The MojoHandFX Rook Royale is a dual overdrive and boost pedal: it puts the company's Rook overdrive and a simplified version of its EP-3 based Speakeasy preamp in one box. MojoHandFX describes it as "the standard Rook gets an upgrade," with the Speakeasy side reduced to two knobs1. Premier Guitar announced it in March 2013 as "an enhanced version of their Rook overdrive entitled the Rook Royale," with a scheduled release date of March 29, 2013 and a street price of $229.95 at the time2. The current list price is $215.001.
The two channels
The pedal is laid out as two independent channels with a universal order switch that lets you swap which one the signal hits first2.
| Channel | Position | Circuit | Controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speakeasy (Blue) | Left | Modified Echoplex (EP-3) preamp | Boost, plus Treble per the 2013 announcement21 |
| Rook (Red) | Right | Standard Rook OD | 4 knobs with a 3-way toggle2 |
The Blue channel is the boost side. MojoHandFX's product page lists it as the Speakeasy, a simplified two-knob version of the EP-3 based Speakeasy preamp1. In the 2013 announcement, Mojo Hand FX described it as "a modified Echoplex preamp circuit with controls for BOOST and TREBLE"2. The Echoplex preamp is a circuit players know from the tape echo unit of the same name, often used on its own as a clean boost.
The Red channel is a standard Rook overdrive: four knobs with a three-way toggle, the same feature set as the standalone Rook OD2.
The controls
- Boost: the level control on the Speakeasy (left) channel1
- Gain: the drive control on the Rook (right) channel1
- Rook channel knobs: four knobs with a 3-way toggle, as on the standard Rook OD2
- Order switch: a universal switch that changes the order of the two channels, so you can run boost into overdrive or overdrive into boost2
Because the order switch is universal, the same two circuits can be stacked either way, which changes how the boost pushes the overdrive's input2.
Power and size
The Rook Royale runs on a standard center negative 9V DC supply, which is not included, and draws about 30mA1. The enclosure measures 4.7 inches long by 3.69 inches wide by 1.37 inches high1.
No power supply comes in the box. Any adapter or pedalboard output you use must be 9V DC with a center negative plug, the standard arrangement for most modern pedals.
Videos
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Questions
What is the difference between the Rook Royale and the Rook Overdrive?
The Rook Royale is an enhanced version of the Rook overdrive. It keeps a standard Rook OD as its Red channel and adds a simplified two-knob version of the EP-3 based Speakeasy as its Blue boost channel, with a universal order switch that lets you run the two channels in either order.
Is the MojoHandFX Rook Royale true bypass?
Yes. MojoHandFX lists the Rook Royale as true bypass, so with both channels off the signal passes through without the circuit coloring it.
Does the Rook Royale come with a power supply?
No. It runs on a standard center negative 9V DC supply, which is not included, so you need to supply your own power adapter or pedalboard power.
What polarity does the Rook Royale use?
It uses a standard center negative 9V DC supply. That is the same polarity as most modern pedals, so it works with typical pedalboard power supplies.
Can I use the Boost and the Gain side separately?
Yes. The pedal has two channels, the Speakeasy boost on the left and the Rook overdrive on the right, and a universal order switch lets you change which channel comes first in the signal chain.
How big is the MojoHandFX Rook Royale?
The enclosure measures 4.7 inches long by 3.69 inches wide by 1.37 inches high, roughly the footprint of a standard single pedal rather than a compact mini.
Sources (2)
- Rook Royale, MojoHandFX
- Mojo Hand FX Launches Rook Royale Overdrive/Preamp, Premier Guitar, 2013-03-13
