The Outlaw Effects Rocker Box is an analog tremolo pedal, announced alongside a second pedal in early 20171. Outlaw Effects describes it as a pedal that "allows players to unearth rich, natural sounding tremolo effects"1. It shipped to dealers beginning in February 20171.
An optical tremolo with a Bias control
The Rocker Box is an optical tremolo, a design in which the effect is produced inside the pedal rather than by a mechanical switch in the audio path. Outlaw Effects says the circuit gives the player access to "everything from smooth and polished trem to the looser, non-symmetrical waveforms of vintage tube amps" through its Bias control1. Delicious Audio's product page, from Paolo De Gregorio, describes the pedal in similar terms: "The Rocker Box is an optical tremolo that gives you the tools to unearth rich, natural sounding tremolo effects"1.
The Bias control is the pedal's distinguishing feature. It adjusts the tonal complexion of the sound wave, so the tremolo can sit anywhere between an even, polished pulse and the uneven waveform shape associated with vintage tube amp tremolo circuits12.
The controls, footprint and switching
The Rocker Box keeps its control layout simple: Depth and Speed knobs "offer the ability to further fine-tune the effect" on top of the Bias control1. The pedal is built in a micro-sized durable aluminum alloy chassis with a staggered input/output design for a minimum footprint, so it takes up little room on a pedalboard1. Both the Rocker Box and its companion pedal, the Deputy Marshal plexi distortion, feature true bypass switching, which Outlaw Effects says maintains the purity of the player's clean tone1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Depth | Sets how strong the tremolo effect is, for fine-tuning the effect1 |
| Speed | Sets the rate of the tremolo, for fine-tuning the effect1 |
| Bias | Adjusts the tonal complexion of the sound wave, from smooth and polished trem to the looser, non-symmetrical waveforms of vintage tube amps1 |
The Rocker Box was introduced alongside the Deputy Marshal plexi distortion, a second analog pedal in the same micro-sized format, both announced at the 2017 NAMM Show12.
How the Rocker Box got its name
The pedal's name came from Outlaw Effects' #NameThisOutlaw Instagram contest. The winning entry was submitted by Andrew Dixon (@andycd26) of Ohio1.
Videos
Stu Weinberg
Questions
Is the Outlaw Effects Rocker Box true bypass?
Yes. According to the press release announcing the pedal, the Rocker Box features true bypass switching, which Outlaw Effects says is there to maintain the purity of the player's clean tone when the effect is off.
How much did the Outlaw Effects Rocker Box cost?
The Rocker Box carried a suggested retail price of $60.00 when it was announced in January 2017, alongside the Deputy Marshal plexi distortion, which was introduced at the same price.
When was the Outlaw Effects Rocker Box released?
Outlaw Effects announced the Rocker Box at the 2017 Winter NAMM Show in January 2017, and the pedal was set to begin shipping to dealers in February 2017.
How did the Rocker Box get its name?
Outlaw Effects named the pedal through its #NameThisOutlaw Instagram contest. The winning entry was submitted by Andrew Dixon (@andycd26) of Ohio.
Sources (2)
- Outlaw Effects Launches New Tremolo & Plexi Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2017-01-03
- Outlaw Effects Launches Rocker Box Tremolo and Deputy Marshal Plexi Distortion, Guitar World, 2017-01-03
