The next step in shoegaze evolution has arrived. The Soft Focus wrote a new volume of all-in-one shoegaze tone. Still, Catalinbread has gone above and beyond to bring you the final word in shoegaze, the Catalinbread Soft Focus Deluxe Multi-Effects Reverb Guitar Pedal in Black. The Deluxe model installs the missing delay function from the original FX500 patch, giving you exacting control over every parameter across six different programs. Dip your toes into a vast array of shoegaze textures and soundscapes with an integrated footswitchable distortion circuit, allowing you to run it in series with or in parallel with the Soft Focus patch. Catalinbread has also upped the stakes with a multi-function jack capable of expression control or tap tempo. Your shoes will never look the same again. The Soft Focus Deluxe accepts a center-negative DC power supply from 9 to 18 volts.
Program Matrix
The Standard Soft Focus patch from the original unit has been included in this pedal. The Long Reverb Tails program takes the standard reverb algorithm and increases the decay time to near-infinite, dramatically increasing the amount of ambiance on tap. The Deep Modulation Warble adds an additional voice to the modulation section and expands its capabilities, extending into pitch-bending territory at higher settings. Compared to the standard Soft Focus, all parameters have been juiced in the Shimmer Soft Focus program, from the reverb decay to the modulation. A shimmer has been added. Focusing on the pitch-shifting elements of the Soft Focus patch, the Pitch Delay with Strong Shimmer mode adds an octave up to the delay repeats. The Standard Soft Focus patch returns with expression tied to input volume for lush swells in the Expression Pedal Input Control, unlike other modes, where the expression jack controls delay time. Time and ‘DLY’ Mix controls are swapped here.
Mod Control
The Standard Soft Focus and Long Reverb Tails program Mods control the modulation depth and symphonic mix. Deep Modulation Warble Mod controls the intensity of the added modulation voice and symphonic mix. Shimmer Soft Focus mod controls modulation depth and symphonic mix, but this mode has a baseline of elevated mod depth and higher symphonic settings, with much more shimmer available on top. The Pitch Delay with Strong Shimmer mod has modulation and shimmer both attached at varying intensities. In program 5, the Mod is more subtle than its shimmer counterpart. The Expression Pedal Input Control Mod controls the modulation depth and symphonic mix.
Verb Control
The Standard Soft Focus Verb controls the reverb trail length. Long Reverb Tails Verb controls reverb trail length up to as close to infinite as humanly possible. Deep Modulation Warble, Shimmer Soft Focus, Pitch Delay with Strong Shimmer, and Expression Pedal Input Control Verbs control the reverb trail length, near the decay time of Program 1.
Delay Control
Delay governs both feedback and delay mix controls simultaneously for Standard Soft Focus, Long Reverb Tails, Deep Modulation Warble, and Shimmer Soft Focus. In Pitch Delay with Strong Shimmer, the delay output is now processed through a pitch shifter, and so every delay repeat will be shifted an octave up. Expression Pedal Input Control Delay controls delay time.
Time Control
Time controls delay time for Standard Soft Focus, Long Reverb Tails, Deep Modulation Warble, Shimmer Soft Focus, and Pitch Delay with Strong Shimmer. In Expression Pedal Input Control Delay, Time functions as an input level control.
Mix Control
Mix blends between wet and dry signals. If the toggle is set to ‘Parallel’ with the distortion engaged, the ‘dry’ side will feature high-gain distortion for all programs.