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SonicPulverizer « Authentic Tape Sound »
Published on 10/09/12 at 02:49The Strymon El Capistan is essentially the best tape echo emulation on the market. Strymon delivers a feature packed offering that is a dream of knob fiddlers. The El Capistan can toggle between three different tape head settings (Fixed,Multi, and Single) each having their own variance on the 3 available modes A,B, and C. The front panel controls include Time, Tape Age, Repeats, Mix, and Wow & Flutter. Holding the bypass and Tap tempo footswitches enables the "hidden" parameters of Low end contour, Tape bias, Tape crinkle, a +/- 3db cut/boost, as well as spring reverb. The pedal's looks, like all Strymon pedals, are elegant and clean. A great looking unit to add to your board.
UTILIZATION
The versatility of the I/O allows you to run the pedal in a stereo environment. It also allows you to connect an expression pedal to be configured with any parameter or one of strymon's favorite switches to recall a particular patch. The amount of control Strymon gives you makes it very easy to get a good sound out of the unit. The El Capistan runs 9v power.
SOUND QUALITY
The Strymon delivers excellent sound utilizing the SHARC DSP. Matching the single tape head with mode C selected offers sound on sound mode. This mode acts like a pseudo tape-looper. Using the Tap tempo switch you can control "splice" points and then use the parameters of the pedal to alter the loop. Taking advice from the Strymon website directly, setting the pedal up with a single tape head on mode A can elicit very subtle, natural sounding echoes with distorted guitars. You can use the Tape age knob to dial in the right amount of crispness desired.
OVERALL OPINION
The Strymon El Capistan is a very impressive delay. The only thing that comes close to it's sound quality is the JHS Panther which dwarfs the Strymon in price. The amount of control you are given is very inspiring and gives you a sense of fulfillment in your purchase. I am very awed by this company's work. Top notch pedal indeed.
UTILIZATION
The versatility of the I/O allows you to run the pedal in a stereo environment. It also allows you to connect an expression pedal to be configured with any parameter or one of strymon's favorite switches to recall a particular patch. The amount of control Strymon gives you makes it very easy to get a good sound out of the unit. The El Capistan runs 9v power.
SOUND QUALITY
The Strymon delivers excellent sound utilizing the SHARC DSP. Matching the single tape head with mode C selected offers sound on sound mode. This mode acts like a pseudo tape-looper. Using the Tap tempo switch you can control "splice" points and then use the parameters of the pedal to alter the loop. Taking advice from the Strymon website directly, setting the pedal up with a single tape head on mode A can elicit very subtle, natural sounding echoes with distorted guitars. You can use the Tape age knob to dial in the right amount of crispness desired.
OVERALL OPINION
The Strymon El Capistan is a very impressive delay. The only thing that comes close to it's sound quality is the JHS Panther which dwarfs the Strymon in price. The amount of control you are given is very inspiring and gives you a sense of fulfillment in your purchase. I am very awed by this company's work. Top notch pedal indeed.