The MXR Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor revives the signature sonic character of Tom Scholz’s celebrated headphone amp and signal processor in pedal form, offering crystalline cleans, crunchy harmonics, and shimmering modulation.

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.

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.

Like the original, the Rockman X100 Analog Tone Processor features four different presets, selectable via the MODE button: two differently equalized clean modes with high-power sustain and two distinctively gritty dirty modes. The default setting, CLN2 mode, provides a clean, crystal clear tone, while CLN1 mode offers a mid-focused EQ curve for a tight, punchy sound. On the dirty side, Edge mode boasts moderate clipping that’s highly sensitive to Input Gain adjustments and cleans up nicely at low guitar volume levels. Distortion mode delivers high-energy overdrive and sustain that’s perfect for easy, fluid lead tones.