Earthquaker Silos Delay

Three generations of delay combined: Jamie Stillman's "simple" idea

The Silos was born from a very practical observation: why choose between a precise digital delay, a warm analog delay, and a dark, textured tape delay when you can combine these three signatures in a single pedalboard format? EarthQuaker Devices therefore designed a "multi-generational" delay with intentionally straightforward ergonomics: a few essential controls, a mode selector, preset access, and two footswitches designed for real-world playing conditions.

The result: a pedal that covers the essential delay tones most used in studio and on stage, without forcing you to stack multiple units or spend time navigating menus.

Who it's for and what it's for: from tight riffs to cinematic ambient

The EarthQuaker Devices Silos is aimed both at guitarists (and bassists) who want a versatile main delay and at already-equipped musicians looking for a compact delay capable of multiple roles. Beginners will appreciate the immediate ease of use, while experienced players will exploit the presets, tap-tempo, and expression control to automate transitions live.

In practice, it excels in a wide variety of styles: blues and rock (slapback, short echoes), indie and post-rock (patterned repeats), shoegaze and ambient (dark textures and soundscapes), as well as modern pop (tempo-synced delays, synchronized parts). On a pedalboard, the Silos can become the "all-round" delay that follows your set, from bright clean tones to massive saturation.

Controls, presets, Live/Preset modes: a true stage pedal

The Silos gets straight to the point with four controls and a playing logic designed for musicians: Mix adjusts the effect level, Time sets the delay time from 0 to 1 second, and Repeats controls the regeneration (feedback). A 3-position selector immediately places you in the Digital (D), Analog (A), or Tape (T) universe. Added to this is a rotary Preset selector (6 slots) and a Save/Recall button to store and retrieve your settings.

The pedal offers two global modes: Live (it follows the exact position of the knobs) and Preset (it recalls saved sounds, ignoring the physical position of the potentiometers). This is ideal for switching from a verse with short echoes to a bigger chorus without adjusting settings. The tap-tempo is managed by a dedicated footswitch: tap to lock the delay time and keep your playing locked with the drummer or a sequencer. Note: tap-tempo overrides Time as soon as it is entered, and Time regains control as soon as you turn the knob.

For foot control, the Flexi-Switch toggling allows for latching operation (classic on/off) or momentary (active only while holding the switch). A huge advantage for triggering a "spot" echo phrase, a build-up, or a fill without changing your base sound. Finally, the Silos features buffered bypass with "tails": repeats can continue naturally after bypass, and power is required to pass the signal.

The sound

D Mode (Digital Delay): clear, precise, with repeats that can seem very long while maintaining great clarity. Echoes retain fidelity, then gradually soften in the highs with each repeat: perfect for synchronized parts, clean picking, or rhythmic delays that stay "clean" in the mix.

A Mode (Analog Delay): warmer, more mid-focused, with a progressive degradation that naturally darkens the repeats. Excellent on clean tones for thickening without harshness, and formidable with distortion or overdrive: it sits in the mids with musical presence, avoiding the excess highs that can make a delay shrill.

T Mode (Tape Delay): dark, textured, with an "old school" feel and tape-style artifacts. Repeats become more blurred and can get dirty, with slight distortion depending on your attack level: play harder, and the grain reveals itself more. This is a fantastic mode for melancholic atmospheres, cinematic intros, and delays that blend into thick saturation.

Finally, the time control sweep is particularly expressive: from the mid position down to zero, you are in a range up to 500 milliseconds with its own character (ideal for slapbacks and tight placements). From 500 milliseconds to 1 second, the pedal opens another territory, better suited for rhythmic patterns and repeats that structure a riff.

Technical specifications

Effects	Delay	Type	sector
Technology	Analog & Digital	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Blue

3-mode delay	Digital (D), Analog (A), Tape (T)	Flexi-Switch toggling	latching or momentary operation
Delay time	0 to 1 second	Input impedance	500 kOhms
Potentiometers	Mix, Time, Repeats	Output impedance	100 ohms
3-position selector	D / A / T	Dimensions (with knobs)	121 x 64 x 57 mm
Rotary Preset selector	6 positions	Weight (without box)	0.3 kg
2 footswitches	Activate (on/off) and Tap (tap-tempo)	Box dimensions	8.2 x 13.9 x 8.2 cm
2 global modes	Live and Preset (LED color indication)	Weight (in box)	0.38 kg
TRS expression wiring	Tip (slider), Ring (+3.3 V), Sleeve (ground)	Consumption	75 mA
Control Voltage compatible on expression input	range 0 to 3.3 V	Required power supply	9V DC, center negative, 2.1 mm connector