The RTC600 Real Tube Compressor, RTO700 Real Tube Overdrive and RTD800 Real Tube Overdrive/Distortion feature leading-edge analog technology that couples the sonic benefits of vacuum tubes with the convenience of a compact floor effect. Each Real Tube II model combines studio-grade sound quality with road-worthy construction to recreate stunningly realistic tones that rival the most expensive tube gear.
Features common to all Maxon Real Tube II Series models include:
- Rugged, Lightweight Chassis - Made of cast zinc, lightweight (approximately 1.5 pound) and strong.
- Internal Tube Power - Each unit features a hand-selected Sovtek 12AY7EH (or equivalent) dual triode vacuum tube. Tube socket is isolated from main PCB for low-noise operation.
- Mechanical True Bypass Switching – Mechanical 4PDT switch provides transparent bypass.
- AC Power Operation - Power using Maxon AC2009 Universal 9-Volt DC adaptor (included).
- 3-Year Limited Warranty
Studio-grade Tube Compressor/Preamp in a compact stompbox format. The RTC600 uses a precision RMS level Detection circuit and high-performance VCA to create a warm yet bold compression sound with ultra-low noise floor.
- Pre-Compression tube placement adds classic valve warmth without increasing noise level.
- In-Rush Current control heats tube at low voltage as soon as power is applied to circuit.
- Internal charge pump runs circuit at 25 volts, providing massive headroom and full-range frequency response.
- Can be used at amp’s front end, placed in an effects loop, or used as an outboard processor for home recordings.
- Variable Threshold control between 0-40 dBu selects level at which the compression begins.
- +30 dB of clean Gain allows user to match effect and bypass levels or use as a clean booster.
- Variable Ratio of 1:1 thru 1:∞ allows user to control the amount of compression effect.
- Variable Attack and Release controls to fine-tune compression effect.
- Street Price - $389
RTO700 Real Tube Overdrive
The RTO700 offers 100% Tube Distortion with no clipping diodes in the signal path. All distortion comes directly from the dual triode preamp tube and hi-gain amp circuit. This design makes the RTO the best tube overdrive pedal for use with clean and semi-clean amps to effectively add a 2nd or 3rd “channel” of pure tube tone.
- Post-Distortion tube placement creates more authentic tube tone.
- In-Rush Current control heats tube at low voltage as soon as power is applied to circuit.
- Internal charge pump circuit bumps incoming voltage to feed the tube with 12.6 VDC.
- Gain and Master Controls allow the user to dial the amount of distortion and output level.
- Three completely independent Tone controls with no frequency overlap provide an unprecedented degree of tonal options.
- Variable VCA Noise Reduction circuit with LED status indicator and On/Off switch.
- Street Price - $389
The RTD800 Features independent Overdrive and Distortion circuits combined with a noise gate and switchable boost to effectively offer four separate effects in one extremely versatile pedal. The RTD offers a massive array of saturated tones, from traditional tube overdrive through full-on gated metal distortion.
- Post-Distortion tube placement creates more authentic tube tone.
- In-Rush Current control heats tube at low voltage as soon as power is applied to circuit.
- Internal charge pump circuit bumps incoming voltage to feed the tube with 12.6 VDC.
- Gain and Master Controls allow the user to dial the amount of distortion and output level.
- Three completely independent Tone controls with no frequency overlap provide an unprecedented degree of tonal options.
- Variable VCA Noise Reduction circuit, which features an LED status indicator and On/Off switch.
- Independent and selectable Overdrive and Distortion modes with different clipping configurations.
- Foot switchable Boost function that can be varied between 3-9 dB via an internal trim pot.
- Street Price - $435
Maxon