Recently Alex Maiolo of Tape Op Magazine had a chance to spend some time with our El Capistan dTape Echo and blueSky reverberator. Here is what he had to say:

On Strymon:

“Strymon, while certainly being boutique, have unabashedly embraced the digital age – using modern technology to fix age-old problems and eliminate impossibilities. ”

“Fans of good design will notice that Strymon pedals are unique looking. They are beautiful and original, while still retaining the familiar qualities of good ol’ classic stompboxes. The layout is well thought out, and the construction is solid. The footprint is relatively small considering the controls but doesn’t seem crowded. All of the I/O is in the back panel, which is very handy if you have more than a few things on your board. I don’t think they could have done a much better job, aesthetically or functionally.”

On El Capistan:

“I went to both ends of the spectrum with these controls, which allowed me to hear what a machine new off the shelf probably would have sounded like, as well as one that was brought back into use after propping up a table for 30 years, with no servicing before powering up. After tailoring it to my needs, I used the unit for at least eight live shows with three different bands, and found it to be a joy to use, even under the pressure of a performance.”

“All in all, a fantastic, great sounding little box that delivers on its promise with no exceptions.”

On blueSky:

“The real reason to buy the blueSky is because it goes way beyond what other reverb pedals can do, almost into rack territory. When the left toggle is switched to Mod, a light chorus effect is added that is both subtle enough to not sound like you’re rehashing dated, ’80s sounds, but strong enough to add some interesting depth. It’s hard to describe what happens when the same switch is in Shimmer mode. As the reverb decays, harmonics develop and ‘bloom’ – the longer the decay setting, the more intense the harmonic development and overall effect. It’s very unique, usable, and can take things in an almost synthy direction.”

Check out the full review below: