Strymon – El Capistan v1.0.0 for WiN

Route audio into El Capistan and all the warm, distinctive qualities and subtle nuances of vintage tape echo instantly come together to create an unmistakable atmosphere.

Everything from classic slapback echo to psychedelic feedback explorations has stunning richness and depth, responding to every note and knob turn in a musically inspiring way.

Increase the repeats for an organic feedback delay with just the right amount of grain, or turn up the spring reverb to further enhance the sense of space.

Magnetic Personalities

El Capistan offers three different types of tape machines, each with advanced control over tape quality, machine condition and tone shaping, all controlled through an intuitive user interface.

Go from the higher fidelity of a factory-fresh echo machine to the highly fluctuating sound of a worn unit in need of service, using the full-bodied sound of fresh tape or the dark, gritty and bright qualities of worn tape where you need them.

Single Mode

Single Moving head tape recorder runs the tape at a fixed speed, and the Time knob sets the delay time by adjusting the position of the moving head. This tape recorder allows the tape motor to be run at double speed for higher accuracy with a shorter delay time, or at normal speed for lower accuracy with a longer delay time.

Fixed Mode

Tape Machine Single Fixed head creates a classic delay effect with tape speed controlled by the Time knob. Choose from three playback heads, each at a specific distance from the record head for a specific delay interval. Choose Head 1 for a short delay with a time division of 1/16 notes, Head 2 for a medium delay with a time division of 1/8 with dots, and (C) a long delay with a time division of 1/4 notes.

Multi Mode

The Multi Fixed head tape recorder has the same three playback heads as the fixed version, but uses two of the three playback heads simultaneously to create rhythmic delays that rhyme with each other. The Heads knob selects which combination of playback heads is active, and the Time knob adjusts the tape speed.

Spring Reverb

Some classic tape echo machines came with small built-in spring reverbs set to a limited bandwidth.

For El Capistan we captured that vintage vibe by creating a spring reverb algorithm with a gorgeous, soft character that stands on its own, in addition to enhancing delayed signals.

Use it to add subtle space and volume to your delays at lower settings, or turn it up for big, splashy waves of old-school spring reverb. Just want some reverb? Turn the Mix knob down to hear just your reverb signal without any echo.