Strymon El Capistan Effects Pedal
Vintage Vibe Machine.
Plug it in, play a note or chord, and you'll feel it: All the warm, saturated, distinctive qualities and subtle nuances of vintage tape echo combine to instantly create an incomparable atmosphere.
From classic echoes to psychedelic space explorations, everything is astonishingly rich and deep, responding to every note and every turn of the knob in a musically inspiring way.
Increase the repeats for organic delay feedback with just the right amount of grain. Add spring reverb to enhance the sense of space. Effortlessly create multi-layered ambient soundscapes with the tape-style sound-on-sound looper.
Transform your pedalboard into an inspiration machine that was designed for you.
El Capistan offers three different types of tape machines in a single pedal, each with three unique modes and extensive control over tape quality, machine health, and sound shaping.
Go from the complete sonic stability of a factory-fresh echo machine to the highly fluctuating sound of a worn-out device in need of repair. Enjoy the full, rich sound of fresh tape, or choose the dark, knotty, vibrant qualities of worn tape.
Our meticulously handcrafted dTape? technology and powerful ARM DSP give you a range of tape experiences that would be impossible to achieve with a single traditional tape machine. Plus, you get looping sound on sound, all without the headache of tape machine maintenance and repair.
Classic sound, new features.
Our second-generation El Capistan retains the same rich magnetic tape echo sounds as the original and adds significant new features, incorporating technological advances, hardware enhancements, and design improvements to give you more flexibility, power, and ease of use on stage and in the studio.
MIDI
Full MIDI implementation means you can remotely control virtually every switch, knob, and setting by sending MIDI commands from your controller or DAW via Flint's EXP/MIDI jack or USB-C connection.
The tremolo speed can be synchronized via MIDI clock synchronization, and the synchronization setting can be saved for each preset.
300 MIDI preset slots are available for loading and saving your favorite settings.
Hardware Improvements
A high-quality JFET analog input circuit ensures superb responsiveness to your playing, and you can select mono or stereo input with a simple press of a switch on the rear panel.
All this, along with a new ARM DSP chip, provides more processing power for every nuance of sound, with less power consumption on your pedalboard.
Spring Reverb
Some classic tape echoes featured small built-in spring reverb tanks, tuned for a limited bandwidth.
For El Capistan, we captured that vintage vibe while creating a spring reverb algorithm with a beautiful, smooth character that stands on its own, in addition to enhancing delayed signals.
Features:
MIDI
Unlimited possibilities. Our new generation of El Capistan features full MIDI implementation, allowing you to remotely control just about every switch, knob, and setting by sending MIDI commands from your controller or DAW via El Capistan's EXP/MIDI jack or USB-C connection. The delay time can be synchronized via MIDI Clock Sync, and the sync setting can be saved for each preset. 300 MIDI preset slots are available for loading and saving your favorite settings.
Bypass or engage the pedal remotely, sync delay BPM changes with your tracks, automate knob settings, recall unique presets for each song in your setlist—the possibilities with MIDI are endless.
True/Buffered Bypass
Choose your bypass mode.El Capistan lets you opt for a true electromechanical relay bypass for a 100% intact, unprocessed signal when the pedal is bypassed (this is the default setting), or you can opt for our superior buffered bypass, which conditions your signal to preserve its integrity by preventing the high-frequency attenuation that can occur due to long cable runs.
JFET Input
Analog Touch.
Uncompromising dynamics and feel. Exceptional touch sensitivity and responsiveness. El Capistan feels as good as it sounds, thanks to a discrete, high-impedance, ultra-low-noise Class A JFET preamp input.
Boost/Cut
Turn up the volume.
We all need a boost from time to time. El Capistan features a +/-3dB boost/cut sub-function that lets you add a little extra oomph when you engage the pedal—or turn the volume down a bit if you need a more subtle delay without changing your Mix control.
Stereo
Stereo routing.
No need to compromise when it comes to signal routing or pedal placement—El Capistan features full stereo input/output capabilities.
A single TRS input jack allows El Capistan to maintain its compact form factor while giving you the option of using a stereo input signal. A dedicated input switch on the rear panel allows you to easily set El Capistan for operation with a stereo (TRS) or mono (standard TS) input source. Dual low-impedance TS output jacks allow you to use El Capistan as a stereo effect.
Line/Instrument Level
On another level.
Pedals aren't just for guitarists. El Capistan's adjustable input signal level makes it a versatile tool with endless applications, from the studio to the stage.
By setting El Capistan to line level input mode, you get an additional 10dB of headroom, allowing you to use El Capistan with active pickup bass guitars, synthesizers, keyboards, effects loops, and more.
ARM Processor
Powering the pedal.
Significant developments in cell phones and computers have led to an evolution in technology that now allows our pedals to perform more simultaneous processes with less power consumption than ever before.
This means more processing power for every nuance of sound and less power consumption on your pedalboard.
Inputs, Outputs, and Switches
- High-impedance, ultra-low-noise, discrete Class A JFET stereo TRS input.
- Independent low-impedance stereo TS outputs.
- The expression pedal input allows you to connect a TRS expression pedal, MiniSwitch, MultiSwitch Plus, or TRS MIDI connection.
- USB port for MIDI control from a computer or for firmware updates.
- Dedicated footswitches for tempo and on/off activation.
Audio Quality
- High-end JFET analog front end
- Ultra-low noise, high-performance 24-bit 96 kHz A/D and D/A converters for uncompromising audio quality.
- 520MHz Superscalar ARM processor
- 32-bit floating point processing
- Frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Audio input impedance: 1M Ohm
- Audio output impedance: 100 Ohm
More information
- Solid, lightweight chassis in dark gray anodized aluminum
- 9V DC power supply included
- Power requirements: 9 volts DC maximum center-negative, with a minimum of 300mA current.
- Dimensions:
- 4.5“ deep x 4” wide x 1.75" high
- 11.4 cm deep x 10.2 cm wide x 4.4 cm high
- Designed and manufactured in the USA
de 
Verified
