ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear

Non ADA Gear => Effects => Topic started by: Chucky on September 03, 2018, 08:36:52 AM

Title: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: Chucky on September 03, 2018, 08:36:52 AM
Hi folks!

Somehow I've been doing a very intense come back to my Boston phase...
That never actually died!!

I find a lot of Tom Scholz gear reminds me of ADA somehow.
Probably mostly for using a similar shade of blue on their products...
But also for breaking the mold and making original and innovative gear.

So since the era has passed a loooong time ago, I figured snatching some of these
components on EvilBay would be a cheap affair.
Well it isn't!! Some of Tom's stuff still is selling at their gold's weight value!  :o
Especially the Sustainor that never sells under $300 usd and some go at more than twice that price!!
Funny also to see the army of over-knowledgeable specialists chimming in with their "Double IC blab, versions 100 or 200, changed caps, refurbish jibberish..."

So I found a Distortion Generator last year for a fair price.
Got the thing and having loads of fun with it.
(https://beta-static.photobucket.com/images/w37/chuckypou/s0/ab08a1d8-a549-4a35-882c-bcd3ab79efee-original.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)

Now I am still looking for a Sustainor 200... One day it will be MINE!!
But I'm ok as I also have been owning a Rockman X100 since the late 80s.
I have a little project brewing in my BatCave that needs to be served with these special units.
I hope i will find time to get on with it.

Any of you guys still using these things?
Anybody has a Sustainor he wants to depart with?  ;)

Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: rnolan on September 04, 2018, 05:33:18 AM
Hey Chucky, I still have a X100 which I've lent to MikeB.  I used it for lead with 2 Marshalls ('72 50w and 100w Artist) back in the late 80's, I made a lead to plug it's headphone out into 2 jacks with a couple of resistors to drop it to inst level for the Marshall inputs (neither had master vol or fx loop).  Loved it cost $800 AUD back then  :facepalm: .  Did quite a bit of recording with it also. Amazing unit, way ahead of its time.
Then I bought a MP1  :whoohoo!: . Though at first I ran the MP1 headphone out into the X100 stereo input (and had a bunch of pedal spaghetti at my feet).  Until I could afford a Quadverb, B200s and 8 chan desk, then went rack.RG has a sustainer IIRC, my X100 is quite noisy these days and could use the cap refresh.
Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: rabidgerry on September 04, 2018, 09:05:38 AM
I have a Sustainor, but I aint parting with it  :)  MJMP has it.  That reminds me, I must pay for that to get shipped back to me!!

I also have the Rockman Instrument EQ and the Stereo Chorus.  I nearly bought a distortion generator but I think I read the Sustainor was better.
Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: McLeanAB on September 06, 2018, 04:50:08 PM
Hey Rolan!

I have a guy that just refurbished my newly acquired X100 and the Ultralight (which is on the way back to me as we speak).  PM me your email and I'll forward it on to him if you need your X100 cleaned up... it made a world of difference in my X100...

Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: GuitarBuilder on September 07, 2018, 09:39:56 AM
I'm guess I'm a Rockman fanatic: I have a head with 10 Rockmodules, an XP-100 super head, an XPR, and a bunch of extra Rockmodules.  I guess I'm part of the army of over-knowledgeable specialists!  :banana-dance: :banana-dance:

I can help you locate your Sustainor 200 if you want.  Just PM me and I'll send the contact info.

I really like my Distortion Generator as well - I had it modified with an FX loop between the compressor and distortion stages, so I can place an equalizer there.  It transforms the unit!  The mod was done by http://www.rockman-repair.com (http://www.rockman-repair.com).

A lot of folks think that the Rockmodules can only produce the Boston sound, but that is not the case.  While you could indeed dial in any Boston guitar sound, you can also get some other fantastic guitar settings, even some acoustic-like tones, mainly because of the outstanding EQ module.  That should be your next buy!

A word of caution: this Rockman equipment is addictive!  It's hard to just own one or a few modules!   :lol: :lol: :lol:
(https://i.imgur.com/rCIGrS9.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/cEevdpU.jpg)
Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: Dante on September 07, 2018, 05:37:28 PM
 :amaze:


Holy smokes
Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: bunkyloo on September 07, 2018, 06:34:00 PM
Cool stuff my dad bought some around same time a PRS I actually just got off the phone with him lol and he blames me for trading the generator and C/D module for a gsp 5 .Too many years to guess whos bad idea. Cant say I haven't made some bad trades. I think the switches bugged me. :facepalm:
Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: rabidgerry on September 08, 2018, 01:49:38 AM
@GuitarBuilder

holy  :poop: you have a SST19 same as me!  I didn't actually realise despite my thread on this and your advice and info you posted on it!

Mine is still broke, but I want it fixed.  When I get some cash I am going to post out to MJMP.  It seems like a great unit and I'd really love it to work!
Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: Chucky on September 09, 2018, 07:33:44 AM
I'm guess I'm a Rockman fanatic: I have a head with 10 Rockmodules, an XP-100 super head, an XPR, and a bunch of extra Rockmodules.  I guess I'm part of the army of over-knowledgeable specialists!  :banana-dance: :banana-dance:

Great news!!

I'm a Boston fanatic... Not necessarily a Rockman fan.
Although I do own an X-100, a MIDI Octopus, a Distortion Generator and currently looking for a Sustainor.
Can't say that an XPR wouldn't rock my world, but hey!! It's more a live context machine.

I've been onto some project where I will need the Boston sound.
Even though I can achieve it with other means, it also is cool to own a few of these gems.
And I clearly see that the Sustainor is the #1 thing to have within Tom's offerings.

Funny to see the same components in your rack as I have.
Lexicon (Got the straight MPX-1)
Used to own a JV-880 (Now I have the XV-3020 with all the expansion cards).
MP-2...and obviously the Rockman units.
We're gear brothers!!

So yeah, I will use some of your wisdom my friend!!  :bow:
Title: Re: ROCKMAN Distortion Generator
Post by: GuitarBuilder on September 15, 2018, 01:24:05 PM
I'm guess I'm a Rockman fanatic: I have a head with 10 Rockmodules, an XP-100 super head, an XPR, and a bunch of extra Rockmodules.  I guess I'm part of the army of over-knowledgeable specialists!  :banana-dance: :banana-dance:

Great news!!

I'm a Boston fanatic... Not necessarily a Rockman fan.
Although I do own an X-100, a MIDI Octopus, a Distortion Generator and currently looking for a Sustainor.
Can't say that an XPR wouldn't rock my world, but hey!! It's more a live context machine.

I've been onto some project where I will need the Boston sound.
Even though I can achieve it with other means, it also is cool to own a few of these gems.
And I clearly see that the Sustainor is the #1 thing to have within Tom's offerings.

Funny to see the same components in your rack as I have.
Lexicon (Got the straight MPX-1)
Used to own a JV-880 (Now I have the XV-3020 with all the expansion cards).
MP-2...and obviously the Rockman units.
We're gear brothers!!

So yeah, I will use some of your wisdom my friend!!  :bow:

Anytime, Chucky!  Glad to help!

Just one piece of advice: the XPR is noisier than the Rockmodules, which are totally quiet.  Save up for the Sustainor, EQ, Chorus, and Delay.