MXR releases Rockman X100 pedal, a stompbox version of Tom Scholz's headphone amp
January 23, 2025 · 3 sources
MXR released the MXR Rockman X100 on January 23, 2025, according to Gearnews, which reported the launch as the first time the Rockman has been adapted into a stompbox1. The original Rockman was a headphone amplifier designed by Boston guitarist Tom Scholz and released in 1982 through his company Scholz Research & Development2.
The pedal has four presets, listed by MusicRadar as CLN2, CLN1, Edge and Dist, which it says match those on the original2. Controls are volume, input gain, a mode switch, a chorus switch, an internal mono/stereo switch and a bypass footswitch2. The chorus uses an MN3007 bucket brigade chip, and the output ships in mono and can be switched internally to stereo2. MusicRadar lists buffered bypass, standard input and output, a CTRL input, a supplied 9V DC adaptor and dimensions of 62 (w) x 110 (d) x 47mm (h)2. Gearnews reported four presets, volume and input gain controls and the analog chorus1.
MusicRadar's review said the pedal has no dedicated headphone socket and no sign of the original's switchable Echo, which it described as basically reverb2. It said an A/B test against its original unit showed the new pedal had the vintage sounds down accurately, and described the overall sound as very compressed with a bright top end and some bottom-end roll-off2. It liked the pedal best for DI recording2.
"The new pedal features four different presets (CLN2, CLN1, Edge, Dist) as found on the original"
Prices differ between the two reports. Gearnews gave 299 euros at Thomann and also listed $215.001. MusicRadar listed $2292. Gearnews also said the pedal would be available in about a week1.
The original X-100 headphone amps were used by bands including Def Leppard, according to Gearnews1. Guitar.com wrote that the Rockman's most famous use was on Def Leppard's Hysteria3.