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cassette preamp

cassette preamp

The cassette preamp is the channel strip of a vintage Japanese cassette recorder in pedal form, with some additional features to make it more versatile. Though originally designed as a mic/line preamp, its unapologetically raw character works beautifully with guitar or bass plugged straight in. From compressed cleans to blown-out fuzz, it delivers a wide range of DI tones while also serving as a versatile preamp in front of an amp.

249,00 EUR
249,00 EUR
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rock guitar
guitar (DI)
The cassette preamp plugged straight into the interface, like the lord intended.
The cassette preamp plugged straight into the interface, like the lord intended.
chef's choice
guitar (DI)
My personal favourite setting. very dynamic and cleans up nicely with the volume knob.
My personal favourite setting. very dynamic and cleans up nicely with the volume knob.
slap guitar
guitar (DI)
Works great as just a clean toneshaping tool with a slightly compressed tone.
Works great as just a clean toneshaping tool with a slightly compressed tone.
bass guitar
bass (DI)
A blown-out bass guitar. in this setting all low frequencies are let through unfiltered, which is ideal for bass.
A blown-out bass guitar. in this setting all low frequencies are let through unfiltered, which is ideal for bass.
acoustic guitar
acoustic (DI)
A cool saturated acoustic guitar sound.
A cool saturated acoustic guitar sound.
golden ratio
guitar (DI)
The mathematically beautiful setting.
The mathematically beautiful setting.
  • Bypass: Relay-switched true bypass with auto-bypass on power loss
  • Power: 9-18V DC, 2.1 mm center negative barrel. The current draw is 23mA
  • I/O: Top mounted Neutrik 1/4" jacks
  • Input impedance: 1MΩ
  • Dimensions: 122mm x 67mm x 56mm
  • Weight: 350g
1

Gain

Sets the amount of gain from clean to saturated to fully blown-out

2

LPF

Filters out high frequencies. Fully clockwise, the filter is off. Turning counter-clockwise gradually rolls off highs for a warmer tone, especially useful with high gain settings

4

Bass

Boosts or attenuates low frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the treble control

7

Bypass

Engages the pedal

Pedal Image
3

Level

Controls the output volume of the pedal

5

HPF

Filters out low frequencies before the gain stage. when set to off, all lows are let into the gain stage, resulting in a bassier, fuzzier tone. Settings 1 and 2 filter out lows for a more balanced and forward distortion character

6

Treble

Boosts or attenuates high frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the bass control

Pedal Image
1

Gain

Sets the amount of gain from clean to saturated to fully blown-out

2

LPF

Filters out high frequencies. Fully clockwise, the filter is off. Turning counter-clockwise gradually rolls off highs for a warmer tone, especially useful with high gain settings

3

Level

Controls the output volume of the pedal

4

Bass

Boosts or attenuates low frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the treble control

5

HPF

Filters out low frequencies before the gain stage. when set to off, all lows are let into the gain stage, resulting in a bassier, fuzzier tone. Settings 1 and 2 filter out lows for a more balanced and forward distortion character

6

Treble

Boosts or attenuates high frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the bass control

7

Bypass

Engages the pedal

Quick guide
rock guitar
guitar (DI)
The cassette preamp plugged straight into the interface, like the lord intended.
The cassette preamp plugged straight into the interface, like the lord intended.
chef's choice
guitar (DI)
My personal favourite setting. very dynamic and cleans up nicely with the volume knob.
My personal favourite setting. very dynamic and cleans up nicely with the volume knob.
slap guitar
guitar (DI)
Works great as just a clean toneshaping tool with a slightly compressed tone.
Works great as just a clean toneshaping tool with a slightly compressed tone.
bass guitar
bass (DI)
A blown-out bass guitar. in this setting all low frequencies are let through unfiltered, which is ideal for bass.
A blown-out bass guitar. in this setting all low frequencies are let through unfiltered, which is ideal for bass.
acoustic guitar
acoustic (DI)
A cool saturated acoustic guitar sound.
A cool saturated acoustic guitar sound.
golden ratio
guitar (DI)
The mathematically beautiful setting.
The mathematically beautiful setting.
  • Bypass: Relay-switched true bypass with auto-bypass on power loss
  • Power: 9-18V DC, 2.1 mm center negative barrel. The current draw is 23mA
  • I/O: Top mounted Neutrik 1/4" jacks
  • Input impedance: 1MΩ
  • Dimensions: 122mm x 67mm x 56mm
  • Weight: 350g
1

Gain

Sets the amount of gain from clean to saturated to fully blown-out

2

LPF

Filters out high frequencies. Fully clockwise, the filter is off. Turning counter-clockwise gradually rolls off highs for a warmer tone, especially useful with high gain settings

4

Bass

Boosts or attenuates low frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the treble control

7

Bypass

Engages the pedal

Pedal Image
3

Level

Controls the output volume of the pedal

5

HPF

Filters out low frequencies before the gain stage. when set to off, all lows are let into the gain stage, resulting in a bassier, fuzzier tone. Settings 1 and 2 filter out lows for a more balanced and forward distortion character

6

Treble

Boosts or attenuates high frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the bass control

Pedal Image
1

Gain

Sets the amount of gain from clean to saturated to fully blown-out

2

LPF

Filters out high frequencies. Fully clockwise, the filter is off. Turning counter-clockwise gradually rolls off highs for a warmer tone, especially useful with high gain settings

3

Level

Controls the output volume of the pedal

4

Bass

Boosts or attenuates low frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the treble control

5

HPF

Filters out low frequencies before the gain stage. when set to off, all lows are let into the gain stage, resulting in a bassier, fuzzier tone. Settings 1 and 2 filter out lows for a more balanced and forward distortion character

6

Treble

Boosts or attenuates high frequencies by ±10 dB. Part of a passive 2-band tonestack with the bass control

7

Bypass

Engages the pedal

Quick guide

Video manual

BUILT TO LAST

Built for the demands of touring musicians and studio professionals alike, the pedal features Neutrik jacks, Alpha potentiometers, a rugged aluminum enclosure and knobs, reverse- and over-voltage protection and soft-touch relay switching. Every detail is designed for long-term reliability.

MODERNLY RECREATED

This circuit is a part-for-part reproduction of the original unit, right down to the NJM2068 and M5218 op-amps. Modern manufacturing and added features enhance reliability and reduce the noise floor without compromising the character of the original design.