Catalinbread Hocus Focus Ghost: Spooky Shoegaze Reverb
Catalinbread's Hocus Focus Ghost swaps modulation for a haunting phase-shift algorithm. Only 50 units shipping November.
The original Catalinbread Soft Focus is already a firm favorite around here for capturing that quintessential ‘90s shoegaze magic—perfect for dialing in those massive My Bloody Valentine or Smashing Pumpkins textures. But just in time for Halloween, Catalinbread has resurrected this pedalboard essential with a terrifyingly good twist.
Enter the Hocus Focus Ghost—a limited-edition spooky stompbox that swaps out the standard symphony modulation for something a little more supernatural.
If your current reverb is lacking a certain poltergeist quality, this is the upgrade you didn’t know you needed. It’s scary how good this circuit sounds.
A Haunting New Algorithm
While the original Soft Focus faithfully recreated the famed Yamaha FX500 patch, the Hocus Focus Ghost conjures up a completely different vibe by replacing the standard 'Symph' circuit with a new 'Ghost' control.
- Ghost: Adds a non-traditional phase-shifting algorithm. Instead of gooey modulation that completely overtakes your signal, this acts as a ghostly enhancement tool to haunt the edges of your tone.
- Mod: This knob now functions as a master depth control for all modulation.
- Verb: Controls the decay time for the reverb, taking you from a small crypt to an endless, cavernous abyss.
- Vol: Adds a bit of gain to the dry signal pre-effect. You can even use it as a clean boost when bypassed in buffer/trails mode.
- Mix: A wet/dry blend. Crank it all the way up for 100% wet, spirit-world saturation.
Only 50 Being Summoned
For full shoegaze saturation, Catalinbread recommends maxing out all the knobs and adjusting the mix to taste—but the controls remain highly interactive for a versatile sonic palette. Like its predecessor, it runs from standard 9V up to 18V for increased headroom and a bolder output.
You'll need to act faster than a vampire at sunrise, though. Catalinbread is only making 50 of these limited-edition units, and they are set to ship in late November.
Grab one before they vanish into the ether over at Catalinbread's website.
The regular Catalinbread Soft Focus editions are also available now at dealers worldwide.
- +Unique phase-shift Ghost algorithm haunts tone edges
- +Interactive controls for versatile sonic palette
- +9V–18V operation for flexible headroom
- +Clean boost capability via Vol knob
- +Excellent for shoegaze and ambient textures
- −Only 50 units available—extremely limited
- −No official retail pricing provided
- −Requires fast action to secure
What's the main difference between Hocus Focus Ghost and the original Soft Focus?
The Ghost replaces the standard Symph modulation circuit with a new phase-shifting algorithm that enhances tone edges without overwhelming the signal. The Mod knob now controls overall modulation depth rather than a specific effect.
How many Hocus Focus Ghost pedals is Catalinbread making?
Only 50 units are being produced as a limited-edition run, shipping in late November.
Can I use this as a clean boost?
Yes. The Vol knob adds gain to the dry signal, and you can use the pedal as a clean boost when bypassed in buffer or trails mode.
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