Before the signal ever reached the tape machine, many of the most iconic recordings of the 1950s and '60s passed through a studio console preamp that quietly shaped their warmth, depth and unmistakable character. Inspired by the legendary RCA BA-31, the Catalinbread Crooner console preamp pedal brings that coveted studio sound to the pedalboard while dramatically expanding its creative range. By pairing the BA-31-inspired preamp with a UREI-style discrete op amp and interactive Push and Trim controls, the Crooner moves effortlessly from rich, high-headroom clean boost to harmonically rich overdrive, transformer saturation and vintage-flavored fuzz—transforming one of recording history's most revered microphone preamps into a remarkably expressive guitar pedal.

UREI-Inspired Op Amp for Expansive Gain Control

At the heart of the Crooner is a UREI-style discrete op amp that drives the BA-31-inspired preamp well beyond its original studio role. The Push control determines how hard the preamp is driven, delivering everything from pristine console-style enhancement to dynamic overdrive, distortion and thick, harmonically rich fuzz. Working in tandem with the Trim control, it unlocks an exceptionally broad gain range that responds naturally to your playing while preserving the touch sensitivity and musicality of the original design.

BA-31-Inspired Circuit for Rich Transformer Saturation

While the Push control shapes the signal feeding the preamp, the Trim control adjusts the gain of the BA-31-inspired circuit itself, opening the door to increasingly compressed, saturated tones that push the output transformer into gloriously overdriven territory. From subtle harmonic coloration to syrupy sustain and molten lead sounds, the Crooner explores sonic textures the original studio preamp was never intended to produce. A dedicated Filter control provides a gentle treble roll-off, helping maintain clarity and balance as gain levels increase.

A Flexible Preamp Pedal Built for Seamless Integration Into Any Rig

Designed for today's players, the Crooner is equally at home running on 9V or 18V power, with higher voltages unlocking even greater headroom, dynamic range and harmonic depth. Standard 1/4" input and output jacks make it easy to integrate into virtually any rig, while its compact enclosure leaves plenty of room on crowded pedalboards. Whether used as an always-on console preamp, a dynamic gain stage or a source of rich transformer saturation, the Catalinbread Crooner console preamp pedal delivers the unmistakable warmth and character of a legendary studio preamp with the versatility to inspire modern players.