This H90 insert mode program covers four of the major functions of the Strymon DECO using as convenient/simple controls as possible.

The Strymon DECO is one hell of a pedal at least in part because its intuitive controls cover so many sounds (though there are hidden controls). An H90 approximation of the DECO should reflect this.

To achieve this, the program presents four example sounds in which many of the controls of the STICKY TAPE and HEAD SPACE algos are ignored or bypassed. The few controls that are used map to a wide range of DECO-type sounds (some of which are not actually possible with the DECO) as described below. A deeper dive into DECO-style flanging, compression, and drive deserves its own H90 program in the future (there’s a lot there).

In this program:

Program hotknob controls wow/flutter and “Offset”.
Middle quick knob controls “Rec Drive”.
Right quick knob controls “Offset” alone (to sweep through flange, chorus, and doubling).

Example 1. No hotswitch = DECO wide mode with short lag. The H90 operates as modulation using STICKY TAPE alone (HEAD SPACE is bypassed). Turn Program hotknob from zero to 80-90 for modest wow/flutter and sweep through flange, chorus, and doubling with the right quick knob (“Offset”). Aux #6 adds sparkle. Adjust drive with middle quick knob. Now turn P hotknob to 91-100 for more intense wow/flutter and vary the Offset again with the right quick knob. That alone is a lot, but other flange, chorus, and doubling options abound with these controls alone.

Example 2. Hotswitch 1 = DECO sum/mono mode with slapback lag. With the Program hotknob at zero, select HS 1 for a sparse slap using HEAD SPACE. STICKY TAPE is used for drive/tone/compression/widening, but not for wow/flutter/modulation. Aux #5 adds feedback (not available in the DECO) for a “wetter” slap. Adjust drive with middle quick knob. Adjust the right quick knob (“Offset”) to add some STICKY TAPE flange, chorus, or doubling (not available in the DECO with delay).

Example 3. Hotswitch 2 = DECO stereo bounce mode with delay lag. With the P hotknob at zero, select HS 2 for a stereo two-repeat delay using HEAD SPACE. STICKY TAPE is used for drive/tone/compression/widening, but not for wow/flutter/modulation. This delay is modeled after EVENTIDE’s excellent “Shorty Pickin” factory preset, which is also Albert Lee’s awesome “Country Boy” sound. Aux #5 adds feedback (not available in the DECO) for a “wetter” sound. Adjust drive with middle quick knob. Adjust the right quick knob (“Offset”) to add some STICKY TAPE flange, chorus, or doubling (not available in the DECO with delay).

Example 4. Hotswitch 3 = DECO mono bounce mode with longer delay lag. With the P hotknob at zero, select HS 3 for a longer, mono, two-repeat delay using HEAD SPACE. STICKY TAPE is used for drive/tone/compression/widening, but not for wow/flutter/modulation. This longer delay is reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell” delay. Aux #5 adds feedback (not available in the DECO) for a “wetter” sound. Adjust drive with middle quick knob. Adjust the right quick knob (“Offset”) to add some STICKY TAPE flange, chorus, or doubling (not available in the DECO with delay).

This program uses hotswitches, an expression pedal, and aux switches #4, #5, and #6. Aux #4 is always a 5dB boost. My expression pedal is globally linked to Program hotknob. So the P hotknob functionality is intended to be expression pedal functionality. The first/left-most quick knob is P Out Gain because I plug my headphones directly into my H90 and drive them with the P Out Gain Hotknob set to +12dB.

If you aren’t getting any sound, check the insert settings. You may need to turn the insert to off.

I used the Super Bass mode of the UAFX Lion 68 and the middle toggle position of a Gibson Johnny A guitar to create this program. Any other guitar or amp will sound different. As always, adjust to taste.

Thanks to the geniuses at Strymon and at Eventide. The DECO and the H90 are both absurdly rich resources and powerful tools.

STRYMON and DECO are trademarks for great products made by Stymon (the company) and, to my knowledge, neither Strymon nor any of their products are associated/affiliated with me or EVENTIDE in any way.