I WAS WRONG - Strymon Timeline & Strymon El Capistan - Tape Delay Comparison (take 2)

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__________
We all make mistakes, and I did on my last demo.
I didn't take the time to properly study the Strymon Timeline on tape mode and it resulted in a flawed, biased comparison between the two.
In full honesty and transparency, I re-made the demo with now all the right info and settings.
Turns out that the Timeline can get much closer to the El Capistan than I thought!
What do you think? Do they sound close enough to you?
_____
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This is the Ambient Guitar youtube channel of Canadian multi-instrumentist Antoine Michaud. Through original ambient music, chordal guitar lessons and tips on guitar pedals, Antoine is looking to educate and inspire aspiring ambient musicians to learn everything about the world of ambient guitar and chordal voicings on guitar.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

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[@bradybrucehugh]

As a Timeline owner, I hate to admit it but I think the El Cap is ever so slightly better at emulating tape delay. But this shouldn’t entirely come as a surprise - the El Cap does tape delay, that’s it. The Timeline does a pretty darn good job, especially for a pedal that can do like 10 other delay types and has 200 presets. Thanks for the video, Antoine!

[@ChaseFlorell]

He left the reverb on for the el capistan. I think that's the difference.

[@Patrick-857]

This is typical of all the large vs small format Strymons. The big ones and the small ones are both running on the same Sharc DSP chip. The small ones tend to run maybe one algorithm with limited functionality, the big ones are multifunctional powerhouses. Depends what you want, but compromise must be made somewhere.

[@2112jonr]

@@Patrick-857 Yeah, but they're still only running one algorithm at any one time.

[@Patrick-857]

@@2112jonr I'm no expert, but I think that the small format pedals are more optimised for one specific algorithm. It's very noticeable that they have extra depth and complexity over the big pedals. Also in many cases the small pedals are actually newer and more developed. The OG Timeline does have the odd glitch in it.

[@vectorstain]

I have both myself and love them. However, I will be buried with my El Cap, it's definitely a more robust version of what the timeline does with tape.

[@delatronics3257]

As an very experienced Roland engineer with 100s of space echo under my belt, I am impressed! The EC sounds a bit fuller on repeats but on a real RE-201 the repeats get thinner like on the TL.

[@iiiFireDoGG]

Remember, the El Cap has the spring reverb tank, and I could tell for sure you left it on. You need to hold both bypass and tap down and turn the Time knob 100% counter clockwise for no Reverb.

[@normrivers2857]

You nailed it. If I add a slight spring or plate reverb from the BigSky, my Timeline sounds the exact same as my best settings from my El Cap. The Timeline can do anything the El Cap can do on the dTape setting as the El Capistan can do but without the reverb. So all that warmth and tone BS about the El Capistan is just its built in reverb. The Timeline smokes my El Cap because of its ton of extra features and 11 other delay machines that the El Capistan doesn't have.

[@user-xk8wp4bg3x]

Thank you. That's a good observation. Helps sway my decision to timeline.

[@Art-zs6sl]

@@user-xk8wp4bg3x Listen to them both in the store before buying.

[@isaarguello1252]

Right after the

[@TheTinMan123]

I have a Timeline;) the reason ? It has presets, which when playing live, makes life so much easier. Don’t want to be messing around on stage tweaking the el cap for each song, shame really, If the El Cap had presets I’d be on it.

[@BristanKeller]

Or at least midi capability

[@guitfiddleblue]

They do come close, but the reverb on the El Cap is magic!

[@johnpowell3767]

Well...I was ready to drop big bucks on a couple of Strymon pedals. None of the people in the big music stores knows how to use them. After 6 months of researching videos, web sights and visiting stores...I gave up thinking I can't afford a $400, $800, $ 1200 mistake. Then I found mellow Bill at "Chords of Orion". Still at odds as which pedal I actually need, but the researching has gotten much more enjoyable. There's Strymon and EHX pedals in my future! Get your Frippertronics groove on! Cheers!

[@daveballoch]

This vid just made me download the instruction PDF for my Timeline. Ha, cheers.

[@antonyfaulkner8649]

Truly Matched? Big assumption that controls at noon on the Timeline and same control at noon on the El Cap is the same ? Dude you need to use your ears to dial gear in. Fender vs Marshall all controls at noon... errrm! Nothing true about this comparison...

[@misticformula1485]

The Timeline would make a good contrast to my other pedals and I love the versatility. I only have room for one more pedal and the Timeline might be the final one!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Awesome!

[@Nobddy]

There’s always more room though 🧐

[@fastronaut909]

Wow, the El Cap sounds gorgeous. For the tape delay itself, I'd definitely choose the El Cap over the Timeline. However, there's no denying the versatility of the Timeline with the different parameters, the ability to use a bank, etc. Great review, beautiful playing!

[@XPJV]

Timeline! No compromise! I'm about more control/settings.

[@DS-fi4hf]

I've owned both at the same time. The Timeline gets close, but the El Cap tops it, especially with the different delay heads.

[@slavmeister73]

I've had the TIMELINE for a few years now and I'm replacing it with the El Capistan, partly for the simplicity but mostly for El Capistan's tonality.

[@dahliafiend]

I can see that but I’d miss the reverse mode.

[@archie3k433]

If El Cap didn't do tape delay better than Timeline, what would be the point in it even existing? lol I've got a Timeline. El Cap looks great too but the versatility of the Timeline is what sold me on it. You can either have El Cap with fantastic tape delay, OR a Timeline with a not-as-good-but-still-good tape delay along with 11 other reverb types. Both are great and it should be super simple to decide which one you need....... I've got a Timeline and a Big Sky. Both work really well together.

[@Patrick-857]

To be fair, as old as the Timeline is, it's still insane how high quality it's sound is, and hardly anything touches it. El Cap beats it by a small margin by being a specialist.

[@alexisschrodinger75]

You're wrong again, in the cleanest test the Grit on the Timeline must be at 9,00 for an optimal biased tape, at minimum is an extra clean and high sounding feature. Manuals are interesting...

[@javiceres]

Seems like no body in youtube knows well the grit feature of their TimeLines...

[@petercane6376]

Thanks for the video. To be honest I cannot tell the difference but I do have some old age hearing loss. I know I only need tape delay as my Walrus Slöer covers everything else I do. So I will go for the El Capistan one trick pony but built to do that and just that really well. I also go on what a lot of people say about it which is all good news. Thank you.

[@Jaysteenn]

I heard the timeline sounds good with an ep booster in front for warmth, not for boosting much. Kinda like the real ep preamp

[@shckltnebay]

Ive had both NEITHER are bright or lacking warmth imo

[@ripplebear]

I've got the chase tone secret preamp for this purpose. I really like it on all of the time. It doubles as a buffer too since it's always on. Has a toggle for mid-dark-bright options to further shape your sound. It's a neat little box!

[@davidm.7844]

I should try that. I got rid of the echoplex pedal for the timeline, but I kept the preamp pedal. I was told the preamp works best at the end of the signal chain?

[@normrivers2857]

A trick I use for the Timeline is to add a good clean boost ( either a jfet clean boost (there are hundreds of these on the market now), Tube Screamer used as clean boost or a Klon, or a Treble booster) in the effect loop of the Timeline. That way only the delays are boosted or altered and the dry signal remains the same. Then blend the two sounds with the mix control to your desired response. It really makes the digital delay of the Timeline sound more analog or warm plus you can control what you want with the mix blend knob.

[@apislapis]

Agreed, the El Cap does sound a tad warmer. Nice vid.

[@liontone]

El Cap sounds more complex, for some reason. The “smearing” just has something extra.

[@johnleventon9575]

Hi Antoine, Thank you for the correction video. It was very informative. I was watching Strymon's video on the Deco, and I'm sure you know this, but it made me realize that most guitar effects are derived from the manipulation of old reel to reel tape machines. I'm not going to purchase the Deco, but the video greatly increased my understanding of effects.

[@BakisProductions]

Similar knobs positions shouldn't necessarily mean similar sound. Unless Strymon designed them that way. Who knows ;-)

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

It sounded like the knobs where pretty close. At least it's more accurate than my last comparison :-)

[@BakisProductions]

Antoine Michaud no worries mate. We are humans, we make mistakes and we get better. Keep on =)

[@davidm.7844]

Antoine Michaud I could only wish to play guitar as well as you. But I will not only sit and wish. Perhaps I will go practice today!

[@onepro1234]

Thanks for sharing great video. In my opinion they are both great pedals, there are similarities and very unique differences each pedal has. However, most listeners will not be able to tell the difference or even care if they enjoy the music.

[@mikaeledream3335]

For me timeline! because in a one box you have so many different delay type and possibility with a good stereo looper!

[@MrRoskoPeko]

El Capistan smokes the Timeline. Richer, fuller, wider, more organic sounding.

[@Art-zs6sl]

That was the problem I had with the Timeline unit. It's possible I got a bad one, because it had a high frequency 'air' to it. The El Cap I have just sits in the mix and doesn't do anything I don't ask of it.

[@shredx81]

I’ve had both. Still have the timeline. I think the tape delay is the sweetest delay in the unit so makes a great independent pedal model. You can recreate the sounds in the el cap, with the timeline. The el cap is a bit more plug and play than the timeline. The timeline is the better unit for sure.

[@Mesa3077Boogie]

@@rikkousa absolutely hated the Volante. The El cap smoked it all day. Long. Best pedal ever

[@ShaighJosephson]

I have both...and you couldn't be more wrong...

[@blessed7927]

I love my Big Sky and probably El Cap would be good together 🎉

[@vanhaluke]

So basically the same, knobs might not be at the same exact settings but you can definitely perfectly match 'em

[@paultyrrell8060]

The el capistan is definitely has a rounder fuller tone, but there is really not much comparison. Great review

[@SteveBakerProducerMusician]

Great comparison. With the El Cap, you can hold down the tap button to make the repeats infinite and get self-oscillation. This is the feature I use a lot when playing live and tracking in the studio. Would I need an external expression pedal on the TimeLine to do this? Wouldn't it be AWESOME if they added the spring reverb to the TimeLine too. That's another fave feature from the El Cap. I can't afford both so it's hard to switch.

[@lukemarlow9441]

The Timeline also has the self oscillation hold feature - you just need to hold down the switch for the patch you are using (either A or B)

[@alexcrowe5052]

Remember that you have it in trails mode which makes it a buffered bypass. Could be causing the timeline to be brighter, being that el cap is in buffered bypass mode. Most pedals being hit with a buffer will seem brighter.

[@alexcrowe5052]

By the way, great playing. I enjoy your ambient soundscapes you create. They are very tangible, floating around.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Thanks a lot man, and good observation!

[@KelsterVonShredster]

awesome video, cheers from Ottawa !!!!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Cheers from Montreal :-)

[@GNeuman]

You're a true gentleman, Antoine!

[@YouDepaTube]

Timeline is a gorgeous unit with infinite possibilities and top quality (midi ready, presets etc...). I LOVE MY TIMELINE. Best delay on the market.

[@radiofaber]

I feel like the ElCap is more glued with the sound of the guitar, while the Timeline is a bit wider. Anyway, I'm happy with my ElCap. Thanks for the video!

[@TC_Conner]

El Cap is warmer, even after you made the adjustments on each as close to each other as possible. 👍🏻🎸👍🏻

[@the5chord]

Thanks! I think I am going to need an El Cap. I miss that reverb and the multi-head.

[@Wooburnmusic]

Can those monotonous repeats be adjusted to be a setting that can be gigged with ?

[@andrewkaps2150]

Thanks for making this video! I have been on the fence about going from El CAp to Timeline and I am definitely going to now. The difference isnt big enough for me and i miss digital and reverse delays. Cheers man ur vids are great!

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Great!

[@danwentz]

Both sound nice. But with respect to the inputs, are you running mono or TRS stereo into the El Capistan? If one unit is mono and the other is stereo does that not affect the image, etc. Perhaps a closer comparison would be to physically connect it the same way for both?

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Both were plugged in stereo. Just picture this: - 1 input cable comes into the El Capistan, but 2 cables out of the output, so you have Left and Right coming out of the pedal. - 2 input cables come into the Timeline, and 2 cables out of the output, so it's also stereo on Left and Right. BUT, when the El Capistan is off, my sound only goes through the left side, because the right side is not active. So it's basically the same thing. It would be different if I played with both at the same time, because now the Timeline would receive the delay from the El Capistan on both sides before processing its own delays.

[@patriciawatson5304]

There is also a cable that you can use to run STEREO INPUT into the El Cap. You have to switch a jumper on the board. See Strymon FAQ.

[@DMKahn]

The stereo soundstage of the el capistan is more realistic. has way more depth. listen with headphones and you'll hear what I'm saying.

[@javiceres]

More depth, but that doesn’t make it more realistic :-)

[@DMKahn]

I have to disagree with you there. Real tape has lots of depth to it. Therefore more depth = more realistic than the other pedal. All good tho.

[@javiceres]

DM Kahn All good, I agree. I think I kinda felt the depth you were talking had to do with stereo spread. I love all types of delays by the way :-)

[@keoni927]

Thanks for the second comparison Antoine. Well done. There's a lot to learn on some of these pedals and I still have a ways to go but I know I can always count on you to give us great demonstrations. I have learned so much from you already. p.s.-I still prefer the sound of the El Capistan!

[@CoolBreezeMusic7]

I hear slight artifacts in the timeline - not sure if that’s because the wow flutter was turned too much on the TL maybe less is more on that knob

[@julesdebeure7286]

Je pense que j'aime la Strymon El Capistan autant que toi. Je ne la vendrai jamais ! En plus je me suis fabriqué un favorite switch pour 10€. Merci pour tes vidéos, je te suis depuis des années et c'est toujours super intéressant. Salutations francophones. Jules.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Merci Jules, ça me fait bien plaisir de savoir que mes vidéos te sont utiles!

[@WhiteWizzard]

Listening on monitor headphones just like your other comparison.....I think the difference is obvious and pretty large. The timeline is a compromise to get more sounds, but no way it sounds as good as El Cap for what El Cap does. Obvious to me

[@Relayer6a]

I think the El capistan is a little warmer, rounder and not as clean as the Timeline. Gives the impression of more harmonic richness. Not a bad thing, but overall probably a little less fidelity.

[@bigrockets]

I too think the El Capistan has a brighter fuller sound. Thanks forcre evaluation of hour previous test!

[@lundsweden]

They are both really nice pedals, Strymon have done a great job! Two great flavours of icecream, how to choose!?

[@harrisfrankou2368]

I want a reverb... delay like Van Halen 1 opinions? But can do dance delay?

[@sjgreaves]

Strymon said upfront that the timeline doesn't have as good a tape algorithm as the El Cap so no surprise here.

[@theviolinoob]

its obvious , cause they need to sell both

[@Patrick-857]

@@theviolinoob It's not just that. The two units run the same Sharc DSP chip. Obviously compromise must be made. So take your pick when it comes to where the processing power if that chip goes. I must say though, I use my Strymon Dig more than my Timeline but will never sell either.

[@Computerrorist]

@@Patrick-857 Since only a single effect in the Timeline is active at any given time, all processing power of the DSP can be used for it. So, with all due respect, I think your argument is invalid.

[@mattgilbert7347]

I was wrong: Strymon El Capistan vs MXR Echoplex EP3. MXR wins! The El Cap is fine, but like all strymon delays (imo the Timeline being the exception), it had a sort of "sheen" or "gloss" over the tone. It just made me think of "P & W" music, and I believe in separation of Church and Rock. Nemesis Delay + Maxon AD9 Pro+ the MXR=me sorted.

[@Lucy-dx7vc]

you had the spring reverb in ON postition at the ElCapistan, therefore it sounds better

[@amdenis]

Good job on the redo. One little thing, the “h” in “honest” is silent, so its pronounced phonetically as if “on-nest”, not “hon-nest”.

[@TimothyBussMusic]

You are forgiven... Isn't tape delay the best??? I still love the El Cap!

[@hoplophobe]

I wonder if the TimeLine could get even closer to the El Capistan with higher low end and/or modulation levels.

[@muse-mech-moda]

The panning of the repeats are different too.

[@cs3634]

You need a treasure map to use that Timeline properly. Its like The Davinci code.

[@sullym1867]

I bought one over a year ago. Put more time in it than figuring out how to change a alternator. Still know nothing, lol. I really should sell the bastard.

[@john15333]

Yeah no thanks. I had the big sky and won't make that mistake again. 1 hour of playing, 3 hours of hitting buttons and twisting knobs. I got into guitar for GUITAR, not for playing video games. I'll use my time to learn more songs, write new music, and become a better player.

[@JUNO-69]

john15333 I’m getting rid of the timeline for something more simple too. I’m done with do it all pedals. I just want something that does the thing in the best sounding possible way with no menu diving and shift functions.

[@alphanumeric1529]

@@sullym1867 I changed an alternator for the first time. It was a tight squeeze getting the old one out... but it took a couple of hours from hood up to hood down.

[@sullym1867]

alpha numeric, yeah, some cars are not that bad. I lost a whole day on this one. Granted, 3 hours of that was trying to break one bolt without a impact wrench. Haha

[@pdbordelon]

Both sound amazing

[@drinoyoutubechannel9757]

No worries mate ;)

[@jamesyanks7460]

I own a Timeline, but the El Capistan sound amazing.

[@jopeter1641]

I have tried everything, Big Sky with El Capistan, Timeline or Volante. Its sounds very good, but in my opinion the Empress effects reverb and the Empress effects delay system sounds much better. I've heard and seen the reviews on yt, next week they are mine.

[@shckltnebay]

I would rather be able to get too bright than not bright enough, all while having 11 other delays to choose from, you didnt mention smear control? Reverb setting?

[@klauswhitedreamer]

El Capistan, all day long !

[@metricdeep8856]

The el cap has some chorusing going on in the repeats...not quite the nsame as the timeline tweaks can provide. It makes a big difference in my opinion. I will try to add a chorus pedal into my timeline loop and see what I get. Otherwise, my el cap is prefereable to my timeline. I may even put the el cap into the loop of my timeline to get warm repeats and a multi delay all in one...More work but probably a great result. I am trying to decide which pedal to keep......it's a really tough decision. But at least while I make up my mind, I have both. Great vid. Cheers.

[@DS-fi4hf]

The El Cap sounds deeper, and more 3D.

[@jeffreygrantsr4525]

Very accurate comparison. Thanks for remaking the video as it was well worth watching. I have the El Capistan and love it, but I would like to get the Timeline as well.

[@S1ph3r]

to me, it just sounds like the el capistan is like a hair warmer than the timeline. but the timeline can do so much MORE than the el capistan.

[@jonridley]

do you wear oven gloves when you play guitar?

[@Jalliams]

Nuclear Whale 🤣wtf! That made me chuckle.

[@vladimirpavlovic9488]

Cool plot-twist :D How did you actually realize you were wrong in terms of setting and matching the sound of el cap in timeline?

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

A viewer made me realize. The power of the community :-)

[@denislachance7277]

Merci Antoine ! Ca va m’éviter de dépenser pour le El Capistan 😎...

[@jpromano_]

El Capitan sounds better imo

[@aaronhedgesmusic]

Yeah, silent “h” in honest... should be said phonetically as “on-est” ;) merci beaucoup

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Yes, I learned it the hard way :-)

[@davidm.7844]

Antoine Michaud I am surprised. I myself would be at a disadvantage to say anything in French. I always heard the saying, “The French don’t really even care what’s said, so long as it’s pronounced correctly.” Your English is fine. It is like the tape delay. Any slight imperfections only add character to the sound. Language would be so dull if everyone were mechanically perfect speakers. As for those pointing out the pronunciation of “honest,” I’m sure they are only trying to be helpful, to support you.

[@MrMongo321]

Excellent comparison! Too bad they are sooo expensive...

[@atozee7189]

The ability to store 200 presets, wide range of delays and huge range of delay types available and to be able to call any one of those saved sounds back instantly by midi makes the Timeline a great live pedal for me

[@sinosinuj]

Welcome to 2013

[@jammer777]

El Capistan has a warmth that's just not quite there with the TimeLine.

[@wulf67]

Does your guitar have a tone control knob? Does your amp have an EQ?

[@jammer777]

@@wulf67 Ridiculous comment 😂

[@Apopheniomind]

Warm & Separation... El Capistan have a warm little Separation, timeline is more hard and far repetition...

[@GVDub]

Still not a proper comparison. You need to do blind testing and feed the same signal into both. You're set up with the guitar, mono, straight into the El Capistan, and then feeding a buffered stereo signal of a different impedance into the TimeLine. They're both great pedals, and you can certainly state a preference, but your methodology for testing isn't going to provide any sort of accuracy.

[@jedgould5531]

You weren’t wrong. You just were not listening to yourself. Or the pedal.

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Yeah...I like the El Capistan better for that type of sound.

[@baseboardmatt]

Please put some shoes on. Otherwise good demo.

[@adamjudy2766]

#freethetoes

[@JimmyDevere]

Some people don't wear their filthy shoes in their house - it's called good hygiene.

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

save your time and skip to 8:03

[@FlipHybrid]

Capistan creamy AF

[@MAG-li5jo]

The El Cap sounds better.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

►► Enroll in my Free Mini-Course on Ambient Guitar Chord Structures: 🎁 → www.ambientguitaracademy.com/ambient-guitar-chord-structures

[@dordiii]

Hhhonest?

[@dahliafiend]

I love the Timeline but I still miss the El Cap. Even using Strymon Flint reverb with the tape mode isn’t quite the same somehow but the timeline does so much I couldn’t do without it.

[@tikendying]

So 'H'onest

[@joeywilder9708]

El cap definitely wins

[@josephboudreau8794]

A video basically just to justify owning two strymon delays. I'll take the one you don't want.

[@alexjack9372]

more versatility = timeline

[@MrMisafender]

Remember that the capistan has reverb.

[@davemau5e]

Misael Cruz and the Timeline has hidden reverbs as well👍

[@MrMisafender]

@@davemau5e but not like the capistam that is more present and adjustable.

[@MrMisafender]

@@eft250 I'm talking about the comparison between the capistam and the timeline. the timeline has no reverb settings and the capistam does. The timeline has no spring reverb.

[@savanaviolenta]

@@MrMisafender yes but Timeline do have reverb on the trails on other modes.

[@TwistedMind86Chern]

El capistan all the way.

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

how to make you watch 2 videos instead of one and waste twice your time

[@dulkim8887]

Hi Antoine, love your videos but the H in honest is silent btw.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

Noted ;-)

[@joeypokwatka6168]

That face tho...

[@stonedapesociety5628]

The best one remains Boss RE-20.. I'm sorry : )

[@toddb1765]

I use that specifically for tape delay. It is a great pedal!

[@stonedapesociety5628]

You're totally right man! Always dreaming about Roland RE-201..

[@lukather1]

Just get the -AX8 fractal !!!! For £200 more you get 300 amps and cabs and eventide quality effects all in one awesome package ! STOP MESSING ABOUT !!!😎

[@philippevleminckx2607]

One amp is enough for me ;-)

[@Erickchicas]

I was misinformed lol. You just read the manual. not make up lame excuses.

[@theflamerising1767]

So you’re wrong again

[@lucianmezinoi8536]

i hate tape delay ! i cant play anything with it . dont need it

[@xdx2653]

same here