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Deconstructing the DIG Dual Delay video song

Deconstructing the DIG Video Song

One of the insanely great things about being part of the small Strymon team is writing and recording a lot of the music that appears in our videos and sound clips. Many of you know that I record a lot of songs as State Shirt—but a large part of my musical output stays right here, as ingredients in the presentation of our pedals. Recently I had a ton of fun in the studio recording a song for our new DIG Dual Digital Delay. The only effect used on the guitars and synths in this song (other than a tube preamp) is DIG.

I thought it would be interesting to deconstruct the song so you can hear some of the individual guitar and synth parts, and check out the DIG Delay settings used.

Here’s the DIG video that features this song:

 

Now let’s pull out some of the guitar and synth parts so you can hear them separately.

Intro – Staccato Guitar

The first guitar you hear on the track is a slightly palm-muted staccato element.  For this part I used the 24/96 delay type set to a Dotted Eighth note subdivision, with the delays in Series configuration. The delay config is a secondary function under the Mix 2 knob. Press and hold both footswitches while turning the knob—turn left for Series, center for Ping Pong, and right for Parallel.

DIG Dual Delay settings

 

One Simple Chord

Here is one simple chord that plays right before the main beat kicks in. The 12-bit delay type, along with deep modulation, creates a washy sound. Here I’m only using Delay 2, which is set to a Dotted Eighth subdivision.

DIG Dual Delay settings

 

Verse – Synth Lead

This synth melody brings us into the verse. Here the 12-bit delay with deep modulation softens the sharp nature of the synth patch. The Golden Ratio subdivision creates delay repeats that don’t directly line up with the tempo of the melody. Repeats are set short to keep this part in the foreground.

Dig Dual Delay settings

 

Verse – ADM Lead

This simple riff comes in during the first verse. The ADM delay type provides the slightly grungy sound heard in the repeats here. The Ping Pong configuration widens out the sound.

Dig Dual Delay settings

 

Verse – Dotted Eighth Rhythm

This dotted eighth guitar line (reminiscent of something The Edge might play) features the ADM delay type, Ping Pong configuration, and light modulation to allow the sound to move around a bit.

Dig Dual Delay settings

 

Bridge – Driving Rhythm

This simple, driving rhythm sets the foundation for the bridge of the song. Here I’m using the ADM delay type for sharp, percussive repeats, and light modulation to give the delay some movement.

DIG Dual Delay settings

 

Bridge – Synth Melody

This synth melody comes in during the bridge. The 24/96 delay allows for crystal clear repeats of the input signal. Mild modulation and Ping Pong configuration add some space and widen the synth sound.

DIG Dual Delay settings

 

Overdriven Bridge Lead

This overdriven lead tone doubles the synth tone above. It utilizes the 24/96 delay type for clear reproduction of the guitar signal. I’ve dialed the Repeats Filter to about 2:00, which removes a bit of the low end from the delay. Deep modulation give the delays a large presence. The overdrive comes courtesy of a Damage Control tube preamp.

DIG Dual Delay settings

 

Outro Lead Guitar

The Golden Ratio subdivision along with a very high Repeats setting give this delay a distinctly reverb-like quality. The Repeats Filter is set to 2:00 to eliminate some low end from the repeated signal. A Damage Control tube preamp provides the overdrive.

DIG Dual Delay settings

 

Looooooooong Outro Decay

Here a simple chord is transformed into an ethereal outro using the Golden Ratio subdivision and a very high Repeats setting. The 12-bit delay type and deep modulation provide a darker experience, and setting the Repeats Filter to 9:00 removes even more high end for a very warm and smooth sound.

DIG Dual Delay settings

 

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little inside look at the recording of the DIG Delay video song and the creation of some of the sounds used within. Have your own DIG settings that you’d like to share? Post them below or share them online with the hashtag #strymondig.

Stay tuned: In the coming weeks we’ll be offering up the individual stems of the song so that you can use them to make your own remixes.

Happy delay-ing.

– Ethan

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10 Responses

  1. Good stuff and yes I love that rare Kauer he maybe made 3 with that relic style and color so cool.. Keep these coming I love hearing and seeing preset ideas. Favorite

  2. Hi Guys … how do you record your guitar tracks? They always sound fantastic and the DIG is excellent as well!
    Keep up the great work.

  3. Just found this! Very cool song, and an excellent set of examples to show off the DIG. Do you feel like you could only get these sounds out of the DIG vs the Timeline?

    1. @Tyler – You can get similar, but not the same sounds with TimeLine. The dual delay on the TimeLine has the voicing of the 24/96 setting on DIG, but does not offer the ADM or 12-bit voicings of the DIG. The TimeLine also does not have the Golden Ratio tap division for these voicings.

  4. Just got my DIG a few days ago. Love it! This thing is like a swiss army knife. What I like doing is set delay 2 in free mode and minimum time. High mix 2, deep mod and ADM type. That makes an awesome chorus/flange sound. Use delay 1 as a normal delay. With a nice amount of gain, this makes a lead tone that is KILLER!!

    Is it just my impression or is the mod really different on every delay type?

    1. @Tonirazz – Thanks for the feedback and glad you are enjoying your DIG! The Mod is actually the same on the 3 delay types.

  5. And slightly off-topic…
    that internal jumper for the stereo input was not your best idea. Every time I want to use it with keyboards, I need to unscrew the bottom.

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