Sound Pure's Take
Condition: Used, Excellent
Capture the warm, organic pitch fluctuations and rich harmonic saturation of vintage tape echo systems with the Strymon El Capistan V1! Housed in a lightweight gunmetal gray anodized aluminum chassis built in the USA, this celebrated delay utilizes Strymon’s proprietary dTape technology to model three distinct tape machine configurations: Fixed (single playback head), Multi (multiple playback heads), and Single (sliding record head)—each offering three sub-modes for endless rhythmic echo possibilities. Dedicated controls for Time, Mix, Tape Age, Repeats, and Wow & Flutter provide intuitive tone shaping, while secondary "hidden" knobs unlock deep parameters including Tape Crinkle, Tape Bias, Low End Contour, integrated Spring Reverb, and a +/- 3dB output boost or cut. It even includes a Sound on Sound looper mode featuring instant tape splice and bulk erase functions.
Sound Design
Hand crafted dTape algorithms deliver meticulous and nuanced recreations of tape echo systems.
- Three tape machines in one
- Fixed (one fixed playback head), Multi (multiple playback heads), and Single (sliding record head)
Each tape machine has three modes for extremely flexible echo options
- Five tape adjustment and tone shaping knobs
- Time, Mix, Tape Age, Repeats, Wow & Flutter
- Five "hidden" knobs for extensive tone tweaking
- Tape Crinkle, Tape Bias, Low End Contour, Spring Reverb, +/- 3dB Boost/Cut
Sound on Sound mode with instant tape splice and bulk erase. A built-in tape-style looper!
In, Outs, Switches
Stereo output
High impedance mono input (internal jumper enables selectable TRS stereo input)
Expression pedal input with selectable control over any knob parameter
Connect our optional Favorite switch to save a favorite preset
Tap Tempo and Bypass footswitches
Audio Quality
Ultra low noise, high performance 24-bit 96kHz A/D and D/A converters
115dB typical signal to noise
Analog dry path for a zero latency dry signal that is never converted to digital
Premium analog front end and output section
Super high performance DSP in a compact form factor
More
True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching)
Selectable "trails" mode with high quality Analog Buffered Bypass
Press and hold Tap for instant infinite repeats
Powered with a standard 9V center negative DC supply. 250mA minimum
Strong and lightweight gunmetal gray anodized aluminum chassis
Crafted with love in the USA
Warranty
This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Returns
Try Before You Buy: take it home, commit only when it's right. Program details →
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Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC
Come hear it in our control rooms.
Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.