Catalinbread adds the Epoch Bias / Preamp compact to its Belle Epoch Echoplex-derived Family
We’ve had a number of pedals released into Catalinbread’s Belle Epoch Tape Echo family - starting with the original 2015 compact edition. The Deluxe edition arrived 2 years later, and and 2 years after that we had a large-format Epoch Pre - Preamp/Buffer, which is alas discontinued now.
In fact 2024 kind of sees something of a replacement for that Epoch Pre - in the shape of the 4-controls Epoch Bias - Preamp/Bias pedal.
The range currently consists of 5 pedals - One large DLX, a mini, and 3 compacts :
- Belle Epoch Deluxe Echo Unit CB-3
- CB Tap (Mini Tap Tempo Footswitch for above BED)
- Belle Epoch Tape Echo
- Epoch Bias Preamp/Bias
- Epoch Boost Preamp/Buffer
The Belle Epoch is generally well-loved and in high demand - and considered a great sounding take on the 1970 Echoplex EP-3 Tape Echo Unit. For my one uses - I obviously favour stereo time-based devices - so the Belle Epoch doesn’t quite meet my own usage criteria - but I appreciate how good it can sound even in Mono.
There’s a lot of competition for sure within the analog textured Echoplex, Echorec, and Space Echo arena - where I have slightly different preferences, while I do of course recognise the quality of the Bell Epoch series.
The Echoplex Preamp / Booster element of that device is probably even more popular overall than the actual delay - with a number of brands selling their own version of the Preamp / Boost, including the best-selling Xotic Effects Mini EP Booster.
I feel that the new Epoch Bias is sort of a replacement to a degree (albeit slightly different) of the discontinued 2019 Epoch Pre - which was well received at the time, but evidently did not sell in sufficient quantity to justify it’s continued existence on that roster.
You can read up more about each pedal and purchase on the Catalinbread Website. These should all be at international dealers imminently too!
Here follow the individual pedal details - with pertinent references and demos :
Belle Epoch Deluxe Echo Unit CB-3 - $359.99 & CB Tap - $65
Controls - Program 1-6, Depth, Record Level, Echo Volume, Echo Sustain, Echo Delay, EXP : Volume / Delay, Echo Osc Footswitch, Bypass Footswitch.
The full-fat extended features Echo Unit with added granularity second Echo Oscillation Footswitch, and Expression control.
The $65 Mini CB Tap pedal is an essential add-on really - as that gives you the really handy tap-tempo feature - for setting the Echo Delay Rate on-the-fly. All together a really decent offering with not too expansive a footprint - while I feel there are more capable stereo units out there - like say the Strymon Volante.
The Belle Epoch Deluxe still has legions of loyal followers, and remains a very popular take on the EP-3 format.
Belle Epoch Tape Echo - $209.99
Controls - Echo Sustain, Modulation, Record Level, Mix, Echo Delay.
Here is the original (2015) compact Belle Epoch in its most recent Black & Silver iteration which I believe materialised in 2022. The above Deluxe edition expanded on this a touch - but there are still plenty that prefer this original more pedalboard-friendly variant.
It doesn't have quite the same degree of granularity - but covers those exact same sounds extremely well.
If you're tight for space then this is certainly a handy take on that essential flavour, and for me somewhat more impressive than Dunlop's own 3-knob Echoplex take.
NEW : Epoch Bias / Preamp - $179.99
Controls - Preamp, Bias, Boost, Filter.
I feel this is kinda sorta a replacement for the discontinued larger format Epoch Pre - which had 3 knobs (Boost, Bias, Balance), 2 Push-buttons (Buffer, Early/Later), and a second Boost footswitch.
The new Epoch Bias dispenses with the push-buttons and Boost footswitch - where 3 of the knobs are essentially the same Preamp (Balance), Bias, Boost), and the new 4th one - Filter - allows you to further fine-tune the shape / frequency profile of the Boost.
I obviously have a preference for compact format pedals - so the Epoch Bias is absolutely the right move for me. The Buffer seems to have been offloaded to the Echo Boost pedal.
Epoch Boost Preamp / Buffer - $159,99
Controls - Preamp, Boost.
This 2-knob job very much competes with Dunlop's 1-knob Echoplex Preamp, and Xotix Effects' single knob EP Booster. The Epoch Boost is the most granular of those - with 2 controls, while if you get the Alchemy Audio modded edition of the EP Booster - that comes with 2 x 2-way EQ Toggle-switches - which allow you to really smartly shape the tonality / output of that one.
I have the Xotic EP Booster in both unadulterated and Alchemy modded editions - where the latter is one of my all-time favourite boost pedals!
I kind of feel Catalinbread should do its own Mini edition of Epoch Boost - that would be really cool as a mini 2-knob variant!
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