Strymon Deco V2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 10 mentions across 1 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment100%
PROS 100%

Rank based on 10 mentions across 1 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want analog-feeling tape saturation and doubletracking in one versatile stereo pedal
  • You need MIDI preset recall for switching sounds live or in the studio
  • You record vocals, synths, drums or acoustic instruments and want an all-purpose warming/widening tool

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You already own a V1 and don't need MIDI, the tone knob, or cassette mode
  • You'd rather use dedicated, more tweakable pedals for each individual effect
  • The price is a dealbreaker compared to a used V1 or DIY alternatives

What users complain about

No cons data available.

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Strymon Deco V2
Organic tape saturation
Strymon Deco V2
Organic tape saturation

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Commenters consistently describe the Deco V2's tape saturation as transformative and 'organic' despite being digital. Multiple users say the saturation side alone justifies the pedal, calling it the 'biggest surprise,' capable of fattening single coils, warming digital synths, and adding vibe reminiscent of 70s tape recording. It's used on guitar, vocals, drums, piano and flute, with several calling it their studio 'pre' for everything. The tone knob addition on V2 was specifically praised for opening up new saturation character over V1.

The doubletracker and modulation side (chorus, flange, wobble, bounce delay) adds huge versatility beyond simple saturation. Users highlight the stereo widening, bounce delay, and flange/chorus-like lag effects as making sounds feel massive and lush, especially in wide-dry/wide stereo rigs. Several note the doubletracker works best when time-synced to a sequence for musicality, and one user prefers combining it with other delays/choruses for a similar but tweakable effect.

MIDI and workflow upgrades on V2 are the main reasons longtime V1 owners consider switching. Several V1 owners say MIDI preset storage finally lets them use all the pedal's saturation and lag settings live without manual knob tweaking between songs, a major limitation of V1. The external mono/stereo switch (replacing an internal jumper) is also called a meaningful convenience upgrade, though some feel MIDI and tone knob alone aren't worth replacing a working V1.

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