In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to compare two of the most famous delay pedals manufactured by Strymon – TimeLine vs Volante. A lot of guitarists consider these effects as one of the best delay pedals that you can possibly get. But which one of them is actually better?
The truth is that both TimeLine and Volante pedals offer an amazing quality. The TimeLine is a bit easier to use, so it’s perfect for live gigs. On the other hand, the Volante tends to be even more versatile, but at the same time – it’s a bit more complicated.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the TimeLine and Volante so good and popular. Firstly, we’ll check out the specs and the main advantages of these effects. Of course, there will also be a few sound demos included, so you’ll be able to hear how they sound.
Hopefully, this guide will help you to figure out which delay pedal is better for you and your specific needs – Strymon TimeLine vs Volante.
Strymon TimeLine – Specs & Pricing
Strymon TimeLine is a multidimensional delay pedal suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. This is one of the best and most reputable delay pedals that you can possibly find.
What makes it so special? Well, the manufacturer equipped it with 12 unique delay machines, 200 factory presets, a 30-second looper and a lot of different controls that give you access to an indefinite amount of delay tones.
The TimeLine also allows you to easily edit and save your favorite presets, so it’s a big advantage for those who like to perform live. Due to the amount of different functions, it may seem difficult to use, but it’s actually not that bad.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not the cheapest delay pedal in the world. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive ones out there! Nevertheless, the TimeLine is currently considered as an industry standard.
Overall, it will be really tough to find a better and more versatile pedal than this effect, but for some guitarists Strymon Volante may be more appealing.
Here’s a great video that highlights all the functions of Strymon TimeLine – feel free to check it out below. It’s a pretty long (over 1 hour), but it’s definitely worth it.
Strymon Volante – Specs & Pricing
Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine is an another amazing and great sounding delay pedal made by the same manufacturer. In comparison with the TimeLine, it seems to be even more versatile.
The Volante pedal features three different magnetic delay types: magnetic drum echo, tape echo, and reel-to-reel studio echo. It also has four playback heads and a built-in looper with a lot of functional effects (reverse, tape stop and speed change). What’s important, there’s also an individual spring reverb control.
Overall, Strymon Volante sounds absolutely fantastic. It’s great in mono, but it sounds even better in stereo. Many guitarists choose it because of the incredible vintage tape and drum echo functions. Considering how versatile it is, it will be really tough to beat it – even at this price level!
When it comes to pricing, it’s quite expensive, so it’s really similar to the Strymon TimeLine. But again, if you’re searching for a high quality delay pedal and you want a piece of gear from the highest shelf, this pedal will be a good choice for you. There’s a really big chance that you’re going to fall in love with it.
Here’s the sound demo of Strymon Volante – feel free to check it out.
Who Are These Pedals For?
Both TimeLine and Volante delay pedals are designed for intermediate and professional musicians who are searching for high quality effects suitable for live gigs and studio performances.
As I mentioned earlier, these effects are extremely versatile, so they can be used in pretty much all different types of music genres. Whether you’re into blues, indie or alternative rock – you will definitely benefit from adding these pedals to your own pedalboard.
Since the quality of these effects is really high, these pedals are not cheap. As a result, they’re designed for guitarists who are willing to spend quite a lot of money in order to find a top quality delay pedal. If you’re not searching for the cheapest option out there, the Strymon effects will be perfect for you.
Overall, both TimeLine and Volante will be appreciated by pretty much all guitarists out there. Amateur guitarists may find them a bit difficult to use, but after a few hours of exploring different tones it will all become much clearer!
Strymon TimeLine vs Volante – My Verdict
I have to admit that I’m a big fan of both of these pedals, so it’s really difficult to choose which one of them is better! Honestly, it all depends on your own preferences.
I really like the fact that Strymon Volante has an individual spring reverb control. On top of that, it sounds particularly great on the tape delay setting, which I absolutely love. That’s why I’d probably stick with the Volante effect.
Nevertheless, considering how versatile the TimeLine is, it’s definitely worth the money as well. You just have to explore the sounds of both of these pedals to eventually find out which one will be more suitable for you.
If you’re still not sure, here’s an another video that compares the D-tape delay available in these pedals.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of these Strymon delay pedals or you simply can’t afford them yet, that’s totally fine! There’s still quite a lot of interesting and affordable effects of that type on the market.
I highly encourage you to check out my list of 10 Best Delay Pedals Under $100. These delay effects are not better than the TimeLine and Volante pedals, but they’re pretty good for beginners and guitarists who don’t want to spend too much money on new gear.
The truth is that it will be really tough to find pedals that are more versatile than these two delay effects by Strymon. Honestly, this is the gear from the highest shelf. That’s why it’s really worth it to save up a bit of money in order to eventually get one of them!
Want to find out more about Strymon?
If you want to learn more about Strymon and their high quality guitar pedals, make sure to visit their official website.
Strymon TimeLine vs Volante – Summary
As you can see, both TimeLine and Volante effects made by Strymon offer an amazing quality. No matter which one you decide to add to your own pedalboard, you won’t be disappointed. That’s for sure!
What do you think about these delay effects? Do you think that they’re worth the money? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful! If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
