Rockman Tone in 2017
- Thread starter Sirion
- Start date
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017
My recent reply to a eBay/Reverb reseller, who is needlessly modifying Rockman modules. You can spot the modified units by their chrome power on/off button, stainless steel faceplate screws, and stainless steel fasteners. Unless a Rockman module was constructed with faulty capacitors, subjected to an unusually high level of heat, or short-circuited, it is unlikely that they would need to be replaced. Replacing the 2 x PSU electrolytic capacitors as preventative maintenance, okay. I've worked on dozens of these units, and I've never encountered a single unit that needed to be "refurbished".
The metal on the underside of the covers is not a ground... it is EM shielding. The shielding + front/rear panels create a bond, then to ground. The early Sustainor uses a shielded ribbon cable that arches upward, where is makes contact with the cover shielding, then to ground. Both versions will lose bond continuity over time. Noise, along with intermittent popping are the general symptoms. To solve this issue:
Sustainor Model 200, one of two options exists:
Option #1.
1. Clean front/rear panel edges.
2. Fold a piece aluminum foil over the top edge of the front and rear panels, and secure the housing covers. Make sure to use only enough foil to make contact between the cover shielding, and the faceplate. You do not want the foil to protrude into the unit, where it can short the circuitry.
3. Clean all inputs using Deoxit cleaner.
Option #2.
1. Clean front/rear panel edges.
2. Re-coat the cover channels with conductive spray. Once dry, secure the housing covers.
3. Clean all inputs using Deoxit cleaner.
Sustainor Model 100:
1. Clean the surface of the ribbon cable shielding + cover shielding w/90% alcohol only.
2. Pull the ribbon cable upward, so that it makes contact with the cover shielding.
3. Ensure continuity front and rear panels. You can also add a layer of aluminum foil over the front/rear faceplates edges, if needed. Make sure to use only enough foil to make contact between the cover shielding, and the faceplate. You do not want the foil to protrude into the unit, where it can short the circuitry.
4. Clean all inputs using Deoxit cleaner.
Note: This shielding should NEVER be replaced with a single conductor. Yes, I have seen this done.
My recent reply to a eBay/Reverb reseller, who is needlessly modifying Rockman modules. You can spot the modified units by their chrome power on/off button, stainless steel faceplate screws, and stainless steel fasteners. Unless a Rockman module was constructed with faulty capacitors, subjected to an unusually high level of heat, or short-circuited, it is unlikely that they would need to be replaced. Replacing the 2 x PSU electrolytic capacitors as preventative maintenance, okay. I've worked on dozens of these units, and I've never encountered a single unit that needed to be "refurbished".
The metal on the underside of the covers is not a ground... it is EM shielding. The shielding + front/rear panels create a bond, then to ground. The early Sustainor uses a shielded ribbon cable that arches upward, where is makes contact with the cover shielding, then to ground. Both versions will lose bond continuity over time. Noise, along with intermittent popping are the general symptoms. To solve this issue:
Sustainor Model 200, one of two options exists:
Option #1.
1. Clean front/rear panel edges.
2. Fold a piece aluminum foil over the top edge of the front and rear panels, and secure the housing covers. Make sure to use only enough foil to make contact between the cover shielding, and the faceplate. You do not want the foil to protrude into the unit, where it can short the circuitry.
3. Clean all inputs using Deoxit cleaner.
Option #2.
1. Clean front/rear panel edges.
2. Re-coat the cover channels with conductive spray. Once dry, secure the housing covers.
3. Clean all inputs using Deoxit cleaner.
Sustainor Model 100:
1. Clean the surface of the ribbon cable shielding + cover shielding w/90% alcohol only.
2. Pull the ribbon cable upward, so that it makes contact with the cover shielding.
3. Ensure continuity front and rear panels. You can also add a layer of aluminum foil over the front/rear faceplates edges, if needed. Make sure to use only enough foil to make contact between the cover shielding, and the faceplate. You do not want the foil to protrude into the unit, where it can short the circuitry.
4. Clean all inputs using Deoxit cleaner.
Note: This shielding should NEVER be replaced with a single conductor. Yes, I have seen this done.
Last edited:
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017
I've been a little slow to pick up on this, but the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame inducted Scholz Research & Development for 2020. It's a long coming recognition for the SR&D alumni efforts from many years ago. Congratulations to you all:
https://www.tecawards.org/tecnology-hall-of-fame
I've been a little slow to pick up on this, but the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame inducted Scholz Research & Development for 2020. It's a long coming recognition for the SR&D alumni efforts from many years ago. Congratulations to you all:
https://www.tecawards.org/tecnology-hall-of-fame
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017
I'd love to see that too. The X100 seems the most obvious to me. DI systems are more popular now than when the Rockman came out. Maybe there's some room in the market for some new Rockman DI devices.
I'd love to see that too. The X100 seems the most obvious to me. DI systems are more popular now than when the Rockman came out. Maybe there's some room in the market for some new Rockman DI devices.
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017
This is the current iteration of my Sustainor rig:
I just picked up the DI unit recently. Channel 1 of the EQ will be inserted before the Sustainor distortion unit (in the Sustainor effects loop). EQ channel 2 will be inserted between the Sustainor output and the Chorus/Delay input. The Chorus/Delay outputs will be sent to the DI. The DI unit is the hand-off to the board.
This is the current iteration of my Sustainor rig:
I just picked up the DI unit recently. Channel 1 of the EQ will be inserted before the Sustainor distortion unit (in the Sustainor effects loop). EQ channel 2 will be inserted between the Sustainor output and the Chorus/Delay input. The Chorus/Delay outputs will be sent to the DI. The DI unit is the hand-off to the board.
El Dunco
Sock Supplier to RHCP
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017
Don’t say that word or the thread will be locked forever, maybe even deleted.
Don’t say that word or the thread will be locked forever, maybe even deleted.
LLL
New member
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017
fixed LOL
didn't realize that term was... "verboten" around here.... ???
fixed LOL
didn't realize that term was... "verboten" around here.... ???
beaubrummels
Well-known member
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Rockman Tone in 2017
The secret word is “covfefe”
The secret word is “covfefe”
