CatalinBread Epoch Boost Mini

Epoch Boost Mini

 If you’ve never played the Epoch Boost, our flagship boost pedal, you picked a good time to pay attention. We’ve taken an authentic Echoplex EP-3 preamp with its low-mids grunt, sparkling cleans and original 22V operating voltage, distilling the size even further into a tidy package at less than half the size. Many players turn this on and never turn it off; the small footprint allows you to tuck it anywhere on your board and leave it alone.

• Weight: 4 lbs.
• Product Dimensions: 3.56" L x 1.50" H x 1.44 D"

Overview:

Our Epoch Boost needs little introduction: it’s our version of the Echoplex EP-3 preamp, featuring crystal-clear tonal enhancement with all the funky output filtering and supply voltage that gave the original tape unit its distinct flavor. An added boost gives you a kick when you need it, but keeping that control at zero gives you pure Echoplex tone. It’s our preeminent always-on device, running at the original 22V operating voltage to give you a high-headroom punch that sounds great anywhere you put it.

You’ve heard the rumors: Some of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest tones were achieved without pedals. Not so fast! While that’s technically true, some of the most venerable guitar gods relied on an old tape echo unit to help achieve their legendary tones. This unit is the Maestro Echoplex EP-3. While some guitarists made great use of its echo effect, others dragged one to every gig just for its magical preamp. This preamp circuit was wired always-on, and so even those using it as an echo effect received significant tonal enhancements from the preamp circuit as well. Everyone from Eddie Van Halen to East Bay Ray of the Dead Kennedys relied on the EP-3 preamp to take their sound to previously unreachable heights. And now you can also, with our Epoch Boost.

Controls:

• Preamp: Because the "Early" EP-3 models total less than 500 units, it's very likely that most people have never experienced the sweep of this control, but here goes. Instead of being a standard volume control, the Preamp control pans between two different signal paths: the combination of the preamp and the mixer circuit, and something similar but different. The result is a volume control on the first half, and a rudimentary frequency enhancement on the second half. Anything above noon on the Preamp control will gently push different frequency bands, with the most perceived loudness halfway between 2 and 3 o'clock. Think of it as a pickup selector control or or a very unique EQ control.

• Boost: While the Preamp knob and accompanying circuitry gives you the magic, the Boost control takes the versatility to the next level. When set all the way counterclockwise, the signal is at unity gain (plus wherever the Preamp knob is set); there is no boost happening. As you roll it up, the Boost control sets the gain level of the preamp, adding a ton of sparkle and volume which can shake hands with the most stubborn of amps. Set your amp right on the verge of breakup, set the Boost to taste and watch even the most sterile rig spring to life.

Power Supply:

• The Epoch Boost requires a 9VDC supply with 18mA of current. You can, of course, give the Epoch Boost more current than it needs. However, because of the charge pump circuit, do NOT run the Epoch Boost on anything higher than 9V. Bad things will happen, including and not limited to your warranty being voided.