Catalinbread Epoch Bias and Soft Focus pedals revamped
Catalinbread Epoch Bias and Soft Focus get new features and look for 2024. With new preamp controls and a new gold reverb finish
The Catalinbread Epoch Bias and Soft Focus pedals have had some subtle updates for 2024.
Catalinbread Epoch Bias
The Catalinbread Epoch Bias is an updated version of the Epoch Boost and adds a few new controls to the design. Based on the preamp section of the Maestro EP-3 Echoplex, it is a boost effect that many guitarists utilize to get great tones.
2024 Updates
The new 2024 version now has an added bias control that allows the simulation of the behavior of out-of-spec components, along with a new filter control. The latter simulates the “early” and “later” circuits, simulating early to later and beyond, with a tasteful hi-cut. MSRP - $189
Catalinbread Soft Focus Gold
Then, there is a new look for the Soft Focus, a pedal version of the Yamaha FX500 rack units of the '80s. The new Soft Focus Gold comes in a new finish and ditches the lurid green and black color scheme for a more subtle black and gold aesthetic.
The Shoegaze Reverb
It is the Shoegaze reverb effect used by many bands; bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Ride defined the style of music. The Soft Focus is a heavily modified plate reverb with an adjustable time, split into three paths. One path contains a multi-voiced chorus modulator, another features an octave-up mixed in with the reverb, and the last path leaves the reverb untouched. The Mod knob controls the rate of the chorus on path one. Next, the Symphony knob then controls the level of the octave on path two.
Fixing old issues for Shoegaze excess
It also fixes many issues with the old Yamaha rack units, including a better-sounding preamplifier. Catalinbread has addressed the previous vintage '80s tech bypass issues with their inherent signal loss. Therefore, the pedal version is far more pedalboard-friendly, though not an exact clone. MSRP - $225
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