catalinbread USED Dirty Little Secret Deluxe

The Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret Deluxe is the next step in British amp simulation. Going beyond the popular Dirty Little Secret preamp circuit, which is renowned for its high-level British sound reproduction, it authentically recreates the entire amp sound. The Dirty Little Secret circuit has been completely upgraded, with a phase inverter, power amp simulator, output transformer, and improved usability.

The switch to toggle between Super Lead and Super Bass can now be operated at any time, and a clean DLS boost circuit has been added that can be used independently of the main circuit. The order of connection between the boost and DLS can be switched using an internal switch.
You can use the boost before the amp to push it, or after it to make the amp sound even louder. It also has a new Tightness control inside that lets you tone down the sub-bass range for clarity, or completely cut the low end to create a thrash metal tone.
The newly added Line output offers a +10dB boost, ideal for outputting to mixers, DAWs, and other devices.

The Dirty Little Secret Deluxe replicates every component of an amplifier head. It features an all-discrete circuit, including a preamp, phase inverter, power amp simulator, and output transformer. With a boost modeled after a clean British amp preamp, it's a complete amp-in-a-box.


●Controls - Master: Adjusts the overall volume of the pedal. Turning it clockwise increases the volume, and turning it counterclockwise decreases it. It's easiest to use if you adjust it so that the volume is only slightly higher than when the effect is OFF. Unlike the master volume on many amplifiers, this knob is located before the phase inverter and output transformer, not at the end of the circuit. The output stage is designed to be less affected by input saturation, so turning up the Master won't drastically change the tone, but you might notice a gentle compression, especially if you use it in a way that keeps it on all the time.

• Preamp: Adjusts the amount of distortion. Turning it clockwise increases the distortion, and turning it counterclockwise decreases it. It also affects the volume and tone.

• Presence: Fine-tunes the top end of the tone. A powerful low-pass filter that, at its minimum setting, attenuates frequencies above 1.59kHz by 3dB. Setting it higher raises the cutoff point.

Treble, Middle, Bass: These controls are the tone stack values ​​of classic British amplifiers and function just like the original amps. The entire tone stack circuit operates passively. This means that none of the three knobs are flat at the 12 o'clock position. Adjust them to your liking.

• Boost Vol: This boost circuit is actually a component of the tube emulation that makes up the DLS itself. When the boost is placed before the main stage and turned on, it acts like a preamp tube added to the device's input, bringing the tone closer to that of the 900. Even when set high, it can boost without sacrificing clarity.

• SL/SB Switch: Switches between SL (Super Lead) and SB (Super Bass) tones. You can switch between SL mode, which has a tone that emphasizes the mid-high frequencies, and SB mode, which has a smooth and smoky tone that emphasizes the mid-low frequencies.



●Internal Control - Tightness: Depending on the genre you want to play, you may want a tighter sound from your amplifier. What is generally referred to as "tightness" is actually a low-frequency attenuation achieved by passing the signal through a light high-pass filter. This high-pass filter does nothing when the trim pot is turned down, and can cut frequencies down to around 230Hz at its maximum.

• Effect Order: This switch toggles the connection order of the Boost and DLS. Placing the Boost before the DLS allows it to act as an additional gain stage, saturating the amp sound. Placing the Boost after the DLS allows it to be used as a gain coupler for the amp. Especially when the Boost is placed after the DLS, when connecting to an amp, adjust the volume by gradually increasing the Boost Vol from a low position.
Few people dislike the tone of a boosted amp. The boost is set before the DLS by default, allowing for stacking by combining two gain generating devices, where the level of the first controls the distortion of the second. Since the boost itself is based on a clean British preamp, combining it with other components can create boosted 800 or 900 tones.


The Dirty Little Secret Deluxe operates on a 9V center-negative DC adapter. Batteries cannot be used.
The current consumption is 7mA.

Condition: No problems with use. Parts requiring acknowledgment: None. Accessories: Box. Warranty: No warranty. Sold as is.