Devin Belanger Unleashes Strymon Timeline MX: A Delay Pedal That Means Business

Devin Belanger wastes no time dropping the headline: Strymon’s Timeline MX is packing dual delay muscle and a stack of fresh algorithms. Right out of the gate, there’s talk of massive sound and an equally massive price tag, but the pedal’s main party trick—the ability to run two delay algorithms at once—steals the spotlight. This is not some minor firmware bump; it’s a full-on evolution, and Devin is clear that synth users should pay attention, not just the six-string crowd.

The anticipation is real: this isn’t just another pedal update. It’s Strymon’s most hyped box in ages, and the sound design potential is immediately obvious, especially when you start stacking delays and warping them in new ways. Devin’s not here to babysit guitarists—he’s pushing the Timeline MX as a synth weapon, and the opening minutes make a strong case that this thing could anchor a serious desktop rig.

What separates the Timeline MX from yet another pretty pedal? For one, it’s built to play nice with synths—MIDI clock sync, easy routing, and effects that actually do more than just repeat your mistakes. Devin highlights how the pedal’s workflow lets you dive deep or dial up a killer patch in seconds, and the new controls are more than just window dressing. There’s ducking, side-chaining, swelling—basically every trick you’d want for modern electronic jams.

The pedal’s interface is intuitive enough that even in a caffeine-fuelled live set, you won’t end up lost in menu hell. Devin shows that you can push the Timeline MX hard, wringing out ambient pads, punchy house grooves, and everything in between. If your synth studio looks like a cable-eating monster, this box slides right in—especially with desktop-friendly stands that keep everything within knob-twisting reach.

Here’s where things get wild. Devin runs through the Timeline MX’s twelve algorithms, and it’s a feast for sound designers: digital, drum, oil can, multitap, spectral, reverse, ice, lo-fi, filter, reverb, tape, and bucket brigade. The granular and spectral modes, in particular, are certified rave bunker material—stretching, morphing, and distorting into textures that’d make a modular nerd weep. Spectral is an instant favourite, with grain-shaping and octave madness that turns a simple patch into a swirling wall of sound.

Each algorithm comes with a boatload of controls, but it’s the way they interact—especially in dual mode—that’s the real draw. Want a bucket brigade delay slamming into a lush Strymon reverb? Easy. Tape crunch riding shotgun with spectral shimmer? Sorted. Devin keeps things moving fast, but even he admits some algorithms have quirks or could go deeper. Still, the sound quality is never in question, and the creative combinations are enough to make you question your need for half your current pedalboard.

Let’s not ignore the obvious: the Timeline MX ain’t cheap. Devin puts it bluntly—this feels more like rack gear than a stompbox you’d risk at your mate’s sweaty basement gig. It’s aimed at users who want deep control and pristine sound, not just a preset surfer. The granular power and flexible routing mean it delivers on its promise, but there’s a catch: if you want total modular-style modulation, you’ll need to look elsewhere. The MX is algorithm-focused, not a do-it-all LFO playground.

So, is it worth the cash? For synth heads and sound designers with a taste for high-end tools, probably. For the average punter or someone looking for a one-button magic trick, maybe not. Devin’s verdict is clear: killer pedal, steep price, and definitely not for everyone. If you’re in the market for a delay beast to anchor your studio, though, you’ll want to hear this thing in action before you write it off.