Strymon Olivera: Oil Can Delay with a Vintage Voice
Based on late '50s technology, but using modern ARM processing
5,0 / 5,0 | 
Strymon has just revealed the Olivera, their take on a vintage oil can delay effect, just with modern features for the world of 2025 and beyond.
Olivera
The Strymon Olivera is the latest product from the DSP-based brand of pedal makers. This time, they have attempted to capture a vintage oil can delay in software and DSP.
Tel-Rey
The Tel-Rey company first introduced its unique echo effect in 1959 using the technology available at the time. Instead of using magnetic tape like conventional echo machines, Tel-Rey’s device achieved repeats by writing a static charge onto a small rotating disk housed inside a can. Oil was used as a lubricating dielectric in this oddball/unique design.
Oil Can Delay in 2025
Strymon has attempted to capture the quirkiness and the distinctive voice of this effect and put it into a modern pedal format.
With controls for Time, Mix, Rate, Intensity, and Regen (often labeled reverb on vintage units), along with a switch for choosing the number of heads used, with options for long, short, and both. The Regen control can make the effect emulate old spring reverbs and control the repeats, for accessing more atmospheric effects.
MIDI & USB
MIDI allows for up to 300 presets to be accessed via the EXP/MIDI jack or the USB connection. Which makes it perfect for use live or in the studio.
I doubt I could ever need quite that many presets, but it’s good to know it can do it if needed. It is compatible with the usual Strymon TRS expression pedal, MiniSwitch, MultiSwitch Plus, or TRS MIDI connection. Plus, USB can be used for any future firmware updates.
Class A JFET
They have also given it their high impedance ultra low-noise discrete Class A JFET TRS stereo input, which is paired with a low impedance TRS stereo output. This will help make everything sound great and allow the effect to work nicely on your source signal. As the low noise operation and a flat frequency response won’t spoil your core tone.
Vintage Voice
It’s all based around an ARM processor, and I’m guessing that in a mix, it will sound just like an old oil can delay, just without all the drawbacks of vintage technology.
Price & Availability
The Olivera is available at Thomann, priced €299
More Information
This might also interest you
