The T-Rex Room-Mate Junior is a compact reverb pedal from T-Rex of Denmark, presented by the maker as the newest addition to its line of reverb pedals12. Its mix, decay and level knobs zero in on the desired reverb sound, and the decay knob adjusts the length of the reverb trail in all four modes34. T-Rex positions it as all the best from the original Room-Mate packed into one unit, in a version that is more affordable and more pedalboard-friendly than the original31.
Where a built-in amp spring reverb can pick up noise and vibration on a live stage, T-Rex pitched the Room-Mate Junior as a way to get that sound without those problems3. The company describes the pedal as combining digital technology with analog craftsmanship to deliver a vintage reverb sound1.
What it does: spring, room, hall and LFO reverb
The Mode knob selects which of the four reverb types you are using2. T-Rex describes the four as "state-of-the-art sounds algorithms; SPRING, ROOM, HALL and LFO"1. The decay knob then adjusts the length of the reverb trail in all four modes13.
| Mode | What it is |
|---|---|
| SPRING | Emulation of a spring reverb tank1 |
| ROOM | Room ambience1 |
| HALL | Larger hall reverb1 |
| LFO | Reverb with a chorus element4 |
How the modes sound is best left to the reviewers who played them. MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen found the spring emulation "voiced just right" for the pedal's character4:
"the Junior's realistic spring emulation is voiced just right - neither brash nor dull"
Curwen described the LFO mode as "reverb embellished with a touch of chorus that really shines in arpeggiated playing"4. Gus Green, reviewing the pedal for Delicious Audio, was positive about the Spring mode, calling it "a rather good recreation" and noting that with the decay knob all the way up it reminded him of the spring models of the 1960s; he also found it way less noisy, temperamental and dirty sounding than a real spring2. Green recommended the pedal over more expensive digital reverb pedals2.
Curwen's overall verdict:
"Whether you wish to emulate a vintage spring or surround your sound with a certain size of ambience, this is a solid choice"
Controls
The control set is simple: a Mode knob to pick the reverb type, and Mix, decay and level knobs that, in Curwen's words, "zero in on your desired reverb sound"4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mode | Selects the reverb type: SPRING, ROOM, HALL or LFO2 |
| Mix | Sets the balance of dry and reverb signal4 |
| Decay | Adjusts the length of the reverb trail in all four modes1 |
| Level | Sets the output level4 |
Power and connections
The Room-Mate Junior runs on a 9V DC power supply, with T-Rex listing its own FuelTank as the supply, and draws 85 mA at 9V DC1. It also takes a 9V 6F22 battery, though T-Rex lists battery life at 30 to 60 minutes, so a supply is the practical choice for anything beyond quick use1.
With an 85 mA draw and a battery life of 30 to 60 minutes, the Room-Mate Junior is best powered from a 9V DC supply rather than a battery1.
On the connection side, the pedal has one 1/4 inch input and stereo left and right outputs2, so it can feed two amps or a stereo rig for a wider reverb spread. T-Rex's own connector list gives the input jack, output jack (R), output jack (L) and the 9V DC jack1. Input impedance is higher than 1M Ohm at 1KHz and output impedance is lower than 1K Ohm at 1KHz, and the maximum input signal is adjustable1.
Where it came from
T-Rex presented the Room-Mate Junior as the newest addition to its successful line of reverb pedals, describing it as all the best from the original Room-Mate packed into one incredibly authentic sounding unit1. The Junior launched at a $399 retail price with a $299 street price3, and T-Rex positioned it as more affordable and more pedalboard-friendly than the original Room-Mate34.
The Room-Mate line has continued since. T-Rex lists the Room-Mate Junior as part of its line of reverb pedals, and the maker describes it as a successful line of which the Junior is the newest addition1.
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Questions
Does the T-Rex Room-Mate Junior take a battery?
Yes. The pedal takes a 9V 6F22 battery, though T-Rex lists battery life at only 30 to 60 minutes, so a 9V DC power supply such as the T-Rex FuelTank is the practical option for regular use. The pedal draws 85 mA at 9V DC.
Is the Room-Mate Junior stereo?
It has one 1/4 inch input and stereo left and right outputs, so a stereo amplifier setup or two amps can receive a spread reverb signal. With a single amp you simply use one of the outputs.
What is the difference between the Room-Mate and the Room-Mate Junior?
The Junior takes what T-Rex calls the best elements of the original Room-Mate and packs them into a smaller, more pedalboard-friendly box. MusicRadar's reviewer also noted the Junior is more affordable than the original. Both offer the same four reverb modes: spring, room, hall and LFO.
Sources (4)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
- Pedal Review: T-Rex Roommate Junior, Delicious Audio, 2012-10-10
- T-Rex Launches New Guitar Pedals at Summer NAMM 2012, Premier Guitar, 2012-06-15
- T-Rex Room-Mate Junior reverb review, MusicRadar, 2012-11-12
