Catalinbread Tap Tempo Semaphore
The newly redesigned Semaphore combines a fantastic audio
path, with a diverse tremolo that has a bottomless feature set including 8
different waveforms, tap tempo and divide, tap tempo input, and expression
pedal capabilities. It's 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 knobs 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.
