The FX500 was the original unit. And "Soft Focus" is patch 40 on that box. The patch was made up of 4 blocks, A COMPressor into a Parametric EQ, into a "REVerb Block" set to a Reverb->Delay effect, and the patch ends in a "MODulation Block" which was set to Yamaha's proprietary Symphonic effect (it's like a chorus - there are vids about it on TH-cam. It originally showed up on the SPX series rack units Zack Wylde was a fan of it - unfortunately no one has tried recreating that particular effect). There was no pitch shifting in the original patch. So yeah the R100, not really going to get you there. I tried recreating it with the FX500s big brother, the FX900 and couldn't get there either. Close, but it's not exact. I've got a vid of that patch, but it's not a comparison as I didn't have a FX500 at the time. The Compressor was interesting because it kills the transient/attack so much, it helps exaggerate the 'blooming' nature of the notes. You can hear this pretty distinctly at the beginning of Slowdive's "Catch the Breeze" On their first album Just for a Day. BTW... saw them live last Sunday, and they had one of the best live sounds I've ever heard. I was surprised at how ambient yet full it was live, and controlled too, impressive considering Neil does use a Casino sometimes with some drive going on (Slowdive are not really huge fuzz/distortion. users) They've definitely graduated past the sound of the FX500. One of their guitar players does have the FX40 on his board, but he also has like 3 other reverbs and 4 delays.
@@cadenbenton6235 I can't remember if it was just from birthday and Christmas money, or if some of my part-time pizza job in high school helped, but my first processor was an FX-500. In college I traded it and some other stuff in for the FX-900, which I actually still have. Have acquired another FX-500 in recent years after becoming a Slowdive fan to compare.... and for a little nostalgia for me. The 900 is a much more configurable piece of kit. But yeah, can't do that patch 40 exactly. My sound back in the day was based around the Mild Motion patch.
Ryan, you continue to be one of the best. You just seem to really enjoy what you are doing, and it comes through the screen. Been watching for years, like way back to sub 6000 subscribers, maybe even earlier but a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and the memory ain't what it used to be. Anyway, just want to thank you for the content and reviews. You have definitely influenced my sonic journey and I look forward to spending time on these long reviews. Haven't bought gear in a bit, but this is certainly on the holiday list.
It's a cool sounding kinda fuzzy distortion that mixes well with the soft focus reverb. I use a low-gain fuzz with my soft focus snd it sounds sorta similar.
That is a great-sounding and interesting pedal. Reminds me of using my RE-201 Space Echo and a distortion pedal in to my Fender Silverface Twin Reverb. Man, do I miss that gear.
The distortion question : It sounds like the distortion on the fx500. It makes sense.. This digital sounding distortion can give you the typical breezy breathlike sounds from slowdive. Also the delay should be seen as part of the whole fx500 treatment. I sold my fx40 but this one interests me much more. It has the delay, it has that distortion,... It maybe can replace my fx500 because it is more practical and close enough. I think Catalinbread did a very good job
The distortion, on full and in series & program 1, going through the other effects gives it the addition of a load of angry evil bees, it certainly adds something to the sound and gives it sounds that other pedals don't, a very versatile pedal within its area! Would be nice to hear all the programs without the distortion too, to get a better idea what they are doing.
Amazing though I wish it had stereo I/O like Slöer. I tested two V1s for stereo and it definitely sounds better - keep both! Losing the SYMPH knob is a bummer actually since I prefer it at noon on the V1. Guess I’ll just have to make my own pedals! About the DST side: Loomer covered fuzz + FX500, so this differentiates it. It does sound good but a little more gain on tap would’ve been nice since Slowdive uses Rats, and used an OD-2 in the ‘Souvlaki’ days. Oddly enough Christian Savill responded to the Soft Focus V1 pedal by saying Slowdive had nothing to do with it and probably used the “Lush Strings” setting of the FX500 (#39) more than Soft Focus. Great video as always. You’re the best. Love your energy, perspective, and generosity with your time.
I have the gold version of the original on my bass board with a JHS flight delay in front (replaced the Boss Waza Analog Delay) just to have a little more control over the delay side. I’ve got a few options for drive/fuzz if I want that (MXR Variac Fuzz or EHX Hot Wax).
I keep hearing early Pionk Floyd in what you are doing with this and I am wondering what Dave Gilmour could have done with it If he had this tech in the 1960's. Awesome by the way.
It's too much for me. I will stick with the original. I want my Soft Focus simple. Mine doesn't even need knobs, it coulda been hard-wired with all knobs maxed out and volume at unity.
Great video, Sir could you give me any multi effects pedal🥰🙏because my zoom G3 is soon to be retired😢, I am 18 years old kid and I am a church guitarist and I don't have enough money to buy at least cheap new one cuz my parents don't support my passion 😞... I'm from Philippines sir🇵🇭 I've always watch your high quality content reviews about in pedal and I learned a lot,❤️ thank you sir please I hope you notice me....🙏🙏😥😥😞 please sir any budget multi fx pedal or valeton gp 200🙏🙏🙏🇵🇭
The first soft focus was the first 60 cycle hum video I watched so this feels full circle
The FX500 was the original unit. And "Soft Focus" is patch 40 on that box. The patch was made up of 4 blocks, A COMPressor into a Parametric EQ, into a "REVerb Block" set to a Reverb->Delay effect, and the patch ends in a "MODulation Block" which was set to Yamaha's proprietary Symphonic effect (it's like a chorus - there are vids about it on TH-cam. It originally showed up on the SPX series rack units Zack Wylde was a fan of it - unfortunately no one has tried recreating that particular effect). There was no pitch shifting in the original patch.
So yeah the R100, not really going to get you there. I tried recreating it with the FX500s big brother, the FX900 and couldn't get there either. Close, but it's not exact. I've got a vid of that patch, but it's not a comparison as I didn't have a FX500 at the time.
The Compressor was interesting because it kills the transient/attack so much, it helps exaggerate the 'blooming' nature of the notes. You can hear this pretty distinctly at the beginning of Slowdive's "Catch the Breeze" On their first album Just for a Day.
BTW... saw them live last Sunday, and they had one of the best live sounds I've ever heard. I was surprised at how ambient yet full it was live, and controlled too, impressive considering Neil does use a Casino sometimes with some drive going on (Slowdive are not really huge fuzz/distortion. users) They've definitely graduated past the sound of the FX500. One of their guitar players does have the FX40 on his board, but he also has like 3 other reverbs and 4 delays.
I own an fx500. I scored it for 100$! It’s incredible! Really cool to hear the insight!
@@cadenbenton6235 I can't remember if it was just from birthday and Christmas money, or if some of my part-time pizza job in high school helped, but my first processor was an FX-500. In college I traded it and some other stuff in for the FX-900, which I actually still have.
Have acquired another FX-500 in recent years after becoming a Slowdive fan to compare.... and for a little nostalgia for me. The 900 is a much more configurable piece of kit. But yeah, can't do that patch 40 exactly.
My sound back in the day was based around the Mild Motion patch.
This was one of the most fun contents ever! Ordered it halfway through the video
Ryan, you continue to be one of the best. You just seem to really enjoy what you are doing, and it comes through the screen. Been watching for years, like way back to sub 6000 subscribers, maybe even earlier but a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and the memory ain't what it used to be. Anyway, just want to thank you for the content and reviews. You have definitely influenced my sonic journey and I look forward to spending time on these long reviews. Haven't bought gear in a bit, but this is certainly on the holiday list.
I'm just a dude noodling around on a guitar and I now REALLY want this pedal
It's a cool sounding kinda fuzzy distortion that mixes well with the soft focus reverb. I use a low-gain fuzz with my soft focus snd it sounds sorta similar.
That is a great-sounding and interesting pedal. Reminds me of using my RE-201 Space Echo and a distortion pedal in to my Fender Silverface Twin Reverb. Man, do I miss that gear.
The distortion question : It sounds like the distortion on the fx500. It makes sense.. This digital sounding distortion can give you the typical breezy breathlike sounds from slowdive. Also the delay should be seen as part of the whole fx500 treatment. I sold my fx40 but this one interests me much more. It has the delay, it has that distortion,... It maybe can replace my fx500 because it is more practical and close enough. I think Catalinbread did a very good job
The distortion, on full and in series & program 1, going through the other effects gives it the addition of a load of angry evil bees, it certainly adds something to the sound and gives it sounds that other pedals don't, a very versatile pedal within its area! Would be nice to hear all the programs without the distortion too, to get a better idea what they are doing.
If you're looking looking for more shoegaze pedals, the ones made by pedal partners/maneco labs might be your bag
That distortion as an intro leading into heavy fuzz would be sweet
I look over at 3:26 and WOW that IS A NICE JAZZMASTER!
I myself can only focus softly
thx Ryan! great test
The new version doesn't have stereo out?!
That intro was such a good tease lol
FX 500 is the one with the soft focus sound.
Amazing though I wish it had stereo I/O like Slöer. I tested two V1s for stereo and it definitely sounds better - keep both! Losing the SYMPH knob is a bummer actually since I prefer it at noon on the V1. Guess I’ll just have to make my own pedals! About the DST side: Loomer covered fuzz + FX500, so this differentiates it. It does sound good but a little more gain on tap would’ve been nice since Slowdive uses Rats, and used an OD-2 in the ‘Souvlaki’ days. Oddly enough Christian Savill responded to the Soft Focus V1 pedal by saying Slowdive had nothing to do with it and probably used the “Lush Strings” setting of the FX500 (#39) more than Soft Focus.
Great video as always. You’re the best. Love your energy, perspective, and generosity with your time.
Wow, thats weird, only lush strings? I always thought it was soft focus, I can totally hear it on some tracks
I have the gold version of the original on my bass board with a JHS flight delay in front (replaced the Boss Waza Analog Delay) just to have a little more control over the delay side. I’ve got a few options for drive/fuzz if I want that (MXR Variac Fuzz or EHX Hot Wax).
The best control for any delay pedal on bass guitar is the off switch.
Sounds a little like it could be used on a blood incantation album
ryan i am personally begging you to get a cream pickup cover for that off-kiltertron
Looks like full mix is not 100% wet? :\
I need to know what the bottom of the t-shirt says!
I keep hearing early Pionk Floyd in what you are doing with this and I am wondering what Dave Gilmour could have done with it If he had this tech in the 1960's. Awesome by the way.
I enjoy Ryan's reviews, especially the surf stuff, but I imagine he's a nightmare to be in a band with.
Tell me if this is right: It starts by splitting signal dry and wet, then the series/parallel switch decides if the distortion is on the wet or dry?
uggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh between Soft Focus Deluxe and Dark Star v3 I can look forward to another year of no money haha
Whoa! Slow down there. Give the princes their moment.
Delay before or after reverb?
To be honest I can’t see much in this that I can’t achieve with a RV 6 with its tone turn down, a dd 500 and a blues driver 🤷.
Am I the only one that thinks Ryan looks a lot older when he starts BEARDFARMING? :D
2 things. 1. I need a surfgaze song by you. 2. How did you know I was naked?!
Yup👍🏿
It's too much for me. I will stick with the original. I want my Soft Focus simple. Mine doesn't even need knobs, it coulda been hard-wired with all knobs maxed out and volume at unity.
That’s what I said when I noticed the Extra delay on it.
It’s too much for me as well. However, i will be buying it for sure😂
Both
am I crazy or in 9:22 Ryan accidentally plays the first 3 chords of Alison by Slowdive?
give a typewriter and a billion years and i might write Shakespeare ;-)
i need a new ad blocker
I have a WA Slo on steroids feel to this. 🤔
Great video, Sir could you give me any multi effects pedal🥰🙏because my zoom G3 is soon to be retired😢, I am 18 years old kid and I am a church guitarist and I don't have enough money to buy at least cheap new one cuz my parents don't support my passion 😞... I'm from Philippines sir🇵🇭 I've always watch your high quality content reviews about in pedal and I learned a lot,❤️ thank you sir please I hope you notice me....🙏🙏😥😥😞 please sir any budget multi fx pedal or valeton gp 200🙏🙏🙏🇵🇭
Try a KEELEY LOOMER✌🏿
One of my all time favorite and most used pedals.
Totally
I had the loomer and the realizer. Cool but not quite there imo.
It’s my favorite pedal
Sons of bitches i got the fx40 a month a go (sigh) guess i gotta get this one too😒
Blade-runner soundtrack.
Keep 'em both and run them in stereo. Find some other, like-minded people, get out thre and blow minds.