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Strymon El Capistan
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benoi31 benoi31
Published on 07/30/14 at 07:35
Many possibilities: 10 faders with secondary characteristics, and 9 possible combinations of switch!
Can connect the pedal in stereo.

UTILIZATION

This is a pedal that must be tamed! As mentioned above, there are a lot of possible settings.

The choice of heads defines "rhythm" of the delay.
Very convenient, you can make a delay in black or note, or make syncopated stuff via the multi-heads. You really adjust to the ear and take your time to see what rhythmic form is best suited to what we play.
Note that there is a kind of looper function set, but very special: the recorded signal will gradually deteriorate as a cassette (depending on the settings you have set), and we can add things above. Anecdotal, but can be nice in certain specific cases (I use eg finally to a kind of fade out a song)

Then different potentiometers allow us to set all functions of the tape delay.
- The time sets the pace as feasible using the tap tempo
- Tape age darkens the sound As rehearsals, very nice to differentiate the effect of which is played
- Wow and flutter adds fluctuations associated with tape delays, it sounds like a chorus, very special, but great for creating sound tablecloths
- Repeat the number of repetitions with a high degree can be easily from self-oscillations (also feasible now tap tempo supported) The self-oscillation may also seem trivial, but it can be great to make mounted in a piece for example.
- Mix: the level of delay. Note that you can remove the dry signal completely.

Then press the 2 switches you have access to other functions:
- Spring reverb: it is great to create soundscapes fluids
- Low end contour, can remove the low delay. I have a little more trouble to use it, it can help to reduce the delay compared to the dry signal.
- Bias tape which adjusts the bias of delay (reduces the headroom for a discrete signal)
- Tape crinkle which adjusts the mechanical noise. I have difficulty seeing the effect of this potentiometer Indeed, it is far from the effect "vinyl striped", sounds are light.
- A boost 3Db, nice if you use the delay solo example

Here: needless to say it will have to redouble patience and ingenuity, and can be very precise in setting the tone with this machine! Personally I enjoyed myself as a little crazy to test the possibilities of this pedal, and I am far from having done the trick!


SOUND QUALITY

Frankly the sound is terrible!

We hear about the digital side and "cold" of the pedal, and the famous "veil Strymon" ... Personally, I would say that this is not quite true. I can not find the pedal particularly "cold" with the tape age can be quite warm sounds, even at concert volume levels. Digital by next spring against, but it is not really a problem because we really found the side tape delay of interest.
The "veil Strymon" does not bother me too much, and I think the pedal still respects the nature of the amp and guitar, even if it has that strong personality. See if that bothers you or not though.

It remains that there is a fleshy and organic side in this delay is simply awesome! The ability to fine tune modulations provides access to a lot of different types, and we find all the sound characteristics of tape delay.

For me it is really tip top, listening absolutely!

OVERALL OPINION

Being a fan of math rock, prog and other ambient rock, I was looking for a delay that would be able to perform several functions: a fairly clean delay and delay allowing the creation of soundscapes.
With el Capistan I&#39;m thrilled because I have access to these two types of delay, plus endless variations between the two!

I often use it in again, it really is an excellent tool for creating rhythmic or melodic patterns. The tap tempo is really convenient, and self oscillation holding down the tap tempo can really make original stuff.

My only regret is the lack of preset. It is very easy to tinker a favorite switch (see on the net), but I think it was really more the pedal is directly supplied with. As it stands, it is rather annoying to have to look between 2 songs to change its delay (not counting the number of parameters to be modified). I think I&#39;d be soon, so keep a type delay "sound sheet" on hand.

Another thing I find unfortunate is that the delay "remembers" what is played when changing mode on a head type (eg switch from single mode to B mode), but not when changing head (single multi). Which is a shame because it could have cool stuff with the looper.

The new price seems a little expensive.

Used 200 euros purchased against this is for me a great deal! It acquires énorméments possibilities, without ever returning to the "cliché" because all parameters can be modulated (unlike the delays that make everything, but one way, as the flashback)