The Rocktron Reaction Chorus is a chorus pedal in Rocktron's Reaction series of stomp boxes. Premier Guitar's announcement of the pedal, published in January 2010, describes it as offering "a deep palette of warm, lush multi-voiced chorusing," and as a pure analog chorus built on the classic BBD (bucket-brigade device) circuitry that has long been sought out for chorus designs1. It is a true bypass pedal: when switched off, it is out of the signal path1.
The controls
The Reaction Chorus has three knobs, each shaping a different part of the effect1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Controls the speed of the LFO waveform used to modulate the delay |
| Depth | Controls the delay line maximum travel time and intensity; adjusts the amount of modulation |
| Intensity | Controls the amount of chorus effect that is added to the signal |
For players new to chorus, the three controls divide the work neatly. Rate and Depth shape the modulation itself: Rate controls the speed of the LFO waveform used to modulate the delay, while Depth controls the delay line maximum travel time and intensity, adjusting the amount of modulation. Intensity controls the amount of chorus effect that is added to the signal. Low Intensity with moderate Depth gives a subtle thickening; higher Intensity pushes the multi-voiced character forward1.
The footswitch controls the On/Off status, shown by an LED indicator1. Rocktron describes the pedal's character as having "transparency, a creamy fluidness of its predecessors, but the ability to leave the tone intact"1.
Why BBD circuitry matters
The bucket-brigade device is an analog delay line: the signal is passed along a chain of capacitive stages, sample by sample, and a chorus works by modulating that delay time with a low-frequency oscillator. Because nothing is converted to digital, BBD designs are the traditional route to the warm, slightly darkened, naturally wobbling chorusing that analog chorus is known for. Premier Guitar's announcement frames the Reaction Chorus squarely in that tradition, calling it a pure analog chorus using the classic BBD circuitry long sought out for chorus designs1. For a player choosing between an analog chorus and a digital one, the practical difference is character: the BBD route is the one associated with the warm, lush multi-voiced sound Rocktron and Premier Guitar both describe here1.
Power and connections
The Reaction Chorus runs on a 9V alkaline battery, or can be powered by Rocktron's DC OnTap Universal Power Supply adaptor, which is sold separately1. That arrangement is shared across the Reaction line: the Reaction Compressor, Reaction Digital Delay and other Reaction stomp boxes use the same battery-plus-adaptor scheme23.
The DC OnTap power supply adaptor is not included with the pedal, so plan for a battery or pick up the adaptor separately1.
The whole Reaction series is built into a rugged metal slim form factor chassis, designed to take up as little space as possible on a pedalboard1. That makes the Reaction Chorus a straightforward fit alongside other compact pedals, whether that is other modulation effects like a phaser or flanger, or time-based effects such as a delay pedal.
The Reaction series around it
The Chorus is one of several stomp boxes Rocktron built in the same slim metal chassis. The line as announced covers a spread of the basic effect types a player might put on a board1:
Rocktron builds the Reaction Series pedals into a rugged metal slim form factor chassis, taking up as little space as possible on a pedalboard1. The series is a stomp box family: Reaction stomp boxes run on a 9V Alkaline battery, or may also be powered by Rocktron's DC OnTap Universal Power Supply1. On the Reaction Chorus itself, the footswitch controls On/Off status as shown by the LED indicator1, and Rocktron describes its sound as having "transparency, a creamy fluidness of its predecessors, but the ability to leave the tone" intact1.
Because the Reaction pedals share one chassis format and one power arrangement, a player assembling a Rocktron-based board can mix them without worrying about mismatched enclosures or supplies1. The Chorus is the modulation entry in that family, and Rocktron positions it for players who want the series' transparency and fluidness while leaving their core tone intact1. Its slim metal chassis keeps the footprint small on a crowded pedalboard, and the LED-indicated footswitch makes its on/off status easy to read at a glance on stage1.
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Questions
Is the Rocktron Reaction Chorus analog or digital?
It is analog. Premier Guitar's announcement of the pedal, published in January 2010, describes the Reaction Chorus as a pure analog chorus that uses the classic bucket-brigade device (BBD) circuitry long favored for chorus sounds. That matters to players because BBD designs are the traditional route to warm, modulated chorusing, as opposed to digital delay-based chorus circuits.
Is the Rocktron Reaction Chorus true bypass?
Yes. According to Premier Guitar's 2010 announcement, the Reaction Chorus is a true bypass pedal, meaning that when you turn it off it is out of your signal path entirely. Your guitar's signal reaches the amp unaltered when the effect is switched off.
Can the Rocktron Reaction Chorus run on a battery?
Yes. Premier Guitar reports that Reaction stomp boxes run on a 9V alkaline battery. The pedal can alternatively be powered by Rocktron's DC OnTap Universal Power Supply adaptor, which is sold separately.
What does the Intensity knob do on the Reaction Chorus?
Intensity controls the amount of chorus effect that is added to the signal. In practice it is your wet/dry blend: turn it down for a subtle thickening of your tone and up for a pronounced, obvious chorusing effect. It works alongside the Depth and Rate controls, which shape the modulation itself.
What is the difference between Rate and Depth on a chorus pedal?
Rate controls the speed of the LFO waveform used to modulate the delay, so it sets how quickly the chorus sweeps. Depth controls the delay line's maximum travel time and intensity, which adjusts the amount of modulation. In short, Rate is how fast the effect moves and Depth is how far it moves.
Sources (3)
- Rocktron Launches New Chorus & Distortion Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2010-01-07
- Rocktron Announces Reaction Digital Delay, Premier Guitar, 2010-07-22
- Reaction Compressor Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
