{"product_id":"catalinbread-soft-focus-369458","title":"Soft Focus","description":"\u003ch3\u003eFrom the cult 90s patch to a pedal designed for the modern pedalboard\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginally, \"Soft Focus\" is a patch from the Yamaha FX500 multi-effects unit that became a sonic signature of the 90s shoegaze scene, notably associated with the band Slowdive (album \"Souvlaki\"). Catalinbread draws inspiration from it but does not aim for a carbon copy: the idea is to capture the aesthetic (width, harmonic haze, modulated halo) while fixing the frustrating points of the very \"plug-and-play\" approach of that era. The Soft Focus adds what guitarists expect today from a creative reverb pedal: a true mix control, a usable level section, and an effect architecture optimized to stack layers without losing control over the sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFor whom, for which styles, and in what contexts?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Catalinbread Soft Focus is aimed at guitarists (and more broadly musicians) who want to build dense, textured, and emotional soundscapes without multiplying pedals. Naturally, it excels in \u003cstrong\u003eshoegaze\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003edream pop\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003epost-rock\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eambient\u003c\/strong\u003e, but its modulated and harmonized character also works very well to thicken a clean sound in \u003cstrong\u003eindie\u003c\/strong\u003e, add depth to an arpeggio in \u003cstrong\u003epop\u003c\/strong\u003e, or transform a rhythm part into a \"cinematic\" carpet in the \u003cstrong\u003estudio\u003c\/strong\u003e. Live, it allows quick switching from a direct sound to an enveloping pad\u0026#59; on a pedalboard, it easily sits at the end of the chain to sculpt space or before a delay to achieve even more airy repeats.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eControls, internal architecture, and creative approach\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe heart of the Soft Focus is a \u003cstrong\u003eplate-type reverb\u003c\/strong\u003e heavily modified, with an \u003cstrong\u003eadjustable decay time\u003c\/strong\u003e. This reverb is then split into three complementary components: a branch with a \u003cstrong\u003e\"symphonic\" multi-voice chorus\u003c\/strong\u003e, a branch where a \u003cstrong\u003ehigher octave\u003c\/strong\u003e blends with the reverberated signal, and a branch of \u003cstrong\u003epure reverb\u003c\/strong\u003e. The whole design was made to remain musical even when pushing the settings: each knob influences the perception of space, movement, and brightness, encouraging exploration rather than mere reproduction of a fixed preset.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding controls, \u003cstrong\u003eMIX\u003c\/strong\u003e manages the dry\/wet ratio to go from a subtle reverb to a 100% wet sound. \u003cstrong\u003eVERB\u003c\/strong\u003e controls the decay time, from a short halo to a large fog. \u003cstrong\u003eMOD\u003c\/strong\u003e adjusts the chorus speed and also shapes certain oscillations of the reverb, perfect for moving from slow, wide modulation to a more nervous movement. \u003cstrong\u003eSYMPH (SYMPHONY)\u003c\/strong\u003e doses the presence of the octave in the wet signal: even subtle, this control strongly changes the ambiance and character by adding harmonic content. Finally, \u003cstrong\u003eVOL\u003c\/strong\u003e adds gain to the dry signal before the effect and can serve as a \u003cstrong\u003eclean boost\u003c\/strong\u003e in certain configurations, including when using bypass in buffer\/trails mode.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNote: Catalinbread deliberately omitted the generic fixed-time digital delay present in the original FX500 patch to let the reverb and its modulated\/harmonic textures fully take center stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSound\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Soft Focus delivers an immediately recognizable ambiance: a \u003cstrong\u003ewide, enveloping, and bright\u003c\/strong\u003e reverb that can become a true sonic \"haze\" as soon as you open the mix. The symphonic chorus adds a sense of movement and breadth, while the octave, finely dosed, injects that extra \u003cstrong\u003eshimmer\u003c\/strong\u003e typical of shoegaze textures (without necessarily sounding like a separate octaver). The pedal responds very well to playing dynamics: in picking or open chords, it highlights harmonics and depth\u0026#59; with upstream saturation, it helps create more defined walls of sound by widening the image and organically extending sustain. For a \"signature\" color, push the knobs high and then adjust the MIX according to your place in the overall mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e@media(max-width:632px){table[data-wb-spec]{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) minmax(0,1fr)}table[data-wb-spec] colgroup{display:none}table[data-wb-spec] tbody,table[data-wb-spec] tr{display:contents}table[data-wb-spec] td{display:block;overflow-wrap:anywhere;grid-row:var(--wb-l);background-color:var(--wb-lb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[data-r]{grid-row:var(--wb-r);background-color:var(--wb-rb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[colspan=\"2\"]{grid-column:1\/-1}table[data-wb-spec] td:empty{display:none}}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:1;--wb-r:4;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffects\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eReverb\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eelectric guitar\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:2;--wb-r:5;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003ePedal\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:3;--wb-r:6;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003esector\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:1;--wb-r:5;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional processing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e\u0026quot;symphonic\u0026quot; multi-voice chorus and higher octave blended into the wet signal\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVERB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003ereverb decay time\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:2;--wb-r:6;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSYMPH (SYMPHONY)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003emix of a subtle octave effect on the wet reverb, linked to certain frequencies to enrich harmonic content\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVOL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003egain on the dry signal before the effect; can serve as a clean boost depending on bypass mode (buffer\/trails)\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:3;--wb-r:7;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMIX\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003ewet\/dry blend (up to 100% wet)\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRequired power supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e9V to 18V DC (center negative)\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:4;--wb-r:8;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMOD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003espeed of the multi-voice chorus and adjustments of certain frequencies\/oscillations of the reverb\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54357514453267,"sku":"369458","price":247.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/0872\/6803\/files\/c67bbb22416971c864a48a21eab90aeb2043be34_FILLING_CATSOF.jpg?v=1792533700","url":"https:\/\/woodbrass.shop\/products\/catalinbread-soft-focus-369458","provider":"Woodbrass.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}