Review: Strymon El Capistan plugin and Strymon DIG plugin

Strymon presents two new plugins for delay fans. Check out the review of the Strymon El Capistan plugin and the Strymon DIG plugin. Not only for guitarists.

Strymon El capistan PluginThe new Strymon El Capistan plugin and the Strymon DIG plugin have been created to make the hearts of delay fans around the world beat faster.

As most delay lovers will know, the sound of the Strymon DIG is based on two different digital rack delays, while the El Capistan emulates the sounds of tape delays. The range extends from single-head to multi-head tape echo. The two classic pedals are now also available as digital plugins, which makes recording in the (home) studio much easier. In the past, Strymon was able to impress with a software version of the Deco and the Big Sky and now we want to take a closer look at these new plugins.

Strymon El Capistan plugin

Visually, the design of the Strymon El Capistan plugin is really well done and if you already know the hardware effect pedal, you will immediately feel familiar with it. In the upper part of the user interface, the input and output of the virtual effects device can be set – visually displayed by an LED meter. By increasing the input, you can get a slight saturation if desired. But you can also create a very clean sound. Three silver icons on the right side make the configuration pretty easy. The eye symbol switches between a constantly displayed potentiometer with a range from 0 to 255, a display when you mouse over it, or it hides these settings completely. The question mark activates the user manual. The respective function is briefly described when you mouse over it.

The wheel icon leads to a submenu that, in addition to the software version and a tab for support information, also shows the operating system and CPU used, as well as the sample rate and the plugin settings. It is practical that the information can simply be copied to the clipboard if there is a technical problem. Like the eye symbol, the “Settings” tab switches the display of the set values. The display size of the plugin can also be set here. You can choose between a small, medium, large and very large view. So no one needs to bother with reading glasses here.

The color of the Strymon El Capistan plugin matches the elegant gray-black of the pedal finish and the white lettering of the hardware model can also be found here. Even the 9 virtual potentiometers correspond to the pedal and look very attractive.

There are three different tape echo machines to choose from and the design in the upper area of the user interface changes accordingly.

Strymon El Capistan plugin: The “Single Moving” delay

The “Single Moving” delay uses a single tape head and the delay time is set by moving the virtual tape head or by adjusting the time potentiometer, which is labeled “Tape Distance” here. This tape machine is sonically based on the Echoplex, and two different tape speeds can be set by using the buttons “Normal” and “Fast”. “Fast” not only bisects the delay time, but also changes the sound of the delays. The faster tape run creates a slightly clearer, fresher and more trebly sound. With “Normal Speed”, a few tape artefacts can be added, especially with longer delay times, which makes the sound very organic and three-dimensional.

Strymon El Capistan Delay Plugin

The maximum delay time in “Single Moving” mode ranges from 25 ms in “Fast Speed” mode and 50 ms in “Normal Speed” mode, up to 750 ms (“Fast Speed”) or 1500 ms (“Normal Speed”). All delay variants are possible, from a subtle slapback to a subtly mixed delay to thicken the sound to long and dark delays. The repeats have a wonderful dark character with longer delay times and short delay times create percussive and brighter delays. With “Wow & Flutter” and “Tape Crincle” natural modulations that sound really authentic can be added as well.

The “Single Fixed” delay of the Strymon El Capistan plugin

In the “Single Fixed” delay, you can switch between the three virtual tape heads by using a three-way switch. Depending on the tape head selected, this is of course presented visually in a very appealing way. The delay time of the three tape heads can be set from 75 ms, 225 ms and 300 ms to 375 ms, 1125 ms and 1500 ms. Each tape head offers a slightly different sound. The time potentiometer is not called “Tape Distance” here, but “Tape Speed”. So if you change the tape speed while playing, you get the start and stop sounds that are familiar from tape echoes, which you can easily integrate into your own songs. In this delay mode, I like to play with the tape bias to create a bit of dirt and reduced headroom. You can almost feel the vintage device. The guys from Strymon did a really great job.

The “Multi Fixed” delay of the delay plugin

The third delay can be used to activate several tape heads by selecting them either with the “Heads” selector switch or by clicking on the tape heads. There are the combinations 1 + 2, 2 + 3, 1 + 3 and 1 + 2 + 3. The speed is again set by using “Tape Speed” and the delay time of the individual tape heads can be set from 60 ms, 120 ms and 180 ms up to 300 ms, 600 ms and 900 ms. This allows you to create beautiful patterns with longer delay times and washed-out repeats with short delay times. Like a space echo, this multi-mode sounds very spatial and with a little additional reverb you can float away with the sound. With these three modes you have all the relevant tape delays covered.

El Capistan Digital Delay plugin: Tempo

The delay time can either be set freely by using the potentiometer, or of course it can also be synchronized or tapped by using the tap button. So if you like it very strict, you will be just as satisfied as if you are a fan of somewhat freer and more organic delays. In “Sync Mode” you can select the note values. If certain subdivisions are not possible due to the selected BPM because they would exceed the maximum delay time, they are highlighted in red.

The setting options of the El Capistan plugin

The lower part of the user interface is identical for all three tape echoes. There are 8 potentiometers to adjust the sound of the delay, or rather the quality of the tape and device. The options are called “Wow & Flutter”, “Tape Crincle”, “Low End Contour”, “Tape Age” and “Tape Bias”. These controls are used to fine-tune the basic sound and enrich it with random wow and flutter, crumpled tape, clipped bass, an older tape and a tape bias that is set too high (which can lead to slight distortion).

So everything is possible here, from a perfect tape machine with a fresh tape to a worn-out device with an ancient tape. The modulation naturally also depends on the tape speed, i.e. the delay time. The sound can wobble a lot, sound darker and the headroom can be limited. These controls are very sensitive.

There is also, of course, the “Repeats” potentiometer, as well as a “Mix” potentiometer and a potentiometer for the “Spring Reverb”.

The Strymon Spring Reverb is legendary in my opinion and gives the tape echo sound a wonderful breadth. It is very nice that the “Repeats” potentiometer has two small buttons, which can be used to deactivate the repeats if the echo gets out of hand and becomes too wild, and an infinity button, which turns the delay into a tape loop that can be played continuously. The sound of the loop changes over time due to the modulation settings. “Spring” and “Mix” have an additional lock button that can be used to determine the current setting so that it is not accidentally changed.

Strymon DIG plugin

The interface and the handling of the The Strymon DIG plugin is almost similar to the El Capistan plugin, but the color scheme changed from black to pink.

Strymon DIG plugin
The Strymon DIG is known to be the digital counterpart to the El Capistan and is dedicated to the sound of the digital rack delays of the 80s through to the modern digital delay sound. The three delay types “24/96”, “ADM” and “12 Bit” can be set using a virtual button.

In addition, the DIG, which combines two delays that can be configured in series, in parallel or as a ping pong delay. The basic sound can be adjusted by using the global controls for “Modulation”, “Tone” and “Dry Level”.

The two integrated delays are constructed in the same way and each provides a “Time” control for the delay time, which ranges from 20 ms to 1600 ms. In addition, there is the option of setting the tempo via tap tempo, sync or freely using a potentiometer. And you get a large display that shows the delay time in milliseconds or subdivisions, as well as a control for “Repeats” and “Level”.

So far it is quite easy to handle, but offers a lot of possibilities. You can use different delay times, which can either be set freely or synchronized with each other. With a different number of repeats, different volume ratios and individual routing, many other possibilities arise. Of course, the rhythmic delays of U2 and other stadium bands immediately come to mind here. With a little modulation, the signal becomes even more vivid and via the “Tone” potentiometer the delay can be integrated perfectly into the mix.

While the “24/96” reproduces the modern digital delay in high resolution and sounds the most neutral, “ADM” and “12 Bit” have a very nice grainy character and sound really vivid and three-dimensional. The Strymon DIG plugin really reproduces all the digital delay sounds you need and in great quality. I’m a big fan of the DIG and I particularly like the sound of the “ADM”. But the “12 Bit” delay, which has a slightly crisper attack, also sounds wonderfully. A real asset to any DAW.

Both Strymon plugins naturally have some very good factory presets that are great as a starting point for your own sounds. But experimenting yourself is of course much more fun. And they are not only for guitarists. They are also perfect for piano sounds and synth!

Strymon El Capistan plugin and DIG plugin: system requirements

Both the Strymon El Capistan plugin and the Strymon DIG plugin are available for MacOS (Monterey 12.7 / Intel®Core i5 or Apple M1) and Windows (Win10 / Intel®Core i5 processor or AMD multi-core processor) in AAX, VST3 and AU (MacOS only) formats. The computer should have at least 8 GB RAM. You also need an iLok account to activate the plugins. The price of the plugins is $79 for the standalone version and $99 for the Strymon Echo bundle version, which is actually an absolute no-brainer.

Conclusion

Years ago, Strymon effect pedals raised the standard of delay pedals to a new level and DAW users can finally enjoy using the El Capistan and the DIG without having to laboriously integrate hardware effects into the setup. The sound of both, the Strymon El Capistan plugin and the Strymon DIG plugin is absolutely brilliant and the two plugins cover all the sounds of digital delays and tape echoes. An absolute recommendation for fans of plugins. They are very easy to use, they are visually very appealing and sound great.

Strymon El Capistan Plugin Demo-Video

(Deutsch) Strymon El Capistan Plugin Demo-Video. Check out the brilliant sounds of the new plugin for your DAW.

The new Strymon El Capistan plugin is a pleasure for everyone who loves the El Capistan delay pedal and simplifies using the brilliant sounds in a DAW.

Immerse yourself in sounds in the “Single Fixed”, “Single Moving” and “Multi Fixed” modes. The setting options are extremely extensive and I am sure that everyone will find the right tape echo sound for themselves. This plugin is not only for guitarists. It is are also perfect for piano sounds and synth!

Check out the full review here.

Available on www.strymon.net/el-capistan-Plugin

Strymon DIG Plugin Demo-Video

Check out the demo video of the Strymon DIG plugin and read the complete review on DelayDude.de.

The Strymon DIG is known to be the digital counterpart to the El Capistan and is dedicated to the sound of the digital rack delays of the 80s through to the modern digital delay sound.

While the “24/96” reproduces the modern digital delay in high resolution and sounds the most neutral, “ADM” and “12 Bit” have a very nice grainy character and sound really vivid and three-dimensional.

This plugin is not only for guitarists. It is also perfect for piano sounds and synth!

Check out the full review here.

Available on www.strymon.net/dig-plugin.

Chase Bliss Onward – a sonic paradise in a pedal

The Chase Bliss Onward is a very special kind of glitch and ambient effects pedal. It was presented for the first time at this year’s Superbooth and the idea and sounds immediately appealed to me.

An absolute recommendation for fans of unusual glitch and freeze sounds. The Onward is more than the sum of the two effects. The interaction and the crazy error effects work differently depending on the sample size and always deliver new sounds. With the numerous hidden features, the effect pedal can be perfectly adapted to your own playing.

Check out the complete review here.

Workshop: SOMA Pulsar-23 with the guitar

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SOMA Pulsar-23 (screw) with a Guitar

In this video we use the screws version of the SOMA Pulsar-23 to find out how guitarists can use this wonderful device for their needs.

In the first sound file, I selected the BPF delay and controlled the feedback via a CV touch plate. This allows you to set accents and drive the delay into oscillation.

In the second sound example, I use the LFO to create the modulation that modulates the delay time. Since I connected the LFO to another CV plate, I can switch from a light chorus effect to a vibrato with the touch of a finger. At the same time, I play with the feedback part. Continue reading “SOMA Pulsar-23 (screw) with a Guitar”

Review: Polyend Tracker – A Groovebox with the unique workflow

Polyend Tracker Standalone The Polyend Tracker is fully dedicated to the original Tracker workflow. 8 tracks, which can each play a different tone, a different instrument and two effects per step, are more extensive than you might initially think. Continue reading “Review: Polyend Tracker – A Groovebox with the unique workflow”

Soma Cosmos Demo Video

SOMA CosmosThe SOMA Cosmos is a very special looper that reawakens creativity and the urge to play. He encourages sound experiments towards spherical sounds and inspiring variations and always conjures up new possibilities. Continue reading “Soma Cosmos Demo Video”

Behringer Model D with modulation guitar effect pedals

Check out how to use guitar modulation effect pedals like chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, wah and pitch shifter to create more vivid sounds with an anlog synthesizer like the Behringer Model D.

And if you like, check out, how to combine the Arturia MicroFreak with effect pedals like delay and reverb.

Arturia MicroFreak with delay effect pedals

In this video I want to show you how to combine a synthesizer like the Arturia MicroFreak with delay effect pedals for guitars as a little suggestion for sound experiments. This synthesis opens up completely new worlds of sound and can definitely expand the sonical horizon. Have fun trying.

 

Arturia MicroFreak with reverb pedals for guitars

In this second part of my two-part series, I would like to show you how you can combine a synthesizer like the Arturia MicroFreak with reverb effect pedals for guitars as a small suggestion for sound experiments. As already shown in the first part about the combination with delay pedals, this relationship can also open up completely new worlds of sound. Have fun trying.

JHS Pedals Packrat – All Sounds

This is a demo of all 9 sounds of the JHS Pedals Packrat accompanied by the comparison of the JHS sound with a original Proco Rat (1986).

Click here for an interview with Josh Scott, the super nice guy behind this pedal.

Meris LVX Modular Delay System – Filter Sounds

It took me a little while to get into the Meris LVX. This modular delay system offers almost unlimited possibilities. In this video, I’ve played around with a few filter options.

Demo Video: Eventide H90 Harmonizer vs. Strymon Volante

This is a comparison of two absolutely amazing pedals: The space head algorithm of the Eventide H90 Harmonizer compared to the Strymon Volante.
Both pedals can create multihead delays, have modulation and are perfect for gritty tape sounds.

0:37 darker delay with modulation
1:22 more gain, low cut
2:04 really dark delay
2:57 two tape heads activated
3:56 gritty delay

Moog Minitaur + EHX POG2 = Moog Sirin?

This is a video about how to simulate the lead sounds of the Moog Sirin by using the Moog Mintaur in combination with the EHX POG2.
The Moog Mintaur is a brilliant synth, which is famous for its perfect bass sounds. But, because of its construction, the range of the Minitaur is limited.
The Moog Sirin is an updated version of the Minitaur and offers a wider range that reaches lead sounds.
But do you have to go and get a Sirin right away? Check out this video and find out…