The LunaStone Three Stage Rocket MIDI is a programmable analog overdrive pedal from Danish maker LunaStone. It puts three gain stages in one enclosure: two overdrive circuits, OD1 and OD2, plus a separate +15dB clean boost, with the boost routable before or after the drive12. What separates it from the original Three Stage Rocket is MIDI: you can store and recall the settings of its four switches via MIDI program changes1.
LunaStone calls it a three-in-one TrueOverDrive solution, and describes the drive as fat and punchy with a sparkly attack, an extremely wide gain range and what the product page calls "truckloads of sustain"1. The drive circuit is based on LunaStone's Big Fella overdrive, which the company says never over-saturates the guitar signal, even at high gain settings1.
What it does: two overdrive stages and a clean boost
The pedal's first two stages are dedicated overdrive circuits, selected by the OD1/OD2 footswitch6. OD1 is the softer, lower-gain of the two; LunaStone positions it for crunchy rhythm playing, while OD2 carries more gain1. Guitar.com described OD1 as a smooth, even overdrive with rich, thick distortion suited to power chords6.
The third stage is a separate +15dB clean boost circuit1. Where you place it changes its job:
- Post mode: the boost works as a clean level booster, raising volume whether your signal is clean or already overdriven1.
- Pre mode: the boost feeds the drive circuit, pushing it harder for sustain and lead tones12.
The order of the drive and the booster is user-definable, so the same boost can serve as a volume lift or a gain push depending on how you set it up1.
The controls and footswitches
Three dedicated footswitches control the three drive stages on the fly7. A fourth switch arrangement handles the MIDI functions, which is what the "four switches" in the MIDI storage system refer to1.
| Footswitch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost (left) | Engages the +15dB boost, the third stage1 |
| OD1/OD2 (middle) | Chooses OD1 or OD2; toggles between stage 1 and 2 while drive is engaged1 |
| Add Drive (right) | Adds drive and acts as bypass for the entire drive circuit1 |
The MIDI implementation is deliberately simple. Press and hold a footswitch to send a MIDI program change, and the pedal stores the switch settings at that program change number1. Setup of the MIDI channel and program changes is done through LunaStone's soft touch footswitches, with no menu system and no DIP switches5.
The 160mA draw at 9V DC center negative is higher than a basic analog overdrive, so plan your power supply accordingly. The adapter is not included1.
History: from the Big Fella to the MIDI version
The Three Stage Rocket itself came out of a collaboration between LunaStone and Danish guitarist and producer Søren Andersen17. Its drive circuit is built on the Big Fella overdrive, a pedal LunaStone promoted with demo videos from Livingroom Gear Demos and Schnobel Tone in 201618.
The MIDI version has a specific origin story. LunaStone founder and head engineer Steen Grøntved built a custom MIDI-compatible Three Stage Rocket for Søren Andersen to take on the road, and that pedal paved the way for the production version offered to everyone49. Announced in July 2018, it launched at $39952, with Gearnews also listing a European RRP of EUR 3995.
"I am very pleased that we now introduce what is really a deluxe version of the original Three Stage Rocket"
Grøntved framed the pedal as an answer to a specific demand: an all analog, true overdrive pedal for the growing number of guitarists using all digital setups3. The original Three Stage Rocket remains available for players who do not need MIDI functionality34.
What reviewers said
Gearnews' launch coverage was positive about the concept, calling it a lot of pedal for the money and a way to integrate analog drive tone into digital rigs, or to give a valve amp extra remotely controllable tonal options5. Guitar World and Guitar.com covered the launch straightforwardly, noting the two overdrive stages, the routable boost and the $399 price26.
How it compares with the original
The two pedals share the same core: Big Fella-based drive, two gain stages with separate gain controls, the +15dB clean boost, true bypass, Neutrik jacks, the same enclosure size and a 2-year warranty1. The differences are the MIDI control and preset storage, and power: the original Three Stage Rocket is listed as 9V battery operable7, while the MIDI version's spec sheet lists only the 9V DC adapter input at 160mA, though Gearnews reported at launch that it can also run from a 9V battery51. Both pedals sit in LunaStone's range alongside the Big Fella, Blue Drive 1, Boost 18 and Distortion 110.
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Questions
Can the Three Stage Rocket MIDI run on a battery?
Yes. Gearnews reported at launch that the pedal can run from a 9V battery or an external power supply, which is unusual for a MIDI-equipped pedal. The maker's spec sheet lists a standard 9V DC center negative adapter, not included, at 160mA, so a quality isolated supply is the practical choice for pedalboard use.
Is the Three Stage Rocket MIDI true bypass?
Yes. LunaStone lists true bypass switching on the product page, and Gearnews confirmed true-bypass foot switching in its launch coverage. When the pedal is off, your signal passes through without buffering or coloring.
How much current does the Three Stage Rocket MIDI draw?
LunaStone's specifications list a current draw of 160mA at 9V DC, center negative. That is modest by digital standards but more than a simple analog overdrive, so check your power supply's per-output budget before daisy chaining several pedals on one output.
Is the Three Stage Rocket MIDI analog?
Yes. LunaStone founder Steen Grøntved described it as an all analog, true overdrive pedal, built in response to players running all digital setups who still wanted an analog drive in front of them. The MIDI section handles switching and presets; the audio path stays analog.
Is the LunaStone Three Stage Rocket true bypass?
Yes. The original non-MIDI Three Stage Rocket carries the same true bypass switching as the MIDI version, according to LunaStone's product page. Both pedals also share the same dimensions, weight and Neutrik jack connectors.
Can the Three Stage Rocket run on a battery?
Yes. LunaStone lists the original Three Stage Rocket as 9V battery operable, alongside its standard 9V DC center negative adapter input. The company stated at the MIDI version's launch that the original pedal would remain available for players who do not need MIDI.
Sources (10)
- Three Stage Rocket MIDI, LunaStone
- LunaStone Launches Three Stage Rocket MIDI, Guitar World, 2018-07-24
- We Add a MIDI Version of the Three Stage Rocket to the Lineup, LunaStone, 2018-08-31
- Lunastone Pedals Launches Three Stage Rocket MIDI, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2018-07-24
- Lunastone Three Stage Rocket MIDI: Søren Andersen signature overdrive, gearnews.com, 2018-07-26
- LunaStone launches the Three Stage Rocket MIDI, Guitar.com, 2018-07-25
- Three Stage Rocket, LunaStone
- Big Fella in Demo by Schnobel Tone, LunaStone, 2016-11-06
- Three Stage Rocket MIDI Rocks Deep Purple Classics, LunaStone, 2018-09-19
- Three Stage Rocket MIDI by Lunastone, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
