After using the El Cap in my recordings for the last few months I have found that even though there are other good tape delays out there, The El Cap just does this thickening thing at any setting that I can't get out of other pedals... So good. You sound great as always John!
5:48 there's a secondary setting for tape crinkle and possibly one for bias too. Most people seem to miss it and comment, as you have, about the modulation even when it should be "clean". It might be that there was a little bit of that engaged. You'd think it wouldn't be on out of the box though 🤷
That fast crinkle/wobble in the repeats was my least favorite sound until I found to adjust it in the secondary functions(my least favorite part of Strymon even though I own and love them.) I came to comment on this very thing, Cheers!
I just saw a video on this, the secondary function for the degradation Crinkle and Wobble is under Wow and flutter knob, hold the 2 buttons down and adjust the Crink and Wob, at Max it will sound pretty Wacky/very degraded tape. If that is on at all it could make your preset sound pretty crummy.
And this is why fully familiarizing yourself with a pedal before making a video instead of just cranking out content is important.. But I wouldn’t expect this from John
I’ve had my El Cap for around 10 years. I always have at least 2 delays on my board and ‘the other’ delay gets swapped regularly. I can’t imagine ever moving it on. The Sound on Sound mode is glorious too.
You have quickly become a 'Go To' for me. I just love your playing style and thought process. Great lessons and tones! I picked up a Strymon recently in my gear life and was shocked. 2 more have ended up on my board in short time.
The El Capistan v1 is the only delay on my board, and I love it. I enjoy the way it stays out of the way while still being present. Super clean delays have never been my thing though, so I can see how it would be disappointing for someone looking for something more pristine.
Stumbled across your channel and felt compelled to write a comment to say thanks for all your hard work sharing your knowledge with us. Much appreciated content on things I search for help with. Fantastic skills too. Cheers
Tape Delay is my favorite delay type. I have to say the HX spoiled me for stereo tape delay options; it’s been hard to find something in pedal form with that wide spread. The El Cap is high up on my list. Bonus: it’s Jamie Stillman’s (of Earthquaker Devices) favorite delay pedal. So there’s that.
Like many players, I've had dozens of iterations of pedalboards. I've probably owned 5 El Caps through the years. I would try 'the flavor of the month' - but always came back to the El Cap. There's a rich character to it that I haven't heard in other delays. I play strictly plugins now - but if I ever went back to modular gear, the El Cap would be the first pedal I'd buy.
The Spring used to be one of the Secondary functions with version 1. The degradation Crinckle and Wobble are the secondary of Wow and Flutter knob hold the 2 buttons down and adjust that knob, to clean it up turn the knob to minimum counter Clockwise setting.
I have the V1. Had it since one of Pete’s first videos. Inspiring. Don’t know about your V2 but the secondary functions on V1 add to the distortion and, yes: it came with a bit of it on, right out of the box. I can get a crystal clear tape delay with mine. Hopefully still the same w V2. I used to have an original Roland Space Echo which I loved. El Cap does it beautifully AND you can add tape degradation to the sound, which is something I used to joke w my friends about wanting to do. Sound on sound is fun and very cool when you get the hang of it. But my main use is a basic subtle on the Favorite switch and more complex settings on the main unit
This sounds fantastic. Looking forward to the video on the Brig. I have that and it replaced my big box dmm and dm2 combo. It has a real gluing effect that I like a lot.
Great demo vid (as usual) so thanks for that. I like Strymon - Deco, Flint, Big Sky in the studio but this one looks like a contender. I have been using the TC Electronic Alter Ego for quite a while but this sounds great. I love tape delay - used to use the WEM Copicat live in the 70s (constantly splicing my own loops) and also the Roland Space Echo for a bit - there's just something organic about the tape thing. I have a nice TCE Flashback Triple Delay which is also great for cleaner stuff, not 'anti digital' by any means . . . cheers.
Strymon's tape delays are fantastic, I can appreciate the (relative) simplicity, smaller size and price of this unit will be the sweet spot for many people. However, for me, Volante just takes the whole thing to another level. Looking forward to your playing and opinions on the Ultraviolet.
El Capistan was a staple on my rig for a while. But Now I got rid of the El Cap and the Flint to make room for the HX Stomp. I get my reverb and delay from there and have the added benefit of amp sims when I need them. I try to use the Transistor Tape delay in the HX stomp to mimick my go to settings on the El Capistan, but I do still like the El Capistan better. The low end of the El Cap is less muddy, so it seems to mix much better. Also the mix level seems to need adjustment in every venue, so I do miss being able to simply bend down and tweak it mid song or roll the knob with my foot when needed.
Just bought a used one from my big home studio board, and love it already (I also have a Nemesis which is fantastic but lately I want simpler) any tips on how to get my fly rig to sound as good (line 6 hex stomp)?
The tape delay on the specular tempus is also fukn amazing, you should def check it out if you haven't. That being said, I'm not using it rn because an LVX has basically kicked everything off my board.. Great vid as always.. 👍🏼
It's clear that Strymon makes some awesome sounding pedals. I wonder if their pedals have features not found in other Effect Units, or Modelers, or if they're capitalizing on the challenges in combining the right settings to achieve the beautiful results they get, and program those into Presets. 🤷 I'm guessing it's more of the latter, particularly if something like a Reverb-Delay combination also includes some modulation, and other irregular elements. That is 4 distinct elements, and may require 2 or more Effects in a Line 6 unit to come close to emulating. I believe the HX Stomp has a DL4, and other Presets that combine 2 Effects. Not sure about the HX One does? It will be an interesting challenge to see how close you can get, along with the knowledge, skills, and time to do so. Sometimes it's more practical to just buy a quick solution, if you can afford it.
Much as I like those Strymon pedals, I'm not sure why you would be comparing them to a (an?) HX One? I'm looking at/thinking about an (a?) HX One and the alternatives for me are the TC Plethora (X3 really) or the Boss GTKCore (which would also replace the DD-500 on my board too .. a pedal I'd leave on there with either the HX One or X3) .. and by extension, I might consider the HX Stomp (as an FX pedal, same way I'd use the GTKcore ..) For me, the question is: "Is the pitch shifting stuff in the HX One enough of a step up on the others to overcome the can-only-use-one-effect-at-a-time limitation?" .. I'm not thinking about delays at all in the HX One I must admit ..
Hey Jon! Your videos have been an inspiration but on this video I think you may should have dove into the secondary functions of the pedal to really Taylor the over all sound to your liking!
This is THE tape delay. Been using it for years and it never fails me tone-wise and durability-wise. Also, I pair it with an EP style preamp/boost if I really want that Echoplex tone like those of EJ’s stuff 😊
@@sgall161 hey there, yes before the El Cap, just like how the real Echoplex would place it internally in its schematics. I use the Chase Tone Secret Preamp pedal for it.
Agree with you that HX and Fractal don’t stack up with this. Fractal perhaps gives you the ability to do it with the depth of control, but the average person won’t know enough to get there. Same with the reverbs. All these years later and companies are still struggling to catch up to Strymon on delays and reverbs.
Hey John, just wanted to say I have no issue with you posting videos. I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s good you’re here
After using the El Cap in my recordings for the last few months I have found that even though there are other good tape delays out there, The El Cap just does this thickening thing at any setting that I can't get out of other pedals... So good. You sound great as always John!
V1 or V2?
@@ZephyrCrypto v1
5:48 there's a secondary setting for tape crinkle and possibly one for bias too. Most people seem to miss it and comment, as you have, about the modulation even when it should be "clean". It might be that there was a little bit of that engaged. You'd think it wouldn't be on out of the box though 🤷
That fast crinkle/wobble in the repeats was my least favorite sound until I found to adjust it in the secondary functions(my least favorite part of Strymon even though I own and love them.) I came to comment on this very thing, Cheers!
Same here. Mentioned it in my comment too
I just saw a video on this, the secondary function for the degradation Crinkle and Wobble is under Wow and flutter knob, hold the 2 buttons down and adjust the Crink and Wob, at Max it will sound pretty Wacky/very degraded tape. If that is on at all it could make your preset sound pretty crummy.
And this is why fully familiarizing yourself with a pedal before making a video instead of just cranking out content is important.. But I wouldn’t expect this from John
I’ve had my El Cap for around 10 years. I always have at least 2 delays on my board and ‘the other’ delay gets swapped regularly. I can’t imagine ever moving it on. The Sound on Sound mode is glorious too.
You have quickly become a 'Go To' for me. I just love your playing style and thought process. Great lessons and tones! I picked up a Strymon recently in my gear life and was shocked. 2 more have ended up on my board in short time.
The El Capistan v1 is the only delay on my board, and I love it. I enjoy the way it stays out of the way while still being present. Super clean delays have never been my thing though, so I can see how it would be disappointing for someone looking for something more pristine.
Stumbled across your channel and felt compelled to write a comment to say thanks for all your hard work sharing your knowledge with us. Much appreciated content on things I search for help with.
Fantastic skills too.
Cheers
Tape Delay is my favorite delay type. I have to say the HX spoiled me for stereo tape delay options; it’s been hard to find something in pedal form with that wide spread. The El Cap is high up on my list. Bonus: it’s Jamie Stillman’s (of Earthquaker Devices) favorite delay pedal. So there’s that.
Like many players, I've had dozens of iterations of pedalboards. I've probably owned 5 El Caps through the years. I would try 'the flavor of the month' - but always came back to the El Cap.
There's a rich character to it that I haven't heard in other delays. I play strictly plugins now - but if I ever went back to modular gear, the El Cap would be the first pedal I'd buy.
You can get rid of the ”dirt” and ”imperfections” with the secondary functions.
Dig and Elcap in stereo is where the magic happens
The Spring used to be one of the Secondary functions with version 1. The degradation Crinckle and Wobble are the secondary of Wow and Flutter knob hold the 2 buttons down and adjust that knob, to clean it up turn the knob to minimum counter Clockwise setting.
I have the V1. Had it since one of Pete’s first videos. Inspiring.
Don’t know about your V2 but the secondary functions on V1 add to the distortion and, yes: it came with a bit of it on, right out of the box. I can get a crystal clear tape delay with mine. Hopefully still the same w V2.
I used to have an original Roland Space Echo which I loved. El Cap does it beautifully AND you can add tape degradation to the sound, which is something I used to joke w my friends about wanting to do.
Sound on sound is fun and very cool when you get the hang of it. But my main use is a basic subtle on the Favorite switch and more complex settings on the main unit
Nothing beats El Cap.
This sounds fantastic. Looking forward to the video on the Brig. I have that and it replaced my big box dmm and dm2 combo. It has a real gluing effect that I like a lot.
I can see a few hours going by pretty quickly with this pedal. A nice sounding pedal for sure, with a good amount of help from JNC.
Great demo vid (as usual) so thanks for that. I like Strymon - Deco, Flint, Big Sky in the studio but this one looks like a contender. I have been using the TC Electronic Alter Ego for quite a while but this sounds great. I love tape delay - used to use the WEM Copicat live in the 70s (constantly splicing my own loops) and also the Roland Space Echo for a bit - there's just something organic about the tape thing. I have a nice TCE Flashback Triple Delay which is also great for cleaner stuff, not 'anti digital' by any means . . . cheers.
Strymon's tape delays are fantastic, I can appreciate the (relative) simplicity, smaller size and price of this unit will be the sweet spot for many people. However, for me, Volante just takes the whole thing to another level. Looking forward to your playing and opinions on the Ultraviolet.
El Capistan was a staple on my rig for a while. But Now I got rid of the El Cap and the Flint to make room for the HX Stomp. I get my reverb and delay from there and have the added benefit of amp sims when I need them.
I try to use the Transistor Tape delay in the HX stomp to mimick my go to settings on the El Capistan, but I do still like the El Capistan better. The low end of the El Cap is less muddy, so it seems to mix much better.
Also the mix level seems to need adjustment in every venue, so I do miss being able to simply bend down and tweak it mid song or roll the knob with my foot when needed.
Exactly why I just got one despite enjoying the portability of hx stomp xl
Can't wait to see the other videos on strymon dig
Just bought a used one from my big home studio board, and love it already (I also have a Nemesis which is fantastic but lately I want simpler) any tips on how to get my fly rig to sound as good (line 6 hex stomp)?
Great demo, John.
The tape delay on the specular tempus is also fukn amazing, you should def check it out if you haven't. That being said, I'm not using it rn because an LVX has basically kicked everything off my board..
Great vid as always.. 👍🏼
I'm surprised you hadn't already given this pedal a spin! It's a modern classic with so much depth and sound variety.
It's clear that Strymon makes some awesome sounding pedals. I wonder if their pedals have features not found in other Effect Units, or Modelers, or if they're capitalizing on the challenges in combining the right settings to achieve the beautiful results they get, and program those into Presets. 🤷
I'm guessing it's more of the latter, particularly if something like a Reverb-Delay combination also includes some modulation, and other irregular elements. That is 4 distinct elements, and may require 2 or more Effects in a Line 6 unit to come close to emulating.
I believe the HX Stomp has a DL4, and other Presets that combine 2 Effects. Not sure about the HX One does? It will be an interesting challenge to see how close you can get, along with the knowledge, skills, and time to do so. Sometimes it's more practical to just buy a quick solution, if you can afford it.
Much as I like those Strymon pedals, I'm not sure why you would be comparing them to a (an?) HX One? I'm looking at/thinking about an (a?) HX One and the alternatives for me are the TC Plethora (X3 really) or the Boss GTKCore (which would also replace the DD-500 on my board too .. a pedal I'd leave on there with either the HX One or X3) .. and by extension, I might consider the HX Stomp (as an FX pedal, same way I'd use the GTKcore ..)
For me, the question is: "Is the pitch shifting stuff in the HX One enough of a step up on the others to overcome the can-only-use-one-effect-at-a-time limitation?" .. I'm not thinking about delays at all in the HX One I must admit ..
Hey Jon! Your videos have been an inspiration but on this video I think you may should have dove into the secondary functions of the pedal to really Taylor the over all sound to your liking!
This is THE tape delay. Been using it for years and it never fails me tone-wise and durability-wise. Also, I pair it with an EP style preamp/boost if I really want that Echoplex tone like those of EJ’s stuff 😊
What EP booster do you use? Curious. You have it placed before El Cap?
@@sgall161 hey there, yes before the El Cap, just like how the real Echoplex would place it internally in its schematics. I use the Chase Tone Secret Preamp pedal for it.
@@jan_07 Thanks a mill for the info. Appreciate it
Agree with you that HX and Fractal don’t stack up with this. Fractal perhaps gives you the ability to do it with the depth of control, but the average person won’t know enough to get there. Same with the reverbs. All these years later and companies are still struggling to catch up to Strymon on delays and reverbs.
If you want to have some real fun, the Sound on Sound is awesome. I've have the original one for ages.
Waiting for the small format of the El Cap.
This pedal would be perfect if you could split the tape heads left/right
Yea, I like that feature on my Volante.
I still will take the Transistor Tape on my Stomp or Helix. That Strymon is not worth 400. Rarely are they. With exception to the Iridium.
"Casually whips out a machete"
02:21 massive knife; overkill for opening a box; still struggles.
Comment. Looks like 100k subs is near
Instant John Martyn….what’s not love?
🤘👍🏿 Um, that knife….?
dude what's up with the crocodile dundee knife? HAHA Love the channel.
Good lord, why are you opening your mail with a long sword lol.
Box cutter? No! Now, this is a box cutter!
I sold mine, and it was one of the rather bad ideas. To me the sweetest delay of all, sweet but also pronounced. Need another one….
Is that machete even legal? 😂
When you say 'PRO', do you mean billionaire? Coz, you need to own all the whisky in Scotland to be able to afford a Strymon.
I didn’t know you need to be a billionaire to buy a $400 pedal.