Color Audio Cassette Pre Amp

Cassette Pre Amp

£249.00

Highlights

• Vintage cassette recorder preamp pedal for guitar and bass, ideal for studio or pedalboard use
• Compressed cleans, gritty drive and blown out fuzz inspired by Japanese cassette tape machines
• Highly responsive to picking dynamics and instrument volume for expressive, hands on playing
• Intuitive gain, EQ, HPF and LPF controls offer fast, musical sound shaping
• Part for part analogue circuit with NJM2068 and M5218 op amps for authentic cassette character
• Hand built in Finland with modern manufacturing for consistent quality and reliability
• Rugged all metal aluminium enclosure designed for touring and regular live use
• Clean black finish with clear graphics for easy reading on crowded pedalboards
• Bright LED power indicator gives instant on/off status on dark stages
• True bypass with soft touch relay switching preserves tone when the pedal is off
• Fully analogue signal path with no digital processing or conversion
• Top mounted input, output and DC jacks keep pedalboards tidy and efficient
• Backed by manufacturer warranty for long term confidence and peace of mind

Description

The Color Audio Cassette Preamp is a vintage cassette recorder channel strip rebuilt as a compact effects pedal, designed to sit comfortably on a pedalboard or in a studio chain. Based on the preamp section of a classic Japanese cassette deck, it takes what was originally a mic and line preamp and turns it into a flexible tone shaping tool for guitar and bass. Plugged straight in, it works as a DI style colour box; placed in front of an amp, it becomes a characterful preamp that can add grit, compression and attitude before the signal even hits the front end. Extra filtering and EQ controls expand the original design, making it far more adaptable to modern rigs without losing its roots.

Sonically, the Color Audio Cassette Preamp lives in that familiar cassette territory musicians associate with old Portastudios and four tracks. At lower gain settings it delivers slightly compressed, warm cleans that thicken single notes and chords without getting in the way. As the gain is pushed, the sound shifts into gritty, mid-forward drive that reacts strongly to picking dynamics and instrument volume. At the extreme end it tips into blown out, fuzzy textures that suit bass lines, shoegaze walls, and lo fi leads. The combination of high pass and low pass filtering allows anything from relatively crisp, forward tones to darker, rolled off sounds that feel worn in and imperfect in a musical way.

In use, the pedal feels immediate and responsive. It tracks playing dynamics closely, cleaning up when the player eases off and digging in when they lean harder on the strings. Volume knob changes on the instrument translate naturally, making it easy to move between clean and dirty without touching the pedal. The layout encourages experimentation, with filters and EQ responding predictably rather than in exaggerated jumps, so sounds can be shaped quickly by ear. Whether used subtly as a tone sweetener or pushed hard for character, it invites hands on interaction rather than constant second guessing.

The control set is simple but powerful. Gain sets the amount of drive, ranging from clean through saturated into full on distortion. A three way high pass filter shapes how much low end hits the gain stage, from full range bass heavy sounds to tighter, more focused distortion. Bass and treble controls offer ±10 dB of cut or boost, letting players fine tune the low and high frequencies to suit different instruments and amps. The low pass filter rolls off high frequencies as it is turned back, especially useful at higher gain settings to soften edges and tame fizz. Level controls the overall output, making it easy to match or push levels whether running direct or into an amplifier.

At the heart of the pedal is a part for part recreation of the original cassette preamp circuit, including the NJM2068 and M5218 op amps that define its sound. Modern manufacturing methods and carefully chosen updates lower the noise floor and improve reliability, but the core behaviour and tone remain true to the original design. The result is a circuit that feels authentic and raw, yet dependable enough for everyday use on stage or in the studio.

The Color Audio Cassette Preamp is housed in a rugged all metal enclosure designed to cope with regular transport and heavy foot use. Neutrik jacks and Alpha potentiometers are used throughout, paired with sturdy aluminium knobs. Reverse polarity and over voltage protection are built in to safeguard the circuit, while soft touch relay switching provides quiet, reliable operation and automatically bypasses the effect if power is lost.

Visually, the Color Audio Cassette Preamp keeps things understated and purposeful. The black enclosure, matching knobs and single red accent give it a clean, functional look that fits easily alongside modern pedalboards. The graphics are clear and uncluttered, making the control layout easy to read at a glance without distracting from the overall aesthetic.

A bright LED power indicator clearly shows when the pedal is active, giving instant feedback on dark stages or in dim studios. The switching and indicator behaviour are designed to be predictable and easy to trust in live use.

The bypass circuit is designed to preserve the original signal when the effect is disengaged, keeping tone and clarity intact. When off, the pedal stays out of the way; when on, it becomes an integral part of the sound rather than an obvious add on.

Input, output and DC power connections are positioned to make pedalboard wiring straightforward and tidy. The pedal runs on 9 and 18 V DC, offering extra headroom at higher voltages, with a modest current draw that works comfortably with most modern power supplies.

The Color Audio Cassette Preamp is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty, offering reassurance that it is built to last and supported should any issues arise, making it a solid long term addition to a working rig.

In summary, the Color Audio Cassette Preamp delivers the gritty, compressed and slightly unruly character of a vintage Japanese cassette recorder in a modern pedal format. With its wide gain range, flexible filtering, responsive feel and robust construction, it works equally well as a subtle tone shaper, a lo fi drive pedal or a full character preamp for guitar or bass. For players looking to add cassette style colour and texture without sacrificing reliability or control, it stands out as a practical and musical choice from Color Audio.

Controls

• FOOTSWITCH: Soft touch switching gives silent, reliable on/off control with clear visual confidence
• GAIN: Sweeps from warm compressed cleans to gritty drive and blown out fuzz
• LEVEL: Precisely sets output volume, keeping tone consistent across all gain settings
• BASS: Boost or cut lows for tight guitar punch or full, weighty bass response
• TREBLE: Shapes clarity and bite, from smooth warmth to forward, cutting presence
• HPF TOGGLE: Three way high pass filter tightens lows or unleashes thick, fuzzy saturation
• LPF: Smoothly rolls off highs for darker lo fi textures or crisp, open tones

Components and Technical Specifications

• Part for part analogue cassette preamp circuit recreates vintage Japanese recorder channel tone
• Original NJM2068 and M5218 op amps deliver authentic saturation, compression and harmonic grit
• Modern low noise components preserve character while improving signal clarity and consistency
• Discrete analogue signal path keeps dynamics intact and responsive to playing touch
• Neutrik input and output jacks ensure solid connections for stage and studio use
• Alpha potentiometers provide smooth, reliable control feel with long-term durability
• Soft touch relay switching offers silent operation and automatic bypass on power loss
• True bypass signal path maintains tone integrity when the pedal is disengaged
• Wide 9 and 18 V DC operation increases headroom and punch at higher voltages
• Built in reverse polarity and over voltage protection safeguards the circuit on the road
• Rugged aluminium enclosure withstands touring, transport and regular foot use
• High input impedance suits guitars and basses without loading pickups
• Low output impedance drives long cable runs and complex pedal chains cleanly
• Powered by standard 9V centre negative supply (not included)
• Battery operation not supported
• Current draw measured with Truetone 1Spot mA Meter:
• Bypass: Approximately 10 mA
• Engaged (maximum): Approximately 19 mA

Current draw may vary slightly depending on control settings, circuit behaviour, and active features such as gain stages, modulation, filtering, or reverb tails. For best performance, use a high quality isolated power supply that matches the pedal’s current requirements. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations, as incorrect powering may cause damage.

Enclosure Dimensions

• Depth: 121 mm / 4.7 in
• Width: 66 mm / 2.6 in
• Height : 39 mm / 1.5 in

Weight

• 323 g
• 0.71 lbs

Official UK Dealers

FX Pedal Planet Limited and FX Pedal Planet Online Store proudly serve as official UK dealers for Color Audio effects pedals. If we do not have the specific Color Audio pedal you are looking for, please reach out to us via the contacts page, and will order it on our next stock order for you at the best price and customer service.

Buy Today and Pay Over Time

To give our customers flexibility and a pleasurable shopping experience, FX Pedal Planet Online Store accepts Klarna, Afterpay, Clearpay and Google Pay.

Klarna is a smooth and safe way to get what you want today, and pay over time. Afterpay allows customers to pay in four interest free instalments, budget your spending and earn rewards when you shop.

UK Deliveries

For our UK customers, we provide FREE 24 hour DHL tracked and signed delivery, ensuring your order arrives swiftly and securely.

International Deliveries

International deliveries are dispatched with DHL, ensuring fast shipping and efficient processing through customs.

For more information on deliveries and charges, please refer to our Deliveries and Charges.

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