A lot of pedals say they have rack unit sounds (Red Panda Context, Alexander Pedals, Ventris, Digitech, ... ). You read the word "rack" everywhere. But this pedal really gives a fragment of a rack unit with (almost) all the composing parameter knobs. It has delay, symphony (tri - chorus like),.. and even that digital rack distortion like the original. Really brings you in Slowdive territory. Not exactly 100 % the same as the original unit, but close enough and more simple to use. The real one is more subdivided and can be controlled more with more parameters. I love this real rack approach for pedals. I would love to see more of those pedals.
It is rather expensive, more aimed at the amateurs of shoegaze sound. But for those it is worth the money. I love the distortion mixed in the reverb tail. I like it a lot more then the first simple soft focus pedal because this one has the delay. The shimmer sounds are really nice and I will play a lot with nr2 with the endless verb. I still have to try stuff (like swells) but the pedal sounds like presented on you tube. The only downside is that the full mix doesn't sound as loud as the dry signal. This can be arranged of course with a pedal after it. I have the same remark for the Walrus Audio Descent. For people who like their wet signal full, this is nice to have.
Where the Belle Epoche Deluxe was not really a big step forward to the simple Belle Epoche, the Soft Focus Deluxe is compared to the simple Soft Focus.
Conclusion : wonderfull pedal for the lovers of symphony and soft focus rack sounds from yamaha.
