Rockman Compressor

Very easy to use, simple in / out, easy front layout.

Used this with various setups to see what it will do, obviously works best with its own; the other Rockman modules. Very noisy at mid to high settings, best left out of the chain, maybe best left in the closet or on ebay, haha.

Built well. May for years of service.

N/A

In short; this item is not needed. I've read where this has a special 'lead' feature chip, but really its of no matter... Save your money and move on.

For being a little box (1/2 rack space), there is alot to work with. While there aren't many sliders and buttons, each tweak is different from the last. The input gain is ace, it makes the signal hotter going into the amp. Real easy way to "Fenderize" things. That's part of the Fender secret. Most good fenders have resistors attached to the input jack to make the signal hotter and more responsive. The top boost feature is also killer!! Adds high-end definition and character. I use the middle setting and leave it there, usually. These two features alone make this box a 10. The compressor on it is good as well, does light to heavy compression. On the back there are input jacks for bypass, lead boost, input and output.

I think this box works best with single coils. This is definitely not a high gain compressor. It is noisey with high amounts of gain. I run it through a Soldano Decatone and a Fender Prosonic, and on both, it gets noisey when the gain gets above 4. It isn't too bad with pedals though. It works well with my tube screamer, it is not as noisey as a gain channel on either amp. For clean sounds, and slightly edgy, this unit ROCKS. On the clean channels on both amps, this things adds crispness and dynamics. It makes a 4x12 stack sound like a very large, and loud combo!! I rarely use the compression feature, only for some Floyd and Funk stuff. It works very well for that too. As I said before, this seems to be a clean compressor. It works great with my Replex, Ibanez Classic Phaser, original EH Misterss, H20, Teese RMC3, and Analogman TS-9. I even have an Analogman compressor, and can say that the Comprossor does not do ANY of the things that I like about the Rockman, except that it is quieter with gain, and is true bypass (which isn't an issue for me because it is always on). The Rockman is also a versatile piece of recording equipment. It makes a GREAT acoustic preamp. With the right settings, it gives even cheap acoustics the ring, sparkle, and clarity of much more expensive acoustics. Also works good as a vocal preamp too.

Like all rockman stuff, it has been out of prodution for a long time. Some of this stuff works better than others. Mine works fine and has never given me any problems, but who knows when it will. The circuitry inside is top notch, but it is in a plastic casing with plastic sliders and plastic buttons. Expect something to happen sometime.

Tom Scholtz dropped off the face of the Earth long ago, I understand Marshall or somebody picked up the licensing and service, and Marshall BLOWS!! You would be better off with your local amp wizard, if you have one (as I do).

I play everything, but mostly blues, southern rock, old british classic, stuff like that. I can honestly say this is the top piece in my arsenal, it is essential to the tone I use. And that's saying alot considering all the stuff I have (I've already listed some of it). If it were stolen or lost, these things are fairly easy to replace, But not for the price I found his one at (expect $60-$85). But that is still 1/2 the price of an analogman or Ross original. I love this unit, I wish it wasn't encased in cheap plastic, but it works. I wish it was quieter with higher gain stuff, and was true bypass, but those are very minor flaws (for me anyways). Overall dynamite piece of equipment, the best rockman product ever in my opinion. Did I mention I love this thing?