Rocktron BLACK MOAN CAT User manual

Copyright © 2003 GHS Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Your Black Cat Moan™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 NOTATTEMPTTO SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT. QUALIFIED PERSON-
NELSHOULD SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT ONLY. DO NOT MAKEANY
INTERNALADJUSTMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENTATANY
TIME OR TAMPERWITH INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTSATANY
TIME. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY VOID THE
WARRANTY OF THIS EQUIPMENT AS WELLAS CAUSING A SHOCK
HAZARD.
OPERATINGTEMPERATURE
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
Black Cat Moan. The Black Cat Moan is a multifunc-
tion wah pedal with extremely useful and musical
features.
Built-in germanium diodes provide a unique sweepable
sonic effect that can act as a stand alone distortion and
can be combined with the wah for an effect that cries
harder and sweeter than a baby.
The Black Cat Moan also has a three position selector
switch that allows you to choose one of three different
wah voicing modes. The third mode is “BASS” - yes -
that is right - BASS! Plug this into your bass rig and
you won’t believe how moanfully sweet it is!
The easy access battery compartment will make chang-
ing batteries during a gig a breeze. And, we have
incorporated an adjustable rocker tension screw that
will allow you to adjust the pedal action for a lighter or
heavier “touch”. 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

Connection when using with other
stomp boxes or effects:

Controls and Descriptions:

Rocker Footpedal - Place your foot on the rocker footpedal
and rock it up and down (toe to heel - heel to toe) to work the
“ wah” effect.
Wah ON/OFF Switch - is located under the toe of the rocker
footpedal. To activate the “wah” press down slightly harder on
the toe of the rocker pedal until the switch is activated. The
same process is to be applied to turn off the wah effect. The
wah effect will be on when the blue LED is lit (see point 14).
MOAN Level control - adjusts the overall output of the
MOAN effect when the MOAN effect is activated. See points
6 and 7 for detailed information on how to turn the MOAN on
and off.
MOAN GAIN control provides a mid-frequency band pass
filter harmonic boost. Turning the knob clockwise will
increase the boost. Turning the knob counter-clockwise will
provide less of a boost.
INPUT Jack - using a standard guitar cable - plug your guitar
into this jack.
MOAN ON/OFF Switch - This side “kicker” switch is used to
turn the MOAN effect ON or OFF. When the MOAN effect is
on the green LED located next to the switch will be lit. (See
point 7). The MOAN can be used as a “stand alone” distortion
or applied to the “wah effect” using the “COMBINE MOAN/
WAH switch (see point 9 for details on the COMBINE MOAN/
1
2
3
4
5
6
Controls and Function Descriptions

7
8
9
MOAN ON/OFF LED - When the LED is lit the MOAN effect
will be ON. When the LED is not lit the MOAN effect is
bypassed.
COMBINE LED - When this Red LED is lit the COMBINE
function is activated. When the LED is not lit, the COMBINE
function is bypassed.
COMBINE MOAN/WAH Switch - this switch allows you to
apply the MOAN effect to the wah. Here are the two functions
of the switch:
1) When COMBINE MOAN/WAH is activated the
red LED will be lit. This will apply the MOAN effect
to the wah effect which is controlled by the “rocker
footpedal”. The MOAN effect will now only become
active once the wah is activated by the switch under
the toe (see point 2). Please note that in this case,
the MOAN must be ON and the green led lit. The
purpose of this function is to allow you to setup and
establish a MOAN effect and wah sound together so
that when you are ready to use it in your song you
don’t have to first turn on the moan and then the wah
effect - you only need to now activate the wah via the
switch under the toe (see point 2) and both the
MOAN and WAH effects will be active.
2) When the COMBINE MOAN/WAH is not
activated the LED will not be lit. Thus will allow for
independent control of the MOAN and WAH effects.

PEDAL ROCKER TENSION ADJUSTMENT - This screw will
allow you to adjust the “action” of the pedal to suit your taste with
a allen wrench (not included). If you would like a tighter or heavier
movement of the pedal using an allen wrench turn the screw
clockwise. This will increase the torque and tension on the rocker
pedal. If you would like a smoother or softer pedal movement turn
the allen screw counter-clockwise. This will loosen the tension on
the pedal pivot point.
9-VOLTADAPTER INPUT - this 2.55mm coax plug will take a
9V DC adapter (not included) to provide power to the unit. The
adapter power rating should be 20mA. Please follow all instruc-
tions that appear on the bottom of the unit.
OUTPUT Jack - using a standard guitar cable, plug this output
into the next effect in your effect chain or directly into the input of
your guitar amplifier.
WAH TYPE Selector Control. This control will allow you to
select 3 different Wah models - Normal, Classic and Bass.
NORMAL - in this mode the wah pedal functions as a
standard wah wah.
CLASSIC - in this position the wah voicing is changed
to a more Classic wah (Hendrix, Page, Clapton, etc.).
BASS - in this position the wah has been voiced to use
with a bass guitar.
Once you have selected the Wah Type you now can also further
modify the sound by using the Moan gain and level controls.
10
11
12
13

Specifications
Maximum Input
Input Impedance
Output Impedance
Wah frequency Range
Current Consumption
Power Requirements
+10dBu
1M ohm
1K ohm
400Hz (Heel Down) to 2KHz
(Toe Down) 400Hz
35ma
9VDC <=300ma
* CE Approved *
WAH ON LED - This super bright blue LED will be lit when
the “wah” effect is activated. To activate the wah - see point 2.
The blue LED will not be lit when the wah is bypassed.
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).
14
15

The Black Cat Moan (as with all Wah Wah pedals) are normally put in the
beginning of your signal chain. Although, you may place your wah at any
place in your signal chain, it usually sounds best at the beginning -
directly from your guitar (or bass).
The Moan effect has been specifically designed for heavy distortion
situations - although it can be used in all situations - the moan effect will
be most apparent when using a heavier distortion. The effect can
sometimes be subtle depending on the natural harmonics of your guitar or
bass.
The best way to “tweak” your moan sound is to set your amp with a little
light distortion (crunch). Turn on the moan effect and, while constantly
striking the “E” or “A” string, turn the “MOAN” knob. You will hear a
frequency shift as the MOAN moves through the various natural harmon-
ics in your guitar/bass. Once you have found the desired harmonic stop
turning the knob. There is no “wrong” setting - it will be different
depending on the desired sound you are looking for. Every guitar/bass has
different harmonic capabilities - thus you will have to experiment with
this.
Here is a list of options that you have with the COMBINE MOAN/WAH
SWITCH:
COMBINE MOAN/WAH
SWITCH MOAN WAH
On On On
Off On Off
Off Off On
Off On On
Off Off Off
Hints and Tips

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 TimerDigital Delay,
Big Crush Compressor, Deep Blue Chorus
Silver Dragon Tube Distortion Pedal,
Metal Planet Distortion
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 Footswitches 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