RockTek Distortion DIR-01


User Reviews of the RockTek Distortion DIR-01

  • Submitted by Jon from Huntsville, AL (496 points) on Jul 29, 2010
  • This is a pretty weak and uninteresting pedal for Noise.

    It's really quiet, even compared to some overdrives (which I'd say this is closer to than to a high-gain distortion).

    It's really not much use after other pedals since it tends to suck a lot of volume, but it can be useful for just boosting the signal in a small setup where it won't get buried.

    It's also useful as a booster/colorizer directly in front of louder, grittier distortions... It can add some subtle nuances to the signal without wrecking the volume when used this way.

    I can't complain since it was free... It works well enough for a crappy, weak distortion, but I wouldn't really recommend it unless it's free or just really, really cheap.

    I think my biggest gripe is the cheesy build quality... The LED doesn't work unless the pedal is power through the battery clip. Reason enough to be suspicious of the quality and durability...
  • Good Points: -Cheap/common.

    -Okay for a volume boost in small setups where it's not easily overwhelmed.

    -Usable in front of other distortions for adding a little bit of "punch" and a slight boost.

    -Seems like it's built to last, though its longevity is probably a total crap shoot like with other cheap pedals (Behringer, Danelectro, Arion, et al).

    -Possible circuit bending potential???
  • Bad Points: -Weak distortion.

    -Low output/sucks volume.

    -Not terribly interesting for Noise.

    -Loses parts (knobs, battery cover) like a chemo patient loses hair and teeth.

    -May or may not crap out at any moment.
  • Price Paid: US$0.00
  • Purchased At: A thoughtful, albeit beat-up, gift from a friend
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  • Submitted by tapesss from Brooksville, FL (344 points) on Feb 21, 2004
  • Well, it's a distortion pedal, nothing more. It has a really midrange type sound to it. Reall crunchy tone. Good for noise music, i wouldn't suspect it's good for anything else. The setup is really basic. volume, tone, distortion. No frills. I would recommend it for the price though. It's also pretty rugged.
  • Good Points: Cheap! pretty decent distortion tone, easy to use. Rugged.
  • Bad Points: Not too versatile.
  • Price Paid: US$25.00
  • Purchased At: Music Bum, Brooksville, Fl
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  • Submitted by spit + smudge from Savannah, GA (214 points) on May 21, 2002
  • STEER clear away from this pedal, unless somehow you managed to get this for free (probably as a sick joke) i suggest not spending any money. I had the fortune of finding mine at a flea market for 5 bucks. Or should i say misfortune. Anyway it's plastic, cheap knobs (they wiggle too much) and the signal is just not great at all.
  • Good Points: Not sure unless you want your stuff to sound like crap.
  • Bad Points: I believe this pedal wins the award for the worse pedal. You get what you pay for (i believe the MSRP is ). And you really do get what you pay for in this plastic box.
  • Price Paid: US$5.00
  • Purchased At: free
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  • Submitted by xdementia from State College, PA (18 points) on Aug 7, 2001
  • Don't know which version I have of this pedal though I know it's a different version. It's the first distortion effect I've used beyond my synth so keep that in mind. This pedal has served it's purpose well... I've been distorting voices mostly, and other assorted sounds but it seems to do the trick when I put a little reverb after it. I haven't been using this with a guitar so I don't know how it is with that but I heard it sucks. I agree with the other review here about it cutting out makor frequencies in the signal when switched on... that's something that I've had to sacrifice though and it had been worth it...
  • Good Points: Does the job.
  • Bad Points: Not enough distortion, and cuts out frequencies from the signal.
  • Price Paid: US$0.00
  • Purchased At: free from a friend
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  • Submitted by Tim from San Francisco, CA (42 points) on Jul 16, 2001
  • Absolutely the fuckin' worst pedal I have had the displeasure of using... This pedal is a signal sucker. Punch the switch and your signal drops a million decibels, only the faintest trace of your signal is audible. twiddle the knobs and nothing happens. Hit the switch again and your signal returns.
  • Good Points: very quiet operation, it was free... maybe this pedal has a use for creating those tension-building quiet passages. then, again. maybe not.
  • Bad Points: very quiet operation... i.e. no effected signal. Does not distort your sound in the standard manner...
  • Price Paid: US$0.00
  • Purchased At: gift from seed mouth
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