Catalinbread Semaphore Tremolo Pedal

The newly redesigned Semaphore combines a fantastic audio path, with a diverse tremolo that has a bottomless feature set including eight different waveforms, tap tempo and divide, tap tempo input, and expression pedal capabilities. Its small footprint combined with a feature set that suits both foot-tappers and knob-twiddlers alike makes the Semaphore both versatile and pedalboard friendly.

 

At the heart of the Semaphore is a lush audio path that incorporates optically controlled JFET gain stages to sculpt a gorgeous clean boost sound, that is present and alive without being peaky or harsh. We've quadrupled the number of waveforms – everything is in there from classic square, triangle, and sine waves to ramping sounds, and a mind-bending random shape. And in conjunction with the Shape contour, which morphs the waveshape, numerous waveforms are waiting to be unlocked. The Semaphore sounds fantastic, and the Tap Tempo section is engaging and easy to use. We've even included a control voltage input to control the tap tempo with another unit.

 

Controls:

Rate – The Rate control controls the speed of the tremolo. On the Semaphore, this knob’s characteristics are affected by the position of the Tap Divide control. If the Tap Divide is set at a higher rate, you will notice that the Rate knob's sweep will change as well. The expression pedal nullifies the rate control when plugged in.

 

Tap Divide – The Tap Divide works as the engine for the Tap function of the Semaphore. Since a tremolo can obviously operate at a much faster rate than one could tap out, this control takes your tap tempo and multiplies it by the corresponding note beats. The quarter note represents the same tempo that you tap out. Once a tempo has been tapped in, the Tap Divide can function as an in-time rate control.

 

Shape – The Shape control is used to morph the selected waveshape. At noon, your waveshape will represent the shape on the Waveshape control, but to either side this shape will slant providing numerous sounds and endless possibilities. The Shape, however, has no effect on the Random waveshape setting, because it is random.

 

Waveshape – The Waveshape control provides eight different waveshapes, which won’t leave anybody wanting for more.

 

Depth – The Depth control dials in how much tremolo is in your signal. Dialed all the way down, the Semaphore can be used as a boost, and you can bring up the depth enough for slight shimmers in your signal, or all-out depth, for maximum effect.

 

Volume – The Volume control, obviously, controls the volume of the pedal. Unity on the pedal is around noon, depending on the voltage running, and provides plenty of boost or attenuation.