Deconstructing the DIG Dual Delay 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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