There are truly all kinds of Effectors out there, but I think few produce a sound as distinctive as the “ROCKMAN” we’re featuring today. Back in the day, it was famous for being used by “BOSTON,” and more recently, it’s become well-known for being used by Matsumoto of B’z. This “ROCKMAN” Effector has a unique history: it was actually developed and released by none other than the great Tom Schulze himself, the frontman of the aforementioned BOSTON.(It’s also famous for its rather haphazard production and distribution system?)
Any guitarist has probably thought at least once, “I want to reproduce the sounds I hear on CDs and tapes!”—but it’s actually quite difficult to do. Yet the Effector actually delivers those exact sounds—truly. It’s an irresistible gem for fans. Well, regardless of personal taste, I think its uniqueness deserves a fair amount of respect.
Several models were released, but most of them were uniform in design—half-rack size and blue. I’ll go into more detail (excerpts from catalogs, etc.) later, but the first thing that surprised me was just how light the unit was!It’s so incredibly light—to the point where I wondered, “Hey, is there actually anything inside?”—that I just had to open it up, and I was even more surprised. To say “there’s literally nothing in there!” might be an exaggeration, but I couldn’t help but think, “Does this circuit really produce that sound? That sound…” (Hmm, that’s MIT for you).
I’ve strayed a bit off topic. You’ll have to go to a store and listen for yourself to hear what it sounds like. Even if you’re not interested in BOSTON or B’s, it’s worth giving it a try at least once. They all have their own unique character, but my top pick is definitely that distortion sound. Whenever I hear that pleasant sound with its emphasized midrange, I find myself unconsciously wearing a look of pure bliss (or is it just me?).
Well, I’ve gone and written a bunch of random stuff here, but I’m sure there are some of you who’ll go along with me (lol). See you next time.
Staff member “K,” a BOSTON fan
>> Check out ROCKMAN Effectors here
DISTORTION GENERATOR
Its circuit, protected by numerous patents, produces a unique sound. Set the distortion character with DISTORTION HARMONIX and fine-tune the tone with the 3-band EQ! The treble boost before the output allows for final adjustments tailored to the live setting. You can also achieve even higher-gain sounds with the lead boost. With just the bare minimum of controls, even those who aren’t tech-savvy (it’s analog inside, by the way) can use it easily. It’s sure to satisfy even those just looking for a quick solution.
SUSTAINOR
You can adjust the input gain with the compressor, and say goodbye to noise thanks to the Smart Gate (which engages gradually relative to the output, so it won’t cut off abruptly mid-note when you’re holding a note). There are two types of distortion and two types of clean sounds, and you can switch between any two of them using the footswitch. It’s a true all-rounder, ranging from extreme high-gain to crystal-clear clean tones. Clean 2, in particular, sounds like an Electric Acoustic guitar even though it’s an electric—it feels absolutely amazing.You can control everything from the volume of each channel to bypass mode, and even the rhythm volume (which slightly reduces the output), all via the footswitch—with this preamp, you’ll be unstoppable.
GRAPHIC EQUALIZER
An EQ designed by guitarists, for guitarists. Out of the 12 total bands, 7 are concentrated on the midrange—the most crucial frequency range—making it quite handy. It’s great that you can fine-tune the sweet spot exactly how you like it.
It can be used with both guitar and line levels. It also features a built-in passive noise reduction circuit, so you can use it as a preamp by plugging it into a high-gain amp.
COMPRESSOR
While a guitar’s low frequencies have enough energy to drive distortion, the signal tends to weaken as the frequency rises. This compressor corrects that to produce clean sustain. When combined with high-gain distortion, it brings out powerful sustain and the nuances of your picking. If you turn the Treble Boost all the way up, you can even simulate the “SUSTAINOR” CLEAN 2 setting. It’s also compatible with Electric Acoustic guitars.
STEREO CHORUS
This unit combines chorus modulation and a stereo image transformation unit into a single unit. The “LONG CHORUS” mode is a unique effect that works best during solo playing. You can hear it in “DON’T LOOK BACK.”You can choose from four types of stereo effects, ranging from WIDE STEREO to SUBLE MONO. Additionally, you can use the footswitch to toggle SWEEP STOP and turn the aforementioned LONG CHORUS on and off.
STEREO ECHO
You’ll recognize the distinctive analog echo the moment you hear it. By using different echo times for the left and right channels, it creates a sense of spatial depth and reproduces a majestic sound. There are three positioning options for the dry signal and the effect signal, allowing you to select the one that best suits your preferences. It supports both mono and stereo inputs.
A legendary unit actually used by BOSTON.
STEREO CHORUS / DELAY
This pedal combines the best features of the chorus and echo described above. The sound is identical to that of the single units, though the echo time is slightly shorter. Additionally, this single unit cannot run the chorus and echo simultaneously; you’ll need to switch between them using the footswitch.
SMART GATE
Unlike the noise gates that were common at the time, this unit slowly reduces noise while sound is present and quickly cuts it off when the sound stops. As a result, it engages naturally without abruptly cutting off the final note of a long tone. It supports both line-level and guitar-level inputs.
MIDI OCTOPUS
A MIDI controller that inevitably emerged during the heyday of MIDI in the ’80s. To set up a system with multiple units, you can program the ON/OFF status of the eight device channels on the effects unit and recall them directly using a MIDI foot controller or similar device. This unit is a must-have for those who want to take the easy way out, allowing you to switch from “clean + chorus” to “high-gain + echo” with a single pedal press. It really shines during live performances.
XPR
If this name gives you a jolt, you’ve already fallen under Rockman’s spell! A preamp whose price skyrocketed after Mr. Matsumoto started using it. It’s the result of packing all the effects described above into a single 1U unit. It’s an outstanding performer that checks all three boxes: great sound, convenience, and compact size. You can recall up to 100 presets, and the visibility is excellent—you can check the settings at a glance. It delivers its full performance whether in the studio or on stage.
XP-100
A stereo guitar amp that adds a 100W power amp to the “XPR” and features two 6.5" coaxial 2-way speakers. With a line out and external speaker jacks, it guarantees a powerful sound. Push the handle on top down, and the unit splits from the center to the left and right—the ultimate weapon that makes chorus and echo effects even more immersive. This feels seriously awesome.