Cassette Preamp

Name: Cassette Preamp
Brand: Color Audio
Availability: OnlineOnly

Boost

Tascam-style cassette deck channel strip with original NJM2068/M5218 op-amps and variable filters.

Color Audio is an effects pedal company based in Helsinki, Finland, specializing in recreating vintage recording equipment characteristics in pedal format. Their designs focus on capturing the unique sonic fingerprints of classic studio gear.

The Cassette Preamp recreates the channel strip of a vintage Japanese cassette recorder, faithfully reproduced with original NJM2068 and M5218 op-amps. Though originally a mic/line preamp, its raw character works beautifully with guitar or bass plugged straight in.

Controls include Gain, Level, Bass, and Treble (passive 2-band tonestack with +/-10dB), plus a variable state low-pass filter and 3-way high-pass filter toggle. The HPF filters lows before the gain stage: off for bassier/fuzzier tones, settings 1 and 2 for more balanced distortion.

The range spans compressed cleans to blown-out fuzz. Built for touring with Neutrik jacks, Alpha pots, rugged aluminum enclosure, reverse/over-voltage protection, and relay true bypass with auto-bypass on power loss. Power: 9-18V DC, 23mA. Priced at $249/249 EUR/199 GBP.