Description

The Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor is an MXR pedal based on the historic headphone amplifier created by Tom Scholz, the visionary founder of Boston. This pedal brings the distinctive sound of that headphone amplifier back to life in a stompbox format, offering the same clarity, harmonic richness, and modulation as the original. It features the same four presets, selectable via the dedicated button, and incorporates carefully calibrated compression and a bucket-brigade chorus.
 

OVERVIEW OF THE MXR ROCKMAN X100 ANALOG TONE PROCESSOR

In 1982, Tom Scholz, visionary guitarist and founder of the pioneering hard rock band Boston, designed and released the Rockman X100, a headphone amplifier developed through his electronics company Scholz Research & Development (SR&D). But it wasn't just a headphone amplifier: with the ability to connect directly to a recording console, various tone adjustment features, and integrated effects, the X100 became the secret studio weapon that would define the polished, chorus-rich sound of '80s rock.

The MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor pedal brings the distinctive sound of that headphone amplifier back to life, in a stompbox format. With the help of veteran MXR engineer and former SR&D Bob Cedro, the MXR design team captured the same crystal-clear clarity, crisp harmonics, and sparkling modulation as the original. Featuring the same four presets, carefully calibrated compression and a bucket-brigade chorus, this all-analog pedal also offers mono and stereo modes. In addition to the input and output jacks, there is a CTRL jack that allows you to change modes via an external footswitch. A key element of the original X100's sound was a complex compression circuit that kept the signal clear in both clean and distorted modes. The MXR Rockman X100 features the same circuit, adjusted for slow release in clean modes and fast release in distorted modes. Like the original, it offers four different presets, selectable via the MODE button: two differently equalized clean modes with high sustain and two distorted modes characterized by a gritty tone. The default setting, CLN2 mode, provides a pristine clean tone, while CLN1 mode offers a mid-focused EQ curve for a tight, punchy sound. EDGE mode features moderate clipping, very sensitive to input gain adjustments and cleans up well by rolling back the guitar's volume. DISTORTION mode offers energetic overdrive and sustain ideal for fluid solos. Adjusting levels is simple thanks to the dedicated INPUT GAIN and VOLUME sliders. The input gain influences how the signal interacts with the four modes, particularly with the EDGE mode, while the volume determines the level sent to the amplifier.

Equipped with the same classic MN3007 bucket-brigade chip found in the original Rockman, the Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor features a brilliant chorus, activated by pressing the CHORUS button. For a more advanced setup, an external switch such as the MXR TRS Split + Tap can be connected to manage mode changes. To achieve a stereo effect, you can set the STEREO mode via the internal switch (accessible by removing the bottom plate): this way, the selected mode's signal will be sent to the L/R channels and the chorus will pan for a more dynamic effect. This pedal offers the same "rig-in-a-box" tones as the original, but in a format perfect for a pedalboard. The Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor captures the sounds and textures of the arena rock era.

EXTERNAL CONTROLS OF THE MXR ROCKMAN X100 ANALOG TONE PROCESSOR

CTRL: this jack allows you to control the MODE function via footswitch such as the MXR Tap or the MXR TRS Split + Tap
MODE: selects different presets, two different clean modes with varying EQ and high-power sustain, and two distorted modes
CLN2: offers a pristine clean
CLN1: offers a mid-focused EQ curve for a tight, punchy sound
EDGE: moderate clipping, sensitive to input gain changes, cleans up by rolling back the guitar's volume
DISTORTION: energetic overdrive with rich sustain, ideal for lead sounds
VOLUME: adjusts the overall output volume
INPUT GAIN: adjusts the input signal level; increasing it makes the sound more compressed
CHORUS: adds chorus

INTERNAL CONTROLS OF THE MXR ROCKMAN X100 ANALOG TONE PROCESSOR

MONO/STEREO OUTPUT Switch: removing the bottom plate provides access to this switch, set to mono mode by default
MONO MODE: all signal goes to the OUTPUT jack; for use with a standard instrument cable
STEREO MODE: when using this mode with a TRS splitter cable, the mode selected with the MODE button will be split into two channels; if CHORUS is active, the effect will pan left and right for a sense of movement; when using a standard (mono) jack in stereo mode, the pedal will operate as if in mono mode but the signal will not pass when the pedal is bypassed

ALTERNATIVE SETUP OPTIONS

The Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor is designed to enhance the sound in any setup. If a more refined high-end response is desired, the pedal can be connected to the return of the amplifier's effects loop or to a full-range/flat-response speaker system.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE MXR ROCKMAN X100 ANALOG TONE PROCESSOR

Input Impedance: 700 kΩ
Output Impedance: 1.8 kΩ
Current Draw: 120 mA
Bypass: Buffered Bypass
Power: 9 volt DC