SLOWDIVE in a BOX! - Soft Focus Reverb by Catalinbread (Guitar Pedal Review)

[@berlinshoegazer]

Shoegaze is back! You love Slowdive and their ambient guitars on their 'Souvlaki' album? In 1992 Brian Eno inspired guitarist Neil Halstead to use the patch 'Soft Focus' on the Yamaha FX500 multi effect rack. If you are lucky you can still buy the FX500 on the used marked. But if you are looking for a more compact, similar (or even better) sounding and improved version of that sound, check out the new "FX40 - Soft Focus Reverb" by Catalinbread. They realised a shoegazers dream with that small stompbox. Long and lush ambient guitar sounds are now possible with one push! I consider it the best small shimmer reverb I ever played! What do you guys think?

[@GoldenLionCarpark]

Man, all this time, I thought the FX500 was in Christian’s chain.

[@Bdhjooooop]

@@GoldenLionCarpark it was, according to interviews

[@Dantefran]

I love your channel!! You're a guide!! In a song of my band,I'm using zoom ms 70 cdr (black hole reverb and gate reverb) after a tc electronic fluorescence shimmer and a boss sd 1.What do you think of this chain?

[@Mr.Steve-O]

Bought his pedal earlier this year and I really love it. At first, I thought it was a one-trick pony, but there are a lot of cool settings. Love the Muff after it then another layer of Chorus like the MXR Chorus ... Fun, Fun , Fun

[@firelitparlormusic]

Excellent demo. Thanks for not playing new-age dad blues for 12 minutes straight.

[@berlinshoegazer]

I couldn't. Just physically. haha

[@floridtv]

took the words right out of my mouth. so refreshing

[@blakeingleby1039]

Killer pedal, when I first heard rumors of this pedal I thought of you, great demo, as always I respect your opinion and enjoy your playing.

[@berlinshoegazer]

It is exactly what the pedal market was missing. Thank you for your nice comment, Blake. Always a pleasure!

[@gazeunderthesunmusic]

Brilliant video Kenneth, It's brilliant pedal I'm so glad that I got one and I tell you it's the pedal that every slowdive, shoegaze, dream pop or even post rock lover out there should have one on there pedal board.

[@berlinshoegazer]

I think so too! Thank you so much, Matt!

[@gazeunderthesunmusic]

@@berlinshoegazer I hope pedal partner should do a review on the soft focus pedal too

[@brysimm404]

Thanks Kenneth! 10 years ago I bought a used FX500 for the Soft Focus patch. Then got a Loomer pedal a few years back, but it didn't feel quite right. THIS pedal simplifies and modernizes the Soft Focus sound for sure!

[@id.unknown1283]

I saw someone demo this the other day and was blown away at what a good reproduction of the Yamaha rack unit. I'm going to order one soon. Good to see you back making videos.with a sweet new blazer (I used to have one like that, I "browed" it from my step father when I was a teenager)

[@berlinshoegazer]

Haha. Yes, the Blazer is so nice. I needed one for the autumn time. Fitted pretty well with the pedal colours. The pedal is definitely a great reproduction, if not a perfectly compact and advanced version of that specific patch..

[@matttorrence2900]

This pedal almost makes it too easy. It almost writes the songs for you.

[@maartenstevens9848]

Yes, the new soft focus pedal reviewed by one of my favorite shoegaze channels. Very fun review !

[@berlinshoegazer]

Wow, thanks!

[@Theylieohio]

I’ve had mine for about a week and I’m loving it!

[@berlinshoegazer]

Good choice!

[@dannyvalentine468]

This pedal would be cool for ambient/drone music for a choir like effect. The fact you can control and mix and such(I didn't know you couldn't on the FX500 rack) makes it worth it more imo. Also that Downhill Willows vid was a nice nostalgic ride. Machines is a modern gaze classic imo Also I love Limp Bizkit as well(I was listening to Rollin today)

[@berlinshoegazer]

Thanks Danny, I will also record some drone stuff for my album with it. Could sound nice on tape too. Yeah, the VHS recordings of the Downhill Willows show gabe the music just the right mood. The creation of Machines has been a real magical thing. I'm still so happy it exists and we could record it like that.

[@ancestralmemories]

There is a "mix" parameter on every effect in the FX500. not sure why youtubers are saying there is not...

[@1prodnowhere]

bro that little song u made with the drums was so beautiful u should make a full version 🤞🏼

[@berlinshoegazer]

Yeah, thanks, I also thought about it.

[@xmodrecordshypersyncrecord843]

I have an FX500 and I always have not like the fact I just cant edit it to sound how I want. This looks much easier and sounds great. Excited to check it out. Thanks for the demo.

[@JamesCubitt96]

With the fx500 I just re made the soft focus patch on one of the editable banks so you get that same sound but can change and save the parameters.

[@ancestralmemories]

why can you not edit the sound on the FX500?

[@xmodrecordshypersyncrecord843]

@@ancestralmemories havent really found any good instruction on how to edit the sounds to be honest.

[@ancestralmemories]

@@xmodrecordshypersyncrecord843 also this pedal is sick and sounds way thicker than the FX500, although i have no idea why ppl are saying they cant edit presets on it!

[@xmodrecordshypersyncrecord843]

@@ancestralmemories yeah I am liking the idea of just being able to twist a knob and adjust on the fly instead of having to go into a program and do an edit.

[@arnaudstegle5034]

Before "Slowdive" there was "Cocteau Twins" in the 80's and their "dream pop" with deep deep verbs and modulation. Cool video/effect/playing.

[@manninghind2230]

Just wanted to say every setting on the og is adjustable, each fx section has its own individual mix setting as well as reverb time, delay time, chorus depth etc. no 80s rack unit could go without a plethora of adjustable parameters. Just noticed it was in the caitlinbred sales pitch and gear influencers have been repeating it so it’s becoming a myth. Otherwise great sounds and demo.

[@tokingreens]

Yes

[@0826man]

Love this pedal! How does this compare to the soft focus setting on the Keeley Loomer?

[@STRATMAN1969]

I would love to see a shoot out with that ,and maybe the Walrus Slotva .

[@benjames2206]

Yeah ! I was waiting your video sinc5 i heard this new pedal !

[@berlinshoegazer]

I'm happy I finally found time again.

[@Pandamasque]

The only thing it's missing is a sustain footswitch like on the Slo for instance.

[@guerrerosdecarton]

Great video, my dear friend. Long life to shoegaze!

[@gagefoster4901]

Perfect amazing stunning demo, im sold thank you🙏🏼

[@danielcarter3928]

awesome video! i just ordered one i'm super stoked

[@berlinshoegazer]

How is your experience so far?

[@Introspeckle]

I realize people only do it for context, but your clean signal sounds great. Curious to know which pickups you’re using?

[@InstruMentalCase]

It sounds more sonically versatile than the OG, but still not as good to my ears. I just pan the preset to mono and throw the FX500 in a true bypass loop. The preset is adjustable to a degree, and the dual delay isn’t really meant to be a tap tempo thing imo, just atmospheric.

[@bubble-and-scrape]

Can you explain how you made the drum track please? Sounds very good!

[@mistercheetah9717]

Was waiting to hear your take since the Instagram live unboxing! These sound awesome!

[@berlinshoegazer]

I love that little thing. It's very well thought-out.

[@mistercheetah9717]

I agree completely. They have a hit with this one!

[@ojedalistellobrunoramiro5014]

Shoegaze ser como: Jazz Master, Fuzz and reverb

[@nativeeats8719]

Dude your sound is killer going to check out your music fo sho

[@theproject61]

someday im gonna buy it because of you, greetings from Cyprus !

[@disprefer]

Fantastic demo, I just wish it were stereo! I'm going to go muck around with my plethora and see can I make one of these out of toneprints

[@netrammarte4682]

this pedal it's a dream come true!

[@MrTaratara2]

I'm Japanese. I bought this pedal after watching your video. Thank you

[@TheTwangKings]

Beautiful sounds... like the 80s bands, OMD, Icicle Works, The Cure etc. Very post-punk.

[@joshuadavidhill9602]

Duuuuuuuude I would destroy my trem with this bad boy. Excellent review too 😎

[@halkieria7581]

Patches on the FX500 aren't "fixed", you can actually edit them

[@maciekjankowskitomkow4107]

Good lord it sounds so fucking good

[@McMxxCiV]

1:16 My immediate reaction would be what about The Jesus and Mary Chain's "Psychocandy"?

[@berlinshoegazer]

I feel like The Jesus and Mary Chain had used completely different techniques to create their typical Psychocandy sound. For example: They experimented with the microphones being far away from the amps, and turned up the built in spring reverb to get that roomy sound, instead of using digital rack reverb effects and delay. In this video I'm talking about that digital reverb-delay extreme.

[@McMxxCiV]

@@berlinshoegazerYou're right. It is different indeed.

[@faunoram]

Sweet video of a great pedal !! Love the Slowdivesque licks !! I was wondering, what specific distortion are you using in the HX Stomp XL ?

[@STRATMAN1969]

Me 2 it was FANTASTIC .Wish I knew of a pedal that sounded like that !

[@dogeapproved8987]

Wow! Nice review! This pedal combined with the slo by walrus might provide some beautiful lushy and dreamy soundscapes 👍

[@berlinshoegazer]

Definitely!

[@Vrekaro]

Amazing video! thank you. How this compare to the actual soft focus mode on the Keeley loomer in your opinion?

[@maartenstevens9848]

Same question for me : next week I will know. I 'll have both.

[@CamiloSinger]

@@maartenstevens9848 keep us posted!

[@maartenstevens9848]

@@CamiloSinger my first impressions after half an hour ; fx40 is more synth sounding , Loomer more dark reverb sounding, like the other modes on the Loomer. Loomers mod goes more extreme. The depth knob gets almost talk box voices on max. The fx 40 is more subtle. Decay about the same, without really measuring it. They share a lot of sounds, less in the extremes. Maybe for the most part the fx40 is more clear, but gets gritty too with the high mod when hitting chords. I think for slowdive sounds I prefer the fx40. But the Loomer definitely gives a nice soft focus with his own character. It avoids synth sound. Maybe I make a comparison video if no one else does it. Hope this is helpfull. Grtz

[@maartenstevens9848]

@@CamiloSinger kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4bXiYx7jZV4j5o

[@Detman101]

Oooooh yes...I'm saving up for this pedal!!

[@GregoryGolda]

one pedal that really really needs an expression pedal.

[@Fuhgitboutit]

Damn not gonna lie when you had it at a modest setting it was pretty nice

[@jessem53403]

Great video, liked and followed!

[@berlinshoegazer]

Thanks man. Happy to have you on board.

[@delivrance3961]

awesome review, bravo!!!

[@berlinshoegazer]

Thank you so much!

[@TarasLogvin]

Hey, thank for the great video, just a quick question about a delay time you use is that set to 1/8d? And any idea about the size of the reverb tail in miliseconds on this pedal and on the original soft focus?

[@berlinshoegazer]

I mostly use 1/8d delay time for the groovy rhythms that happen when playing straight 4/4. I think the reverb tails can be longer than 10-12 seconds. But I didn't measure it.

[@ivomatic13]

Ok guys, what should I get. Realizer (Loomer), Catalinbread Soft Focus or Walrus Lore. I can't make up my mind :(

[@0826man]

I’d go with the Realizer which has more options for shoegaze tone

[@ninialintu]

Or the minim from obne... so many options so little money

[@ArthurStephenHicks]

Realizer is whack. Get a big sky if you want more sounds. You might struggle to get this exact sound but you’ll end up creating a lot of your own unique sounds.

[@flinx649]

I would call that Cocteau Twins in a box.

[@chidorirasenganz]

We just need a spx90 early reflections in a pedal now 😂

[@ArthurStephenHicks]

And the midiverb sounds

[@berlinshoegazer]

That would be cool too!

[@raycochrane3971]

BUT without the delay that REALLY makes THAT sound. Having an FX500 I can assure you this is close but there's "no cigar".

[@berlinshoegazer]

It's no supposed to be a copy as far as Catalinbread describes it. But it's a inspired pedal by that specific sound that gives you options.

[@raycochrane3971]

@@berlinshoegazer I'm responding to your words, "They didn't include the delay...", not CB's blurb which is a cop out or money saver. Additionally the FX500 is, in the first iteration, an 1/2 rack, all parameters are tweakable and SoftFocus definitely needs manipulation for live use. I created my own version to enhance the bass response in the cello region.

[@tokingreens]

Exactly

[@egogreen2045]

very nice sound. is there trail when we bypassed the pedal?

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Is this better Keeley’s LOOMER? … I mean, can one pedal do the other can do and more?

[@Musickbox8]

Does this have trails or does the reverb get cut off when bypassed?

[@berlinshoegazer]

Good question. Why I haven't checked that?

[@bororitv]

When you threw in that lovely fuzz pedal, it sounded amazing! You’re running it all through your amp? How are you recording it? Thanks and great video

[@JF-em6hr]

If you could show how to get the same sound, or close, with the zoom pedal, I'd appreciate it, and have more money for Christmas.

[@TheEegmen]

Thanks, it is cool. Всегда было интересно как они делают такой звук. Твое видео полезно!)

[@stuartdennis8506]

Great pedal, great video

[@marcobarcellona2285]

Do you think its better then the loomer soft focus?

[@berlinshoegazer]

Let's say: I had more fun with the Soft Focus pedal.

[@nicolasisaksson1175]

Would it also do 'normal' reverb stuff? I'm wondering if this can be your only reverb pedal on the pedal board.

[@berlinshoegazer]

Yes, you can set it up very "normal", but it still has this typical basic Soft Focus sound.

[@Tablecigarette]

Is it me or does this kind of sound like the dream setting on the walrus audio slö??? Amazing pedal though

[@PeeFunk2008]

funny you say that because I use the dream setting on my slo. soon it will have a friend.

[@_drewplays]

I want that guitar so badly

[@xtanwolff]

"No other band during that time had used so much reverb on their record... and no other music group during that time had written such great songs with that stylistic choice" ... The Jesus and Mary Chain would like a word with you...

[@softlightsymphonyband]

Most modern assessment of that time and scene is highly revisionist and blinded by false nostalgia.

[@dahliafiend]

No. Completely different sound. JAMC used reverb like any indie band. they don’t sound similar at all

[@G.GordonMidi]

@@dahliafiend JAMC used WAY more reverb than “any indie band”. If every indie band was drenching their records in that much reverb, then name a few…

[@tariqchrysostomou6303]

Cocteau Twins?

[@allenmorrisson245]

​@@tariqchrysostomou6303Robin says he doesn't use reverb. It's multiple delays.

[@fdhal87wn]

Thank you for interesting as usual video! Can you tell me what amp in your HX Stomp (if amp model was from a HX Stomp) did you use for this presentation please? Thank you!

[@ponteaugarou]

Any chance you can do a breakdown of Kitchens of Distinction "Mad As Snow"?

[@berlinshoegazer]

Great song! I won't have much time to do that though. But you can always ask and I see what I can do.

[@aadeshh6511]

hey could you make a video on replicating this exact effect using plugins?

[@berlinshoegazer]

You're the second one who asked me that. I think of something. 🤘

[@aadeshh6511]

@@berlinshoegazer haha thanks!

[@STRATMAN1969]

After this vid I want one ,and a Ultra Man action figure ! Your playing ,and that distortion tone you got (please tell us what that was modeled after : ) I had to sub .👟👀💗

[@HansHenderickx]

Sounds super nice. May I ask - where did you get the drum pattern from?

[@berlinshoegazer]

Hey Hans, I program the drums myself with the VST plugin Addictive Drums.

[@Max10_B]

Is the amp sound from the helix or real amp. Clean tone is punchy and nice

[@berlinshoegazer]

I think I used my Fender Princeton 112 plus amp Impulse Response and the free IR loader "Nadir" in Ableton Live.

[@COWBOYBARNMAN]

The Soft Focus pedal is beautiful! I used it on the song TROUBLE by Coldplay.

[@ronanjenkins2323]

If you have one could you do a demo of what shoegaze tones you can get with a boss katana mk 2 artist?

[@berlinshoegazer]

Would love to. Once I own one, I'll do it.

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

15:31 I really liked that melody...were you in standard tuning?

[@berlinshoegazer]

I think it's been Drop D and I played on the low D string and a half step down on the fourth string (G string) from my D string neck position. And then I just jammed with that pattern in every possible position.

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

@@berlinshoegazer thank you very much! I ☺

[@SameDeepWater]

What brand are those glasses? Very nice.

[@richmackenzie7611]

Love your riffs. Are you tuned to an open D?

[@COWBOYBARNMAN]

I wanted to add something to a comment I posted here a few minutes ago but I can't find it. are comments being deleted? or is there a some kind of delay on when they show up? what a said was I did buy this pedal. I bought it on the website Reverb from the company Cream City music. I got it within 2 days and it sounds great. thanks man nice video, nice demonstration.

[@berlinshoegazer]

Hey, thank you for your nice comment. I don't know what happened to your first comment. I was just looking for another one by you but could'nt find one. But your right! I also think it sounds great!

[@willowjavery4652]

Hey hey! Love the channel! I was wondering if you take submissions for your playlists. I have a new band and I think our second single would fit really well onto the Supersonic Sugar list!

[@berlinshoegazer]

Sure, just write me your band name and I check it out!

[@willowjavery4652]

Letters from Pigeons!

[@obiwansherlockclousseau3068]

@@willowjavery4652 pretty cool

[@shawnprzybilla6931]

Did you process this with a bit of stereo spread? It sounds a little stereo, but the pedal doesn't have stereo output, which is a true shame.

[@loganknowles5486]

Stuck between this and a Holy Grail Max

[@heyheymymind1939]

This or Keeley Parallax soft focus mode?

[@gabrielcontreras9545]

Are you using standard tunning?

[@caleb9352]

I need it I need it

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Can this do the Yamaha SPX90/MBV ‘verb..?

[@otiswebb8434]

Ur awesome love ur videos

[@berlinshoegazer]

Thanks so much, Otis!

[@thenickbw]

Ooh this pedal sounds funnn. How well do you think the line 6 helix reverbs can do to recreate this with lot of tweaking?

[@berlinshoegazer]

I think the Line 6 can do that kind of sound quite well with a similar combination of octave up pitch, chorus, maybe plate reverb and some delay.

[@GrzegorzWronkowski]

Why mono?

[@berlinshoegazer]

I think they focus on mono pedals for people who play one amp on stage.

[@BoliviaNewtonJohn]

What is the guitar you are playing?

[@berlinshoegazer]

It's a custom built Fender Jaguar with a built in AKAI MPX 8 sample player.

[@heldertoneto6197]

Could you provide this drum track?

[@berlinshoegazer]

When I got some more time I will put a link in the description.

[@tokingreens]

This pedal is nice but does not sound as good or complex as the fx-500. It is more of a shimmer reverb. You can change many parameters of the soft focus preset. It is a tone suck of sorts and harder to fit into a chain and its size is not pedalboard friendly. I have a FX-500 since the early 1990's and will pick up one of these for ease of use but it is not the same sound wise but sounds good.

[@MrBeauChat]

What are the more obvious differences between them?

[@tokingreens]

@@MrBeauChat I can't add anything else since mine is packed away somewhere...Try to find some videos to hear the difference. I might be able to find some old tracks I used it on.

[@viceroyraydeen1796]

May be a cool pedal, but it sounds like whoever designed this never played through an fx500, let alone the soft focus preset.

[@kidbuu770]

What about A Storm In Heaven? lmao

[@ryanmelvey8764]

sounds really good 100% wet

[@vreevroow]

Yes, let's highlight the last affordable piece of shoegaze gear and make it unobtanium to the kind of poor bedroom musicians who originally concieved the sound.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

It’s MONO … wtf

[@wave8362]

Yeah, except slowdive songs still sound great without any effects. F*ck, I hate this

[@berlinshoegazer]

I get your point. Pedals are just toys. But no great music will come from them. It's the artists themselves who create the music, not the sound effect.

[@auroraborealis6398]

Soooo, ultimate question : Catalinbread or Zoom pedal for shoegaze? 😄 I mean, if you have to choose one of them

[@berlinshoegazer]

Zoom has more sounds. Haha .. Butif I just wanted to play Slowdive songs - it's definitally Catalinbread.

[@helio1055]

Sounds nothing like the actual FX500, pretty disappointing tbh

[@przemysawkulczak7350]

oh

[@maribelspecken8905]

💃 pքɾօʍօʂʍ