The 424 Gain Stage perfectly captures the unique sonic character of original vintage 424 multi-track recorder. We perfectly replicated the original 424 MKI circuit using the original UPC4570 and NJM4565 op-amps and all the original controls, which is crucial for recreating the unique character that makes the old units sound so great. It delivers the same lo-fi saturation, rubbery cleans, and compressed fuzz that defined an era of home recording. This pedal transforms that signature cassette texture into a portable, pedalboard-friendly format.
Dual gain stage flexibility
With separate controls for Trim and Channel gain, the 424 Gain Stage allows you to shape your tone with precision and creativity. From clean boosts to gritty overdrive and smashed-out fuzz, the interactive gain stages emulate the workflow of the original 424 MK1's input path, giving you full control over how hard you hit the circuit and what flavours emerge as a result.
Studio-ready DI output
The addition of a balanced XLR output makes the 424 Gain Stage an ideal tool for recording and live use. You can run it straight into a mixer or audio interface while preserving all the rich, saturated character of the cassette-era sound. Add a ground lift to eliminate hum, and combine it with your amp rig for parallel tones or stereo blends with ease.
Creative tone shaping tools
With intuitive EQ controls for Bass and Treble, you can fine-tune your tone to sit perfectly in any mix. Dial in dark, dusty textures or add extra sparkle to a lo-fi lead—these simple yet powerful tools give the 424 Gain Stage a broad tonal palette, suitable for subtle enhancements or full-on sonic chaos.
Specifications
Product Name: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage
Product Code: JHS-424-GAIN-STAGE
Bypass: Buffered with silent soft-touch switching
Power Requirements: 9V DC centre-negative (50mA draw)
Dimensions: 2.6” x 4.8” x 1.6”
Input: ¼” mono (top right jack)
Output: ¼” mono (top left jack)
XLR Output: Balanced DI out (left side), usable with ¼” output simultaneously
Ground Lift: Toggle switch for eliminating hum when using XLR out
Controls: Volume, Gain 1 (Trim), Gain 2 (Channel), Bass, Treble
