STRYMON EL CAPISTAN DTAPE ECHO Strymon

The Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo is a highly regarded digital delay pedal that meticulously emulates the sound and character of vintage magnetic tape echo machines. It uses Strymon's proprietary "dTape" technology to capture the nuances of tape, including wow and flutter, tape age, and head spacing.

It essentially gives you three different tape machines in one pedal, each with three modes for maximum flexibility:

Tape Machine Types (TAPE HEAD Switch):

1. Fixed Head: Emulates a classic fixed-head tape echo where the delay time is controlled by changing the tape speed.

   • Modes (a, b, c): Selects between three different fixed playback heads, offering different delay ranges and tap tempo subdivisions (1/16, dotted 1/8, 1/4 notes).

2. Multi Head: Emulates a multi-head machine by using a combination of two playback heads simultaneously to create rhythmic and complex echoes.

   • Modes (a, b, c): Selects which two of the three playback heads are active.

3. Single Head: Emulates a machine where the tape speed is fixed, and the delay time is changed by sliding the record head. It also includes a Sound On Sound looper mode.

   • Modes (a, b, c): Offers high-speed/short delay, normal speed/longer delay, and the Sound On Sound looping function.

Main Controls:

• Time: Adjusts the delay time, which often simulates changing the tape speed.

• Mix: Controls the blend of the dry signal and the echo repeats.

• Tape Age: Varies the quality of the simulated tape, from bright and clear (new tape) to dark and warm (old tape).

• Repeats: Controls the amount of feedback, from a single slapback to runaway self-oscillation.

• Wow & Flutter: Adds modulation and pitch variation, mimicking the mechanical inconsistencies of vintage tape machines.

Key Features (especially V2):

The pedal has undergone an update (V2) that adds significant modern features while retaining the core sound:

• Dedicated Spring Reverb Knob: On the V2, the built-in spring reverb now has its own control knob (it was a secondary function on the original).

• Full MIDI Implementation: The V2 offers MIDI control over all parameters, clock sync, and 300 preset locations via its EXP/MIDI jack and USB-C port.

• Stereo I/O: Features full stereo input (via TRS) and stereo output (via dual TS jacks), with a rear-panel switch for easy mono/stereo input selection.

• Analog JFET Input Circuit: Improves responsiveness and dynamics.

• Secondary Functions: Knobs have hidden secondary functions for deep-diving into tone shaping, including Tape Crinkle, Tape Bias, Low End Contour, and Boost/Cut.

• Bypass: Selectable between True Bypass and a high-quality Buffered Bypass with Trails.

• Sound on Sound Looper: Tape-style looping with up to 20 seconds of record time.