Reaction Compressor
Instruction Manual
May be covered by one or more of the following: U.S. Patents #4538297, 4647876, 4696044, 4745309, 4881047,
4893099, 5124657, 5263091, 5268527, 5319713, 5333201, 5402498 and 5493617.
Other patents pending. Foreign patents pending.
Compliance
Your Reaction Compressor™ pedal has been tested and complies with the following Standards and Directives as set forth by the European Union:
Council Directive(s): 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic
Compatibility
Standard(s): EN55013, EN50082-1
This means that this product has been designed to meet stringent guidelines on how much
RF energy it can emit, and that it should be immune from other sources of interference when
properly used. Improper use of this equipment could result in increased RF emissions, which
may or may not interfere with other electronic products.
To insure against this possibility, always use good shielded cables for all audio input and
output connections. This will help insure compliance with the Directive(s).
For more information about other Rocktron products, please see your local dealer or one of
our importers closest to you (listed on the Rocktron website
(www.rocktron.com).
Read all instructions contained in this manual.
Keep these instructions
Heed all warnings
Follow all instructions.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean with dry cloth
Copyright © 2009 GHS Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Precautions
Refer all service to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as power supply or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus or if the apparatus has been exposed to rain
or moisture, does not operate normally or has been dropped.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT. QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
SHOULD SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT ONLY. DO NOT MAKE ANY INTERNAL
ADJUSTMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT AT ANY TIME OR TAMPER
WITH INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AT ANY TIME. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY VOID THE WARRANTY OF THIS EQUIPMENT
AS WELL AS CAUSING A SHOCK HAZARD.
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
Do not expose this unit to excessive heat. This unit is designed to operate between 32 F and
104 F (0 C and 40 C). This unit may not function properly under extreme temperatures.
Do not block any ventilation openings (if applicable). Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other ap-
paratus (including ampliers) that produce heat.
This product is not equipped with a plug or cable. This pedal runs on a 9 Volt Battery, if a
9Volt DC adapter is the used please follow adapter manufacturer’s operation instructions.
Only used attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.
Do not use this product with any case, stand tripod, bracket or table that is not specied by
the manufacturer. Insure that the case, stand, tripod, bracket etc. is properly adjusted and
setup (follow all instructions). Extra care and caution should be taken to avoid tip over
and injury.
Unplug this apparatus during lightening storms or when unused during long periods of time.
Introduction
Compressors are one of the best tools in a guitar player’s
tool box, and the Reaction Compressor fullls all the
requirements for outstanding compression. Professional
players use a compressor like a secret weapon to get
accomplish many things, including adding more sustain
to any guitar without adding distortion, dening every
note in a chord while letting it ring out, creating in your
face solos, and much more.
Rocktron’s Reaction Series pedals are built into a rugged
metal slim form factor chassis, taking up as little space as
possible on your pedalboard. The Reaction Compressor
is a TRUE BYPASS pedal: when you turn it off…it is out
of your signal path!
Control knobs for the Reaction Compressor include
SUSTAIN, which controls the amount of Compression
and Release characteristics. ATTACK determines how
fast the compression reacts. LEVEL controls the output
volume.
Most studio compressors are big and bulky and quite
difcult to set. Rocktron comes to the rescue with
the Reaction Compressor. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 to
get professional results that will improve your live
performances.
Here’s some tips. Start by setting the ATTACK and
LEVEL controls around the 12::00 o’clock position.
Turn the SUSTAIN from left to right in small increments
while playing until you achieve the texture you are
seeking. After you have found your favorite sweet spot,
Introduction
use the LEVEL control to ne tune your output level.
That’s it! Sound check is done.
Use the Reaction Compressor as a master SOLO switch
to not only dene what you play but also to raise the
volume! The soundman can worry about something
else…you have performance control!.
Typically you want to set the output level after
compression has been applied so that it is the same as
the pedal in True Bypass – this is called “unity gain” (the
same level from pedal on to pedal off). You may want to
apply compression, and then actually add volume using
the LEVEL control. Now you have added more sustain
and drive which can be used before an overdrive pedal, or
direct into your amplier.
Compression helps dene articulation for any instrument
by limiting how loud a note can get. It also makes
lower volume notes louder. The end result is a smoother
and more even sound, and that is what you hear on
professional recordings. It’s also what you will hear live!
The soundman will thank you!
The footswitch on the Reaction Compressor controls
On/Off status as shown by the LED indicator. Reaction
stomp boxes run on a 9V Alkaline battery, or may also
be powered by Rocktron’s DC OnTap Universal Power
Supply adaptor.
Descriptions
Descriptions continued.........
SUSTAIN Control - This control determines the
1
amount of dynamic range limiting.
2
ATTACK Control - This control determines
amount of delay before compression occurs.
Turning the knob to the right produces a faster
attack and to the left a slower attack.
3
9VDC Input - This input jack provides 9VDC
power to the pedal from the Rocktron DC OnTap
9V power supply (sold seperately).
LEVEL Control - This control determines the
4
controls the amount of effect added to the output.
ON/OFF Leds - These LEDs shows if the pedal
5
is on or off. When the LED is lit the pedal is on.
When the LED is not lit the pedal is off.
6
BATTERY COMPARTMENT and COVER - The
9V battery can be found in this compartment.
INPUT Jack - Using a standard 1/4” guitar cable,
7
plug your guitar into this jack.
Descriptions continued.........
THUMB SCREWS for Battery Compartment.
8
Unscrew these thumb screws to access the battery
compartment.
FOOTSWITCH - Use this switch to turn on or off
9
the pedal. The On/Off Led will show you if the
pedal is on or off.
OUTPUT Jack - Using a standard 1/4” guitar
10
cable you can plug in another pedal from this jack
or plug directly into your amplier.
Typical Connection
Specications
Maximum Input
Maximum Output
Imput Impedance
Output Impedance
Current Consumption
Power Requirements
Dimensions
Weight
3dBu
7dBu
2.2MΩ
10KΩ
45mA
9V Alkaline Battery or
Rocktron DC OnTap Univeral Power Supply (sold
seperately). Negative Tip
125mm x 78mm 61mm
5” x 3.25” x 2.5”
0.7kg
1.5lbs
How to change the battery:
To change the battery, remove the thumb screws on
the top of the pedal and remove the battery compartment cover. Remove the old battery and replace
it with a new 9V Alkaline battery. Replace battery
in the same area as the old battery was located.
Place the battery compartment cover on the pedal
and re-insert the thumb screws.
Save yourself tons of money in batteries by using
the Rocktron DC OnTap Universal Power Supply
to power this pedal (sold seperately). The Rock-
tron DC OnTap provides a constant ow of power
to the pedal, unlike a battery that will degrade over
time. The Rocktron DC OnTap Univeral Power
Supply can also power up to 20 pedals and can be
used with both 110V and 220V power sources.
Check, www.rocktron.com for more information
on the DC OnTap and where to purchase.
Rocktron - A Division of GHS Corporation
2813 Wilber Ave
Battle Creek MI 49037
USA
www.rocktron.com
info@rocktron.com
tel: 1-269-968-3351
rev. 7-27-09
2009.1
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