Classic Portastudio Tone in a Compact Pedal
JHS Pedals has announced the 424 Gain Stage, a preamp/fuzz pedal that faithfully recreates the character of the TASCAM® Portastudio® 424 cassette recorder. Using the same UPC4570 and NJM4565 op-amps found in the original unit, it delivers the lo-fi, “elastic” tones heard on classic home recordings and popularized today by artists like Mk.gee.
The control layout mirrors the Portastudio’s mixer section with Volume, Gain 1 (trim), Gain 2 (channel), Bass, Treble, and footswitch. It features both 1/4″ in/out and a balanced XLR output with ground lift, making it equally at home as a DI, fuzz box, or tonal enhancer in a traditional rig. From rubbery cleans and high-headroom tones to fully smashed fuzz, the 424 Gain Stage offers a wide dynamic range of textures.
Compact and pedalboard-friendly (2.6” x 4.8”), the pedal runs on standard 9V DC power and offers buffered bypass. JHS emphasizes that it’s not about amp-like breakup but about capturing the quirky, lo-fi magic of the original cassette recorder’s preamps—textures that range from glitchy cleans to bubbling, saturated fuzz.
The JHS 424 Gain Stage is available now from JHS and authorized dealers.
If you enjoyed checking out this JHS pedal, here are more JHS products worth exploring — all tested and reviewed here on BassGearReviews:
– JHS Colour Box V2 – The Neve-Inspired Swiss Army Knife for Bass Players
