Product Review
Rocktron Deep Blue Chorus
From Guitar Player Magazine January 2005
By Terry Buddingh
Rocktron’s R&D department has apparently contracted a serious case of stompbox fever, as evidenced by the recent introduction of six new pedal designs. These affordably priced units represent Rocktron’s take on some classic effects with innovative twists and surprises added for good measure. Features include rugged extruded aluminum housings, easy-access pop-out battery compartments, AC adaptor jacks, and large, skid-proof rubber feet and dig those miniature chicken-head knobs!
The Deep Blue is a stereo chorus built around the legendary Panasonic MN3207 1,024-stage analog bucket-brigade delay chip, and it sports Rate, Depth, and Intensity controls, dual outputs, and an LED that illuminates when the effect is activated. In Mono mode, the Deep Blue enhanced perceived dimension with a deep and lusciously liquid complexity that engulfed the room with its ever-shifting sonic presence. Through two amps, it sounded breathtakingly huge.
There’s just something undeniably compelling about the sound of a good analog chorus: the lush and fluid richness, the sense of density and space, and the distinctive warmth that’s so difficult to emulate with digital circuitry. And unlike some chorus pedals that emphasize the upper midrange and treble ranges, the Deep Blue’s chorusing is remarkably balanced with no low-end roll off which further contributes to its sense of fullness. If you like your chorus fat and juicy, the Deep Blue is for you.
Article edited for the Web