EarthQuaker Devices Silos Multi-Generational Time Reflection Device

There are scores of delay pedals to choose from, but few are as powerful and easy to use at the Earthquaker Silos. By combining Digital, Analog and Tape style delays with the power of 6 memory presets, the Silos gives ready access to a range of delay styles through its clever save and recall preset feature. While the Silos lacks the deep tweaking capability of some pedals, it's core tones really hit the spot and we did not miss diving down a rabbit hole of option paralysis. 

The Digital mode is straightforward enough with bright, precise repeats that stay relatively crisp as they decay. And while the Analog and Tape modes do not push the extremes of some pedals, they add enough flavor to complement your tone without getting in the way of it. We particularly like the Analog mode, where the repeats darken as they degrade but don't clog up the midrange and get overly murky. With all these options you'll want to save your creations, and Earthquaker's preset memory system is the easiest one that've we've come across yet.

Other pedals may have more knobs, but nothing makes it as easy to sound good as the Silos.

In the words of Earthquaker:

Unlike anything before it, the Silos™ merges together a digital, analog, and tape delay into one compact and powerful pedal. In addition to the tri-voice delay, it features tap tempo, user-assignable expression control, and the ability to save and recall six presets, making it endlessly customizable and easy to operate. It’s like having three classic pedals all rolled into one! Now you can save room on your pedalboard while never having to decide which single delay to use again.

Each of the three modes offers up to one second of delay time. From noon and back is 500 milliseconds to zero, which has its own character. From 500 milliseconds to one second of delay time, it’s an entirely different beast. Dial them in for shorter delay times where they really excel and add loads of atmosphere and vibes. Push them further for rhythmic delays that are perfect for strumming and adding extra ambiance for your riffs. Each of the three delay modes is uniquely different and offers its own unique character when selected.

Mode D: Digital Delay – The Digital mode offers bright repeats that decay nicely while staying strong as it degrades and diminishes in high end. The shorter settings are where you can get the real deal stutter staccato sound. Try setting this around 9 o’clock at the 200-300 millisecond range with the repeat set really high for a supremely stuttery sound.

Mode A: Analog Delay – The Analog mode is more midfocused. The repeats degrade faster and are still dark and murky when it builds up, but without all the low-end throb that can muddy up the signal. This mode rolls off the top end and sounds particularly killer with a clean guitar signal. With distortion it cuts out overly high frequencies and sits perfectly in the mid range with a big presence. 

Mode T: Tape Delay – Now this setting gets really dark and murky really fast. It builds a dark cloud underneath it where you’ll get one or two sets of repeats that are discernible, but after that, you’re in some atmospheric terrain. Reminiscent of an oil can delay, it pairs beautifully with distortion and is highly responsive to your attack. Hit it hard and it will degrade quickly or finesse it and let the murk flow. 

Pairs Perfectly With Distortion

Silos was meticulously designed to respond well to gain and overdrive saturation.

Presets

Silos has six available preset slots for you to save and recall your favorite settings. The settings for each of the three controls, the mode switch and the expression jack assignment can be saved and recalled in any of the slots.

Easily Switch Between Delay Modes

Silos has two operating modes which are extremely easy to switch between on the fly! In Live mode, the pedal will operate exactly where the controls are set and any changes will have no effect on the presets unless saved. In Preset mode, stored presets (including expression pedal mapping) are selected using the Preset switch, and the physical settings of the controls will be ignored.

User-Assignable Expression Control

Use any TRS expression pedal to take control over the Time, Repeats or Mix.