Strymon El Capistan
Strymon El Capistan
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Evocative Echoes
Feed audio into El Capistan, and all the warm and distinctive qualities and subtle nuances of vintage tape echo instantly combine to create an unmistakable atmosphere.
Everything from classic slapback echoes to psychedelic feedback explorations have stunning richness and depth, responding to each note and each turn of a knob in a musically-inspiring way.
Turn up the repeats for organic delay feedback with just the right amount of grit, or dial in some spring reverb to further enhance the sense of space.
Magnetic Personalities
El Capistan provides three different tape machine types, each with extensive control over tape quality, machine health and tone shaping, all controlled by an intuitive user interface.
Go from the higher fidelity of a fresh-from-the-factory echo machine all the way to the heavily fluctuating sound of a road-worn unit in need of service, employing the full-bodied sound of fresh stock or the dark, gnarled and vibey qualities of worn out tape wherever you need them.
Single Mode
The Single Moving head tape machine runs the tape at a fixed speed, while the Time knob sets the delay time by adjusting the position of a sliding record head. This machine allows you to run the tape motor at double speed for higher fidelity with shorter delay times, or at normal speed for lower fidelity with longer delay times.
Fixed Mode
The Single Fixed head tape machine creates a classic delay effect with tape speed controlled via the Time knob. Select between three playback heads, each a specific distance from the record head for a specific delay interval. Choose Head 1 for a short delay with 1/16 note time division, Head 2 for medium delay with dotted 1/8 note time division, and (C) long delay with 1/4 note time division.
Multi Mode
The Multi Fixed head tape machine has the same three playback heads as the fixed version, but uses two of the three playback heads simultaneously to create rhythmic delays that groove with one another. The Heads knob selects which combination of playback heads are active, while the Time knob adjusts tape speed.
Spring Reverb
Some classic tape echo machines came with small integrated spring reverb tanks tuned for limited bandwidth.
For El Capistan, we captured this vintage vibe while creating a spring reverb algorithm with a gorgeous and gentle character that stands on its own, in addition to enhancing delayed signals.
Use it to add subtle space and dimension to your delays at lower settings, or turn it up for big, splashy waves of old-school spring reverb. Just want reverb? Turn the Mix knob to minimum to hear only your reverberated signal without any echo.
Features
- Hand crafted dTape algorithms for meticulous and nuanced recreations of tape echo systems
- Three tape machines in one: Single Moving (sliding record head) Single Fixed (one fixed playback head), and Multi Fixed (multiple fixed playback heads)
- Head and Note Value division options for each tape machine for highly flexible echo options
- Independent Spring reverb
Tape Age, Tape Crinkle, Bias, and Wow & Flutter controls to provide everything from pristine tape repeats to worn and wobbly artifacts - Low End Contour to shape the repeats’ low frequencies, allowing them to fit in the mix
- Adjustable Repeats and Instant Infinite and Single options for easy manipulation of delay repeats
System Requirements
Mac
- macOS Monterey 12.7
- Intel® Core™ i5 or Apple M1
- 8GB RAM
- AAX, AU, or VST3 compatible plugin host software
- iLok account and Internet connection for activation
Windows
- Windows 10
- Intel Core i5 processor or AMD multi-core processor
- 8GB RAM minimum
- AAX or VST3 compatible plugin host software
- iLok account and Internet connection for activation
