MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor

The first Boston album is a masterpiece, let’s all be completely honest with ourselves. It’s loaded with catchy hooks, ’70s-tinged riffs and that signature Tom Scholz sound. Speaking of which, he’s kind of the main focus of today’s pedal, the brand new Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor from MXR. If you’ve been looking for that particular arena rock tone, with a bunch of different options to experiment with, you’re really gonna be blown away by this marvelous creation…

Grab a Rockman X100 from Sweetwater – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/raz2Gy

In 1982, Tom Scholz — visionary guitarist and founder of pioneering hard rock band Boston — designed and released the Rockman X100 headphone amp through his electronics company Scholz Research & Development (SR&D). But it was more than just a headphone amp—with recording console connectivity and several tone tweaking features and built-in effects, the X100 became the secret weapon in the studio that would go on to define the polished, chorus-laden sound of 1980s arena rock.

The MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor revives the signature sonic character of that headphone amp in stompbox form. Aided by veteran MXR engineer and SR&D alum Bob Cedro, the MXR design team captured the same crystalline cleans, crunchy harmonics, and shimmering modulation as the original. With the same four tonal presets, carefully calibrated compression, and bucket-brigade chorusing, this all-analog recreation also features both mono and stereo modes and optional external mode switching for an enhanced user experience.

A key component of the original X100’s sound was a complex compression circuit for keeping the signal clear whether clean or dirty. The MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor comes equipped with the same circuit, tuned for a slow release on clean modes and a fast release on dirty modes. The overall amount of compression is tied to the Input Gain level—more input gain means more compression.

Tailoring your levels is simple with dedicated Input Gain and Volume sliders. Like the original, the Rockman X100 features four different presets, selectable via the MODE button: two differently equalized clean modes with high-power sustain and two distinctively gritty dirty modes. Equipped with the same classic MN3007 bucket brigade chip found in the original headphone amp, the Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor will infuse every riff and lick with bucketfuls of expansive, shimmering chorus with a simple push of the Chorus button.

The MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor brings the same rig-in-a-box tones that the original did—but this time, it’ll fit right onto your pedalboard. There’s never been a better way to capture the big tones and texture of the arena rock era. We dive into all four modes, Chorus vs. non-Chorus tones, Stereo connectivity and more in the demo below – be sure to head to YouTube to check it out (and subscribe while you’re there), then grab a Rockman X100 for yourself!! Cheers!!

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