a nice Strat BTW. Thanks for posting.

[@tonecast1]

Yeah, Sirius is great for showcasing any sort of delay. The Strat is a ‘62 reissue with an Ilitch silent single coil system installed. Thanks for watching.

[@GNeuman]

Very nice playing indeed.

[@tonecast1]

I appreciate that. Thanks for watching!

[@skadesignetcetera]

I have both. I love both.

[@tonecast1]

Yeah, they're both really great in different ways. Thanks for watching!

[@GustavSandstedt]

Awesome, this would fit right into my dawless synth setup for dub techno production.

[@tonecast1]

Yeah, these are great with either instrument level or line level signals. I have Prophet 5 that I run into a Timeline, Mobius, and Bigsky. Those work great for too. I have no doubt these would also excel in a synth setup. Thanks for watching!

[@GustavSandstedt]

@@tonecast1 it will soon go into my mixer aux send to be applied on my Digitone 😊👍🏼

[@robertoparisi6970]

Really nice tones! Had both V1's and looking foward for acquiring another. Were you playing the chords for "Naima" at the beginning?

[@tonecast1]

Thanks! The updated versions are great. I did play Naima in the FM3 vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3XMoZh8m9CHgtk In the beginning of this vid I played some of Sirius by Alan Parsons Project.

[@CarsonLeeguitar]

(theme music plays) "From West Lake Village California... the Delay Doppelganger....and the Magnetic Monster!...." Great Tones!!

[@tonecast1]

Bahahaha!

[@jamesonscappaticci1508]

Great video. Subbing.

[@tonecast1]

Thanks Jameson. I appreciate the sub. I’m slow on the vid output but when I do post, I make sure it’s quality and valuable to the viewer. I’m working on a couple history videos at the moment, but as soon as I’m done editing those, I’ll be doing a few more gear demos/shootouts like this. Thanks for watching.

[@johnnyflyy5873]

You should have shown more of the 12 bit light modulation on DIG. That’s it’s secret sauce

[@tonecast1]

Maybe next time. 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching.

[@UMCmetal]

what is that reverb on the sound kicking in at 7:20 ?

[@tonecast1]

It’s been a while but I think I used the UA Golden Reverberator on the plate setting.

[@cfibanez]

Easy solution. I have both!

[@tonecast1]

Ha! As do i. Thanks for watching!

[@TorrieSeager]

Naima!! ❤

[@tonecast1]

@@TorrieSeager Easily one of my fav Instrumental ballads of all time. Also not easy to play.

[@TheFlutecart]

I'm stuck on the tape sound delays. But the DIG has a place in the world. I'll stick with my Volante. And my Adineko oil can delay pedal, that thing is too cool. Still the DIG is great for that Adrian Belew stuff. I think two delays are good.

[@tonecast1]

I’m working on rebuilding my board. The Dig and El Cap are replacing my Timeline. The Dig is just easy to use and sounds great. My only wish is it that it could also replicate the “Saltwater” preset from the Timeline.

[@fruitiusmaximus925]

Two delays are good. Three delays are better. And if you can find the pedalboard space for four or more ...

[@simonlynch6080]

Is your looper before the delays ?

[@tonecast1]

The El Cap is before the Blooper (looper) the Dig is after. I was experimenting with placement. I’m in the process of redoing my pedalboard. Ultimately I would probably switch the placement of El Cap and The Dig simply bc El Cap would allow me mangle the loop from the Blooper more so than the Dig.

[@Eyzebian]

Intro is electric counterpoint-ish. Nice.

[@tonecast1]

Thanks! It was just my take on Sirius by Alan Parsons Project.

[@Eyzebian]

@@tonecast1 Great to know!

[@tyleredwardsmusic]

That opener makes me wanna watch The Last Dance again

[@tonecast1]

Ladies and gentleman, here is a man who gets it. It’s the Alan Parsons Project - Sirius; the tune that was used as the iconic intro music for the the 90’s Chicago Bulls. 🐐

[@xx-dl2ol]

No joke! Was Directly beamed back to the bulls game … holy

[@FastRedPonyCar]

I'm honestly torn between the Dig and the Walrus Mako D1. Both sound amazing.

[@tonecast1]

I’ve used a friend’s Mako D1 in the studio. It’s not a bad delay. I prefer the Dig when going for the 80s digital thing. It does that sound really well.

[@shovington67]

You Fripped out !

[@tonecast1]

My first looper was the Line 6 DL-4. Love a good looper! Thanks for watching.

[@salsabilahmedshrestho960]

I had a doubt in my mind after I bought el-cap instead of dig. I don't anymore. El cap sounds incredible and more fuller. Best delay for me! as you said, I listen to radiohead, porcupine tree, el cap has that ambience. But the dig is awesome for some rhythmic works.

[@tonecast1]

I have them both still. I love the El Cap and the Dig for different applications. Given the kind of music you’re into, El Cap is a great choice. I love it for the long repeats/edge of oscillation kind of delay tones. It’s great for the Ed O’Brien kind of soundscaping.

[@fruitiusmaximus925]

The sound quality and perfect user-interface of the El Cap is worthy of having a dedicated delay just for tape effects. The Dig sounds great, but deals mostly in effects that you are probably going to be getting from an "all-in-one" delay unit that does a lot of effects.

[@joshbabbitt9243]

​@tonecast1 can I ask if you're still using thus tandem of Dig/El Cap? Curious to see what your board is looking like these days.

[@joshbabbitt9243]

We need a pedalboard update brotha! 😢😆😆🤣🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😍

[@bryanp8010]

I got all strymons delays. I have to say their customer service/tech support absolutely sucks. If you go with the timeline and have an issue you’re going to need about six months of emails back and forth to get a real issue solved. I love their basic pedals but I’m disappointed in the user experience with the timeline. Their manual doesn’t cover some of the issues with using the looper but that’s a whole other topic. I is mostly the dig on my board but my secondary board has the el cap. They’re both amazing in their own way

[@tonecast1]

You know in all honesty. I get your point. I’m frustrated with midi implementation of the Dig v2. There’s a well known bug regarding the midi implementation with the tap/hold function and they still haven’t come up with a legit fix for. I don’t have the same issue with the Timeline you’re having, I use the looper all the time with an old Disaster Area DMC-3 without any problem. If I were looking for a new midi controller for it, I’d go with one of the Morningstar Engineering midi controllers to access the looper functions.

[@bryanp8010]

@@tonecast1 I’CE used old school modelers so I’m not an idiot but I’m not up on the midi stuff yet. I ordered a fractal so I’m going to have to get used to it but I don’t mess with the midi stuff yet. The looper problem with the timeline is is doesn’t work n I keep going back and forth with strymon engineers. It’s supposed to be as simple as hold loop for on, press A to record and B to play. Well I have no sound output. Not even sure it’s recording. Loop level is up and it’s in buffered bypass and no one knows what’s going on. They do t do FaceTime so they keep wanting me to record lengthy videos and email them. The back n forth is exhausting and extremely time consuming. They need to just warranty the damn thing.

[@Cluby2]

Mats Sundin on guitar

[@dahliafiend]

El Cap

[@tonecast1]

I still have them both. I end up using the El Cap when I want a good short repeat for lead work and wild ambient weirdness.

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

Dig

[@hayabusa1300100]

The DIG is the shit period dual delays trails it’s got it Keep all the rest best bar none and as you said easy to navigate

[@tonecast1]

Yeah the user interface is so straightforward; easy to dial in so you can get back to playing. I’ve since sold the El Cap v2. I still have the Dig v2

[@slimigan]

um, both obviously

[@tonecast1]

I just traded the El Cap (Sept ‘23) Great pedal but I moved on from these small box Strymon delay pedals for now. I was looking for something with a little easier midi integration. I still have the Dig. I love its sound but got frustrated with Strymon not addressing a midi tap tempo bug that has been around for over a year. If using midi is not imperative in your setup, you’d be happy with the Dig.

[@slimigan]

@@tonecast1yeah, I have both on my board and love them, but I don't use MIDI, so maybe that limits any frustrations...

[@chefsize]

🤪🫳🏀💨🗑️

[@tonecast1]

#23

[@garyyarago2096]

You are one of the only guitar demo players who doesn't find it necessary to aggressively shake the neck to achieve vibrato (Mick Taylor and Peter Green never found it required to achieve stunning results).This seems to be in step with the proliferation of gear and guitar shows ,so I can only conclude that this done for show,which is why I find it so irritating- it spreads like a virus and is getting ridiculous, so all you other wankers-- just stop it!

[@tonecast1]

I think a lot of players enjoy the sound of that technique. I enjoy it and I use it often, but like many things on guitar “too much of a good thing” can fatigue the listener’s ear.

[@Terry_Aki]

DIG

[@olg88]

DIG

[@tonecast1]

I still have them both. :)

[@olg88]

@@tonecast1 yeah ! %)