{"product_id":"catalinbread-soft-focus-gold-389308","title":"Soft Focus Gold","description":"\u003ch3\u003eFrom the Cult Patch of the Yamaha FX500 to a Pedal Designed for the Pedalboard\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the 1990s, the \"Soft Focus\" patch of the Yamaha FX500 became a sonic signature for the shoegaze scene, featuring lush reverbs, wide modulation, and that very particular harmonic halo. The Catalinbread Soft Focus captures this spirit but translates it into a modern pedal format, correcting the most frustrating limitations of a too \"plug-and-play\" approach: here, the mix is finally adjustable, the preamp is more usable, and integration on a pedalboard is much more coherent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRather than copying it identically, Catalinbread compared and refined the algorithm to preserve the DNA of the sound while optimizing it. A notable choice: the pedal leaves aside the generic fixed-time digital delay present in the original patch to focus the entire experience on the depth of the reverb and the richness of the modulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho Is the Soft Focus For? From Wall of Sound to Sound Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Soft Focus is primarily aimed at guitarists (and keyboardists, even bassists) who want to build \u003cstrong\u003esoundscapes\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ewalls of reverb\u003c\/strong\u003e, and immersive textures: shoegaze, dream pop, post-rock, indie, ambient, but also anything that requires a \"character\" reverb. In the studio, it excels at thickening a take, creating a lively background, or transforming a simple arpeggio into a soundscape. Live, it immediately adds width and a very inspiring \"3D\" sensation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt suits both intermediate musicians (simple settings, immediate results) and advanced players seeking fine combinations between modulation, harmonics, and decay length. For an \"album-style\" sound, it likes to be paired with an overdrive\/fuzz and a delay upstream to regain that layered, dense, and enveloping feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCreative Controls: A Reverb Split into Multiple Paths\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe heart of the Soft Focus is a \u003cstrong\u003eheavily modified plate reverb\u003c\/strong\u003e with adjustable decay time, then split into several processing paths. You thus get a blend of a pure reverb, a modulated reverb with a \"symphonic\" chorus style, and a harmonic component with a \u003cstrong\u003esubtle upper octave\u003c\/strong\u003e integrated into the wet signal. The point is not just stacking effects but creating a coherent whole designed to sound \"wide\" without becoming messy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSYMPH (Symphony)\u003c\/strong\u003e adjusts the level of the octave in the wet reverb: even subtle, it radically changes the sense of air, brightness, and harmonic content. \u003cstrong\u003eMOD\u003c\/strong\u003e controls the speed of the multi-voice chorus and influences certain frequency areas related to the reverb's oscillation, producing that organic movement typical of shoegaze textures. \u003cstrong\u003eVERB\u003c\/strong\u003e adjusts the reverb decay time, from a short halo to endless soundscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMIX\u003c\/strong\u003e control manages the wet\/dry blend: essential for placing the effect in a mix or, conversely, switching to a 100% wet sound for intros and interludes. Finally, \u003cstrong\u003eVOL\u003c\/strong\u003e adds gain to the dry signal before the effect\u0026#59; and when the pedal is bypassed in buffer\/trails mode, it can also serve as a very practical \u003cstrong\u003eclean boost\u003c\/strong\u003e to stand out during a passage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Sound\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Soft Focus does not seek the transparency of a \"utility\" reverb: it claims a \u003cstrong\u003ecolor\u003c\/strong\u003e, width, and density that are immediately recognizable. The plate reverb has that smooth and deep quality, while the modulation brings a \u003cstrong\u003eluxuriant shimmer\u003c\/strong\u003e, almost \"choral,\" that keeps the sound moving. The octave acts as a harmonic varnish: it brightens the upper spectrum and gives that discreet \"shimmer\" feeling without tipping into a harsh effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis pedal responds particularly well to soft attacks, open chords, slides, and parts played with a light pick. And while the shoegaze scene is its natural playground, it is also used by musicians from varied universes, notably \u003cstrong\u003eJosh Klinghoffer\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eIra Kaplan\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eWill Putney\u003c\/strong\u003e, proving it can serve both atmosphere and modern production when a signature reverb is desired.\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, Octaver \/ Harmony, Chorus \/ Flanger \/ Phaser\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003esector\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\u003eTechnology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eDigital\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: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\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\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: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 slight octave effect on the wet reverb signal, linked to certain reverb frequencies\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 of the dry signal before the effect; can serve as a clean boost when the pedal is bypassed in buffer\/trails mode\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:2;--wb-r:6;--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, from 100% dry 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:transparent;--wb-l:3;--wb-r:7;--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 influence on certain frequencies of the reverb oscillation\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum current required\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e100 mA\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:4;--wb-r:8;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVERB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003ereverb decay time\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBattery operation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eno\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Catalinbread","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54361753616659,"sku":"389308","price":236.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/0872\/6803\/files\/4ca08809ae4ba4873d9200bcaed4e47172c0b7fe_FILLING_CATSOFG.jpg?v=1792651740","url":"https:\/\/woodbrass.shop\/products\/catalinbread-soft-focus-gold-389308","provider":"Woodbrass.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}