The Catalinbread X40 Soft Focus Reverb is a compact reverb pedal that recreates Patch 40 "Soft Focus" from the Yamaha FX500 rack unit, the sound behind a generation of indie and shoegaze records. Catalinbread describes it as an "instant shoegaze button", and the pedal was inspired by shoegaze bands such as Slowdive and their use of the FX5001. It was available at launch priced $209 in the US1.
How it works
The pedal takes a plate reverb core and splits it into three paths: one through a multi-voiced chorus, one through a subtle octave-up Symphony path, and one dry1. That combination of plate reverb, chorus and octave-up shimmer is what gave the original FX500 patch its washed-out, layered character, and it is why the pedal points so directly at shoegaze tones1.
One part of the original patch did not make the trip. Catalinbread removed the digital delay found in the original FX500 patch; according to MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley, it used up too much memory and was "generic"1. Players who want the delay element alongside the Soft Focus reverb will need to add a separate delay pedal.
Controls
The X40 keeps things simple with five knobs1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mix | Controls the amount of wet and dry signal in your sound1 |
| Symph | Sets the level of the octave-up Symphony path1 |
| Mod | Adjusts the multi-voiced chorus modulation1 |
| Verb | Sets the amount of the plate reverb1 |
| Vol | Overall volume1 |
Power
The Soft Focus runs on 9V or 18V DC from a pedalboard power supply, with a minimum current draw of 100mA1. MusicRadar notes that running it at 18V will give you a little more headroom1.
At a minimum draw of 100mA, the X40 needs a power supply output rated for at least that current; a low-current output or a shared daisy-chain position may not be enough1.
Where it sits in Catalinbread's reverb range
Within Catalinbread's reverb range, the X40 stands apart for how its circuit is built. It takes a plate reverb core and splits it into three paths: one through a multi-voiced chorus, one through a subtle octave-up Symphony path, and one dry1. That split gives it a character distinct from a conventional reverb pedal, since the chorus and octave paths sit alongside the dry signal rather than simply tailing it2.
Questions
What is the Yamaha FX500 Soft Focus patch?
Patch 40 'Soft Focus' is a sound from the Yamaha FX500 rack unit that became a signature of indie and shoegaze players. Catalinbread built the X40 Soft Focus Reverb as a pedal inspired by that rack unit and the sounds it gave to artists such as Slowdive, putting the patch's plate reverb, chorus and octave-up character into a compact stompbox.
Does the X40 Soft Focus Reverb include the delay from the original patch?
No. Catalinbread removed the digital delay found in the original FX500 patch. According to MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley, the delay used up too much memory and was described as generic, so the pedal concentrates on the reverb, chorus and symphony elements of the patch instead.
Can the Catalinbread X40 run at 18V?
Yes. The Soft Focus can be run on 9V or 18V DC from a pedalboard power supply, and MusicRadar notes that running it at 18V gives a little more headroom. It draws a minimum of 100mA.
How much current does the X40 Soft Focus Reverb draw?
The X40 Soft Focus Reverb has a minimum current draw of 100mA, so it needs a power supply output that can supply at least that. It runs on 9V or 18V DC from a pedalboard power supply.
Is the X40 Soft Focus Reverb good for shoegaze tones?
That is what it was made for. Catalinbread describes it as an 'instant shoegaze button', and the pedal was inspired by shoegaze bands such as Slowdive and their use of the Yamaha FX500 rack unit. Its plate reverb core, multi-voiced chorus and subtle octave-up Symphony path are aimed squarely at that sound.
What does the Mix knob do on the X40?
The Mix knob controls the amount of wet and dry signal in your sound, letting you set how much of the effected reverb signal is blended with your unaffected guitar tone.
