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.
Magnetic Monster.
El Capistan provides three different tape machine types in one pedal, each with three unique modes and extensive control over tape quality, machine health and tone shaping.
Go from the full-range sonic stability of a fresh-from-the-factory echo machine, to the heavily fluctuating sound of a road-worn unit in need of service. Enjoy the full bodied sound of fresh tape, or dial in the dark, gnarled and vibey qualities of worn out tape.
Our meticulously handcrafted dTape™ technology and powerful ARM DSP give you a range of tape experiences that would be unattainable with a single traditional tape machine. Plus you get sound on sound looping, all without the headaches of tape machine maintenance and repair.
Classic Sound, New Features.
Our second generation El Capistan keeps the same rich magnetic tape echo tones from our original and adds significant new features, incorporating technological advancements, hardware improvements and design enhancements to give you additional flexibility, power, and ease of use on stage and in the studio.
MIDI
Full MIDI implementation means you can 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.
Delay time can be synchronized via MIDI Clock Sync, and the sync setting can be saved for each preset.
300 MIDI preset locations are available for loading and saving your favorite settings.
Hardware Improvements
A premium analog JFET input circuit ensures superb responsiveness to your playing, and you can select mono or stereo input with the flick of a rear panel switch.
All this, plus a new ARM DSP chip provides more processing power for every sonic nuance, with less energy consumption on your pedalboard.
Spring Reverb
Some classic tape echo machines included small integrated spring reverb tanks tuned for limited bandwidth.
For El Capistan, we captured this vintage vibe while creating a spring reverb algorithm with a gorgeous, gentle character that stands on its own, in addition to enhancing delayed signals.
Features
MIDI
Limitless Possibilities.
Our new generation of El Capistan features 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. Delay time can be synchronized via MIDI Clock Sync, and the sync setting can be saved for each preset. 300 MIDI preset locations are available for loading and saving your favorite settings.
Remotely bypass or engage the pedal, sync delay BPM changes along with your tracks, automate knob adjustments, recall unique presets for each song on your setlist — the possibilities with MIDI are limitless.
True/Buffered Bypass
Choose Your Bypass Mode.
El Capistan lets you 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
Analog Touch.
Uncompromised dynamics and feel. Exceptional touch sensitivity and responsiveness. El Capistan feels just as good as it sounds, thanks to a high impedance ultra-low noise discrete Class A JFET preamp input.
Boost/Cut
Turn Up The Volume.
We all need a lift every once in a while. El Capistan features a +/-3dB boost/cut secondary function that 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
Moving In Stereo.
No need to make compromises when it comes to signal routing or pedal placement — El Capistan features 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
On Another Level.
Pedals aren’t just for guitarists. El Capistan’s 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.
ARM Processor
Power To The Pedal.
Significant developments in mobile phones and computers have led to an evolution in technology that now allows our pedals to perform more simultaneous processes with less power draw than ever before.
That means more processing power for every sonic nuance with less power consumption on your pedal board.
Specs
Ins, Outs, and Switches
High impedance ultra low-noise discrete Class A JFET TRS stereo input.
Low impedance independent TS stereo outputs.
Expression pedal input allows the connection of a TRS expression pedal, MiniSwitch, MultiSwitch Plus, or TRS MIDI connection.
USB jack for controlling via MIDI from a computer or for performing firmware updates.
Dedicated tap tempo & On/Off footswitches
Audio Quality
Premium JFET analog front end
Ultra low noise, high performance 24-bit 96kHz A/D and D/A converters provide uncompromising audio quality
520MHz ARM Superscalar processor
32-bit floating point processing
20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
Audio Input Impedance: 1M Ohm
Audio Output Impedance: 100 Ohm
More
Strong and lightweight anodized dark gray aluminum chassis
9V DC power supply included
Power requirements: maximum 9 volts DC center-negative, with a minimum of 300mA of current
Dimensions:
4.5” deep x 4” wide x 1.75” tall
11.4 cm deep x 10.2 cm wide x 4.4 cm tall
Designed and built in the USA
