El Capistan

Evocative Echoes

Feed audio into El Capistan, and all the warm and distinctive qualities and subtle nuances of vintage tape echo instantly combine to create an unmistakable atmosphere. Everything from classic slapback echoes to psychedelic feedback explorations have stunning richness and depth, responding to each note and each turn of a knob in a musically-inspiring way. Turn up the repeats for organic delay feedback with just the right amount of grit, or dial in some spring reverb to further enhance the sense of space.

Magnetic Personalities

El Capistan provides three different tape machine types, each with extensive control over tape quality, machine health and tone shaping, all controlled by an intuitive user interface.

Go from the higher fidelity of a fresh-from-the-factory echo machine all the way to the heavily fluctuating sound of a road-worn unit in need of service, employing the full-bodied sound of fresh stock or the dark, gnarled and vibey qualities of worn out tape wherever you need them.

• Single Mode - The Single Moving head tape machine runs the tape at a fixed speed, while the Time knob sets the delay time by adjusting the position of a sliding record head. This machine allows you to run the tape motor at double speed for higher fidelity with shorter delay times, or at normal speed for lower fidelity with longer delay times.

• Fixed Mode - The Single Fixed head tape machine creates a classic delay effect with tape speed controlled via the Time knob. Select between three playback heads, each a specific distance from the record head for a specific delay interval. Choose Head 1 for a short delay with 1/16 note time division, Head 2 for medium delay with dotted 1/8 note time division, and (C) long delay with 1/4 note time division.

• Multi Mode - The Multi Fixed head tape machine has the same three playback heads as the fixed version, but uses two of the three playback heads simultaneously to create rhythmic delays that groove with one another. The Heads knob selects which combination of playback heads are active, while the Time knob adjusts tape speed.

Spring Reverb

Some classic tape echo machines came with small integrated spring reverb tanks tuned for limited bandwidth. For El Capistan, they captured this vintage vibe while creating a spring reverb algorithm with a gorgeous and gentle character that stands on its own, in addition to enhancing delayed signals.

Use it to add subtle space and dimension to your delays at lower settings, or turn it up for big, splashy waves of old-school spring reverb. Just want reverb? Turn the Mix knob to minimum to hear only your reverberated signal without any echo.

Features

• Hand crafted dTape algorithms for meticulous and nuanced recreations of tape echo systems

• Three tape machines in one: Single Moving (sliding record head) Single Fixed (one fixed playback head), and Multi Fixed (multiple fixed playback heads)

• Head and Note Value division options for each tape machine for highly flexible echo options

• Independent Spring reverb

• Tape Age, Tape Crinkle, Bias, and Wow & Flutter controls to provide everything from pristine tape repeats to worn and wobbly artifacts

• Low End Contour to shape the repeats’ low frequencies, allowing them to fit in the mix

• Adjustable Repeats and Instant Infinite and Single options for easy manipulation of delay repeats

• Tempo Sync, Tap, and Free modes for full control of delay times

• Fully adjustable plugin Input and Output levels with metering and clip indication

• Resizable plugin user interface with selectable window sizes

• Integrated help tip pop-ups on demand

• A set of factory presets included

Mac:

• macOS Catalina  11.6.4 and higher (macOS 14.x excluded)
• Apple M1 or Intel® Core™ i5 Processor
• 64 bit
• RAM: 8GB

Windows:

• Windows 10 or higher
• Intel Core i5 processor or AMD Processor
• 64 bit
• RAM: 8GB