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The Strymon 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.
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.
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.
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.
Some classic tape echo machines came with small integrated spring reverb tanks tuned for limited bandwidth. For El Capistan, Strymon 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.
WOW AND FLUTTER
There are dozens of moving parts that contributed to the sound of classic tape echoes, and El Capistan captures the nuance of all of them and their interactions with one another. You can take control over those interactions by using the Wow & Flutter knob to adjust the amount of mechanically-related tape speed fluctuations. From the crisp delays of a fully cleaned and serviced machine to the warbly and pitch-modulated echoes of a road worn piece of gear — El Capistan gives you all the vibe and none of the maintenance hassles.
TAPE AGE
The goal with El Capistan was to offer the most authentic tape echo experience possible. A component of that was replicating the tonal effects that the tape medium can have on your signal depending on the age and condition of the tape itself. The Tape Age knob lets you morph between the full bandwidth character of brand new stock, and the warm top end of older and well-used tape.
TAPE CRINKLE
The Tape Crinkle knob controls the amount and severity of tape irregularities, including friction, creases, splices and contaminants. Go from smooth and well-cared-for tape all the way to stock that has been chewed and mangled, and just like the real thing, Tape Crinkle characteristics track accordingly to tape speed.
TAPE BIAS
While not a characteristic of the tape itself, the amount of bias signal added to the tape’s audio can make noticeable tonal differences. By adjusting the Tape Bias knob, you can get high-headroom, extra clean, crisp echoes at lower settings, or crunchy, saturated echoes with higher bias levels. Higher bias settings also limit the echo volume, which can be useful at very high Repeats settings when you want to create high feedback and self-oscillation effects while still keeping output level under control. For “optimal” bias, set the knob at approximately 9 o’clock.
LOW END CONTOUR
El Capistan’s Low End Contour knob gives you an extra layer of tonal control by shaping the low frequency content of the echo repeats. At the far left of the control you get extended low frequency bandwidth for full, deep repeats. As you turn the Low End Contour knob clockwise, low frequencies are gradually filtered out, giving you the ability to create progressively thinner-sounding echoes as you approach the far end of the knob’s range.
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