Strymon releases EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo distillation of the El Capistan

I’m a huge fan of Tape Delays, but typically Multi-Head varieties - like say the Roland / Boss Space Echo. In some ways this completes the Volante / El Capistan / EC-1 arc - as each of those devices offers up fewer overall features. I’ve said that this is really a distillation of the El Capistan - where that one had 3 key modes of operation - Fixed / Multi / Single - and this EC-1 is just the Single mode from the El Capistan really - with some variations.

Controls - Time (50ms-1000ms) [Tap Division : Triplet / Eighth / Dotted Eighth / Quarter, Rec Level : Low (+0dB), Med (+6dB), High (+12dB), Dry>Wet Mix, Tape Age (Wear / LPF), Repeats (Max @ 3 o’c before ∞ oscillation), Mechanics (Wow & Flutter), Hold Footswitch for Tap Tempo.

Rear Ports / Controls - TRS In, TRS Out, Mono/Stereo switch, USB-C, EXP/MIDI 1/4", 9V DC [-] 250mA

Others have commented on the fact that the El Capistan is just +$100 more vs the $279 of the EC-1. I guess each of these is tailored for a slightly different audience. I have the full fat Volante, and wouldn’t mind owning the smaller El Capistan version of that for a backup. As I mentioned - I really like the Multi-Head tape delay sounds, and would always prioritise those over just a single head. The fun with Tape Delays for me is really the rhythm of those 3 or 4 heads combined. Having just a single head doesn’t give you those cool fluttery rhythmic sounds.

This is the 4th of Strymon’s compact series. I still really rate the Cloudburst original release within this series, while subsequent releases have been less exciting for me - the Brig dBucket Delay and UltraViolet Vintage Vibe. I much prefer analog versions of those effects - like say the Flower Pedals Stereo Dahlia Analog Delay, and the DryBell Vibe Machine V3, or Formula B Vintage Vibe.

I’m not saying that Strymon is giving us diminishing returns here, but the 3 follow-up releases have not elicited the same excitement in me as the Cloudburst original which I have - I still feel that’s the standout in this series. The EC-1 - as with all Strymon effects - this one sounds pretty great, while it’s never going to be the perfect tape delay unit for me. It does as usual also have a tonne of secondary functions and hidden playback options. I guess if you want the best Single Head Tape Delay - then this is one of the very best. While Multi-Head fans - will need to look to the El Capistan, and Volante.

I don’t mind that we have a more compact distillation of the El Capistan sort of - but it’s the Multi-Head Mode on that which is the one I’m most interested in. The Single Head Mode holds minimal appeal for me! My understanding is that this is kind of a version of the EP-1 / 2 Echoplex.

I’ve seen a few of my friends pick up the UltraViolet and Brig - and there’s typically a healthy appetite for new Strymon pedals - while I’m not sure anyone was particularly holding out for this variety. The El Capistan is a far better proposition for me - even at $100 more.

The EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo should be widely available by now @ $279, and of course including on the Strymon Webstore.

Would be interesting to know who is considering picking one of these up and for which purposes?