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Ever modest, Catalinbread describes their Tribute Low-gain Overdrive / VariOboost as “a pedal that literally every guitarist needs.” While we get the sense they might be being somewhat facetious, after testing the Tribute out at Sweetwater, we discovered that it’s a stunningly touch-sensitive dirt pedal that’s worthy of a home on any OD fanatic’s board! The Tribute’s all-analog design is modeled after an earlier Catalinbread favorite, the VariOboost, to offer an exceptionally high-headroom drive engine coupled with a one-band parametric EQ for incredible tone-shaping possibilities. From powerful low-end rhythm crunch to sparkly boosted leads on the cusp of breaking up, the Catalinbread Tribute is a uniquely simple-yet-powerful spin on the OD formula.

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Review by bonedo

Tribute

Das Catalinbread Reverb-Pedal hat das gleichnamige Programm des Yamaha FX500 Multieffektgeräts aus den 90er-Jahren zum Vorbild. Maßgeblichen Anteil hatte dieser Ambient-Reverb am Sound der britischen Band Slowdive auf ihrem Album Souvlaki, das heute unter Fans des sogenannten Shoegaze-Stils als absoluter Klassiker gilt. Und das, obwohl die Signalqualität des FX500 laut diverser Aussagen im Netz mit heutigen Maßstäben nicht mithalten kann.

With its roots in that patch, the Catalinbread Soft Focus is intended to be an instant shoegaze button, while addressing the most glaring issues of the original unit: no mix control, a sub-par preamp, and a ghastly tone-sucking bypass signal. At its heart, the Soft Focus is a heavily modified plate reverb with adjustable time, which is subsequently split into three paths. One path contains a multi-voiced chorus modulator, another features a well-appointed octave-up mixed in with the reverb, and the third path leaves the reverb untouched.

Note - The Soft Focus runs from 9 to 18 volts using a standard DC center-negative power supply for pedals. Make sure you’re using a supply that provides at least 100mA. Running the Soft Focus at 9V will sound great, but if you want a bit more output, a dry signal boost and increased headroom, try any voltage you like up to 18V! The Soft Focus does not run on batteries.

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Review by Premier Guitar

Review by Bonedo 

Manual

Soft Focus Reverb

Der Catalinbread CSIDMAN entstammt dem Gedanken, dass technische Entwicklungen nur selten direkt vom Erkennen eines Problems zu dessen endgültiger Lösung führen. In der Regel passiert das in vielen Zwischenschritten, von denen viele zu ihrer Zeit als Nonplusultra gelten, bis sie der Fortschritt wieder überholt. Die Schallplatte beispielsweise hat trotz ihrer Unzulänglichkeiten der Musik im letzten Jahrhundert zum wirtschaftlichen Erfolg verholfen. Und mit der Erfindung des Magnetbandes war es möglich, sie jederzeit und relativ einfach aufzunehmen – oder zum Beispiel in Echogeräten für den entsprechenden Effekt zu sorgen. Und genau dort setzt Catalinbread an: So wie die Schallplatte für viele immer noch als das natürlichste und authentischste Medium gilt, so schwören auch nicht wenige von uns heute noch bei ihren Aufnahmen auf die alten Bandechos, und das trotz, oder gerade wegen derer Unzulänglichkeiten. Warum also nicht ein Effektgerät kreieren, das unter anderem die Artefakte reproduziert, für die das Nachfolgemedium der Schallplatte, die CD, gefürchtet war?

Yes, it's digital. Did I stutter? What are the artifacts of antiquated technologies that have merit in a musical context? Why can't we create a pedal that intentionally embraces technological limitations that musicians haven't widely utilized?
I see technology as the optimistic push through the limitations of existing paradigms: limitations in materials, processes, functionality, cost, and foresight. With each spearhead of technology, the limitations of incumbents are resolved. All too often, a slew of new issues are introduced that the marketplace is willing to overlook, at least for a short period of time. It isn’t too long before the marketplace demands better, and is willing to abandon the past and pay for the next-generation solution.

Review by GEARNEWS 

Review by bonedo 

CSIDMAN

Das Catalinbread Topanga emuliert das legendäre Fender 6G15 Federhallgerät, welches quasi die Mutter des Surfsounds und der Soundtracks aller Spaghetti-Western ist. Teil der Magie dieses Hallgerätes war der Umstand, dass es in der Regel vorgeschaltet wurde was schnell dazu führte, dass das Hallsignal verzerrte und noch intensiver klang. Dieser Effekt ist heutzutage nicht so leicht zu reproduzieren, aber Catlinbread hat es mit einem zusätzlichen Preamp tatsächlich geschafft!

The outboard Fender 6G15 spring reverb unit is the sound of Surf guitar, Spaghetti Western and many other great guitar sounds from the sixties. Part of its magic, and how it differs from the internal spring reverb found in most Fender-style amps, is that it is run *in front* of the amp, causing the reverb signal to distort and sound more intense. Because there were additional knobs on the outboard units, you also have more control over the reverb qualities. The Dwell knob controlled how hard the springs were getting hit by the guitar signal. The Tone knob allowed the treble to be dialed back to just the right degree of brightness. It was also essentially a tube preamp, so it would color the sound going into the amp. All this added up to a very distinctive reverb sound with a lot of attitude and complex non-linearities that are hard to replicate. But we here at Catalinbread did just that! Besides giving you the classic three knob control compliment of the original, we’ve also added a great discrete preamp that you can control via the Volume knob for a healthy amount of great clean boost when you want it

Catalinbread Product Page 

Topanga

Exact EP-3 circuitry, from the 22 volt power rail, to the JFET preamp (later spec), to the mixer stage, to the high gain silicon transistor based record and playback amplifiers, to the feedback loop. All circuitry is faithfully reproduced and fine-tuned from the original EP-3 specifications. The only thing missing are the record and playback heads, with a 24-bit high-fidelity digital delay line taking the place of the tape.

All-discrete, through-hole construction with orange drop 225P capacitors, carbon composition resistors, germanium diodes, and other premium parts.

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