Catalinbread has once again pushed the boundaries of guitar effects with the release of the Soft Focus Deluxe. This pedal takes the iconic shoegaze sound to new heights, offering a comprehensive suite of effects and controls that will inspire endless sonic exploration.
A Nod to the Past, A Leap into the Future
The Soft Focus Deluxe pays homage to the legendary Yamaha FX500, a rackmount unit that played a pivotal role in shaping the shoegaze genre. By incorporating the essential elements of the iconic “Soft Focus” patch, Catalinbread has captured the essence of this classic sound and elevated it to new levels.
It updates the 2022 Soft Focus and Soft Focus Gold, adding delay, more patches, and more control via an external expression pedal or tap-tempo switch.
- Catalinbread Soft Focus Gold at Thomann
- Catalinbread Soft Focus Deluxe at Andertons
- Catalinbread Soft Focus Deluxe at Thomann
Souvlaki
Slowdive used the original Yamaha rack unity to record the Souvlaki so that this new deluxe pedal will get you in that ballpark.
Core Features of the Soft Focus Deluxe:
- Versatile Delay: The Deluxe model introduces a fully-featured delay function, allowing you to craft intricate rhythmic patterns and expansive reverb tails.
- Integrated Distortion: A foot-switchable op-amp distortion circuit provides a wide range of tonal options, from subtle overdrive to heavy, saturated textures.
- Expressive Control: A multi-function jack offers flexibility, enabling expression pedal control for dynamic parameter adjustments or tap tempo for precise delay timing.
- Six Unique Programs: Dive into a world of sonic possibilities with six distinct programs, each offering unique tonal characteristics.
- Premium Build Quality: Catalinbread’s renowned build quality ensures durability and reliability, making the Soft Focus Deluxe a worthy investment for any guitarist.
The Future of Shoegaze Tone
Series Mode
The Mix control’s dry signal is taken after the input preamp, resulting in a slight volume increase across its range. While the dry signal will never be quieter than the input signal, it may experience a slight volume bump depending on the settings, even when the pedal is bypassed.
Switch Pop
To accommodate bass players, the Soft Focus Deluxe uses larger capacitors. When first plugged in, these capacitors take a moment to charge, causing a brief “pop” sound. This is normal and will cease after a few cycles of turning the pedal on and off.
Infinite Reverb and Buffered Bypass
Program 2 offers nearly infinite reverb. However, due to the pedal’s buffered bypass design, the reverb tail will persist even after bypassing the pedal. To eliminate the reverb trail, adjust the reverb time setting.
Guitar Bomb Verdict
The Soft Focus Deluxe is more than just a regular reverb/delay pedal; it’s a gateway to a world of sonic shoegaze-style exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned guitarist or a newcomer to the shoegaze genre, this pedal offers unparalleled control and sonic diversity.
We would compare it closely to the Keeley Loomer, which has a similar feature set. If you love the shoegaze sound, then be sure to read our 30 Years My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless article.
Are you ready to enhance your guitar tone? The Catalinbread Soft Focus Deluxe is available now.
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