Dunlop MXR Rockman X100 Preamp/Rack Amplifier

MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor — Arena Rock in a Stompbox

The MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor is a faithful reissue of Tom Scholz's 1982 Rockman X100 headphone amp, shrunk into a pedalboard-friendly enclosure. The design team captured the same crystalline cleans, crunchy harmonics, and shimmering modulation that defined 1980s arena rock. Running on 9V at roughly 426 g, it feeds amps, PAs, or recording interfaces with equal ease.

Authentic Bucket-Brigade Chorus and Calibrated Compression

At the heart sits the same MN3007 bucket-brigade chip found in the original 1982 Rockman, producing the wide, swirling chorus heard on records by Def Leppard, Joe Satriani, and Boston. A tuned compression circuit releases slowly on cleans and snaps back quickly on dirty settings. Mono and stereo operation via a 6.3 mm TRS output vary the chorus between channels.

Four Presets Cover the Full Rockman Spectrum

Four selectable modes cover the full range of the original unit, from glassy cleans to saturated leads. CLN2 delivers a crystal-clear tone with high-power sustain, while CLN1 offers a mid-focused EQ for tight rhythm work. Edge provides moderate clipping that cleans up at low guitar volume, and Distortion delivers high-energy overdrive for fluid lead playing.

• CLN1 Mode: mid-focused EQ curve — tight rhythm voice
• CLN2 Mode — default crystal-clear tone with high-power sustain
• Edge Mode: moderate clipping — cleans up at low guitar volume
• Distortion mode — high-energy overdrive for fluid lead tones

Studio and Stage Connectivity

Connectivity centers on a 6.3 mm jack input and a 6.3 mm TRS output handling both mono and stereo signal paths. An external footswitch input accepts an off-board controller such as the MXR TRS Split + Tap for hands-free mode changes. The unit runs straight into a recording interface, PA, or guitar amplifier.

• Input: 6.3 mm jack — standard instrument-level signal
• Output: 6.3 mm jack TRS — mono or stereo via internal switch
• Footswitch input accepts MXR TRS Split + Tap for hands-free mode changes

Compact Stompbox with Standard 9V Power

The pedal draws 120 mA from a standard 9V DC supply, compatible with the Dunlop ECB003 adapter or any MXR Brick Series power supply. At roughly 426 g, it slots into a standard pedalboard layout. The all-analog signal path preserves the warmth and dynamic response of the original Rockman circuitry.

• Power: 9V DC, 120 mA — standard center-negative supply
• Weight: approximately 426 g
• Dimensions: 14.86 x 12.32 x 7.24 cm — standard MXR stompbox layout

Players Chasing the 1980s Arena Rock Sound

Guitarists chasing the polished, midrange-forward character of 1980s arena rock will find this pedal a direct route to that sound without hunting for a vintage unit. Home recording players can feed an audio interface directly, capturing the classic Boston-style tone without amp simulation. Live performers benefit from four-mode flexibility and optional footswitch control.

From Scholz Research & Development to the MXR Workbench

In 1982, Tom Scholz — guitarist and founder of pioneering hard rock band Boston — designed and released the Rockman X100 through his company Scholz Research & Development. The headphone amp became a studio secret weapon, lending its crystalline cleans and lush chorus to countless arena-rock records. MXR later revived the design with SR&D alum Bob Cedro, recreating the same four presets, compression circuit, and MN3007 chorusing in pedalboard format.