Just what is it about the analogand the faux-analogthat we love so much?
The unpredictability and subtle variations in the analog signal create a sense of connection to your instrument.
It all feels more personal and ‘real.'"
Strymon
In the case ofStrymon’s Brig, the analog part comes from its dBucket emulation.
These analog chips lent the delay a distinctive sound.
Repeats would get more distorted and “darker,” with less treble as the repeats built up.
Strymon
They do something special to each delay repeatsomething that evokes a feeling, fueling the music and inspiring you.
This pretty much sums up the entirety of analog’s appeal.
The idea is that analog sounds warm, rich, and is somewhat unpredictable.
Strymon
Guitar players talk about the “touch sensitivity” and responsiveness of analog amps and their digital clones.
Digital sound, in this scenario, is cold and sterile.
But you already see the flaws in this argument.
For one, all the music we listen to is digital now.
Nobody complains that those old Hendrix tracks on Spotify or Tidal sound sterile.
With Knobs On
But the analog obsession might not all be about the sound.
It may be about the gear itself, which is simpler, and often easier to use.
“Modern, more powerful machines often aren’t.
The learning curves are steeper.
And making music is all about immediacy and flow, isn’t it?”
Strymon is known for its incredibly high quality.
I usethe Iridium, a pedal that emulates vintage tube amps.
But it is also good at packing in features while making the pedals simple.
The best of both worlds and without the sky-high price tags of genuine vintage analog gear.
