The Catalinbread Silver Kiss is an overdrive pedal with an active three-band EQ, first released in 2007. Aion FX, which traced the Mk. 2 circuit, describes it as "a more traditional overdrive than their other offerings, but with the addition of an active 3-band EQ"1. Unlike a passive tone stack, an active EQ can cut and boost each band, which gives the pedal a high degree of tonal control before the signal reaches the amp. Aion FX characterizes the pedal as one that "doesn't color the tone with a lot of its own character, instead bringing out the best of your rig"2.
Controls and power
The Silver Kiss keeps its control layout simple, with the EQ doing much of the work:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAIN | Adjusts the amount of pre-EQ gain on tap. Rolling it fully counterclockwise removes almost all of the gain from the circuit, allowing the Silver Kiss to be used as a clean boost3 |
| MID | Adjusts the level of the midrange. It is a relatively low-Q filter, meaning a wide band, for a broad mids adjustment that is never overpowering in any position. At noon it removes itself from the EQ3 |
| VOL | Makes more loud3 |
The pedal runs on a center-negative DC supply and, per Catalinbread, "accepts anything between 9V and 18V"3. The company adds that using an incorrect supply runs the risk of voiding the warranty3.
The EQ and its Cornish connection
The three-band EQ section is, according to Aion FX's circuit trace, "very similar to the 3-band EQ from the Cornish GC-1 and CC-1"1. Pete Cornish's own description of the Deluxe CC-1, an overdrive with an active three-band EQ and boost, describes a three-band active EQ with frequencies tailored to sit with a guitar rig4. For a player, the practical point is that the Silver Kiss's tone section behaves like a studio-style active EQ rather than a conventional overdrive tone knob: broad, musical bands that can be boosted as well as cut.
History and versions
The Silver Kiss was first released in 20071. Aion FX counts "at least five different versions of the circuit" over the pedal's life2. The company was not happy with the way the Mk. 1 sounded, and neither were many customers, so Catalinbread made tweaks and re-released it as the Mk. 21. The Mk. 2 went on to be the most widely available version2, and Aion FX traced that circuit in 20232.
Because at least five versions of the circuit exist, a used Silver Kiss may not sound or behave exactly like the Mk. 2 that most documentation, including Aion FX's trace, is based on12.
Cabaretlinda: the prototype branding
Catalinbread branded its prototypes and pre-release pedals as "Cabaretlinda", an anagram of the company name1. Aion FX notes that several Cabaretlinda Silver Kiss pedals have appeared on Reverb with serial numbers up to around 100, so they were not only in-house prototypes and were apparently available for sale early on1. On the Mk. 2 American Edition pedals, the enclosures are about twice the size of the original 1590B units, with more space for the stomp switch1.
The Comp switch
The Mk. 2 American Edition carries a switch called Comp that, in Aion FX's reading of the circuit, "seems to select between diodes"1. In practical terms, a diode selector changes the character of the clipping in the drive stage, giving two flavors of overdrive from one pedal. Aion FX also compares the Mk. 2's approach to the Timmy in transparency, noting that as with that pedal, the Silver Kiss does not color the tone with much of its own character2.
Where it sits among Catalinbread's overdrives
The Silver Kiss is a more traditional overdrive than much of Catalinbread's range1. The company is better known for amp-in-a-box designs such as the Dirty Little Secret and Formula No. 55, and for voiced drives like the SideArm. The Silver Kiss instead puts an active three-band EQ and a wide gain range, from clean boost to overdrive, in front of your amp. For more on the category, see Overdrive Pedals and Boost Pedals.
Videos
Catalinbread Effects
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Questions
Can the Silver Kiss be used as a clean boost?
Yes. Catalinbread says rolling the GAIN knob fully counterclockwise removes almost all of the gain from the circuit, allowing the Silver Kiss to be used as a clean boost. Because the three-band EQ stays active, you can still shape bass, mids and treble while running the pedal at boost-level gain.
What does the toggle switch on the Silver Kiss do?
On the Mk. 2 American Edition, there is a switch called Comp. Aion FX, which traced the circuit, reports that it seems to select between diodes, changing the clipping character of the drive stage. The exact effect of the switch is not documented in detail by the maker.
What are the Cabaretlinda Silver Kiss pedals?
Cabaretlinda is an anagram of Catalinbread. The company used that name to brand prototypes and pre-release pedals, including early Silver Kiss units. Aion FX notes several Cabaretlinda Silver Kiss pedals on Reverb with serial numbers up to around 100, so they were not only in-house prototypes and were apparently available for sale early on.
Can I run the Silver Kiss at 18V?
Yes. Catalinbread says the Silver Kiss accepts anything between 9V and 18V with a center-negative DC power supply. The company also warns that plugging in an incorrect power supply runs the risk of voiding the warranty, so match the polarity and stay within that range.
Sources (4)
- Tracing Journal: Catalinbread Silver Kiss Mk. 2, Aion FX, 2023-11-24
- Dryad Transparent Overdrive / Catalinbread Silver Kiss, Aion FX, 2023-11-24
- Silver Kiss Overdrive (2007 Reissue), Catalinbread Effects
- Pete Cornish Deluxe CC-1, Pete Cornish, 2017
