Epoch Pre

The Catalinbread Epoch Pre captures the preamp section of the Echoplex EP-3 tape delay unit. Players in the '70s and '80s discovered that running signal through an EP-3 with the delay off added warmth, presence, and a slight midrange push that made everything sound better. This pedal isolates that specific effect.

Simple controls let you dial in the amount of preamp coloration and output level. The circuit faithfully reproduces the JFET-based input stage of the original EP-3, including its characteristic frequency response curve that gently rolls off extreme highs and adds subtle low-mid warmth.

Works best as an always-on pedal at the front of your chain, where it conditions your signal before hitting other effects and your amp. The difference is subtle but immediately noticeable when you switch it off—everything sounds flatter without it.