Rocktron Product Reviews – BANSHEE AMPLIFIED TALKBOX from Guitar Shop Magazine

Rocktron Product Reviews – BANSHEE AMPLIFIED TALKBOX from Guitar Shop Magazine

RocktronBanshee Amplified Talkbox
Aural Examsfrom Guitar Shop Magazine,
July 1997, by Jeff Vanda

Just think of the talkbox’s incredible legacy: Jeff Beck’s “She’s A Woman,” Peter Frampton’s hit “Show Me The Way,” Joe Walsh on “Rocky Mountain Way,” Joe Perry in “Sweet Emotion,” plus various tracks by Steely Dan (“Haitian Divorce”), and Bon Jovi (“Livin’ On A Prayer”). After its ’70s heyday, the effect largely disappeared, but today, with the retro-revival bringing back every effect known to mankind, the return of the fuzzy, throaty talkbox is a reality. Rocktron has taken it upon itself to be the new harbinger of voice-box mania with their Banshee pedal.

The concept behind the talkbox is so elegantly simple, it’s ridiculous. Picture being able to stick your amp’s speaker into your mouth and then manipulate the tone with all sorts of cheek and jaw movements (when they say that talkboxes have a “throaty” sound, they ain’t kidding). Essentially, a talkbox has a horn driver in its guts that shoots that fuzzed-out “talkbox” sound up a plastic tube, which the player has taped next to a microphone on a stand. Then, as you make all sorts of weird sounds out of the speaker noises in your mouth, the mic picks up the talkbox sounds and it comes out of the PA. Better yet, the effect of basically having a speaker in your skull makes one’s head shake like you’re on the bridge of the Enterprise and the Klingons have suddenly attacked. Clearly, the talkbox is a weird, but brilliant idea.

Rocktron goes one step further by improving on the setup problems of old boxes. In ye olde days, the unit had to go between an amp head and speaker cabinet, creating all sorts of A/B cabling headaches. But, like the ancient Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Golden Throat, the Banshee gets hooked up just like a regular stompbox between your guitar and amp. Just plug in as usual and then run the tube up to your microphone. Even cooler is that you could even use it as a tiny 5-watt amp head, since there’s an 8-ohm speaker-out jack that will run a small cabinet. Use it for practicing or recording (but don’t run it into another amp or effects loop, since there is real speaker-level voltage here and it could do internal damage, just as any amp would). The Banshee may look tiny, but it’s still a real amp, which may account for its sturdy price tag. But I think that amount is more than made up for by its super-convenient setup. By the way, it’s also encased in a heavy-duty metal shell, which will make it more than durable enough for roadwork. Weighs a ton, too.

How does it sound? In a word, great. I hooked it up using a Crate amp for the guitar and a small PA for the microphone. Powered by a 9-volt adaptor, the Banshee worked perfectly, creating that classic, nasty fuzz that is steeped in rich midrange flavors. The Banshee has three knobs on it (Gain, Tone, Output), but their effect is rather modest. Really, once you step on the heavy-duty footswitch, the unit is simply on and there’s not too much you can do to alter it other than through mouth movement on the tube. Fortunately, the sound is incredibly punchy, and you’ll have a blast experimenting with the new “oral” effects. Use it for background textures, solos, or “talk” to your audiences, like Frampton did on the live version of “Do You Feel Like We Do.” Believe me, after you play around with the Banshee for a while, your wah-wah pedal will start to look like a rusty old Model T. Plus, can a wah make your teeth rattle like you’ve got a 4×12 cab in your mouth? I think not.

Article Copyright © 1997 Guitar Shop Magazine

BACK TO THE PRODUCT REVIEW PAGE
Home

Rocktron – Midi Raider

Rocktron – Midi Raider

Rocktron.com requires the Flash Plug-in.

Rocktron.com requires the Flash Plug-in.

Midi Raider

Buy the Midi Raider from an online dealer. Select below to purchase!

Help?

Info

Quck Access Menu

Long the professional standard in MIDI Controllers, Rocktron introduces the newest in a long line of MIDI products that have been used on more pro tours than any other controllers. The Rocktron MIDI Raider has evolved from the “All Access” units and the earlier Rocktron/Bradshaw systems.

The MIDI Raider as a stand-alone foot controller can be completely customized for your gear requirements. It can be set up to your specs in three operating modes: Bank Mode, Song Mode and Remote Mode.

The Bank Mode has 120 presets and each instant switch can be set up global or per preset. Customize set-up as either 24 banks of 5 presets with 10 “instant” switches (effect on/off); or 12 banks of 10 presets with 5 instant switches (effect on/off); or 8 banks of 15 presets with no instant switches set up. All 15 access switches can also be set up to “instant”, operating as a huge instant access “pedal board”.
Song Mode allows up to 150 songs to be stored with 15 presets per song. The 10 sets allow placement of 50 songs per set.

Remote mode automatically programs the footswitch to match Rocktron remote-compatible units. Titles and individual switch functions will automatically program and continuously update themselves on both the rack unit and the MIDI Raider foot controller. Functions like tap delay, mute, boost and effects on/off instantly appear when connected to a Rocktron remote jack without any programming.
Other MIDI Raider features include 18 metal Switches for positive tactile feel and long life; large 16 character fluorescent display for custom titles and easy programming and clear visual on any stage; LED indicators that light for every switch at all times as an on/off status indicator and a dimly lit preset number (all 18 switches) so stage blackouts will not hinder pedal operations; seven pin MIDI Out jack to allow phantom powering from your rack; 120 presets which can include over 36 MIDI commands per preset to be transmitted amongst the 16 MIDI channels including “toggling” control change commands; MIDI filtering, dump/load, SysEx, select 0-127 or 1-128 transmit operation; and the fast, easy copy function allows you to copy any preset, bank, song, or set to another respectfully.
For more in-depth information on the MIDI Raider, see the instruction manual in the SUPPORT section of this website.
Specifications Dimensions: 15.5″ wide x 10.5″ deep x 3.5″ tall
Weight: 8lbsPower requirements: 9VAC/1500mA

Other Products That May Interest You!

Velocity V10
A great practice amp
| Details
DC OnTap
Universal Power Supply
| Details
Metal Planet
Distortion stompbox

| Details

Accessories

DC OnTap Universal Power Supply
Power Adaptor 9VAC Wall
Power Adaptor 9VAC Table Top
Power Adaptor 13VAC Wall
DC OnTap Accessory Adaptor Cables
Midi Cable 7 Pin
Midi Cable 5 to 7 Pin
Utopia Gig Travel Bag
VFS1 Footswitch
VFS2 Footswitch
Banshee Replacement Tube

Amplifiers (Category)

Bass Amplifiers

Bass 200
Rampage Bass 10
Rampage Bass 15
Rampage Bass 20
Rampage Bass 30
Rampage Bass 60
Rampage Bass 100

Guitar Amplifiers

Velocity V10
Velocity V15
Velocity V25D
Velocity V25R
Velocity V30D
Velocity V30R
Velocity V50C
Velocity V50D
Vendetta Tube Head
Vendetta V80r Combo
Vendetta V160 Combo
Vendetta VH160r Head

Rackmount Guitar Amplifiers

Velocity 100
Velocity 300

Mini Amplifiers

VG05
VG08

Controllers

Midi Raider
HEX
Midi Mate
Midi Xchange
PatchMate Loop 8
PatchMate Loop 8 Floor
Utopia Expression Pedal

Effects

HUSH Pro
HUSH Super C
HUSH Ultra
Xpression

Floor Processors

Utopia B100
Utopia B200
Utopia B300
Utopia G100
Utopia G200
Utopia G300

Preamps

Blue Thunder
Ganiac 2
Prophesy 2
VooDu Valve

Speaker Enclosures

Velocity S112

Stompboxes (Category)

Boutique Series

Black Rose Octaver
Clestial Delay
Cotton Mouth Fuzz
Dreamstar Chorus
Guitar Silencer
Mega Booster
Metal Embrace Distortion
O.D.B Overdrive Blues
Scared Fire Compressor
Sweet Spot Fixed Wah
Texas Recoiler
Third Angel Distortion
Tru Loop
Valve Charger
VII Deadly Sins Auto-Wah

Classic Series

Austin Gold Overdrive
Big Crush Compressor
Deep Blue Chorus
Heart Attack Dynamic Filter
HUSH Noise Reduction
Hypnotic Flange
Metal Planet Distortion
NItro Tonal Booster
Rampage Distortion
Short Timer Delay
Silver Dragon Distortion
Sonic Glory Overdrive
XTune Tuner Pedal
Zombie Rectified Distortion

Cyborg Series

Cyborg Digital Delay
Cyborg Digital Distortion
Cyborg Digital Reverb

Reaction Series

Reaction Chorus
Reaction Compressor
Reaction Digital Delay
Reaction Distortion 1
Reaction Dynamic Filter
Reaction HUSH
Reaction Octaver
Reaction Phaser
Reaction Super Booster
Reaction Super Charger
Reaction Tremolo
Reaction Tuner

Talkbox Stompboxes

Banshee Talkbox
Banshee Talkbox 2

Wah Pedals

Black Cat Moan Wah
Classic Wah
Mike Orlando Sig. Wah
Tri-Wah Pedal
Utopia Bass Wah
Utopia Guitar Wah

About | Contact Us | Visit GHS Strings | Site Design by 140DB    

Products

Products

Quick Menu
Select the Dropdown menuto quickly access the entire Rocktron Product Line.

Looking for something truly unique for bass? Want to try something different for guitar?

The Heart Attack Dynamic Filter produces a harmonic phase shifting effect that sweeps the frequency spectrum from high to low.

The dynamic filter effect is triggered by pick attack. The harder you pick the string, the louder the effect. The Sensitivity control allows for frequency adjustment of the effect. Lower settings provide for a lush, smooth feel – ideal for locking in with a drummer and providing solid low-end. Higher settings provide amore expressive effect that is ideally suited for lead breaks. Play around with it and you will find that there are a lot of possibilities as the effects volume and sound is mainly produced by your pick attack!

We have also included “distortion” to give you a little more “grit” when playing. The easy access battery compartment will make changing batteries during a gig a breeze and the Heart Attack is housed in Rocktron’s heavy duty chassis.

The Heart Attack can be placed in the signal chain before or after a distortion, but usually sounds better when placed after. If using multiple pedals such as delays and other modulation effects, try the Heart Attack in different parts of the signal chain until you find the sound you personally prefer.

Buy the Heart Attack from an online dealer. Select below to purchase.

Rocktron – Patchbay: Intellifex

Rocktron – Patchbay: Intellifex

Rocktron.com requires the Flash Plug-in.

Rocktron.com requires the Flash Plug-in.

Presets

Editor

Intellifex/Intellipitch Presets


Description
Download

1
Submitted by Fabio: Steve Vai – Album: “Passion & Warfare”, 1990. I hope it sounds well!
• ballerin.syx

2
Submitted by Paul Besing: A good George Lynch lead setting.
• lynchdelay.syx

3
This preset was submitted by floydrose5150 who writes: A good 5150 sounding detune for EVH. -11 cents and +11 cents left/right. Sounds sweet. Enjoy!
• evhdetune.syx

4
Here is the entire collection of presets that come in the latest release of the Intellifex – the Intellifex On-Line! These presets are completely compatible with the Intellifex and Intellifex LTD. (This file must be entered as a bulk load.)
• ifxol.zip

5
Here are 12 Intellifex presets created by solo artist and Rocktron endorser, Gary Hoey, which he used during the recording of his albums.
• ifxhoey.zip

6
For those who own the original Intellifex that contain the “Utopia” presets (first preset “Welcome”), here are the original Intellifex factory presets now available in the Intellifex LTD. (This file must be entered as a bulk load.)
• ltd.zip

7
For those who own the Intellifex LTD, here are the “Utopia” presets that came with the majority of the original Intellifex. (This file must be entered as a bulk load.)
• utopia.zip

8
Here are some Intellifex presets created by user Dave Dion. Each file contains 4 wacky presets!
• silly.zip
• space.zip

9
Here are 24 more new presets for your Intellifex.
• ltd100.zip

10
For those people who just need a little Chruch Organ patches in their lives, we have some patches just for you.  04/01/99
• churchorgan.zip

Intellifex/Intellipitch Editor

Intellifex editor for your Windows! Updated version with bug fixes

This file will extract itself to the users hard drive automatically when double clicked on. Once all the files have been extracted to the hard drive they must go into the directory that was created for them

About the Editor

The available editors are for PC only. Not every product we have developed has a dedicated PC editor in which case we would recommend MIDI Ox or other MIDI recording software. Simply select the editor to match your product and hit download. (Note the specific product must be set on the dump/load page to send or receive data).

Where can I find more information on MIDI utilities?

Harmony Central is a very good source of information on MIDI and MIDI utilities.

Help?

About | Contact Us | Visit GHS Strings | Site Design by 140DB

VersaTune Rack-mount Guitar Tuner – Rocktron – Technology for Guitarists

VersaTune Rack-mount Guitar Tuner – Rocktron – Technology for Guitarists

800-388-4447

ProductsPreampsRack Effects & TunerControllersAmplificationStomp Boxes>Talk BoxesBoutique SeriesReaction SeriesClassic & Signature SeriesWah & Expression PedalsFloor ProcessorsSpeaker EnclosuresAccessoriesNewsArtistsPatchbaySupportDealers & DistributorsContactStore

VersaTune
The Rocktron VersaTune Rack Tuner is a versatile true-bypass Guitar/Bass rack tuner for live and studio use. Professional and well thought out, the VersaTune fits the bill for excellence in a rack tuner!

Buy Online

The VersaTune features a large “NOTE” display. Bright LEDs provide the perfect amount of light for on-stage tuning. Over a hundred different tunings can be viewed in the display window including standard guitar/bass tunings, alternate tunings, drop tunings and opening tunings.Additional features include two front & rear panel inputs, two rear panel outputs, input selector switch, +-60 Cents tuning LEDs, Precision Switch for ultra fine tuning, strobe, a Mute Switch on the front panel and MUTE jack on the rear panel, Calibration switch and NOTE selection switch.Want to tune your guitar a half step down? Need to tune your guitar to DADGAD? How about tuning a Mandolin, Dobro, Pedal Steel Guitar or other types of instruments? The VersaTune can help you to adjust to these tunings and the tunings display window shows you how!A unique feature on the VersaTune is the “TUNINGS WINDOW”. The Tunings Window shows over a hundred different tuning, and how to tune to these tunings from the standard A440 Guitar Tuning. Additionally, we have included some other tunings for different instruments such as, mandolin, mandola, pedal steel, banjo and many others. Use the UP & DOWN buttons on the front panel to scroll through the different tunings.Up and Down arrows appear in the display window next to the note to show “how” to tune to a particular tuning from standard A440 tuning. For example, to tune a guitar down a half step from standard A440, the window will show a “down” arrow next to the note you are tuning down to. Start by tuning the low E string down to D# or Eb as the window will show “down arrow” D#, (meaning to tune that string down to D# or Eb) . Continue with the same process for other strings.Use the Up/Down buttons to select different tunings from standard guitar and bass tunings to a wide range of alternate tunings and tunings for different types of instruments. Additional tunings for 7-String Guitar, 5-String and 6-String bass are included. Tunings for other instruments such as dobro, mandolin family, banjo, pedal steel, classical instruments and other string instruments (Bouzouki, Banduria, Dulcimer, Requinto, etc) are also included.STANDARD TUNING MODEIn Standard Tuning Mode (this is the default tuning mode when you turn on the VersaTune) the LEDs on the front panel will indicate the following:GREEN LED – Center LED with the (0 – zero) above the LED will indicate that the note being played is “IN TUNE”RED LEDs – To the left of the GREEN center LED will indicate that note being played is “FLAT”. The numbers shown on the front panel -10, -20, -30, – 40 indicate by how many “CENTS” the note being played is off from being IN TUNE.RED LEDs – To the right of the GREEN center LED will indicate that the note being played is “SHARP” from being IN TUNE. The numbers on the front panel +10, +20, +30, +40 indicate by how many “CENTS” the note being played is off from being IN TUNE.CENTS – The Cent is a logarithmic unit of measure used to musical intervals. Twelve-tone equal temperament divides an octave into 12 semi tones of 100 cents each. Cents are used to measure extremely small finite intervals or to compare the sizes of comparable intervals in different tuning systems. Usually the interval of once cent is to small to be heard between successive notes.PRECISION TUNING MODEPrecision Tuning Mode allows you to “FINE” tune your instrument. This function increases the sensitivity of the VersaTune to allow for ultra fine tuning. In Precision Tuning Mode, the LEDs are reversed in color. Now the IN TUNE LED will be RED and the Flat and Sharp LEDs will be GREEN. This mode is quite sensitive and very slightly movements of the tuning machines on your instrument is necessary.RED LED – Center LED with the (0 – zero) above the LED will indicate that the note being played is “IN TUNE”GREEN LEDs – To the left of the RED center LED will indicate that note being played is “FLAT”. The numbers shown on the front panel -1, -2, -3, – 4 indicate by how many “CENTS” the note being played is off from being IN TUNE.GREEN LEDs – To the right of the RED center LED will indicate that the note being played is “SHARP” from being IN TUNE. The numbers on the front panel +1, +2, +3, +4 indicate by how many “CENTS” the note being played is off from being IN TUNE.STROBE TUNING MODEThe STROBE function offers another alternative for tuning with the VersaTune.Plug the guitar/bass into the tuner and press the “STROBE” button. At this point the RED LEDs will appear to move from right to left. Play a note on your guitar. Pluck your E string, if needed, adjust your tuning machine on your instrument until the letter “E” appears in the NOTE Display window. If your note is flat – the RED LEDs will appear to be moving from right to left, showing you that the note being played is flat. The faster the LEDs move right to left, the more flat the tuning is. Tune your string up. During this process the speed of the movement of the LEDs will appear to slow down as you approach being IN TUNE. When the LEDs don’t appear to be moving, then the note is IN TUNE. If your note is sharp – the RED LEDs will appear to be moving from left to right, showing you that the note being played is sharp. The faster the LEDs move from left to right, the more sharp the tuning is. Tune your string down. During this process the speed of the movement of the LEDs will appear to slow down as you approach being IN TUNE. When the LEDs don’t appear to be moving, then the note is IN TUNE.MutingThe VersaTune is sensitive, so it is not necessary to strike your string very hard. Standard string attack will work. Additionally, if you are in a loud environment try using harmonics to tune your instrument. Lightly touch the string over the 12th fret of your instrument and pick the string with normal pick attack. This will create a harmonic. It will work on all strings. The MUTED Output is ideal for tuning in live situations. This allows you to tune without everyone in the audience hearing you tune. Additionally, this will mute the signal going to your amplifier which will help you keep down noise generated if you are using a high gain amplifier.

Specifications
Inputs: Two On Front Panel, Two on Back PanelOutputs: Two on Back PanelFront Panel Tuning Range: +-50 CentsCalibration Range: 436hz – 445hzMute Switches: Manual Switch Front PanelOptional Footswitch Jack on back panel (Momentary footswitch)Other Switches: Input SelectorPrecision ModeNote SelectorTuning Window UpTuning Window DownSize: 482mm x 125mm x 45mm – 19″ x 5″ x 1.75″Weight: 2.25 kg – 5lbsInput Impedance: =1.5MOOutput Impedance : =1KOPower Consumption: =1WTunings List: 126 Tuning Variations

Download Manual

Products

PreampsRack Effects & TunerControllersAmplificationStomp BoxesWah & Expression PedalsFloor ProcessorsSpeaker EnclosuresAccessories

Company

HomeAbout UsNewsArtistsStore

Service

PatchbaySupportDealers & DistributorsContactSitemap

Copyright ©2013 Rocktron – a division of GHS Corporation | 800-388-4447 | info@rocktron.com

Site design by Second Son Solutions. 

Rocktron – MIDI Cable 5 to 7 Pin

Rocktron – MIDI Cable 5 to 7 Pin

Rocktron.com requires the Flash Plug-in.

Rocktron.com requires the Flash Plug-in.

MIDI Cable 5 to 7 Pin

Buy the MIDI Cable 5 to 7 Pin from an online dealer. Select below to purchase!

Help?

Info

Quck Access Menu

• Transfers MIDI commands from your MIDI footcontroller (with 7-Pin MIDI Out Jack) to any MIDI controllable gear.
• Transfers commands from your MIDI footcontroller to any device with MIDI input. For example, plug the 5 Pin side into any MIDI input jack and plug your A/C adaptor into the input located by the 5-Pin MIDI plug. Plug the 7-Pin side into your MIDI footcontroller.
• Allows more flexibility on location placement of power supplies
• 30 foot length (900 cm) 

Part number RDMH900

Other Products That May Interest You!

Prophesy II
The greatest guitar pre-amp
| Details
Hypnotic Flange
The ultimate flange
| Details
Silver Dragon
Tube & Analog distortion

| Details

Accessories

DC OnTap Universal Power Supply
Power Adaptor 9VAC Wall
Power Adaptor 9VAC Table Top
Power Adaptor 13VAC Wall
DC OnTap Accessory Adaptor Cables
Midi Cable 7 Pin
Midi Cable 5 to 7 Pin
Utopia Gig Travel Bag
VFS1 Footswitch
VFS2 Footswitch
Banshee Replacement Tube

Amplifiers (Category)

Bass Amplifiers

Bass 200
Rampage Bass 10
Rampage Bass 15
Rampage Bass 20
Rampage Bass 30
Rampage Bass 60
Rampage Bass 100

Guitar Amplifiers

Velocity V10
Velocity V15
Velocity V25D
Velocity V25R
Velocity V30D
Velocity V30R
Velocity V50C
Velocity V50D
Vendetta Tube Head
Vendetta V80r Combo
Vendetta V160 Combo
Vendetta VH160r Head

Rackmount Guitar Amplifiers

Velocity 100
Velocity 300

Mini Amplifiers

VG05
VG08

Controllers

All Access LTD
HEX
Midi Mate
Midi Xchange
PatchMate Loop 8
PatchMate Loop 8 Floor
Utopia Expression Pedal

Effects

HUSH Pro
HUSH Super C
HUSH Ultra
Xpression

Floor Processors

Utopia B100
Utopia B200
Utopia B300
Utopia G100
Utopia G200
Utopia G300

Preamps

Blue Thunder
Ganiac 2
Prophesy 2
VooDu Valve

Speaker Enclosures

Velocity S112

Stompboxes (Category)

Boutique Series

Black Rose Octaver
Clestial Delay
Cotton Mouth Fuzz
Dreamstar Chorus
Guitar Silencer
Mega Booster
Metal Embrace Distortion
Scared Fire Compressor
Third Angel Distortion
Tru Loop
Valve Charger
VII Deadly Sins Auto-Wah

Classic Series

Austin Gold Overdrive
Big Crush Compressor
Deep Blue Chorus
Heart Attack Dynamic Filter
HUSH Noise Reduction
Hypnotic Flange
Metal Planet Distortion
NItro Tonal Booster
Rampage Distortion
Short Timer Delay
Silver Dragon Distortion
Sonic Glory Overdrive
XTune Tuner Pedal
Zombie Rectified Distortion

Cyborg Series

Cyborg Digital Delay
Cyborg Digital Distortion
Cyborg Digital Reverb

Reaction Series

Reaction Chorus
Reaction Compressor
Reaction Digital Delay
Reaction Distortion 1
Reaction Dynamic Filter
Reaction HUSH
Reaction Octaver
Reaction Phaser
Reaction Super Booster
Reaction Super Charger
Reaction Tremolo
Reaction Tuner

Talkbox Stompboxes

Banshee Talkbox
Banshee Talkbox 2

Wah Pedals

Black Cat Moan Wah
Classic Wah
Tri-Wah Pedal
Utopia Bass Wah
Utopia Guitar Wah

About | Contact Us | Visit GHS Strings | Site Design by 140DB

Metal Planet

Metal Planet

Metal Planet

Need metal? Take a ride on Rocktron’s high octane Metal
Planet distortion pedal. Equipped with a 4 band EQ specifically designed for guitar
distortion with separate level and distortion controls, the Metal Planet delivers the
goods! The mid-frequency sweep allows for a wide range of tones from scooped heavy metal
tones to more modern rock tones.

This pedal is not for the timid at heart – be ready for
a heavy metal distortion unmatched by other pedals. The Level control adjusts the overall
output of the distorted sound. The Low control adjusts the low-end frequencies and the
High control adjusts the high-end frequencies. Middle control adjusts the mid frequencies
bite of the distorted sound, while the Middle Frequency control adjusts the actual
midrange EQ sweep. Use the Distortion control to adjust the amount of distortion in the
signal.
Rock as hard as you want with Metal Planet. Housed in
Rocktron’s rugged road worthy extruded aluminum chassis, this pedal will stand up to
the abuses of time and road wear and tear. The easy-access battery compartment makes
changing batteries during a gig a breeze. And check out the super bright blue LED that
tells you when the pedal hits the metal!! Very cool!
If metal’s your thing, this may be the stomp you’ve
been looking for.

Rocktron Product Reviews – Velocity 250 from Sound Check Magazine

Rocktron Product Reviews – Velocity 250 from Sound Check Magazine

Rocktron
Velocity 250 Power Amp
PRODUCT REVIEW
from Germany’s Sound Check Magazine,
April 1997, by Many Bachinger
Translated by Rob Terstall
 
Rocktron’s Velocity-Series demonstrates in a strong
way, that there need not imperatively be tubes in a guitar power amp to do the job.
More and more we can watch these parts find their rackspace
even in the racks of the most inveterate tubehead, not in the last place due to their
“high speed current feedback” technology, rendering enormeous punch and
transparency through a wide frequency spectrum. The 250 version takes up two rackspaces
and delivers a powerful 125 watts per channel into 4 ohms – that’s equivalent to about 90
watts into 8 ohms, or 50 watts still, into 16 ohms, seeming to be more than plenty. The
Velocity 250 can be bridged by a switch on its front panel, to act in mono; in this mode
delivering 250 watts into 8 ohms, respectively 170 watts into 16 ohms.
Through dual parallel speaker output jacks, it is possible
to connect two cabinets per side, as long as the minimum impedance of 4 ohms is being
watched. As there is no ventilator for the necessary air circulation in the poweramp, the
Velocity has massive cooling fins on its sides, to provide abduction of the heat.
Furthermore, vent holes in the top lid provide air circulation.
Besides two volume controls, we find a reactance and a
definition control per channel. “Reactance” duplicates the sound that happens
with the interaction between the speakers and a tube amp.
In use, this boils down to more punch and dynamics in the
lower bass region, according to the settings of the reactance pots – similar to the
loudness button on a home stereo.
To cope with the guitarist’s problem of getting lost in the
bandmix, Rocktron developed the “Definition” control. This pot controls the
amount of upper mids and treble, giving the sound plenty of cutting edge. As it is often a
problem of overlapping frequencies, whether an instrument is heard or gets lost in the
mix, this control rids the problem without having to drive the amp to its limits.
With “Reactance” and “Definition”
turned down all the way, performance is pretty much linear. The best results soundwise
occur, when these controls are in the 12 o’clock position. With the controls all the way
up, the sound gets a bit exaggerated in the bass and upper mid regions to my ear.
The input sensitivity of the Velocity 250 has been chosen
to avoid problems when connecting multi effect units. The amp has a frequency range of 20
cy. to 20 kcy., thus being able to function as a PA or monitor amp if need be. A security
circuit interupts the amp, as soon as something is wrong (like a shorted speaker lead) and
avoids costly repairs.
In use, the Velocity 250 convinces with a neutral sound,
that can be tapered to one’s own personel preferences, or to the used cabinets, with the
reactance and definition controls.
The Velocity can be mighty loud if you let it, responses
very fast and does not produce pulpy basses. Thanks to the good heat absorbtion, there are
no ventilator sounds that can be annoying, especially in the studio.
ROUND UP
Rocktron’s Velocity 250 is a very good alternative to any
tube-poweramp. It sounds great and weighs far less than a tube bolide of the same power.
It’s sturdy case makes it ideal for the road.
 
Article Copyright © 1997 Sound Check
Magazine.
Article edited for the Web.

Products

Products

Quick Menu
Select the Dropdown menuto quickly access the entire Rocktron Product Line.

v

In a jam? Talk your way out of it with Rocktron’s new Banshee Amplified Talk Box.

Bringing a cool, new twist to the outdated generation of complicated and risky talk boxes, the Banshee is a unique new product that gives classic rock touches to today’s players. Although “talk boxes” have been used in the making of hit music (Aerosmith, Frampton, Joe Walsh, etc.) for years, many guitar players simply have not tried them because of their complicated and potentially damaging setup.

Leave it to the stomp box gurus at Rocktron. The Banshee rocks, simply and safely. What makes the Banshee so unique is that it contains its own internal preamp, amplifier, and horn driver. You simply plug into the Banshee like you would any common stomp box, and run the provided “tubing” up the mic stand and into your mouth. The rest is up to your own imagination as you get the most incredible sounds from your instrument. And no more risk of blowing up your favorite amp head, (always a possibility with talk boxes of old).

The Banshee’s preamp section features controls for gain, tone, and output level. A wide range of clean and dirty preamp tones may be dialed in with plenty of saturation for those who desire lots of gain. Guitar World Magazine wrote: “The Banshee’s high-gain preamp and focused tone control allow for excellent enunciation and sustain. With minimal practice, I was able to create clear words and open vowels, and I could readily see how anyone could become addicted to this effect.”

Not only does the Banshee scream in the talkbox mode, but Rocktron has also included an extra jack for hookup with an extension pedal speaker. Plugging a speaker cabinet to this output turns your pedal board into a perfect practice setup with enough volume to do some pretty serious cranking!

Get your hands on the most unique product in years and let your creative juices flow! Or as Guitar World Magazine put it: “With a simple design and arena-worthy performance at a cool price, this Banshee is sure to send you screaming into the night.

For more in-depth information on the Banshee Talk Box, view the instruction manual in the SUPPORT section of this website.

Buy the Banshee Talkbox from an online dealer. Select below to purchase.