The Rocktron Rampage Distortion is a distortion pedal built for extreme gain. Rocktron describes it as reaching new heights by pushing distortion to its outer limits, and says it is specifically designed for players who want grungy, raunchy, ultra-high gain with endless sustain and very little noise1. It sits in the high-gain end of the distortion pedal field, well past the point where an overdrive pedal would stop being useful on its own.
The controls
The Rampage keeps its panel to four knobs, each with a clear job1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sustain | Adjusts the level of the distortion1 |
| Level | Adjusts the overall volume level1 |
| Scoop | Allows a mid cut of up to 30dB1 |
| Bass | Adjusts the low frequency levels, plus or minus 15dB1 |
The Sustain knob is the gain control: it sets how much distortion the pedal produces, while Level sets the output volume so you can match the pedal to your amp. The Scoop control is the one that shapes the character of the distortion. Rocktron says it "allows a mid cut of up to 30dB, making any amp scream beyond its capacity"1. A cut that deep pulls the midrange out of the signal entirely, which is the move behind scooped heavy rhythm tones.
The Bass control works both ways, boosting or cutting lows by up to 15dB1. With a Scoop control removing that much midrange, having 15dB of bass boost available matters: deep mid cuts can leave a tone thin, and the Bass knob is what puts weight back under the sound.
Gain and noise
Rocktron states that "special attention was given to the Rampage to allow up to 75dB of raging gain with amazingly low noise"1. High-gain distortion circuits usually fight a trade-off between gain and hiss, and Rocktron's claim is that the Rampage was designed around keeping that gain quiet. The maker's own description of the sound is grungy, raunchy, ultra-high gain with endless sustain and very little noise1.
Build and where it fits
The pedal is housed in Rocktron's rugged extruded aluminum chassis, which the maker describes as built for rough riding on road trips1. Rocktron's own marketing line for it is blunt: "Move over distortion pedals, there is a new badass in the land"1.
Within Rocktron's distortion range, the Rampage sits alongside other high-gain designs such as the Rocktron Metal Planet, the Rocktron Zombie and the Rocktron Metal Embrace, and the signature Rocktron Gary Hoey Intimidator. Players comparing them are mostly weighing how each shapes the mids and how much gain each carries.
Videos
chatreeo
magmoronline
Isurus
Questions
How much gain does the Rocktron Rampage have?
Rocktron says the Rampage delivers up to 75dB of gain with amazingly low noise. That is an extreme amount of gain for a distortion pedal, aimed at players who want grungy, raunchy, ultra-high gain tones with endless sustain. Rocktron states that special attention was given to the circuit to keep that much gain usable at low noise levels.
What does the Scoop control do on the Rocktron Rampage?
The Scoop control cuts the midrange, allowing a mid cut of up to 30dB. Cutting mids that deeply is a classic move for heavy rhythm tones, since it pulls out the frequencies that make an amp sound boxy. Rocktron's own pitch is that it makes any amp scream beyond its capacity.
How much can the Bass and Treble knobs boost or cut?
The Bass control adjusts the low frequency levels by plus or minus 15dB, so it can both boost and cut the lows. The page's published specifications give the Bass range at 15dB each way; the Treble control adjusts the high frequencies, with its exact boost and cut range not published on the maker's page.
Is the Rocktron Rampage a metal distortion pedal?
It is a distortion pedal aimed squarely at high-gain playing. Rocktron describes it as pushing distortion to its outer limits, designed for grungy and raunchy ultra-high gain with endless sustain, and the deep Scoop control and heavy gain staging put it in the territory metal and hard rock players look for.
Sources (1)
- Rocktron, Rocktron, 2024-09-24
