Rocktron VooDu Valve

First things first: this is the most recent version, the one with the glowing blue tube, Not the witch doctor or "Online" one. Haven't tried the other ones but I was told the cleans in this one are better. Most recent firmware and everything.

Tweaking the Voodu Valve isn't super easy but its not that difficult either. You do all editing through 3 main knobs (function select, parameter select, parameter adjust). It's not as easy as the Rocktron Prophecy to configure but adjusting most basic things like bass, trebble, mids, presence, gain and tweaking effects only takes a couple of seconds.

The manual is over 100 pages long and will tell you anything you want to know about it. It's all there. A lot of it goes over my head but I'm learning...

I've had this thing almost a year and I haven't had to change the tube, but I dread the day I have to because it has half a trillion screws I'd have to remove to get to it...and styrofoam for some reason.

I control it with a Rocktron Midi Mate and Hex expression pedal and it interfaces with them very easily. Very rugged stuff...for the money anyway.

I'm using a Schecter C-1 Elite with Duncan Designed HB-102's right now, so my tone can only be as good as the crappy DD's will allow. I will do a follow up review later once I upgrade to JB and Jazz later this year...

I play the thing direct into my studio monitors 95 percent of the time, occasionally I'll play the thing live with my TubeWorks MosValve MV-962 poweramp and a Sonic 4x12 which makes for quite a good combination for my cheap ass.

Like everyone else says, the stock presets are crap but with some tweaking you can make some great sounds. Most the presets I've made are based off of stock presets, just a few modifications here and there and I found the sounds I wanted. It just takes some time. The Rocktron Patchbay has a few good user-submitted tones, though. Some of those people really know what they're doing.

The HUSH is a really great feature and it doesn't alter your tone much if you keep it on a low setting. Keeps the buzz and hum out your tone.

The effects are pretty good, especially considering how much you're able to edit them. Not perfect but more than adequate. I'm not too crazy about the quality of the pitch shifter, though. Maybe I just haven't spent enough time tweaking it...

I'm still searching for my perfect distorted tone. I'm going for a Mesa Rectifier sound (like everyone else in creation) similar to Chevelle's Wonder What's Next album and I think I'm getting close-ish. I've nailed the Recto cleans though (well probably not but close enough for me to be satisfied).

The pre and post EQ's are an absolute godsend. If you're willing to learn some things about equalization, frequencies and stuff like that you really can get any sort of sound you want to, direct to board.

The speaker simulator is damn good like everyone says. While there's no presets for 4x12, 2x12, ect. sounds it's very convincing and I've played a few gigs just going direct into the mixer via the XLR out.

The last thing I'll say is that you NEED a power amp with presence control for this thing. Your presets will sound one way in your bedroom but may sound way brighter on a stage when cranked up. Having a presence knob on your power amp takes care of that so you don't have to go tweaking patches for live playing.

I haven't used the thing live very many times but so far it's held up well. It's the only amp I have right now so gigging without a backup is the only option. The only thing that concerns me is what would happen if the tube dies or breaks. Would the thing fail to start up? Would the preamp work as usual but without the extra tube harmonics? I have no idea. Frankly, I dont ever wanna find out.

I can't say enough about Rocktron's support. Jim Chowning at Rocktron is probably the greatest person that ever lived. Every time I've had a question he's answered it promptly. The man even sent me a free f'ing t-shirt when I asked if they were selling T-shirts in the first place. With that kind of attitude I'll be glad to whore their brand for them. And I gotta say...it's a badass looking T-shirt...

My overall experience with the VV is a work in progress, but I have plenty of faith that in time I'll be able to get my perfect distorted tone out of it after I upgrade my pickups. I have yet to try it with a tube power amp but I've heard that it really shines in front of one.

I think at $779 it's a bit overpriced right now. It used to be sold $100 or so less until recently. I dont know what they were thinking raising the price with the economy being like it is. You can find these things between $400 and $500 on eBay usually, or on the Harmony Central forums every now and then. Hell, someone's probably selling one right now.

Like me, you may not find perfection right away but stick with it and you'll most likely find tones you'll be quite happy with.

By the way if you have any questions about the thing or wanna bum some patches off of me feel free to send me an email or if you wanna send me some patches and see what I think I'd love to hear from you.

Took me some time to get used to, but once youre into it the interface is simple to use. Allows quick program changes through a midi floor board. Rocktron also offer a simple but convenient enough editor program.

Changing tubes is a major pain. You have to loosen about all the screws and jacks to do it. Who designed that?

The is an external power supply to it, when put into a rack you will need some extra space and fixation.

Update:An addition to my review. I was able to get some more technical information on the voodu valve.

The 12AX7 tube is placed behind the compressor and before the dsp. It is not THE over-driven element, nor is it used for compression. All of this is being done elsewhere. (So modding the tube is really not the way to go.)

Having learned this, it doesnt change my opinion on the unit itself, it is a good sounding, versatile and affordable preamp. Just keep in mind it is NOT REALLY a tube preamp.upda

My guitars are Ibanez SZ 520, Schecter Hellraiser, Ibanez RG 560 and Peavey Raptor, all with humbuckers and more or less modded, with a mesa 2/90 power amp hooked to marshall 1960 and engl 112 cabs.

Do not use the factory patches when trying out this unit. Most of them are effect-ridden and do not show the voodu's true qualities.

There is virtually no noise, the hush unit works very smooth. There is noticeable noise in the high gain settings, but I still would call the unit very quiet.

Effects are ok overall. Delay is good, but does not allow for ping-pong. Reverb is okay but slightly artifical sounding, especially with an over-driven power amp. Time-delay effects are outstanding, except pitch shift, which is below average. It offers great effect routing possibilities.

To me, the unit shines at crunchy, marshall-like tones. High-gain tones sound smooth, singing and pleasant, but on the other hand they seem to lack that modern "grit", although I must say I'm still experimenting. Although the unit offers "low gain" and "high gain" settings, the "high gain" sounds pretty much like a hot "low gain", it does not really add any new characteristics, besides gain. I believe there is room for modding here...

The unit offers parametric equalizers pre (2-band) and post (3-band) distortion, which is the key to tone. Sometimes I wish it had 3 and 4 band eqs. But you can get really great sounds from it. You have a host of parameters to play with and to go wrong with. You really need to know what you are dealing with. I found duncanamp's tone stack calc to be helpful to find the right frequencies.

The volume knob on the back broke once. It kinda sticks out unprotected and is easy to break, when outside a rack. I had to call rocktron support germany, they sent a replacement WITHIN ONE DAY WITHOUT CHARGE.

Amazing, see above.

I have been playing for over 20 years. My styles are mainstream and hard rock. I definetely recommend this unit.

Rocktron interfaces aren't known for being the most user friendly. But once you learn one you pretty much can navigate any of them. The Chameleon,Voodu Valve,ProphesyI & II along with the Utopia are very similar.. Now opposed to say a Digitech GSP2101 it would rate a 10 in ease of use but overall there much easier units to program out there..

Excellent sounding unit.. The Cab sims could be better for DI recording but of all the units I own (V Amp Pro,PODxt Pro,Johnson J Station, Peavey Rockmaster,Digitech GSP2120 Artist, Guitar Rig2 w/Rig Kontrol and Amplitube2) I would rate the Voodu Valve as one of the best sounding if not THE best..

Bought mine used. No issues...

Sent an email once... Got a very quick, concise reply.

Very little if anything rates a 10

I play mostly Heavy Metal & Metal.. GREAT unit for those applications.
If stolen I'd immediately begin the search for a replacement..It's only one of two preamps I own I can say that about.. I owned a Prophesy II but sold it in lieu of the Voodu Valve.. This unit has been around a while now but is STILL an excellent choice..

Not to complicated, although the pre and post EQ is frustrating at times.

Editing patches is simple, an indicator light tells you if an effect has been modified. For example if you are using a preset that has high gain, delay, and reverb and you adjust the delay a light will come on. Before saving the settings you play for awhile and decide you don't like it - all you do is bring up the delay parameter again and adjust it back to the previously saved setting (at which point the indicator light will go off).

The manual is helpful and will save you some time.

I use an american strat with a duncan hot rails in the bridge. I use this processor for practice in my living room by running it into the main-amp input of an old fender sidekick 35 amp.

The voodu valve is pretty quiet and almost silent with the hush turned on. I think all the effects sound great but really I mostly only have a touch of reverb on or just bypass the effects all together.

The only sound I ever tried to reproduce is George Lynch's tone on Tooth & Nail, and it turned out almost exact. I think you could nail almost any 80's metal tone with it.

I bought it used about 5 years ago and it looks like hell. Some of the buttons stick a little but the unit still sounds fine.

I don't gig so reliability isn't as important to me as it may be to some.

Never tried to contact them for any reason.

I play acoustic and electric guitar rock and have been playing for over 20 years.

My main amp is a Carvin Legacy, and I also have a Boogie DC-3. I have some of the older boss effects but I rarely use them.

If the voodu valve was stolen I'd be disappointed but probably wouldn't replace it.

Before the voodu valve I had the rocktron chameleon and both units were pretty decent. The voodu valve gain is a bit less flubby and more articulate.

I wish you could bypass the preamp and only use the effects if you wanted. I think the Prophesy can do that.

The settings of the Rocktron are easy to understand: reverb, length of the delay, and so on... BUT the Rocktron Voodu Valve is not so easy to use: you have to turn 3 buttons to set a parameter (reverb for instance), and if you want to select a patch number you always have to confirm your choice by pushing the selecting button... Not so easy therefore, but you can upgrade this by downloading the chameditor software on rocktron website: you can change all the parameters of your patches on your computer and send the modifications by MIDI cables to your rocktron (the transfer is very very fast, do not worry!!!).

The manual is OK... Well translated (for me, I am French!!!!).

Please... PLEASE be aware that factory settings of the Voodu Valve are only sh**t!!!!! Too many effects, too much reverb, strange sounds... But wait, wait: the aim of these sounds is just to show the capabilities of the machine!!! This is a kind of exhibition of all the effects of the Voodu. So you cannot use these patches without changing parameters, working on equalisation, and so on!!! When I read some negative review with guys saying: "Oh, I plug my guitar, I play and I find the sound is sh**t"... Ok, man, please work on the settings, please try to set the three equalization sections!!!! (normal one / pre / post equalizations). But of course, this takes time to try different settings... I would say if you want some "plug and play" staff, do not buy this machine!! This requires time!

So I have been working during several hours on my settings to obtain 3/4 patches: clean / overdrive rythm / disto rythm / big lead sound with a lot of sustain. And I must say you can obtain VERY VERY good sounds with a very long sustain, nice harmonics and a lot of musicality even with a lot of gain!!! I am especially satisfied with my lead sound: the gain is not that high (between 45/50), but the disto is powerful (you have a nervous sound like "roooooaaaaar"), close to the sound of a tube amp or close to the famous Tube Screamer sound.

A few remarks more:
- The delay section is very good, always a lot of musicality.
- The speaker simulation is EXCELLENT and gives to your sound more realism (for my part I always put on the simu)
- The Rocktron Voodu sounds much better with a power amp (not on a combo); I cannot explain why... But on mid-quality combos, the Voodu does not sound that good, there is a lack of bass & mids... Try to play with a power amp, or even on a hi-fi system! This will be better.

I would conclude by saying that the Rocktron Voodu is a very good product with enormous possibilities of settings (too many sometimes??); this takes time, but once you find YOUR settings in accordance with your guitar & your pick-ups, you will LOVE IT!!! Harmonics, musicality, professional sounds... Enjoy man!!! But do not think you just have to plug and play!!

And this machine was not created to be used with a combo or a classical amp... You need a POWER AMP!!!

Good. This works well, I haven't got any problem.

no use of the moment

Excellent machine, quite old (created in the 90s) but still up-to-date with the MIDI possibilities (you can download patches on the official website of Rocktron), the speaker simulation (you can select your speaker: 8', 10', 12'!!! and the position of the microphone!!). The sound is great, professional, you have beautiful harmonics, but you have to take into account the following restrictions:

1. the factory settings of the machine are only sh**t
2. you have to spend a lot of time on the settings to find your own sounds (ok this is long, but you will love the result!!)
3. the voodu has to be used with a power amp (not a combo)

Excellent gear.

Bought my unit second hand but recieved it in a factory restored condition so all the preset patches were there. The variety of tones included is wide and generally of a high standard however to get this unit to shine you will have to tweak it to suit your guitars and style of playing.
The user interface is very simple to use and alows you great and in depth control of your sound. Once you know where a paramter or variable is in the menu you can access, modify and store changes in seconds and a useful "compare" button comparison of the original and modified sounds comes into its own when adjusting sounds.
The manual supplied (and available for download in PDF from roctron's website) is extremely comprehensive and well written. With a copy of it you will have no problem understanding and using all of the features of this preamp. Everything is explainded in good detail and flow diagrams are also supplied to aid in understanding how each configuration will process your sound. It also explains very well how to configure the unit for use with a midi controller which is essential if inteded for stage use.
My unit came with firmware version 1.03 and to my knowledge this was the factory supplied version.
Radiotron NOS 12axl7/ecc83 currently being used.

9 - Cuz its easy to use.

OK, tones.
I currently use an Epiphone Les Paul Studio and a Jackson RR3, all sound analysis here is made using the RR3.
I also use a Behringer FCB1010 midi footcontroller for parameter and program changes with this unit to great effect.
The tonal options available are very wide. Can very easily sound like Marshalls but is very good at higher gain sounds more along the lines of Peavey 5150, Mesa Rectifier, ENGL 530. My current favourite tone i've been able to replicate is from the Evergrey album The Inner Circle, achieved a near exact replica of the rythm tone from the song Ambassador with no extra help from other processing, however an external graphic EQ would make it possible to replicate near any tone i imagine. Clean sounds are that of a marshall, not particularly astounding, could again be tweaked to be suitable for most purposes, can be very birght when needed. Very easy to simulate an acoustic guitar.
All the effects are very good, versatile and extremely customisable. The two that let the unit down in terms of effects however are the pitch shifter and the noise gate.
The pitch shifter is not of a great quality, can be used well to create harmonies of small intervals and very well with an expression pedal as a "whammy" type effect but does not fare well for use with lower octave sounds, the lower you pitch down the more the sound quality degrades. The noise gate while a useful feature is actually bollocks at high volumes due to the high gain nature of the overdrive sounds of this preamp and i fuly recommend the use of an external noise gate unit. Currently i use a Boss ns-2 to solve this problem but i am investigating a midi controllable gate with which to create presets for live use.
Chorus, flange and delays on this unit are great very customisable. Delay can make use of tap tempo.
Unit also supplies tremolo, wah, phase, reverb and compression effects to very high standards.
Full control is given over effect levels and mix as well as stereo panning and signal level given to reverb and delay effects.
In my opinion the higlight of the effects supplied in this unit however is the speaker simulation. It is OUTSTANDING. Simply the best speaker simulation i have ever heard. I would be happy to record guitar tracks direct to the desk or play direct into a PA system using this unit because of it, no digital modelling unit can stand up this preamp in this respect.
Currently i use a Studiomaster mosfet 1000 rackmount poweramplifier with this unit live and a marshall AVT150 combo (via effects return) for practice, the preamp sounds great through both but really sines with the higher power Studiomaster. The best place to hear this preamp however is infront of a valve poweramplifier with 6l6s in. Powerful sound indeed.

8 - Cuz it sounds great, but but the pitch shifter 'aint perfect and it needs and external noise gate unit.

It has never broken down of me yet, only had it a few months though but the unit is about ten years old so i presume it will keep going ad infinitum.
If it did die i would certaily be buying a replacement.
I currently gig it without a backup.

10 - I have no reason to doubt it's reliability

never had to deal with rocktron yet.

I'm a metal/prog guitarist primarily and this preamp is great for my style of playing and overall sound, could be used for many other styles too.
I've played for nearly 13 years but never owned much equipment beyond a guitar combo. However in that time ive played in numerous bands, recorded several times, produced a few albums, worked in many live music venues and currently work for a sound, lighting and electrical engineering company as an audio technician so i would say i have a good grasp and experience of high end audio equipment. Although my current band recorded it's current album before i bought this unit (oh how i wish id had it before) i have programmed the exact same tone of the peavey ultra we used to record it (hear it here: http://www.myspace.com/massacreonthefjords , the rythm guitars only, lead was recorded with line six) and i am very happy with the versatility and sound quality supplied by this compact unit both for live and studio use. It will live in my rack for all time and no doubt get used when im working as well as playing.
As i said previously if it were lost, stolen or borken it would be replaced.
The only real beef i have with the unit overall is the external powersupply, takes up space in the back of the rack, but this isn't much of an issue.

Overall 8 - Sounds great, very customisable, easy to use, 1 rack space, relaiable, needs external noise gate, not the best pitch shifter.

Is very nice, but is dificult take the control of the sound in the beginnig

I use Peavys Tracers guitars whit Dimarzio Tone Zone in the bridge and the Fast Track in the neck. My amp is an ADA 135 watts by side and 4x12 Marshall to Big gigs and 1x12 100 watts to small venues.

Excelent...

Never...but I ear great opinions

Rock...rock..rock and more rock..I have 20 years old play hard My other Rig is a Marshall JMP-1 and other Rocktron,...Pirhana Preamp. The Voodo is the best...it has everything that I need...I spent many hours to discovery the dreamed sound, and I got it. I learned to play listening Eddie Van Halen, Zakk Wilde, Paul Gilbert, Dime Darrell, Brian May, Frank Marino, George Lynch...today I aply this to play Nu Metal..I like this sound...Disturbed, Papa Roach and Sevendust...

Getting a good sound out of it? Well, I imagine that's a subjective word..."what's good for one person ain't necessarily gonna be good for another", etc. etc. But for me, it's bloody easy!!! I luv most of the presets in the unit, some I just wouldn't use and am looking forward to creating some of my own. Downloaded the on-line manual. Very easy to use so far...editing patches?...now that's another story!

My unit is quiet...real quiet. Hell, the pa amp I'm running it thru (Peavey 8400)makes more noise. My main guitar is a Jackson Performer which sound real sweet thru the unit. My back-up is an Ibanez RG450 with a Mimarzio PAF Pro at the neck and the hottest Seymour Duncan available at the bridge - man, can it sing!!! I especially love the variation of Van Halen sounds available. The Sholtz setting...well, lets just say I've just sold ALL of my Rockman gear after getting the Voodu valve. Loads of artists sounds, even the "plus third" thingy, (sounds like your playing in harmony...amazing!!!!) Currently running it thru a Peavey pa amp but will be purchasing either a Mesa 20/20 or a Marshall EL34 and thru a split Marshall 1960 cab, then miked.

So far It's been very dependable. I do plan to gig with it without a back up...i trust this unit.

Never had the need to contact the company yet, but they seem pretty accessible from their website.

I play in a 70's/80's rock covers band. Been playing guitar 2 years, but played pro & semi pro bass for the previous 35, the transition was easy. When I need glam, it's there. Need some classic Bad Company or Doobie Bros, it's there too. Need some metal sounds...got it also. I love doing Bryan Adams on the Voodu setting 160....awesome! Gives the old Canadian rockers tunes a breath of life! Up to this point I don't feel the need to tweak my own, but ultimately will. Hummed and hawed a lot over whether to buy the Ada-MP1 or the Voodu Valve. The Voodu won in the end...just seemed to make more sense, esp. as the company is still around. If I lost (as if I'm gonna do that), broke it or had it stolen, i'd get another in a heartbeat...no, scratch that...i'd probably get 2. These units are dynamite. I plan to patch an TC G Major unit thru it, but probably don't really need to. (Just wanna fill up my rack case space...yes, call me Mr Vanity)!

The Voodu Valve takes some time to figure out, since the presets do not fill the bill, especially if you're looking for a lot of clean and slightly overdriven tones. The manual is very helpful and is a must to read if you're not a total processor geek. For you rare soloists who,like me, perform with midi accompaniment from your own midi files, the Voodu Valve is ideal because it provides eight midi controllers which can be assigned to parameters such as volume, gain, various effects, and EQ; your choice with each preset or user preset. So I put midi control messages in my midi files which automatically call up whatever dynamics I need in the song during the performance, e. g. increasing gain or delay for the guitar solo. No footswitches, controllers, etc., needed. Once you become familiar with all the capabilities of the processor, the biggest problem will be finding the time to exploit them.

The Voodu Valve has all kinds of sounds, most of excellent quality. I'm in full agreement with other reviewers on the sound quality of this unit. I plug my Jazzmaster into the Voodu Valve and go right into the mixer, using monitors and stage speakers. I don't like carrying big cabinets around any more. But here's some info you can really use if you've got a Voodu Valve. You may have wondered if the tube inside it is really doing anything, or is it just a gimmick. Well, here's the scoop. My Voodu Valve seemed to loose some gain and output recently, especially during the first half hour of so of playing. I decided to check out the tube, as anyone who has used tube amps knows that's where you go first when a problem arises. But how to get at it? This processor must have been designed by General Motors! You have to take out twenty-seven (that's right,27!!!) screws, some ferrel nuts and a knob to remove the jacket from the chassis of the Voodu Valve just to access the tube. Once inside there I found a Sovtek 7025/12AX7 wrapped in styrofoam. I carefully removed it(rock the tube back and forth then pry it out with a small screw driver...there's no room for big fingers in there) and replaced it with a NOS GE 12AX7 I had laying around. Result? Surprisingly less gain and output than the Sovtek. Next I tried a Yugoslavian RCA 7025 thinking this tube must really suck. Wrong again! My Voodu valve sounded better than ever. I then tried a few more 12AX7's in my collection (I work on tube amps from time to time) and discovered that this Voodu Valve is remarkably discriminating as to the tube you run in it. So much for the tube as a gimmick idea; it's definitely in the circuit. Don't be afraid to try some different 7025/12AX7's in your unit if you think it's running out of gas. And believe me, the Voodu Valve does not like just any old 12AX7. Experimentation is the key, but don't put all 27 screws back in between tube changes! Be careful in there. I don't know much about the voltages in this unit as compared to tube amps, but you'll have to be very dainty in the way you handle things when the electronics are exposed lest you turn your Voodu Valve into a useless tin can. When you've got the right tube in this unit, it will do whatever you have the time to make it do.

I use the Voodu Valve at gigs without a backup, and my sequencer is constantly switching the VV's programs and parameters throughout the performance. So far so good after 2 years. However, any piece of gear with one of more tubes is only as strong as its weakest link, i. e. the tube. It will fail sooner or later. It's too bad the Rocktron engineers didn't take that into consideration when they designed this piece of gear. Making the tube more accessible for replacement would have been nice.

Emailed them once about erratic output. Got zip for a reply.

Tired of fooling around with tube amps? Had enough? Finally figured it out that tube amps give you a great sound, but just ONE sound. Then get yourself a Voodu Valve and spend some time tweeking all its parameters. Sound for sound, tone for tone, you'll save lots of money and time. I've gone the tube amp route, even built my own. To get all the sounds from tube amps that you can get from the Voodu Valve you'd have to have 50 or more of 'em.

I want to update my review on 02/27/2006.
If you use negative values for post EQ (like i did in my settings)
you get those digital noises and switching pops.
If you use positive post EQ settings those problems are gone.
Use post EQ settings like bass freq 0 125hz bandwith 0.5/ mid freq
-10 1000hz bandwith 0.7 /treble +1 3500hz bandwith 0.6 /presence +1
5000hz bandwith 0.5 and use speakersim mic setting -10 speaker 12
reactance +8.
Another plus of these settings is you get more output.
Use almost the same settings for clean sounds(low gain) only use in pre EQ in mid frq negative values(-10 or less)and post eq mid freq about 1400hz and presence about 7000hz.

Switching pops and digital bleepeteepleep are gone(or at least not noticeble to me)
And this my Voodu loving friends makes this preamp/fx a fine peace of equipment.
And the 6 I gave in my first review is now a 10.