Strymon
El Capistan
The El Capistan is a benchmark of delay tones on its own, and has done much to enhance
Strymon’s well-earned reputation as the modern day standard bearer of digitally-derived
ambience. As one might guess from the clever name, it specifically recreates the warm
tones of various tape echo machines, from professional quality recording decks found in
studios, to classic effect units like the Roland Space Echo, and of course, the trusty ol’
Maestro Echoplex. The El Cap’s main Echoplex-inspired voicing is engaged by flicking
its Tape Head switch down to the “single” setting. From there, one can choose from
modes A, B, and C, which mimic various states of the Echoplex, including the EP-3’s
famous “Sound on Sound” looping mode. Controls for Tape Age and Wow & Flutter
allow the user to add in varying
degrees of grime and other
artifacts of advanced age, tape
degradation, and the all-around
funkiness that is inherent in
any elderly analog device.
And because it’s a Strymon
product, the El Capistan also
has a number of other hidden
functions tucked away in its
nooks and crannies, including
a virtual tape bias control,
tape crinkle, boost/cut, and a
mighty fine spring reverb to
complement its lush repetitions.
Strymon’s El Capistan is an allconsuming sonic playground
for tape delay nuts, and when
paired with a good EP-3-style
preamp pedal, it captures the
essence of a real Echoplex with
remarkable realism and clarity.
ToneReport.com
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