Catalinbread Soft Focus pedal

[Tafarel]

Much closer (dead-on?) to the Yamaha FX500 than the Keeley approximations (Loomer, Realizer): Catalinbred Soft Focus

His reviews are often hit or miss for me, but about 15 minutes in he really embraces the ethos and gets some gorgeous tones and melodies out of it.

[Tafarel]

Wow. Only posted this once but it showed up three times? Afraid to post even this.

[Tafarel]

...and sorry, I didn't see the post about shoegaze in a box.

[MrShake]

Lol, hey, no worries, I know we've all been there!

And whatever that other thread is about, allow me to point out that if this pedal makes you want to make music, don't let a few snobs on the internet put you off. Get one and use it to create art, even just for yourself.

Whether or not it's a "down to the bit" replication of the original is beside the point, really! Is it a useful pedal to the player, in and of itself? This one does sound closer to how I set mine than the Keeley ones did.

And, stereo or not, it sounds like a great way to get that kind of vibe in an all in one box.

[Tafarel]

Yeah, I like simplicity and don't like fiddling with controls on my pedals on stage. I can approximate it some with my Blackhole, but the early reflection/flanging action is not quite there.

I'd probably only use it on a song or two, but then again I have drawers of pedals that have served that same sort of purpose and then are consigned to the dreaded drawers. It is always a joy pulling one out a few years later and seeing if it fits something I want to do.

[panoramic]

this pedal is cool but listen, there are like 10 pedals that do this so far and soon there will be 10 more. I am really over the "in the box" label these demo dudes use. This one seems to do the slowdive vibe great but it I can do that with my red panda context, what's the point?

[Tafarel]

What settings do you use on the Context to get the Soft Focus? Thanks.

[panoramic]

What settings do you use on the Context to get the Soft Focus? Thanks.

Plate/gate modes with the trails on

[Tafarel]

Thanks. One of the other guitarists in my band has this pedal and he will try this.

[Dollywitch]

I'm in a similar boat thinking this sounds cool but other pedals can maybe do the same thing and more?

Would it be worth picking up a Yamaha Magicstomp to do the same thing with more options for cheaper?

[Larry Mal]

Well, I like it, and I'm gonna buy it.

[sal paradise]

Well, I like it, and I'm gonna buy it.

Good for you. I think it’s awesome & more flexible than a bloodmoon or something like that. So for a little extra money it doesn’t seem outrageous.

[Tafarel]

Well, I like it, and I'm gonna buy it.

Good on ya. I just bought one, too.

[panoramic]

Well, I like it, and I'm gonna buy it.

I am so close to buying one but I dunno man

[mackerelmint]

Nothing you can't do with an MS-70 CDR three different ways.

Has the price of the actual original Yamaha unit gone up? Last time I looked, they were cheaper than this pedal, and it wasn't any more than a year ago.