Strymon Flint Vs Keeley Hydra | on SWL!

[@TheJonRuth23]

I prefer the sound of the Flint's reverb, for sure. It sounds a bit warmer and more natural. It can give you some nice ambient sounds too. Since I use mine almost exclusively for reverb, I am definitely keeping my Flint. The harmonic tremolo is nice as well. If I had two pedalboards, one for home/studio and one for shows/practice, I'd keep the Flint for home and bring the Hydra out, in large part due to the size.

[@asnark7115]

Looks like he had the mix knobs set differently in the only round where I could hear a difference.

[@bensherwood777]

I think it's fair to say that the Flint retains its crown! Unbeatable silky smooth reverb and even the harmonic trem is still more pleasing to my ears. Great comparison video thanks 👍

[@petebrown8145]

Really liked this demo; thanks! Either would let me dispatch of my old Garagetone Trem and TCE reverb. Leaning towards the Hydra.

[@mikeroadblock]

Bravo. Good fight. Good fight.

[@simonpanter3627]

3 presets and what you see gives you 4. I like the Hydra for that reason. I've owned the Flint twice and it's a great pedal.

[@charleyeastman1795]

I had a flint for a few years, but it was easy to let go of once I heard the Hydra and experienced the ease of use of tap tempo and presets. if you have unlimited space and you own a flint, and you get a tap tempo switch, keep it. Otherwise, the hydra is a clear refinement on every level. And live? Nobody’s gonna know the difference but you, so you decide what you can live with!

[@vielstein]

The 3 presets of the Hydra are truely true a very good thing for gigs , the difference in sounding of this two pedals is so close , but I prefer the Hydra . Thanxalot for posting , great vid . And by the way , I got me a Hydra and its as fantastic as Keeley says .

[@kagmakismusic]

We are glad you liked it!

[@tomgross1953]

Nice video. Well done. I liked different settings on each.

[@kagmakismusic]

Thank you!!

[@Open_Eyes_Open_Heart]

Not convinced this demo really explores the hydras options and tweaking. The knobs for the hydra looked like they were at mostly 12 while the flint looked to be dialed in.

[@asnark7115]

Flint dry/wet was definitely set higher towards wet. Last pedal in the chain always sounds clearer and fuller, as well.

[@jamq4]

What a great video man! The Flint is the winner for me, I will buy it tomorrow!

[@rossedwards73]

I love my Flint, but wish it was possible to trigger tremolo and reverb separately from my GigRig G3 (and to have it start up non-bypassed). For those reasons alone, I’m considering the Hydra.

[@jeant9946]

I am thinking of doing the same .how did you do it with hydra ?thank you

[@MrJddelux]

Great demo, only missing the stereo outputs of the pedals to hear the surround sound/ viby experience and stereo features.

[@kagmakismusic]

Thanks for your feedback. You are right, but we are trying to keep videos short for avoiding being boring.

[@zettepix2009]

The Flint gives a pleasant sensation because it is very warm. However, I wonder how in a band context that will cut the mix. But rrue the Hydra sounds glassy with reverbs.

[@WeekendWarriorGuitars]

I'm liking this simply b/c you played Trower! I went with the Hydra...sounds great in a smaller casing and it's $100 less (at the time of posting). You didn't demo this but the Hydra's stereo sounds are superior...plus the "room" reverb is adjustable so it can be a small room or a large room, like a hall - that and other features on the Hydra make it more versatile and a better value for money.

[@mattw36]

I do like the flints reverb more, but for live shows the audience isn’t gonna notice and in a mix I won’t as much either. Victory goes to the hydra for the presets and size (although those large knobs on the flint are not only easier to grab they are beautiful too)

[@LaMarrBrewster]

I have both and they both sound great, but the presets on the Hydra are hard to overlook for ease of use.

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

I’m going with the hydra it’s sounds so crisp and dynamic. Flint sounds so much more dark/warmer but not in a good way for me.

[@bumblefritz]

What a fun comparison! I own the Flint and think it's fantastic.

[@soutterolivier]

Hard to say... I would say flint has better reverb n hydra especially better harmonic trem. But Hydra has also other nice features. I think both are great pedals... as many times few details n sound colours please one and not another. Great comparison !!! I was waiting for this

[@kagmakismusic]

Really nice feedback, thank you!! We are happy you liked the video. It's true, it was difficult for us to choose. Thankfully, we have them both and we can play whenever we want :))

[@jimmannella2291]

I’ve had the Flint twice before. I picked up a Hydra a month or so ago to try it out but haven’t even played it because my pedal board is going through a major overhaul. After watching this I’m missing my Flint already lol

[@kagmakismusic]

:) I feel you're gonna get Flint one last time

[@phladjki]

let’s hear it - what’s the verdict between flint and hydra?

[@yungstaben7675]

Bridge of sighs. Nice 🤙🏻

[@christophernoia5197]

I don’t have a flint, but I’d probably go hydra. I’ve been eying the mxr tremolo, which has harmonic trem, to replace my boss tr2 and pair with my boss rv5. This one pedal can do all I wanted, with added presets, expression, and vibrato which could potentially replace my vibrato pedal that’s not even stereo. My oversized board just got smaller. I need to get the hydra soon. This’ll be my first Keeley pedal owned, though I have used the keeley compressor that an old bandmate has loaned me. They’re killing it.

[@WScott-gd2mj]

A very close call, but I'd lean Hydra for its #3 trem setting, vibrato, which sounds far more useful to me than Flint's corresponding photocell.

[@steveyankees1]

I have the Hydra and I’m disappointed with the Room reverb. I was playing with the room reverb and I kept hearing a slap back sound with every note I play. It isn’t the note, it’s the sound of the string being plucked with a pick or a finger. I’ve tried adjusting the knobs but it doesn’t eliminate it. It’s sounds like there’s a very short pre-delay. If I mute all the strings on the feet board and do a quick strum you can hear the repeat. . It’s so annoying. I can’t use the pedal on the room setting.. it’s too bad because it is a feature rich pedal. I’m probably going to get the Flint. When I listen to YT videos of reverb pedals , to me the Flint stands out in terms of replicating vintage reverbs and tremolos. For me that’s worth sacrificing not having presets. The Flint is pure authentic sounding reverbs and tremolo. For sure There are many other reverbs that excel at ambient and experimental sounds. That’s not my preference. I want the most authentic reverbs and tremolos and the Flint nails it

[@kagmakismusic]

Thanks for your comment. We are dealing with 2 very good pedals. Some prefer on to the other, without meaning that one is better than the other. It's a matter of taste. Hope you like our videos

[@DavideSchachterJazz]

pre-dly is your friend ...one of the most important parameters for reverb...a good amount of predelay makes sure the reverb doesn't get in the way otherwise it becomes like a halo and the guitar sound gets lost in the mix. I don't own the hydra nor the flint but i tried the flint today and although I liked a lot the tremolo I wasn't in love with the reverb. The 80's should have been much more creamier with more predelay instead it's just like the 70's just warmer and less metallic. The spring reverb it's ok.

[@asnark7115]

Have you tried the Aurora?

[@KipCount]

Strymon Flint is just always so dark. Which can be good or bad depending on what you like, what you want, and the rest of your gear. I had a Flint. Real smooth, but when I wanted a little splash from the spring, there was no getting it. Too smooth and dark. Honestly, in a loud, live, band context, bright reverb sounds pretty terrible, so I think the Flint in many ways is the perfect working musicians verb pedal. Almost impossible to dial in a bad sound accidentally.

[@burresseffects]

The Flint only sounds noisy because of the Truetone power supply.

[@Pepino969]

Hydra. It was very close for me until the end where the Trower riffs on the Hydra kicked the Flint’s butt.

[@kagmakismusic]

:)

[@flingar]

Τέλειο

[@DanRodriguez1]

Lol 😂 this was so good

[@personel02]

I owned Hydra for about 2 weeks. At first day the tremolo Depth knob fell off. Sometimes when I plugged Hydra to the power it suddenly switched to ALL WET mode which was annoying and I had to switch it back. Eventually when I was turning it on/off there was a noise after pressing a switch. It seems that my Hydra was broken. Cool features are: 3 banks, Infinite reverb, tap tempo, stereo, weight, compact size and shimmer

[@jbf16falcon]

Hydra! guess it’s time for Strymon to refresh the Flint, time marches on.

[@shckltnebay]

THE TOPANGA DOES A MUCH BETTER SPRING REVERB THAN EITHER OF THESE IF THAT'S WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR

[@kagmakismusic]

If that's what you're looking for then yes! One if not the best around for spring verb. It's one of our favorites here.

[@shckltnebay]

@@kagmakismusic I getting an Oceans 12 to compare with the Flint which I maybe selling

[@kagmakismusic]

Would choose the Flints simplicity and fidelity over the Oceans 12 but it's a matter of what works best for you :)

[@shckltnebay]

@@kagmakismusic I agree I got the OC12 and its really noisy, might just be the one I got. Sending it back

[@marjeziorny924]

Hydra!

[@monkeyxx]

The Flint reverb kills the hydra with a giant sword. The Hydra has cool modulation, but the reverb sounds small and dead, and that spring is just "wrong." Wish I could pick one half of each.

[@nathannapier7740]

Hydra wins hands down. It simply sounds more natural.

[@continentalaquatics2725]

Hydra…More options and better value for the money.

[@VadimShinnik]

HYDRA!!!!!

[@randysosa7616]

Hydra is clearly the winner. More presets than the flint. On board tap and reverb hold. Also smaller foot print. And it's true stereo compared to the strymond "tank".

[@kagmakismusic]

Thanks for your comment. We hope you liked the video :)

[@scottmoreau3478]

In terms of reverb, I could take either one. Where the Hydra wins is with the tremolo tones. I had the Flint and the trem settings always sounded a bit too digital/thin.

[@kagmakismusic]

@@scottmoreau3478 for us, it is also difficult to choose. It was a good flight thought. Thanks for your comment

[@Trewqgtt]

Hydra is cheaper, and more difficult to control due to second functions edit while pressing another button. Both sound cool. If you can afford, go for the Flint, else, will be happy with the Hydra.

[@lisahale394]

Hydra wins!!!!!

[@stephanbijl8628]

Hydra! Never understood why people love the reverb on the Strymon. So fake

[@kagmakismusic]

We have to admit that it was a tough camparisson making this video. We had 2 great pedals. We can ensure you that none of the Strymon sounds fake. Thanks again for your comment. We hope you enjoyed the video 😊

[@shckltnebay]

@@kagmakismusic The Spring setting sure does I have one

[@Trewqgtt]

@@shckltnebaymaybe it doesn’t remind you of that particular spring friend.