30 years ago, I used a 2 Rockman rig. It had an FET stereo chorus (switched OFF) to buffer the inputs to each, and 1/8" to 1/4" adapter cables running to a line level A/B switch This mono signal went into my rack FX (noise gate after the DIST assigned box, EQ, multi-effects). Cheap, simple, effective. An exciter of some sort is recommended, as is a full-range keyboard or bass amp, or powered speaker.
A guy by the name of Josh Ledford is making an X100 pedalboard by taking original Headphone Amp PCB Boards and rehousing them in a usable footswitch setup. Lets you switch between the channels, turn both the chorus and "echo" on and off, and control the tone and amount of compression. Limited amount being made though but it makes for a much more convenient Rockman. There's also the Rockman rack modules (a typical rig consists of a Sustainor, Stereo Chorus, Stereo Echo, Dual EQs and a Midi Switcher) which are basically individual components of the Rockman headphone amp seperated, again to make it more convenient to switch channels and turn effects on and off. Still very limited with what you can do, but better than the headphone amp which has only 12 different combinations of sounds. Also since the patents are expired and can be found on the internet, people with technical skills can probably make their own Rockman copy.
Pretty cool, albeit rather expensive setup - those X100’s go for crazy money! Keep an eye on PastFX who I believe are working on a X100 pedal, which I’m guessing will be switchable between clean and distorted tones.
Why not make a setup where you can switch between all 4 Rockman tones? Or at least clean, crunch and lead? I suppose you'd need 3 or 4 Rockmans for that, though.
I opted for the TH-U Rockguy pack at £42. I can control it with a midi footswitch easily. It emulates the Rockman sound perfectly and has loads of options to tweak the sound. That's still a great setup you have :)
@@jhelmuth87 I use a laptop to run the TH-U software, a BJ Devices TB-12 MK2 midi footswitch controller which connects to a Behringer Midi /Audio Interface and then to the laptop. The guitar also goes through the Behringer Interface. It's a very simple, compact but complete setup :)
Have you had an issue with the rockman causing a high pitched interference/whistling noise, from other pedals, almost like a siren? I have it switched in and out of my chain with an A/B switch, and when it's out of the loop, it causes my overdrive pedals to squeal whenever they're turned on. if I unplug the input to the rockman, or switch it off, it stops.
@@rockinchippy So I have a dual loop switch now, and when the rockman isn't the active loop, it hums like crazy. I talked to a Rockman expert and he told me: "It’s the way the loop handles the input when not in use. It’s leaving it hanging. The lm386 chips in the Rockman are what drive the headphone out. To fix it the input has to be grounded when the Rockman is out of the loop." and "So essentially you need a loop pedal that shunts what ever isn’t in use to ground". Did you not run into that problem? Why do you have two switchers?
It’s complicated but I’m actually using the A/B box to send my input signal to both rockmans. The trick is distinct the outputs of the rockmans so that you are left with a single set of stereo outputs. So I’m switching at a later point in the signal chain.
@@rockinchippyI never had a Rockman but was look to get one. I take it being it has a headphone out it's stereo. Is it needed to run stereo or can they be run mono?
@@TheCleaner6969 the headphone out is stereo and part of the charm is the chorus which sounds way better in stereo. I bought 1/8 cable that splits into a Y 1/4 and the you can run them into your studio monitor if you have a pair.
30 years ago, I used a 2 Rockman rig. It had an FET stereo chorus (switched OFF) to buffer the inputs to each, and 1/8" to 1/4" adapter cables running to a line level A/B switch This mono signal went into my rack FX (noise gate after the DIST assigned box, EQ, multi-effects). Cheap, simple, effective. An exciter of some sort is recommended, as is a full-range keyboard or bass amp, or powered speaker.
A guy by the name of Josh Ledford is making an X100 pedalboard by taking original Headphone Amp PCB Boards and rehousing them in a usable footswitch setup. Lets you switch between the channels, turn both the chorus and "echo" on and off, and control the tone and amount of compression. Limited amount being made though but it makes for a much more convenient Rockman.
There's also the Rockman rack modules (a typical rig consists of a Sustainor, Stereo Chorus, Stereo Echo, Dual EQs and a Midi Switcher) which are basically individual components of the Rockman headphone amp seperated, again to make it more convenient to switch channels and turn effects on and off. Still very limited with what you can do, but better than the headphone amp which has only 12 different combinations of sounds.
Also since the patents are expired and can be found on the internet, people with technical skills can probably make their own Rockman copy.
Very cool thx
Pretty cool, albeit rather expensive setup - those X100’s go for crazy money! Keep an eye on PastFX who I believe are working on a X100 pedal, which I’m guessing will be switchable between clean and distorted tones.
Insane prices! I let mine go a few years ago for $150 and now I see you can’t touch them for under $600🤷🏼♂️
Excellent solution🤘and a big thumbs up for the Queen tab book👍
I got myself a red special and been learning some queen tunes :)
@@rockinchippy very cool…looking forward to that👍
Nice! Radial always saves the day.
Nice Job!
Hi mate just found this video, really ingenious way of setting it up well done 👍👍🎸
I just got this crazy X100 replica that is footswitchable. Video coming soon !
Why not make a setup where you can switch between all 4 Rockman tones? Or at least clean, crunch and lead? I suppose you'd need 3 or 4 Rockmans for that, though.
Radial has a solution for EVERYTHING audio.
Do you use the Rockman for live shows? I wonder how well the Rockman sounds on a live stage with a band?
I opted for the TH-U Rockguy pack at £42. I can control it with a midi footswitch easily. It emulates the Rockman sound perfectly and has loads of options to tweak the sound. That's still a great setup you have :)
What is your setup? Do you run an ipad on your pedalboard or something?
@@jhelmuth87 I use a laptop to run the TH-U software, a BJ Devices TB-12 MK2 midi footswitch controller which connects to a Behringer Midi /Audio Interface and then to the laptop. The guitar also goes through the Behringer Interface. It's a very simple, compact but complete setup :)
Wow! Sick solution bro. Amazing
I would move the switch further from the rockman so you're not stepping on $600. Maybe some switch toppers would help.
I ended up redoing it and it’s way better now. Thx.
Are you a guitar audio engineer ?
This is GENIUS specially Radial for
making these gadgets too !
Nope just a gear nut
Jeez. That is cool
That is so cool. Love it.
Sick woman's the gf yt because I don't have one but you did a damn good job!
Sweet 🤘
So sick 😊
Have you had an issue with the rockman causing a high pitched interference/whistling noise, from other pedals, almost like a siren? I have it switched in and out of my chain with an A/B switch, and when it's out of the loop, it causes my overdrive pedals to squeal whenever they're turned on. if I unplug the input to the rockman, or switch it off, it stops.
Nope, probably too much input signal. I only use stuff after the Rockman like delays.
@@rockinchippy So I have a dual loop switch now, and when the rockman isn't the active loop, it hums like crazy. I talked to a Rockman expert and he told me: "It’s the way the loop handles the input when not in use. It’s leaving it hanging. The lm386 chips in the Rockman are what drive the headphone out. To fix it the input has to be grounded when the Rockman is out of the loop." and "So essentially you need a loop pedal that shunts what ever isn’t in use to ground". Did you not run into that problem? Why do you have two switchers?
I seen someone else ask the same thing. Why are you running 2 switchers? You can kick 1 Rockman in & out with just the A/B switcher.
It’s complicated but I’m actually using the A/B box to send my input signal to both rockmans. The trick is distinct the outputs of the rockmans so that you are left with a single set of stereo outputs. So I’m switching at a later point in the signal chain.
@@rockinchippyI never had a Rockman but was look to get one. I take it being it has a headphone out it's stereo. Is it needed to run stereo or can they be run mono?
@@TheCleaner6969 the headphone out is stereo and part of the charm is the chorus which sounds way better in stereo. I bought 1/8 cable that splits into a Y 1/4 and the you can run them into your studio monitor if you have a pair.
@@rockinchippyThat's what I thought it had. I liked the chorus I wanted to run it through my pedalboard.
Would you sell any of them rockmans😂
What cables do you use to go from Rockman to track splitter?
I believe I’m using 1/8 headphone to 1/4 y-cable. I got them on Amazon.