The sonic warmth and unpredictable quirks of a genuine tape delay are often sought out for their ability to imbue vintage character into any project. That said, collecting and maintaining analog tape tech can be an expensive hassle. Building on the success of Strymon’s original tape echo emulator is the El Capistan dTape V2, bringing a trio of classic tape machine styles to life with a wealth of parameters on board to fine-tune your sound to perfection. You still get the same Fixed, Multi, and Single tape heads of the original along with a three-position Mode switch to alter the pedal’s operation depending on which tape head is selected. The addition of a Spring control allows you to dial in varying levels of reverb without affecting input or output levels. Accessing this pedal’s four secondary modes is as easy as pressing both switches, allowing you to tweak Low-end Contour, Tape Bias, and Tape Crinkle along with a +/-3dB boost or cut. Add the Strymon El Capistan dTape V2 to the toolkit and harness the real-deal sound, feel, and functionality of analog tape for yourself!
A trio of classic tape machine emulations
Rather than emulating specific tape delay models, the El Capistan emulates three classic tape machine technologies, providing you with your choice of a single fixed-head and variable-speed motor, multiple heads and a variable-speed motor, or a sliding head and a fixed-speed motor. There are also three modes for each machine type, which let you switch delay time ranges, select active tape heads, and access sound-on-sound looping. When you add in the El Capistan’s parameter controls, you get the kind of sonic flexibility tone tweakers love, allowing you to dial in vintage sounds like Echoplex or Space Echo emulations, or come up with entirely new analog delay sounds.
Easy access to handy secondary functions
The El Capistan V2 boasts six knobs, with access to an additional four secondary functions solidifying this pedal as one of the most tweakable delays to hit the market. On the surface, the Time, Mix, Tape Age, Repeats, Wow & Flutter, and Spring controls make it easy to dial in a full range of echo effects and character. Depress both footswitches, and you can access a deeper layer of parameters, including Tape Crinkle, Tape Bias, Low-end Contour, and a +/- 3dB Boost/Cut function. Cooler still, you can hook up a footswitch to instantly recall your favorite settings, and when you plug in an expression pedal, you can take over any parameter on the fly.
Under-the-hood improvements provide unparalleled performance
While the cosmetic and sonic improvements are easily seen, further inspection of the El Capistan V2 reveals several changes to its core for an even more premium playing experience. To start, Strymon loaded the El Capistan with a top-quality JFET input circuit. The result? Enhanced responsiveness, dynamics, and feel tailor-made for gigging performers and touring pros. Swapping between mono and stereo modes is as easy as flicking a rear-panel switch, with the option to now control the El Capistan via an expression pedal or MultiSwitch Plus. Perhaps best of all, a new ARM DSP chip significantly increases processing power while decreasing energy consumption for a clearer and more accurate tone.
Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo Pedal V2 Features:
- Powerful tape echo emulation pedal lets you craft a wide range of classic delay effects
- Choose from 3 tape machine styles: Fixed, Multi, and Single, each with 3 operation modes
- Get extra creative with the onboard sound-on-sound tape looper
- Shape your effect with 6 accessible knobs and 4 secondary functions; secondary functions accessed by depressing both switches
- New Spring knob dials in varying levels of reverb with ease
- Take control of any parameter via any standard expression pedal
- Connect a footswitch to instantly recall your favorite preset
- JFET input circuit enhances responsiveness, dynamics, and feel
- Swap from mono to stereo and back via the rear-panel switch
- ARM DSP chip significantly increases processing power
- Durable aluminum chassis
- Choose between true bypass and trails operation
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