Strymon El Capistan Tape Delay Pedal

Vintage vibe machine.

Plug in, play a note or chord, and you feel it: All the warm, saturated, distinctive qualities and subtle nuances of vintage tape echo combine to instantly create an unmistakable atmosphere.  Everything from classic slapback echoes to psychedelic space explorations have stunning richness and depth, responding to each note and knob turn in a musically inspiring way.  Turn up the repeats for organic delay feedback with just the right amount of grit. Dial in some spring reverb to further enhance the sense of space. Effortlessly create multi-layered ambient soundscapes with the tape-style sound on sound looper.

Transform your pedalboard into the inspiration machine it was meant to be.

Special Features

• MIDI: Full MIDI implementation, allowing you to control just about every switch, knob, and setting remotely by sending MIDI commands from your controller or DAW via El Capistan’s EXP/MIDI jack or USB-C connection

• True/Buffered Bypass: Choose electromechanical relay switched true bypass for a 100% untouched, unprocessed signal when the pedal is bypassed (this is the default setting), or you can opt for our premium quality buffered bypass that conditions your signal to preserve its integrity by preventing the high end roll-off that can happen due to longer cable runs.

• JFET Input Preamp: Class A design for touch sensitivity, dynamics, and ultra‑low noise

• Boost/Cut: +/-3dB boost/cut secondary function lets you add a little extra “oomph” when you engage the pedal — or dial things back a bit if you need a more subtle delay without changing your Mix control. 

• Stereo: Full stereo in/out capabilities.  A single TRS input jack allows El Capistan to keep its compact form factor while giving you the option to use a stereo input signal. A dedicated rear panel Input switch allows you to easily set El Capistan for operation with a stereo (TRS) or mono (standard TS) input source. Low impedance dual TS output jacks let you use El Capistan as a stereo effect.

• Line/Instrument Level: Adjustable input signal level makes it a versatile tool for endless applications from the studio to the stage.  By setting El Capistan to line level input mode, you get 10dB of added headroom, allowing you to use El Capistan with bass guitars with active pickups, synthesizers, keyboards, effects loops, and more.

Controls Rundown

• Time: Controls the delay time according to the selected TAPE HEAD type

• Mix: Controls the balance of the dry and echo signals, from 100% dry at minimum to 100% echo at maximum. Set to 3 o’clock for 50/50 dry/echo mix.  Used to access Boost/Cut Live Edit function.

• Wow & Flutter: Controls the amount of mechanically related tape speed fluctuations. Used to access Tape Crinkle Live Edit function.

• Tape Age:  Controls the bandwidth of the tape, just as it would change over time in a traditional tape machine.  Used to access Low End Contour Live Edit function.

• Repeats:  Varies the number of repeats from one to saturated oscillation.  Used to access Tape Bias Live Edit function.

• Spring: Adds spring reverb without affecting the level of the dry or echo signals.

• Tap:  Tap 1/4 notes to set delay time.  The TAP LED flashes red to indicate tempo.

  Hold switch for infinite repeats.

Specifications

• Delay Type: dTape Echo

• Routing: Mono In/Mono Out, Mono In/Stereo Out, Stereo In/Stereo Out

• Inputs/Outputs: TS stereo I/O

• Processor: ARM architecture for efficient, detailed emulation

• Power: 9V DC, 300 mA

• Construction: Premium components, rugged chassis