MXR Rockman x100 Analog Tone Processor

In 1982, Tom Scholz, visionary guitarist and founder of the pioneering hard rock band Boston, designed and marketed the Rockman X100 headphone amplifier through his electronics company Scholz Research & Development (SR&D). But it was much more than just a headphone amplifier: thanks to its possible connection to a recording console and several built-in tone control and effects functions, the X100 became the secret studio weapon that would define the polished, chorus-laden sound of 1980s rock.

The MXR Rockman X100 revives the signature sound of this headphone amp in pedal form. With the help of veteran MXR engineer and SR&D alumnus Bob Cedro, the MXR design team has rendered the same crystal-clear “clean” tones, crunchy harmonics and shimmering modulations as the original. With the same four tone presets, carefully calibrated compression and string chorus, this all-analog recreation also features mono and stereo modes and optional external mode switching for an enhanced experience.

Recompression
One of the key elements of the original X100’s sound was a complex compression circuit to maintain the clarity of the signal, whether “clean” or “dirty”. The MXR Rockman X100 features the same circuit, set for slow triggering in “clean” mode and fast triggering in “dirty” mode. The overall level of compression is linked to the level of input gain: the higher the gain, the greater the compression.

“Moded Out”
Like the original, the Rockman X100 offers four different presets, selectable via the MODE button: two differently-equalized “clean” modes with powerful note-holding, and two distinctly grainy “dirty” modes. The default setting, CLN2 mode, delivers a clean, crystal-clear sound, while CLN1 mode offers a mid-centered EQ curve for a tight, punchy sound. On the saturated side, Edge mode features moderate clipping that is highly sensitive to input gain settings, and clarifies well at low guitar volume levels. Distortion mode offers highly dynamic overdrive and resonance for easy, smooth soloing.

Question levels
Adjusting your levels is easy with the input gain and volume sliders. Input gain settings affect how the incoming signal interacts with the X100’s four modes, in particular the Edge setting, while volume defines the level sent to the amplifier.

String type
Featuring the same classic MN3007 chip found in the original headphone amp, the Rockman X100 will infuse every riff with an expansive, shimmering effect at the touch of a Chorus button.

Go further
Looking for a more advanced configuration? You can connect an external switch such as the MXR TRS Split + Tap to foot-control the mode function. And if you like stereo, this pedal lets you send the selected mode signal to both left and right channels, while varying the chorus between the two sides for a more spacious, dynamic effect.

Features :

• The defining rock sound in pedal form
• Clean, crystal-clear signal, crunchy harmonics and shimmering modulation
• Four tone presets – two “clean”, two “dirty” – identical to those of the original headphone amplifier
• Complex compression circuitry set for slow release on clean modes, and fast release on dirty modes
• Original “string” chip for lush, extended chorus effect
• Advanced features include external switching, stereo mode, etc.