Rocktron BIG CRUSH User 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.
Big Crush Compressor Instruction Manual

Copyright © 2003 GHS Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Your Big Crush™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 guide-
lines 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).
Precautions
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

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
apparatus (including amplifiers) 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 specified by the manufacturer.
Do not use this product with any case, stand tripod, bracket or table that is not
specified 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.
Refer all service to qualified 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 NOTATTEMPT TO SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT. QUALIFIED PERSON-
NELSHOULD SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT ONLY. DO NOT MAKEANY
INTERNALADJUSTMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENTATANY
TIME OR TAMPER WITH INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTSATANY
TIME. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY VOID THE
WARRANTY OF THIS EQUIPMENTAS WELLAS CAUSINGASHOCK
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.
Precautions Continued....

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Rocktron
Big Crush Compressor Pedal.
The Big Crush Compressor pedal has been specifically
engineered for low noise and super long sustain without
tone compromise. Unlike other compression pedals
that can effect your tone and “fuzzes” as the signal
decays, the Big Crush will ring on.
The Big Crush will allow you to hear every note. Great
for today’s modern guitarist using 7-String guitars or
guitars with super heavy gauge strings - the Big Crush
will allow all notes to be heard in their true glory.
The Big Crush is built into a super tough road worthy
extruded aluminium chassis. This pedal will stand up
to the abuses of time and road wear and tear.
The easy access battery compartment will make chang-
ing batteries during a gig a breeze. We have also
equipped it with a super bright blue LED so you will
know when the pedal is on...it is also just plain cool!

Connection

Level Control - Adjusts the output of compression.
Attack Control - Adjusts the amount of delay before compres-
sion occurs. Full counter-clockwise is a “Faster” attack. Full
clockwise is a “Slower” attack.
Active LED - When lit the pedal is “active” or “on”
Sustain Control - Adjusts the amount of dynamic range
limiting. Full counter-clockwise will produce less sustain. Full
clockwise will produce more sustain.
Output Jack - Using a standard guitar cable with a 1/4” jack,
plug into the input of your guitar amplifier or next stomp box
in the signal chain.
1
2
3
4
5

On/Off Switch - This switch determines whether the pedal is
“active” or “bypassed” - When “active” the blue LED will be lit.
When bypassed the LED will not be lit.
Input - Using a standard guitar cable with a 1/4” jack, plug your
guitar into this jack.
DC 9V Input - To use external power (not provided) use only a
9-Volt DC adapter
9-Volt Battery Compartment - to access pull on small tab labeled
“OPEN”. Replace with a new 9-Volt battery. Always remember
to unplug your guitar cords from the pedal to conserve battery
life. Some battery drain may take place when unit is plugged in
(even if the unit is bypassed).
6
7
8
9
Left Side
Bottom
Right Side

Specifications
Maximum Input
Input Impedance
Current Consumption
Power Requirements
-10dBu
1M ohm
30ma
9Vdc <=300ma
* CE Approved *

Hints and Tips:
What does the Big Crush do? Answer - The Big Crush Compressor pedal
basically makes loud sounds softer and soft sounds louder. This enables
you to avoid peaks in the sound and keep the volume level even.
For guitar, it is a consistent volume level across all strings. It also give
you more sustain. As a plucked string’s volume dies out the Big Crush
will provide automatic gain control to keep the volume of the note(s) at a
consistent level. For bass it is recommended that you use a slower attack
speed to avoid over-compression.
It is recommended that the Big Crush be placed in your signal chain after
the guitar or bass, but before any other processing. Thus, if you are using
other stomp boxes, put the Big Crush first, then followed by you distortion
pedal, delay and so on.
The Big Crush Compressor is ideally suited for many different types of
music. By adjusting the various controls you can achieve lusher and
richer sounds when combined with other effects such as chorus and
flanger.
Try the Big Crush when playing chords without distortion (clean). By
adjusting the “sustain” control you can help all the strings become clearer
and more distinct. The overall sound will ring with a similar volume
level. The Big Crush can add a tonal texture to your sound that is useful
in many situations. Experiment with it. Sometimes the effect is subtle,
try it in different modes - clean, light crunch, heavy crunch and super
distortion - the differences will be clear.

Rack Gear:
Gainiac (preamp w/12ax7 tube)
Chameleon2000 (preamp w/multi-effects)
RepliTone MP(modelling preamp w/multi-effects)
Xpression (multi-effects processor)
Blue Thunder (bass preamp w/multi-effects)
Voodu Valve(preamp w/12ax7 tube and multi-effects)
Prophesy (our top of the line preamp with multi-effects)
HUSHSuper C (guitar noise silencing system)
Vendetta VP4 Preamp (All Tube 4-Channel Guitar preamp - 2 Rack Space)
Velocity100 (2x50W Stereo Power Amp for Guitar)
Stomp Boxes:
Rampage Distortion, Tsunami Chorus, Austin Gold Overdrive,
Vertigo Vibe Rotating Vibe Pedal, HUSHThe Pedal,
Sonic Glory Overdrive, Short Timer Digital Delay,
Deep Blue Chorus, Metal Planet Distortion
Silver Dragon Tube Distortion Pedal,
Black Cat Moan Wah Wah
Banshee Talk Box
Other Rocktron Products

Electric Guitar -Acoustic Guitar and BassAmplifiers:
Vendetta Head(100 W Head 4-Channels All Tube - MIDI Switchable)
Vendetta Combo (100W 2x12 Combo Celestion 90s all Tube4-Channel MIDI Switchable)
R80DSP (80W 1x12 Amp w/Digital Effects)
RT80 (80W 1x12 Amp w/Reverb & Built-in Tuner)
R120DSP (120W 2x10 Amp w/Digital Effects)
RT122C (120W 2x12 Amp w/Stereo Chorus, Reverb & Chromatic Tuner)
R50DSP(50 Watt 2x8"Guitar Amp w/Digital Effects)
R50C (50 Watt 2x8"Guitar Amp w/Reverb & Chorus)
R20 (20 Watt 1x8"Amp w/Reverb) R10 (10 Watt 1x6.5")
ACOUSTIC (60 Watt Acoustic Amp with Chorus & Reverb)
RA50DSP (50W Acoustic Amp w/Digital Effects - Wedge Shape)
RA30DSP (30W Acoustic Amp w/Digital Effects - Wedge Shape)
RB20 (Bass Amp 20W with 8" Speaker) RB30 (Basss Amp 30W with 10" Speaker)
RB60 (Bass Amp 60W with 12" Speaker)
RB100 (Basss Amp 100W with 15" Speaker)
Foot Controllers:
MIDI Mate (Midi Foot Controller) MIDI XChange(MIDI Footcontroller)
AllAccess (Midi Foot Controller ) HEX (Expression Pedal)
RMM900(7-pin Din MIDI Cable) RM4 (MIDI Controller for Vendetta amps)
RFS1 and RFS2 (Single and Double Latching Footswitchs for Rampage Amps)

Rocktron - A Division of GHS Corporation
2813 Wilber Ave
Battle Creek MI 49015
USA
Rocktron Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.rocktron.com
2003-0001
Rev. 02/01/03