The Rocktron Mike Orlando Signature Wah is an analog wah pedal that Rocktron developed with guitarist Mike Orlando, who the company introduces as a "guitar virtuoso." Where a standard wah gives you one filter voicing, this one carries three custom voiced settings, Classic, Normal and Bass, plus a Mix control that lets you blend the wah effect with your clean signal instead of committing to a full-on sweep1.
The three voicings
Rocktron developed three custom voiced settings for the Signature Wah, and each changes the character of the filter sweep1:
- Classic: a "vintage" wah effect, described by Rocktron as the setting Orlando uses most1.
- Normal: a more modern frequency sweep1.
- Bass: aimed at lower registers. Rocktron says it is "not only ideal for seven string guitars (as well as bass guitars), but also provides a new dimension" to the standard wah effect on regular six string guitars1.
The Bass voicing is the one that sets this pedal apart from most wahs, which are voiced for standard-tuned guitar. If you play a seven string or bass, it gives you a sweep that follows the lower strings, and Rocktron positions it as usable on six strings too1.
The Mix control and the sweep
The Mix control is the pedal's other distinguishing feature. Rocktron describes it as allowing "the user to mix any amount of wah effect to the direct signal": turned fully toward "Wah" you get 100 percent wah, the "Clean" side gives minimum wah, and at 12 o'clock you get a 50/50 blend1. That means you can run the pedal as a straight wah or keep a portion of your dry tone underneath the sweep, which changes how much of your core sound survives the filter.
The sweep itself runs from 400Hz at heel down to 2kHz at toe down, per Rocktron's specification3. An adjustable rocker tension screw lets you set the pedal's action for a lighter or heavier "touch" under your foot1.
Power and connections
The wah runs on 9V DC center negative and draws 30mA, according to RockBoard's Pedalpedia listing2. Rocktron notes that the pedal contains an easy access battery compartment, and that "The Rocktron DC OnTap Universal Power Supply can also be used to power the wah"1. With a 30mA draw it is a light load on a pedalboard supply2.
The input and output specifications from Rocktron's announcement3:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum input | +10dBu |
| Input impedance | 1M ohm |
| Output impedance | 1K ohm |
A 1M ohm input impedance is the figure typical for a pedal designed to sit directly after a guitar with passive pickups3.
RockBoard's Pedalpedia listing links to the English manual for the pedal at rocktronusa.com, which covers setup and operation in detail2.
Background
Rocktron describes the Mike Orlando Signature Wah's Normal setting as providing "a more modern frequency sweep"12. The pedal's English manual is published on Rocktron's own site, which is where the company documents the pedal's controls and operation.
Within Rocktron's own wah range, the Signature Wah sits alongside the Rocktron Tri-Wah, the Rocktron Classic Wah, the Rocktron Sweet Spot and the Rocktron Black Cat Moan. Its three voicings and Mix control are what distinguish it from a single-voicing wah1.
Videos
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Questions
What does the Bass setting on the Rocktron Mike Orlando Wah do?
The Bass setting is a custom voicing aimed at lower-tuned instruments. Rocktron describes it as ideal for seven string guitars as well as bass guitars, and says it also provides a new dimension to the standard wah effect on regular six string guitars. It gives players who use extended-range or bass instruments a wah voicing that tracks their lower notes instead of only suiting a standard guitar.
Is the Rocktron Mike Orlando Signature Wah analog?
Yes. RockBoard's Pedalpedia listing for the Mike Orlando Signature Wah gives the circuit type as analog, so the filter sweep is produced by an analog circuit rather than digital processing.
Does the Mike Orlando Signature Wah take a battery?
Yes. Rocktron says the pedal contains an easy access battery compartment, so it can run on an internal battery without tools. It can also be powered from a 9V DC center negative supply, including Rocktron's own DC OnTap Universal Power Supply.
What is the Mix control on a wah pedal for?
The Mix control sets how much wah effect is heard against the direct signal. On the Mike Orlando Signature Wah, the full Wah side of the control is 100 percent wah, the Clean side is minimum wah, and 12 o'clock gives a 50/50 blend. That lets you keep some of the guitar's original tone under the sweep.
What frequency range does the Mike Orlando wah sweep?
Rocktron specifies a wah frequency range of 400Hz at heel down to 2kHz at toe down, so the filter sweeps from a lower midrange peak up to a brighter upper midrange peak as you rock the pedal forward.
Which setting does Mike Orlando use most?
According to Rocktron, the Classic setting, with its vintage wah effect, is the one Mike Orlando uses most. The pedal carries his name because he teamed up with Rocktron to develop it and its three custom voicings.
Sources (3)
- Rocktron, Rocktron, 2024-09-24
- Mike Orlando Signature Wah by Rocktron, RockBoard (rockboard.de), 2026
- Mike Orlando Signature Wah Pedal, Rocktron (www.rocktron.com), 2024-08-28
