The Catalinbread DLS Red is an overdrive pedal from Catalinbread, announced in 2019 as an updated version of the Dirty Little Secret. Like its predecessor, it is voiced to be a "Marshall-in-a-box" type of overdrive pedal, designed to bring the sound and response of a classic Marshall amplifier to a pedalboard. Guitar.com notes it was also designed with tonal balance in mind to ensure versatility1.
The pedal retailed for $189.99 when it was announced in November 20191. The maker's product page lists it under the name Dirty Little Soda (DLS Red) and notes a limited run: only 40 available, shipping mid-September2.
What changed from the Dirty Little Secret
Guitar.com, speaking with Catalinbread's Evigan Xiao, reported that compared to the standard DLS MKIII, the Red version features a more refined set of gain stages while also retaining the original's hi-gain applications. The three-band EQ has also been altered for higher fidelity, and this version comes in a red enclosure with additional tweaks made to the basic DLS circuitry1.
"The DLS Red is hand-built in Portland, Oregon and comes with a four year warranty."
The controls
The DLS Red keeps a simple external layout: two knobs handle volume and gain, with the EQ and voicing handled internally21.
| Control | Position | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| MASTER | Knob | Controls the overall volume of the pedal. Clockwise for more; counter-clockwise for less. |
| PRE-AMP | Knob | Determines how much gain or overdrive. Clockwise for more; counter-clockwise for less. |
| SL/SB mode switch | Internal slider | Two distinct voicings: "Super Lead" and "Super Bass" |
| PRESENCE trimpot | Internal trimpot | Fine-tunes the amount of presence or high treble frequencies |
Both the Super Lead/Super Bass slider switch and the presence trimpot are internal. You need to remove the bottom plate to reach them. Catalinbread says the trimpot is factory set to provide the best tone in most circumstances2.
The presence trimpot, accessible by removing the bottom plate, allows you to fine-tune the amount of presence or high treble frequencies that the pedal produces2. Guitar.com's coverage describes it the same way: an internal trimpot that fine-tunes the level of high-treble frequencies1.
Super Lead and Super Bass voicings
An internal slider switch allows the user to select from either a "Super Lead" or "Super Bass" tone profile1. On the maker's product page these are described as two distinct voicings, switchable via the internal slider switch2. Because the switch is inside the pedal rather than on the top panel, changing voicing is a set-and-forget adjustment rather than a live performance control.
Combined with the Master and Pre-Amp controls, Guitar.com reports that the DLS Red allows for bedroom-friendly hi-gain tones1.
Where it sits among Catalinbread's amp-style pedals
The DLS Red belongs to Catalinbread's line of amp-in-a-box style overdrives, alongside pedals like the Formula No. 55, the RAH, and the Dirty Little Secret Deluxe. Its Marshall-in-a-box voicing and internal Super Lead/Super Bass switch are what set it apart within that family21. For a broader look at the category, see Overdrive Pedals.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Catalinbread DLS Red and the Dirty Little Secret?
The DLS Red is an updated version of the Dirty Little Secret. Compared to the standard DLS MKIII, the Red version features a more refined set of gain stages while retaining the original's hi-gain applications, according to Guitar.com. It also comes in a red enclosure with additional tweaks made to the basic DLS circuitry, and it was announced in 2019.
What do the Super Lead and Super Bass settings do on the DLS Red?
The DLS Red offers two distinct voicings, Super Lead and Super Bass, selected with an internal slider switch. Guitar.com describes these as tone profiles, so the switch lets you choose between a lead-oriented and a bass-oriented take on the pedal's Marshall-style overdrive voice without touching the external controls.
Is the Super Lead and Super Bass switch on the outside of the DLS Red?
No. Both the maker's product page and Guitar.com describe the Super Lead and Super Bass selector as an internal slider switch, so you need to remove the pedal's bottom plate to change voicings. The presence trimpot is also internal and accessible the same way.
Where is the Catalinbread DLS Red made?
Guitar.com reports that the DLS Red is hand-built in Portland, Oregon, where Catalinbread Effects is based.
How long is the warranty on the DLS Red?
The DLS Red comes with a four year warranty, according to Guitar.com's 2019 coverage of the pedal's release.
Sources (2)
- Catalinbread gives the Dirty Little Secret an upgrade, Guitar.com, 2019-11-26
- Dirty Little Soda (DLS Red), Catalinbread Effects
