A division of GHS Corporation since its sale
Rocktron operates as a division of GHS Corporation4. The GHS connection shows throughout the current operation: product pages state that names like the MIDI Mate and VooDu Valve are trademarks of GHS Corporation6, and orders for printed manuals, at $15 U.S. plus $5.25 for shipping and handling, are made payable to GHS Corporation7.
Rocktron's own news pages mark the company's timeline. It celebrated its 15th anniversary during 1997, with a birthday bash at the 1997 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, which puts its founding around 19823.
Known for: Intellifex, HUSH noise reduction and rack preamps
Rocktron's reputation rests on three things: noise reduction, multi-effects, and MIDI-controlled preamps.
HUSH noise reduction is the company's signature technology, patented by Rocktron and, by its own account, chosen by players for nearly 16 years to eliminate noise problems in their rigs5. The line spans rack units and pedals:
| Product | Form | Noise reduction |
|---|---|---|
| HUSH The Pedal | Stompbox | 65dB of signal cleanup89; specifications list over 60dB9 |
| HUSH Noise Reduction | Pedal | 65dB of signal cleanup10 |
| Reaction HUSH | Pedal | 65dB of signal cleanup11 |
| MicroHUSH | Micro chassis stompbox | Rocktron's HUSH circuit in a compact, rugged enclosure12 |
| HUSH PRO | Rack unit | Up to 72dB13 |
| HUSH Ultra | Rack unit, MIDI controllable | Up to 72dB14 |
| HUSH 2X | Dual-channel unit | Two HUSH circuits, usable before and after a pedal or with two chains15 |
Rocktron's HUSH noise reduction has been a fixture of its line for years: the company says that "for nearly 16 years, players have chosen Rocktron's HUSH noise reduction to eliminate noise problems in their rigs"5. The HUSH The Pedal specification table lists noise reduction of over 60dB9, while the rack-mounted HUSH Ultra and HUSH PRO are both rated for up to 72dB of effective noise reduction13. The MicroHUSH packages the same "world famous HUSH noise reduction" in a compact pedal format12, and the noise reduction also appears built into units like the Intellifex LTD, which the maker describes as the first fully digital implementation of the patented HUSH circuit at the unit's input, and the Chameleon 2000 preamp16.
Rack preamps and multi-effects carry names like the Chameleon, VooDu Valve, Piranha, Prophesy and Replifex, with the Intellifex as the multi-effect unit most often named in players' rigs5. Velocity, Intellifex LTD, Replifex and Chameleon are registered trademarks of Rocktron Corporation2. The company also built MIDI foot controllers, including the MIDI Mate, All Access and MIDI Raider; Rocktron says its MIDI product line has been used on more pro tours than any other controllers17.
Stompboxes from Rocktron
Rocktron's pedal range covers distortion, compression, wah, volume and expression:
- Distortion: Rampage Distortion, which Rocktron says "pushes distortion to its outer limits"18; the Metal Planet, described by the maker as its "high octane" distortion pedal19; and the Zombie rectified distortion stompbox20
- The Reaction Series, built into a rugged metal slim form factor chassis, including the Reaction Compressor21 and Reaction HUSH11
- The Classic Wah, positioned by Rocktron as a rugged wah for less money22
- The Hex Expression/Volume Pedal, Rocktron's own affordable expression and volume pedal23
- The Banshee amplified talkbox, which Guitar Shop Magazine in 1997 credited with reviving voice-box mania24
Players documented using Rocktron gear
Rocktron's artist news pages document a long roster of endorsees, mostly in metal and hard rock:
- Brian Setzer: toured and performed live on radio using the VooDu Valve and the MIDI Mate25
- Nick Hexum of 311: joined the ranks of Rocktron endorsers and now uses Rocktron gear exclusively on tour and in the studio3
- Scott Crouse and Erick Edwards: Rocktron endorsers, using Rocktron gear for their sound5
Support, manuals and contact
Rocktron's website hosts a manual library in the Support section, with manuals in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, viewable and printable exactly like the originals7. The library covers:
- Preamps: Chameleon, VooDu Valve, Piranha, Prophesy, Taboo Artist, PC Preamp, GIS2
- Effects: Intellifex LTD, Intellifex On-Line, Intellifex XL, Intellipitch, Replifex, MultiValve, Big Surf2
- MIDI controllers: MIDI Mate, All Access, Patchmate2
- Noise reduction: Guitar Silencer, HUSH Super C, Studio HUSH2
- Power amps: Velocity 100, Velocity 120, Velocity 250, Velocity Valve2
- Cabinets and combos: S112, SE112, Seance Surround, Taboo Twin, Velocity VT602
Many older Rocktron products are listed as discontinued on the maker's support pages, including the Chameleon, Intellifex LTD, Replifex, VooDu Valve, Taboo Twin and the rack Velocity power amps26. Printed manuals for discontinued products are not available online; Rocktron asks buyers to send $15 U.S. plus $5.25 for shipping and handling, by check payable to GHS Corporation7.
Support can be reached at 800-388-4447 or info@rocktron.com22.
The range (59)
Questions
Who owns Rocktron?
Rocktron is a division of GHS Corporation. The company was sold to GHS in January 2000 and moved from the northern suburbs of Detroit to Battle Creek, Michigan. Rocktron product pages and manual ordering information today carry GHS Corporation trademarks and payment details.
Where are Rocktron pedals made?
Rocktron operated a factory in the Detroit area in the 1990s, which hosted tours by visiting artists. After the company was sold to GHS Corporation in January 2000, it moved about 100 miles to Battle Creek, Michigan, where GHS is based.
Is Rocktron still in business?
Yes. Rocktron's website remains active, with current product pages, a manual library, and support contact information. Many older products are listed as discontinued, but lines such as the Reaction Series and HUSH noise reduction pedals are still presented as current.
How do I get an old Rocktron manual?
Rocktron hosts a manual library in the Support section of its website, with manuals in Adobe Acrobat PDF format covering preamps, effects, MIDI controllers, noise reduction, power amps, cabinets and combos. Printed manuals cost $15 plus $5.25 shipping, by check payable to GHS Corporation.
What does the Rocktron HUSH do?
HUSH is Rocktron's patented noise reduction, used to eliminate hiss and noise from guitar rigs. Pedal versions such as the HUSH The Pedal and Reaction HUSH deliver 65dB of signal cleanup while, in Rocktron's words, your music signal integrity remains unaffected. It plugs in after noisy units like distortion boxes.
What rack gear did Brian May use from Rocktron?
The July 1998 issue of the U.K.'s Guitarist magazine pictured Brian May's rack, which included the Rocktron Intellifex multi-effect unit, the Rocktron Patch Mate and the Rocktron MIDI Mate foot controller.
Who distributes Rocktron in the UK?
According to Rocktron's own news pages from 1997, Marshall was the U.K. distributor for Rocktron products at that time. The same pages note Carvin Norge as Rocktron's distributor in Norway.
Sources (26)
- Current Product Manuals, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Rocktron's MANUAL LIBRARY, Rocktron Corporation (www.rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
- Rocktron News: ROCK NOTES, Rocktron Corporation, 2024-08-28
- Celestial Delay Boutique Series Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-09-24
- Rocktron Artist News, Rocktron (www.rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
- MIDI Mate, Rocktron (www.rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
- Rocktron, Rocktron (www.rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
- Hush The Pedal, Rocktron (www.rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
- HUSH The Pedal Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Rocktron, Rocktron (rocktron.com), 2024-09-24
- Reaction HUSH Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-09-24
- MicroHUSH Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- HUSH Pro Guitar Noise Reduction, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- HUSH Ultra Guitar Noise Reduction, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- HUSH 2X Noise Reduction, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Chameleon 2000, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- MIDI Raider Foot Controller, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Rocktron, Rocktron, 2024-09-24
- Rocktron, Rocktron, 2024-09-24
- Zombie Rectified Distortion Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Reaction Compressor Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Classic Wah, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Hex Expression/Volume Pedal, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Rocktron Product Reviews, Guitar Shop Magazine (republished on rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
- Rocktron News: ROCK NOTES, Rocktron (www.rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
- Discontinued Product Manuals, Rocktron, 2024-08-28