Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo Strymon

Soundclips of the Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo:

A taste of everything

The first part uses the Single tape head, then Mode is changed from B to A at 0:15 and you can hear the machine double the tape speed. The second part changes machines to Fixed, adds more repeats and cranks up the Wow/Flutter/Crinkle for a dirtier sound. The Time knob is reduced to min starting at 0:42. The repeats are maxed at 0:49, and the Time knob is turned to max starting at 0:51.

Saturated wash

Single Head, Mode A with no Tape Crinkle, max Low Contour for a very high-passed repeat sound, ala magnetic drum units. High repeats generate a nicely saturated wash behind the guitar.

Dark and dirty

Fixed, Mode B. Maximum Delay Time results in slowest tape speed, resulting in the most exaggerated Wow/Flutter and Crinkle influence. This is a sick machine.

Dirty slap

Fixed, Mode A for a slapback on a distorted guitar. The natural warmth created by the slower tape speed allows the delay to sit in the mix nicely.

Power guitar

Single Mode A. Using the Tape Age knob, the bandwidth is reduced and a natural echo is created from the cranked power chords.

Wow and Flutter

The Single Head, Mode B machine. By varying the Wow & Flutter, and Tape Crinkle controls from minimum to maximum in four increments, the range of ‘machine health’ possibilities is highlighted.

Rasta

Fixed Head, Mode B. By adding a generous helping of Spring Reverb, we achieve a trippy reggae sound with regenerating repeats that continue to build as the rhythm continues.

Spaceship

Fixed Head, Mode A. A great machine for sci-fi, the short repeats and varying tape speed can create some classic spacey sounds. In this clip a single note is played, and El Capistan does the rest.

Rastaship

By overdubbing the rasta and spaceship clips, we get rastaship!

Baritone

Multi Head, Mode C. With minimum Tape Bias, a regenerative brightness occurs offsetting the high-end roll-off from the playback head aperture. This along with maximum Low End Contour removes low frequencies from the repeats. The baritone’s sound remains coherent with high repeats as the notes descend into the lower register. The spring reverb is employed for maximum ambience.

Worn out tape

Multi Head, Mode B. A good amount of Wow & Flutter along with a fair amount of Tape Crinkle. Tape Age is set at about 70% for a relatively worn out tape sound.

Magnetic drum wash

Multi Head, Mode C. Tape Age set to minimum for a new tape sound. Bias is set at 75% and Repeats are cranked to get some regenerating oscillation in the background. Low End Contour is set at max, rolling off all of the low end, giving more of a magnetic drum style.

In need of service

Fixed Head, Mode B. Wow & Flutter and Tape Crinkle are maxed, representing a very tired and sick tape echo machine. This one is in need of service!

Old tape

Fixed Head, Mode B. Tape Age is set at about 75%, indicative of older more worn out tape. Low End Contour is set at 75% as well, rolling off a lot of low end in the repeats. Wow & Flutter and Tape Crinkle are set at 50%.

Better days

Roland Juno 6 running into El Capistan. First short passage is in Bypass, then the pedal is engaged. Fixed Head, Mode B. Tape Age is set at about 75% for an older tape sound. Low End Contour is set at about half to roll off some low end. Tape Crinkle and Wow & Flutter are set at about 75% as well, for the sound of a tape machine that has seen better days.

Tape echo arpeggio

Roland Juno 6 running into El Capistan. First short passage is in Bypass, then the pedal is engaged. Single Head, Mode A. Tape Age, Wow & Flutter and Tape Crinkle are all set around half.

Tape with drive

Fixed Head, Mode B. Running into an amp with a bit of drive and grit. Tape Age and Low End Contour are set at 75%. Wow & Flutter and Tape Crinkle are set at 50%. Repeats are cranked at the end to generate some runaway oscillation. Time knob is set to max, then to minimum, then to maximum again.

Sound Design: