Product: Rocktron Patch Mate
Price Paid: US $250 used
Submitted
10/11/1997
at
12:42am
by
J.
Ease of Use
:
7
It was a pain in the ass since I had no manual. I knew the loops were stereo but what I did not know was that I had to spend about $100 in cable plus "Y" adaptors. After I got the manual online; THANK GOD, it was smooth sailing.
Sound Quality
:
10
QUIET. It's quiet as hell. No drop-outs between presets. No coloration
Reliability
:
8
I can only depend on it to a point. If you are gonna get a loop switcher get one new so you know all of them are working properly. As far as a backup, I disconnect a few cables and go from a head into a cabinet... NO FRILLS!
Customer Support
:
10
The funny thing is that I bought it used and some of the loops were crapping out due to a bad solder connection. So I sent it to Rocktron. They were like ya it'll be about 40 bucks including shipping or something. So I said "Hey I have a gig coming up" and they told me it'd be back in about 6 days from time of shipping. Anyway, here is the amazing part. That unit came back in 5 days and it was still under warranty so it was FREE! They also updated the software! Does that kick fucking ass or what? THEY RULE!!!
Overall Rating
:
10
I would definitely buy it again...(new) I just wish it came with a cable organizer...
Product: Rocktron Patch Mate
Price Paid: US $175 used
Submitted
07/22/1997
at
12:17pm
by
Mike Tatro
Ease of Use
:
5
This is Rocktron's souped-up version of the Rockman MIDI octopus, except that this unit has 9 stereo assignable loops or control signals.
You definitely need to RTFM (Read The Fine Manual) before you can get this to work properly. I didn't get one (bought it used). So it was off to Rocktron's WWW site. I printed the online manual.
This unit is EXTREMELY flexible and, is often the case, therefore not very user friendly.
Sound Quality
:
10
Doesn't affect tone - that's the whole point.
Reliability
:
9
I'd gig without a backup. Relays are well-protected, what can happen?
Overall Rating
:
8
I really wanted to channel-switch my Boogie DC-2 AND still use some stomp boxes. This unit totally delivers - it can help you pull your rack together. The price was a complete steal compared to similar units (e.g., Ground Control extender rack for $350). Would definitely buy it again.
