The Dream Pop Wash and How to Sound a bit Like Cocteau Twins (In Stereo)

[@berlinshoegazer]

Thanks for the shoutout, Stefan. I found your channel about a month ago and still don't undertnd how I could miss it all this time. You're doing a great job and your Cocteau Twins "Dream Pop Wash" tutorial here was not just perfectly explained, but also very relaxing to watch. Keep on makign such brilliant and passionated videos. I keep on "gazing" you videos. :) Greetings from Berlin GER - Kenneth

[@Nunyabidne55]

Please do more shoegaze/dreampop inspired videos. Theyre so much more musical than some of the other shoegaze pedal channels.

[@thepedalzone]

Very kind of you to say! 🙏

[@silence_video]

@@thepedalzone Just dropped in 7 months late to say this was an inspiring video. Thank you for all you do.

[@demezzerate6769]

this has to be one of the most accurate recreations of this sound i’ve heard on here

[@thepedalzone]

Oh wow! Thanks! Happy to hear you think I got close 😊

[@darwinsaye]

Cool to see someone demoing more obscure tones than the usual classic rock sounds. Heaven or Las Vegas was like nothing else I had heard when it came out.

[@thepedalzone]

Cheers! I don't know how to play classic rock, so yeah, you'll definitely find the sounds on this channel to be a bit more reverberating 😊💫 Heaven or Las Vegas was straight from another planet. Robin Guthrie is a sound design wizard

[@danielstreng]

Treasure too@@thepedalzone

[@madsx90]

starts vid with " i'm not an expert on dream pop" ends up riffing 5 mins of original dream pop. gotta love Stefan.

[@thepedalzone]

Ha! You're too kind, man! ❤

[@regularnimnule9715]

Yup. Stefan kills it everytime. Great player.

[@marcusfiero3724]

Do you know what he was playing at 4:50? It’s amazing, and I have been looking for that chorus in my collection of Dream Pop songs but cannot find it.

[@OverJam52]

"a bit Like Cocteau Twins" ? That was Cocoteau Twins in a pedal, or a few pedals! Awesome! Well done!

[@paulweyer4339]

So many people out there recreating distorted marshall tones or finding the perfect big muff fuzz for floyd. Nice to see someone appreciating lesser acknowledged genres and the tones therein. Subscribed

[@thepedalzone]

Thanks for the kind words and for subscribing. Really means a lot!

[@midwesterndirt]

Gonna go listen to Souvlaki, brb.

[@thepedalzone]

You definitely won't regret that decision. Phenomenal album!

[@zonkz6947]

One of my all time favorites

[@Spl01nk2]

Too late to like this comment😢

[@nightwing9637]

@@Spl01nk2 😔

[@GREG_Khar-NÜ-Metalhead2000]

U hasn't back yet?

[@kaedfunk4896]

the amount of clarity in your tone considering how many wet effects you used was unbelievable

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you! I always strive for that 😊

[@a.world.beyond.814]

Dude, I can’t believe the tones you’re getting. It’s giving me chills like the first time I listened to slowdive. Great job and great video. Thank you

[@thepedalzone]

Oh my! Thank you so much. Means so much to me!

[@GDmetallic]

i really like these breakdowns of how to achieve sound typical for a genre, your sound examples are immaculate and i really would like more of these vifeos, just two or three cool pedals

[@thepedalzone]

I'm happy you like the Tonal Teamwork videos. I enjoy making them, and there will most definitely be more of them in the future

[@ibanezmaestro5630]

Dude, you are the Gandalf of amazing ambient tone! Even in just your demos, you don't just make music. You create an experience. Truly nice work!

[@TonyHislop]

You are a spin-out. Honestly man, I’m kicking back and chillin’ to your music. Thanks again :)

[@DiscreteCircuitry]

YES Stefan!!! The sounds you made in this video are next level.

[@thepedalzone]

Awwww, man! Means a lot to me, buddy. Thank you!

[@jjcevallos12]

The on screen explanations are what put the video over the top for me. All around awesome

[@thepedalzone]

Happy you enjoyed it!

[@jordanmichael2655]

Mew is one of my all time favorite bands and no one ever talks about them! Great video!

[@Joe-yr1em]

Ugh this helped so much. I've been using music to help with my depression and rekindle that spark and making dream pop music has done it a bit. just being able to be creative again. Thank you for the video!

[@drbooks]

Be well my friend. Music has the power to heal

[@revenant235]

Holy smokes, brother. I just replaced my old laptop extension speakers with studio monitors, and this sounded simply outstanding! Thanks 🙏

[@thepedalzone]

Happy to hear that it translates well on the other end of the screen 😊

[@Melskeybored]

Absolutely beautiful , the presentation this guys vibes his playing is great , never liked and subbed a video so fast

[@ngronlund]

This is actually emotionally moving for me

[@thepedalzone]

Honored to hear that!

[@vanpire411]

that pad sound in the end was heaven

[@thepedalzone]

🥰🥰🥰

[@50Something]

This sent me to dream land over my morning coffee! Very haunting guitar sounds. Thanks for sharing!

[@thepedalzone]

Awwww, man! Cheers. Honored to be the soundscape to your morning coffee ❤️

[@dougtolley]

Stefan, this was a truly exceptional video. Your playing was, as ever, top class and I love how you break down each element of the chain to create the sound. Those swells at the end were totally dreamy, I could listen to you all day. Thank you for what you do Stefan, you genuinely set the bar higher and higher. Much love.

[@SteveOuimette]

Your channel is my absolute favorite new place to hang out. Having played for nearly 40 years and mostly in the rock realm I've begun discovering ambient and textural guitars and your knowledge and gorgeous demos have been incredibly entertaining and helpful!

[@radheserey5502]

Faraway this is my favorite episode Stefan. Very inspiring to creating my own sound. thanks for teach us.

[@thepedalzone]

Awwww, man! Thank you so much. I had a blast making it. So it's really nice to hear that it resonates with you ❤

[@mariodriessen9740]

This is just BEAUTIFUL!!! I tend to put all my reverbs and delays too loud into the mix and play too much. Fortunately, I’m never too old to learn. Thanks, Stefan! ❤️

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you very much, my friend. Restraint is the hardest musical skill to learn. I'm far from where I want to be when it comes to that skill, but every year I get a little closer. Think it's almost a counter-reaction as everything else around me in my life picks up in speed and becomes unpredictable, my music slows down and becomes more restrained. As you said, we're luckily never too old to learn 😊

[@Whiskeyklone]

I love it when my favourite channels support other channels that I love! Pedal Partners and SHOEGAZER are bringing wonderful work from The UK and Germany, respectively. But, SFast, maybe consider adding links to those channels in the description!

[@penseagrandegrandeseancole7974]

Bro I do don't know what I like more, your advice or that aesthetically pleasing background!!!! So Wonderful!!! beautiful video.

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you so much 😀

[@AndyAcker]

One of the best videos to date, Stefan, imho. I too spent formative years with these artists. We're back with the format of musical introduction featuring your playing, a spoken summary, building a sound step by step, achieving the result, and an epilogue to pull it all together. I love it when you do this. Thanks for the inspiration buddy!

[@necksnappa]

really needed these sounds in my life right now. thank you for all you continue to do.

[@thepedalzone]

You are so welcome! Really happy they were able to bring some zen into your life 🙏

[@chimpst0n]

Damn, this was so well done! Really appreciate you providing context, explaining as you go, and doing a demo after each added effect.

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you very very much! Super happy to hear you found the video helpful and inspiring

[@briannamayrosalind5954]

This is absolutely stunning!!!!! I love my drums, but have a special place in my heart for playing dream pop/shoegaze on my guitar! This sound with all these expressive chord colors are giving me chills in the best way. Love this!

[@thepedalzone]

Really happy you enjoyed the soundscapes. Means a lot to me. Thanks for taking the time to write such a sweet comment 🙏

[@briannamayrosalind5954]

Thank you for this amazingly helpful video. My first experience with These genres is definitely Massive Attack’s Teardrop, and the first The XX album. I also checked out Washed Out’s album Paracosm, (which is Chillwave, but also has an ethereal sound). I live in an area where it seems like know one has the slightest idea what I’m talking about when I mention these genres. I hope that changes, because this genre is amazing and life-changing! Thank you so much! 😁

[@spliffffen]

Happy somone gave a shout out to Mew. They're my favorite band and I think they are soooo underrated in the states at least.

[@thepedalzone]

Mew are soooo good! They are pretty huge here in Denmark, but that's probably not the case around the rest of the world. So I'm happy that this video could potentially introduce their sublime music to some new listeners.

[@spliffffen]

@@thepedalzone Honestly it seems like they're huge in Europe and Asia but they never tour here so I think they get that kind of exposure, but the fans here are like radiohead fans and we get very obsessed with them so at the following in strong, haha!

[@noises7029]

I don't know how I missed this one but dream pop is my thing. This is great, dude. Really great.

[@noises7029]

Also gotta add Boss Dimension C does an amazing job of making the mix more ethereal.

[@bjhale542]

Ah man very dimensional, the construct of sounds are always fun to build. Especially in a stereo configuration. Great job explaining the concepts of fabricating the sounds through not only the pedal chain but the explanation of why behind the placement and for what purpose.

[@latontolog]

Wonderful video! You absolutely captured the essence of dream pop, and with some characteristically wonderful playing to boot! I also think your explanation of the difference between shoegaze and dream pop is spot on.

[@emilyetallman]

Great video, thanks! That Cocteau Twins song is my go-to for relaxing at night

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you so much! And awesome to hear that the song is a personal fave of yours as well.

[@gail7961]

Thank you! As a beginner I was struggling to get anywhere near this until now. 💛 🎸

[@thepedalzone]

I'm happy to hear that the video gave you some ideas and concepts on how to get closer to the sound you want to create

[@drcockles]

I love how that builds up with each pedal / layer, beautiful tonal teamwork Stefan

[@thepedalzone]

That means a ton. Thank you!

[@Coachwill101]

Great Episode. I have become a Danish over the last few years. You just gave me three more! takk!

[@MikeLee479]

Hey man! Just wanted to let you know that your channel is truly inspiring… you break it down so simple and it’s greatly appreciated!

[@KeithShelley1]

No words for how much I love MEW. I'm so lucky to have seen them front row at an impossibly small club here in the American Midwest. The best-sounding concert I've ever seen.

[@thepedalzone]

Yeah, MEW are phenomenal live. I've seen them a couple of times and every single show has been mind-blowing.

[@LaniakeaLeathercrafts]

Amazing. A wave of nostalgia washed over me. That was beautiful

[@thepedalzone]

Thanks, buddy! Means a lot. Nostalgia is the best medicine. Hope you’re doing well 😊

[@Connorslamevideos]

yo Mew shoutout!! Frengers is my favorite dream pop album of all time

[@thepedalzone]

Iconic album! Mew are without a shadow of a doubt one of the finest bands to ever have come out of Denmark, and one of the finest bands to ever have existed. I owe a lot of my playing and sounds to them.

[@magnuslabillois1925]

I had no idea that they were from Denmark

[@Fantomex]

@@thepedalzone You should check out Swirlies' "What To Do About Them". That front man produced Mew's "A Triumph for Man" and "Half the World Is Watching Me" and you can see a lot of his influence in early Mew.

[@luciskies]

My heart feels so full listening to you play. Awesome job! And thanks for the tips. I’m gonna try this sound with flute (I just didn’t know how.) 💜

[@giri.goyo_yt]

Nice exposition of Dream Pop. Beautiful.

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you!

[@christopherecatalano]

Great, lovely sounds. What is most beautiful here to me is that many of these sound like some Cocteau Twins tracks they never made! I think when you think musically in the vein of such amazing artists the channeling process really helps to also nail the tone and overall vibe. Once again, it is the playing that puts stuff over the top. My favourite pure music band of the last 50 years will never die. Thank you for bringing the spirit of their music into your own work and for keeping great music alive❤️

[@garethbyrd5860]

The best explainer video yet.

[@thepedalzone]

Wow, thanks!

[@togakurerotten4801]

Wow the final result it’s amazing!! 😱👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@thepedalzone]

Oh wow! Thank you so much!

[@owendavis4154]

Thank you Stefan. As a big fan of this sort of music I thought you did a fantastic job of recreating the essence of what makes it so beautiful. Most importantly it made me plug in my guitar.❤️

[@thepedalzone]

Oh, man! That's too awesome. Makes all the work worth it to hear that the video inspired you to be creative ❤

[@philip6252]

This makes me feel so sad and happy listening with headphones

[@thepedalzone]

Melancholy is such a bittersweet feeling

[@Hamsong]

Beautiful, thank you.

[@thepedalzone]

Thanks, man! Really happy to hear you enjoyed it

[@TheTwangKings]

Brilliant lesson and a truly great sound.

[@thepedalzone]

Cheers! Stoked you found the video helpful and enjoyable to listen to :)

[@frankfrank7921]

I've often thanked you for your videos but I want to particularly coney my appreciation this time since this was exactly the subject matter I was looking for!

[@thepedalzone]

Awesome, man! Really happy you found the video enjoyable and helpful

[@discgolfpancho]

Loved this! Brought me back to seeing Mazzy Star in 1993. I had a front row seat and it was so relaxing that i fell asleep

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you! I'm deeply honored that the sounds were able to transport you back in time to such a happy memory. So cool you've seen Mazzy Star live 🙌💫

[@rishpanjeet7479]

“More, more, more” Correct sir.

[@thepedalzone]

❤🙌

[@AlexPriceMusician]

One of your best videos yet! I really enjoyed that - love the tone building videos you've been doing

[@thepedalzone]

Thanks a ton!

[@asims1066]

Followed my Insta feed here, and I’m glad I did. As someone who’s been following the genre nearly since the beginning I have to say I am really impressed by how well you nailed it!

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Really made my day ❤

[@drbooks]

Four thumbs up! One thumb for referencing bands that were a big impression on me too. Another thumb for the great tutorial. A thumb for the excellent playing. And one more for, well MORE REVERB :)

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you! That's a lot of thumbs 😊 I appreciate your kindness ❤

[@ericsayavedra784]

What a beautiful video man, thanks !

[@benjaminfowler4513]

You always articulate and explain so well these beautiful styles of music and I can always find a way to use the lessons with my own pedals

[@thepedalzone]

Awwwww, man! Thank you! Makes all the work worth it to know that you find the videos helpful.

[@gringogreen4719]

I wanted you drop a "thank you" for this video, I was able to take my Main Pedal Board and rearrange a few pedals and get a Dream Pop sound along with everything else I play. I just had to put my Chorus (Danelectro Cool Cat 18 volt) in front of my Danelectro Dan Echo pedals (one is a Slap Back Echo into one set for Spacey Echo). I have Dirt pedals before and after these and they work fantastic! Thanks again!😎👍✨

[@TheCreedUltimate]

you play so beautifully

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you! Really kind fo you ❤

[@maartenstevens9848]

Very good video ! A good complement to Luka and Kevin's video's. The high guitar lines sounded like the voicelines of the singer of Cocteau Twins.

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you very much!

[@theyreMineralsMarie]

Mew is such a great band!

[@thepedalzone]

YES!

[@Hehehehhehehehehehehehhe78]

Damn I remembered when u started this channel glad to see your channel getting love!

[@thepedalzone]

Thanks, man! It's a wild journey

[@justaskformoreincomment6694]

bro you are god for me keep it up amazing tutorials

[@olivierf.4931]

Well done!! I was into Cocteau some 30 years ago and this sent me back to the vibe :-)

[@thepedalzone]

I'm glad the sounds were able to transport you back in time. Cocteau rules 😊💫

[@softlightsymphonyband]

Important to note: Robin Guthrie is often described as using “big washes of reverb with long tails”, etc. For his work with Cocteau Twins, but he is on record stating that he wasn’t a big fan of big reverb tails and that most of the tones he got that people mistook for reverb was actually multiple delays in various combinations. His solo work in recent years has FAR more reverb than anything he did with Cocteau Twins in general.

[@thepedalzone]

I’m fully aware. This is just my take on the sound. Like I say multiple times in the video, I’m not an expert. This is just how I like to get close to Cocteau Twins’ dreamy tones. Cocteau Twins’ huge tapestry of sound was also created through a bunch of overdubs. So the best way to approximate that via a single take was, for me, through stereo delay and reverb

[@davids9192]

A glimpse into Heaven. Thank you Stefan.

[@thepedalzone]

Supremely kind of you. Happy you liked the video!

[@nickyverb]

Amazing video Stefan. Just found your channel yesterday via your Visotor demo and that convinced me to pick one up! Appreciate the Brian Batz and SPP shout out. One of my favorite composers and dreamy gazy type bands. They really do the genre a good justice! I don't feel like enough people in the U.S have heard of them.

[@dulouz]

The first go, before you added in the pattern delay, is totally the sound of Turnover on Peripheral Vision. Nicely done.

[@thepedalzone]

Never heard about them. Just checked it out. Sounds really nice! Almost like midwest emo mixed with dream pop. I dig it!

[@dulouz]

@@thepedalzone That’s a perfect description of their sound. Glad you liked them! And thanks for the reply.

[@relentlesssounds8404]

Man theses sounds are GREAT! Can’t wait for your next videos! For now, rest well... I’ll try to be patient😉

[@adammindykowski6984]

Amazing mate! ❤ You truly captured the fundamental essence of dream pop there. And when you dialled the Mercury 7 to full wet, wow! What a sound.

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you SO MUCH, my friend. Really means a lot!

[@regaudieguillaume]

It's great to start this year with a dream. Thank you so much Stefan !

[@thepedalzone]

It's always good to dream! Cheers ❤

[@sidneiribeiro3883]

Beautiful sounds !

[@thefeelcompany]

Awesome run through. Lovely notes being played too.

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you kindly!

[@Chora68]

Your awesome! Thanks for sharing this

[@WillItPlayMedia]

Mew are awesome!!! Love their first 2 records! ❤❤❤

[@thepedalzone]

One of the best bands ever

[@dylanclay5267]

I really enjoyed this! I think the genre diving is a fun way to explore using multiple pedals

[@thepedalzone]

Thanks, man! Really means a lot!

[@geerhoar]

Thank you fir nailing the sound! Would like to hear the same setup for Dream Pop with dark, analog effects!

[@MrScrofulous]

I feel I may be able to help. I have a H&K Rotosphere, which has a really bright fast setting, sounds like a carillon of bells, and also the Replex, which is a soft dual head tube driven delay/reverb (weirdly, only one at a time), which allows me to add tube warmth and delay, resulting in a rich fat tone that sparkles and dances. That then goes to an Avalanche Run +/- an Afterneath for maximum washiness.

[@stellitacat]

I love cocteau twins, ther are one of my favorite bands

[@thepedalzone]

Awesome! Yeah, they are phenomenal

[@albertdale5101]

Beautiful sounds... keep resonating!

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you! 🙏

[@nolarocks]

Beautiful as always. You are one of my favorite musicians!!

[@thepedalzone]

Thanks again! Always means a lot ❤

[@tjwalkup7155]

This is lovely

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you!

[@bennettevergreen4232]

WTF what a stunning sound love it so munch

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you so much!

[@frankschweigert5596]

Yessss! The long awaitet tribute to the Cocteau Twins. In my opinion Robin ist the Inventor of these sounds.

[@thepedalzone]

Robin is a legend!

[@frankschweigert5596]

@Mason Davis Absolutely Mason👍 especially the slightly overdriven and the distorted sounds we're supreme💪💪

[@wilfried5418]

Great video! Those “how to” episodes are really helpful and interesting, thank you.

[@thepedalzone]

Glad you like them!

[@svartsjokolade]

Love this channel - I bought both the Cirrus and the Visitor following your reviews but I am now just seeing this video. Excited to see them as "ingredients" and will give this a go, thank you!

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you for all the kind words. Means a lot! Cirrus and Visitor can just bring so much space and movement to a sound. Love them!

[@niklaswillstedt3147]

awesome video, for someone who says he's not an expert. this is amazing and a perfect example of this sound!

[@thepedalzone]

Awwww, man! Thank you! ❤

[@slthlrdz]

My favorite genre and band. Thanks for the Danish recommendations. Excited to check those out.

[@thepedalzone]

Cheers! Hope you enjoy them

[@Haze763]

Beautiful playing Stafan. I'm a big fan of your channel. Cheers from Detroit.

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you very much!

[@eddieriviello]

I’ve never had so much fun learning haha! Great playing, but I honestly learned some real practical tips from a genre I love to listen to, but haven’t tried to play to much of. Amazing sounds on display here as always Stefan!

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you so much, buddy! Super happy to hear you found the video helpful

[@albinnibla]

You've hit the head on the pillow!😊 Wonderful!

[@thepedalzone]

Haha! Thanks, man!

[@tokimasa85]

I bought a OBNE Visitor recently and love that you feature it here. Got a few more ideas on how to use it.

[@thepedalzone]

That's great to hear! It's such a cool pedal. The use case in this video is pretty basic. Just using it as a straight up chorus, but it does it well. But I have a full demo of it on my channel, where I really dive into the more unique and dynamic parallel modulation tones within it.

[@tokimasa85]

@@thepedalzone Yep that video you did is great, I also watched it. I like that you have kept using the Visitor for this more "routine" use because it shows that the pedal isn't just for making unusual sounds.

[@petermonrad8215]

"Rødgrød without fløde" 😂. When you add the stereo delay - that's the 'fløde'! Greetings from Copenhagen. And great video BTW.

[@thepedalzone]

Hahaha! Mange tak 🙏 Stereo Delay definitely makes everything more delicious 😊😂

[@Daphney0310]

A pure KZbin gem this is(: thank you so very very much!!!!

[@thepedalzone]

Cheers! Really happy you liked the video!

[@jamesthainmusic]

Loved this Stefan another great video and the sounds were as always incredible !

[@thepedalzone]

Thank you very much!

[@brettwalters5299]

Sounds fantastic. Youre a fantastic player.

[@thepedalzone]

Extremely kind of you!

[@cygnusalpha5575]

gorgeous sound and lovely playing.

[@thepedalzone]

Awww! Thanks!