Strymon - El Capistan dTape Echo Demo - Part 2

PART 2 - Strymon Sound Designer and DSP Engineer Pete Celi goes through some of the El Capistan dTape Echo features and sounds.
strymon.net/products/elcapistan

[@pj_day]

no matter how many years pass, this will always be an incredible effect

[@strymon]

Thank you!

[@bobbybob8796]

It's nice that there's a company that REALLY puts a lot of thought into their pedals.

[@strymon]

Appreciate that, will pass along to the team. Thanks so much :D

[@MrZiontz]

This is the most beautiful delay pedal I have ever heard, I also really appreciate the thorough and concise explanation of the functions. Brilliant.

[@kristopherdetar4346]

Jeff Ziontz this brilliant electrical engineer is the main creator of many of their pedals. Love his ability to calmly demo the pedals.

[@wayfechylde3]

strymon makes such enjoyable videos. they're actually a pleasure to listen to, rather that making you sift through a bunch of tasteless blues soloing. keep it up, guys!

[@strymon]

Hello, we don't have any specific rockabilly clips up but if you have the El Capistan just set it to Fixed Mode A and adjust the repeats to taste. I've always managed to get a good slap back delay with those settings! :)

[@savanaviolenta]

Alright I'm getting this along with Deco.

[@80crew]

This has to be one of the coolest delays pedals I have seen, can't wait to get my hands on one!

[@anprettyguy]

I just got mine in today. Never have I played a more musical and inspiring delay pedal.

[@marshabradcoe417]

I'll add to my comment on part 1. this does things my tape echo never dreamed of...again WOW

[@strymon]

@rarch1968 The El Capistan is Mono In/Stereo Out. Thanks for the kind words!

[@masque1313]

just bought my el capistan yesterday and I am blown away by it....I can't wait to delve into all the features. thanks for a great video explaining the features. I kept waiting for you to look into the camera and come at us with a "say my name"!!!!!

[@strymon]

😂 😉 Happy to hear you are digging your El Capistan. Please share with us if you post any videos!

[@SamuelPHell]

This thing is so freakin' cool. Its got everything I want and nothing I don't.

[@dansweeney4497]

Great demo, really shows what's possible with so many possible settings. The bias control is fantastic, and the wow/flutter and tape age settings are so much fun. My favorite delay and echo pedal since getting to mess with a friend's old tape delay machine back in the late 70's. well done.

[@strymon]

Thank you Dan!

[@baward]

Amazing. Parts of these 2 demos sounds exactly like my ancient Korg Stage Echo, especially the artifacts bits!

[@henrysaizofficial]

These pedals are just something else. Once you try one you want them all :) Just the best pedal fx company out there.. keep the great work guys!

[@strymon]

We will keep working hard! Thanks so much :D

[@TheMotorman116]

Sounds absolutely great!

[@duaneanderson6393]

Pete, I purchased a El Capistran having heard your demos #1 and #2. All of the various delay demos were excellent. The El Capistran seemed well tailored to my imagined applications. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the El Capistran. Goodness knows things have really progressed since my days of and echo-plex and Roland space echo.. Tanks .

[@strymon]

Thank you!

[@angrygoldfish]

This has got to be the most amazing delay released since the Empress Vintage Modern Superdelay. In fact, to my ears at least, it sounds 10 times better. Strymon pedals just have something that few other companies have. I can't pinpoint it, but it's very real and very important for us musicians and tone snobs. ^_^

[@cosmogang]

I had the Brigadier. Loved it. This is next. Strymon FTW!

[@-Atmos1]

Great demo , made my mind up . That's the decay pedal for me , sounds amazing .

[@sundaygrindpod]

Just got my own two days ago. Still going through the features but man, is this a great pedal! That and a Mobius for xmas, I am all set for a while! :)

[@strymon]

Very cool :) Please share with us if you post any songs!!

[@duaneanderson6393]

excellent , well done so clear and well times , the machine is impressive as well.

[@strymon]

Thank you!

[@strymon]

@95shredder - the upper right knob is the Mix control, allowing you to blend your dry and wet signals.

[@flwolf2000]

Ever since the 60's I have played guitar tunes of The Shadows, the famous group from England. Used to be Cliff Richard's band. The Shadows music included "Apache", "FBI", "Atlantis", etc. Those who know their music will also know these tunes. One of the biggest problems playing the lead guitar with this music has always been the Echo (delay). First I've used echo units with an actual tape rotating inside. Later I've tried electronic units, but was never able to reproduce delays that can be heard in the intro to "Atlantis" and other Shadows tunes - until I found, just last year, the "El Capistan" by Strymon. Finally I can play all my favorite Shadows tunes and sound (almost ) like the original (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKrGi4mvdtWkm9k)

[@strymon]

+flwolf2000 Thank you so much for the post, that is wonderful to hear. Headed over to your page and checked out some of your videos. Love your playing and the Shadows songs are so contagious. :D

[@mikeroadblock]

I am amazed at how well you pack so much into those small good looking pedals. Keep up the good work. I hope one day you make an overdrive and a fuzz.

[@strymon]

Thanks so much and appreciate the feedback :D

[@URTH1000]

What a brilliant pedal. Thanks.

[@weaselsuit]

I see these Strymon pedals all the time on trading boards. I would guess because they are expensive. But WOW. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE unit this is! I've owned Space Echoes and Echoplexes but moved them as they aren't particularly versatile. But this thing does EVERYTHING.

[@strymon]

Thanks!! :D

[@Quintenkonijn]

I just got this pedal, together with the Strymon Flint. Can't really say anything bad about these pedals. The variety of the sounds you can get out of those boxes are amazing. I would recommend one for every guitarist who wants to expand his sound. Big up Strymon!

[@strymon]

[@intrsoul]

Just stunning

[@strymonsupport]

If you combine the El Capistan with the Favorite Switch you can recall one favorite sound which basically gives you two presets.

[@rarch1968]

@95shredder Thanks for that, I'll have to wait till they produce a model with stereo ins, but I do dig the tc toneprint series you mentioned.

[@braydenmcmorran4562]

I have been very tempted to sell my El Cap to fund a Strymon Volante. But I think I have been under utilizing my El Cap. These demos and others remind me of all the amazing things it can do! I recommend other guitar players to watch demos for the gear they already own. It's an excellent antidote to GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). Don't get me wrong, the Volante sounds amazing and I may very well acquire one one day, however; I plan on fully enjoying my El Cap more than I have been lately instead....it is fantastic!

[@DelReiRock]

Heisenberg!!!

[@GinoMeregillanoLoneGunmen]

Holy crap! That is so sweet!

[@thesjkexperience]

@angrygoldfish Strymon has a pretty good track record for coming out with great, analog sounding units. They also have a generous return policy, so buying without trying is a pretty good bet.

[@rarch1968]

That's awesome to hear re stereo In via a TRS cable....now this beast can be placed in it's "correct" place (imo) toward the end of a stereo effects rig. Thnks for the heads up!

[@strymonsupport]

Hi Cole, when you engage the pedal it won't sweep like that. You have to actually turn the TIME knob to get pitch sweeps.

[@northeastnoise3824]

darkness on the right corners...grit that makes sense...endless emotion in guitar clean sounds....makes me wanna do a demo when mine is delivered!!! the virtual time and tape machine from space.....

[@strymon]

I hope you do and please share with us :D

[@montiecarrico9297]

Genius ! Totally Brilliant !

[@strymonsupport]

Hi Cole,, do you mean will it sweep up or down in pitch based on the delay time when you engage the effect? I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean by wind up and down.

[@TheBBQify]

god this is amazing imagine trying to do this in an analog pedal; i'm not even sure that it's would be possible

[@lordkoos]

@DrWilliemo You can do the Albert Lee trick with any delay including this one, just set to one repeat, set tempo and mix to taste...

[@M3urs]

I've probably never heard a better delay. Thanks

[@strymon]

@GuitarTek86 Fixed Tape Head in Mode B will give you a dotted 8th delay.

[@ProStrommer]

When turning on the pedal while playing through, will "El Capistan" simulate the wind up bend of the sustained notes? ie will it simulate tape delay wind up/down when you turn it on and off?

[@strymon]

For this particular demo we didn't use an amp. We used a Damage Control Tube Preamp pedal straight into a MOTU interface into Pro Tools.

[@GuitarTek86]

Is there any way to have a dotted 8th delay with this pedal? maybe with a selected tape head and tap tempo?

[@mikeischangingplaces]

I got mine 9 years ago and for the past 6 years I forgot it had sound on sound mode

[@carloscerda11]

I dont know why but i feel this pedal has more features than the flashback, makes me want to buy it :/

[@ProStrommer]

Sorry for the confusing wording... yes,when engaging the effect will it sweep up or down (based on delay time)? I have not heard a demo of the pedal being engaged with an active signal passing through it so i'm wondering how it reacts in that way.

[@AlainHubert]

I own a Boss RE-20, and seriously considering replacing it with El Capistan after watching this 2 part demo. However I have a question: in multi-heads mode, can all 3 virtual playback heads play simultaneously, like the eleventh position selector on a Roland Space Echo 201 (as well as the RE-20)? Or is it limited to modes A:heads 1 and 2, B:heads 2 and 3, C:heads 1 and 3 ? Thanks for a fantastic product and demo.

[@zvonruff]

Is there a way to do a quarter note delay as well as a dotted eighth delay at the same time?

[@strymonsupport]

Yes. You can got to Multi Head Mode B to achieve this.

[@FlipsidesBand]

@FlipsidesBand - You need to have it in "trails" mode, which is buffered; then it's sounds much better in stereo. After going back and forth for a few more hours today, here's my 2 cents: Nothing can sound as warm and natural and help your playing like a good EP-3, but you gain the modulation and tap tempo and stereo (out only) if that is more important to you. I have to stick with the EP-3 because anything that makes magic you should not give up, but the El Capistan is really great.

[@DrWilliemo]

Can this thing easily do the tap tempo'd dotted quarter a la Albert Lee? I want to be able to tap in tempo with quarter notes and get dotted quarter notes out of it. Doable?

[@strymon]

That's Pete's "frankentele" with two mini humbuckers and a Joe Barden pickup!

[@strymon]

Thanks!

[@FandeDS]

thank you my friend on many forums brian setzer rockabilly guitar, guitarist many wonder if the Strymon can have a good adjustment to get his stray cats because the Strymon simulates like space echo roland like brian setzer if you can a good tone guitaiste many will buy the Capistan Strymon

[@strymonsupport]

Hi FandeDS, we don't have any slap back type demos up on our site at the moment but we'll do our best to get some up if we can! :)

[@rarch1968]

Absolutely amazing...no wonder this thing got an editor's pick award in guitar player magazine! Question; does it have stereo inputs as well the stereo outs?

[@sclera7]

Nice sound.

[@pCeLobster]

I have to know where the other secondary functions are set at 2:41!!!

[@lordkoos]

Also since it's digital it would be easy for you to add a backwards echo function?

[@strymon]

@FlipsidesBand it's very possible you have an impedance issue with your rig/board. Send us an email to support AT strymon DOT net and we can help you sort it out.

[@w3bt3k]

Awesome!

[@strymon]

Where are you located?

[@Ben710fly]

Which damage control pedal was is if you don't mind me asking? I'm thinking about getting a used one off ebay for when I can't use my amp but cant decide which one to get.

[@ascendedmastersclub]

This is absolutely SUPERB! I know it's premature, but if you guys were able to make a midi programmable (possibly rackmount) version of this, you would have guitarists lined up around the planet to buy one! Just a thought....... and a REALLY,REALLY good thought, I might add ;)

[@alfredomunozavila]

Where I can buy it seems ebay and other sources is out of stock

[@DrWilliemo]

Lordkoos, what I want to know is if you can set at a dotted quarter and then tap tempo to match the tune, rather than have to fiddle witht he knob for a minute on the bandstand to find the right tempo while the drummer alone (not gonna happen).

[@styleomatic]

Wish the delay times were connected to a digital readout for better sync accuracy. If it had that, I'd buy two of 'em.

[@strymon]

styleomatic Thanks for the feedback! The El Capistan is more for those who would like a traditional pedal without the menus and display readouts like you mentioned. The TimeLine pedal would be a better option for you which has a display and more features available.

[@spohn420]

all New El Capistan Pedals (Made after May 2012) are now built with optional Stereo In's Via a TRS Cable. Available on the Strymon website. VIVA LA STRYMON!

[@crostofor]

Cool stuff :)

[@TheMotorman116]

How's this thing do for rockabilly slapback?

[@strymonsupport]

That is normal. We've been putting silent type switches in our blueSky for over a year now. :)

[@strymon]

@95shredder We have a separate video for Sound on Sound mode... click on our channel! :)

[@lordkoos]

@DemoColorScheme It has stereo outputs.

[@bloodySunday77]

It's a real pity not to have a presets button... there are a million sounds within this pedal, and only 2 can be instantly accessed with the extra accessory...

[@Rascaduanok]

How do you keep track of what settings you've put the secondary functions at?

[@strymon]

+Kodanshi Helcarver As there is no display for these features, you would need to either memorize them or note them somewhere.

[@markyp4262]

Is this pedal best in front of the amp or in the Fx loop ? Im using a Two Rock studio pro 22 ..Cheers & awesome pedal

[@strymon]

+Mark Puczynski If your amplifier has an effects loop, we recommend placing placing the El Capistan in the loop, however, the pedal still sounds great in front of a clean amplifier.

[@markyp4262]

+strymon thank you for the reply guys

[@blairtaylor3466]

This seems like a very well thought out pedal with loads of features. I read that the Catalinbread Belle Epoch is apparently able to self oscillate without any input, is this achievable with El Capistan? P.S. Thanks for the in-depth demos of your pedals, they are really helpful!

[@strymon]

Yes, the El Capistan can self oscillate without an input signal if you turn the Repeats parameter to maximum.

[@blairtaylor3466]

strymon Thanks for the reply, that's great. Such an impressive amount of work you guys put into the pedals. I already have Flint and just bought Deco yesterday :). Oh and I love Pete's delivery style, really refreshing among all the cheeseballs out there! Happy new year.

[@strymon]

Blair Taylor Thank you! Please share with us if you post any videos with your Flint and Deco. Happy New Year!

[@lucianomarilungo]

which amp? fantastic sound!

[@Bfongbfong]

do you mean multihead mode B?

[@hellomrjonathan]

how many presets?

[@Greglnt]

Hey, pete, in modes B and C are there two delays clashing ?

[@strymon]

@Philip Hernandez In MULTI Modes B and C, there are 2 playback heads in different arrangements that provide 2 delay repeats with every pass of the tape in the Multi tape head delay mode.

[@sportsportsport]

I NEED ONE

[@ArielNahum]

Hello Mr. White?

[@564Dylan]

Jesse, we have to cook.

[@dicaprio03]

hello my friend There is a function(office) repeat rate on the el capistan? why? gracié

[@strymon]

dicaprio03 Hello! :) I wan not too clear on your question, but there is a REPEATS knob to control how many delay repeats you hear from the effect.

[@dicaprio03]

Thank you my friend on the delay el capistan or is the intensity function? gracié

[@strymon]

dicaprio03 I'm sorry, I'm still not clear on your question. There is a MIX control on the pedal that controls the level of the delay effect relative to your dry signal level.

[@FandeDS]

hello we are many rockabilly guitarist who like your pedal can you help us find sound settings rockabilly stray cats

[@christopherleblanc5470]

What about the mix knob and tap tempo?

[@strymon]

Hi Christopher, If you have any questions on those let us know at [e-mail] and Hugo or Gohan can help you out :) Thanks so much!

[@Acronso]

Is it analog?

[@metricdeep8856]

No one has made a better delay yet. I've owned and sold all your delays and they are all really great.....but this one stays. I don't even know what would make the El-Cap better except some (3 to 4) presets but footprint suffers (?). I suppose you could add in some Iridium and some Lex and a bit of Flint.....but that would be it....I think. That JAM pedals Retro Vibe is really nice also...so if you're making a list of stuff to bring in....

[@uberfilms]

Then.. I'm ALL IN.

[@bloodySunday77]

@angrygoldfish You'd better wait until you try both yourself. Don't judge by completely different clips.

[@strymon]

@wayfechylde3 Thanks!! :) :)

[@harrycloud13]

This doesn't say anything about the Tap button?

[@strymon]

+HARRY CLOUD 666 You are correct! :) We must have missed that when we created the video 5 years ago. You can use the TAP switch to tap in your delay time. I works a little differently in different modes which you can check out in the manual: www.strymon.net/wp-content/uploads/ElCapistan_UserManual.pdf

[@harrycloud13]

Seems like a pretty big thing to overlook! The manual is pretty vague. It would be nice if you could turn the blinking light off when you're not using the tap. I have to cover mine with duct tape so it doesn't distract me while I play.

[@strymon]

+HARRY CLOUD 666 Thanks for the feedback! :) There is no way to disable the blinking of the TAP LED to provide visual indication of the rate of your delay repeats looking down on the fly.

[@AlainHubert]

Almost everything is perfectly reproduced. The only thing that bothers me is the pitch transposing artifacts audible at 3:14 when raising the virtual tape speed. A real tape machine doesn't produce that. And I don't understand why engineers didn't simply vary the sampling frequency from 44khz to the maximum 96khz ? Anyway, at 44khz it would be the slowest speed and you wouldn't need a high frequency response, so no aliasing problems there... Maybe it was "easier" to keep a fixed sampling rate.

[@strymon]

@mcnabb4mvp06 Ha!

[@macadood]

o hai walter white. i didnt know you worked for strymon...

[@FlipsidesBand]

From someone who has yet to be able to accept anything to replace my favorite EP-3 that I've used consistently since the early '70's (professionally), I think the El Capistan may be the first pedal that could do so (in MONO). However, in STEREO the guitar sound is loaded down horribly and is unusable to me. I also couldn't hear real stereo. ???

[@8sigreg]

It does do true stereo, they probably didn’t set the channel panning full left and right.