Some things are too good
And that would be the story of the Rocktron Voodu Valve.
The Rocktron Voodu Valve is incredibly powerful thanks to the use of Parametric EQs which make it possible to shape the sound to almost anything you want. But imagine having to program this when you don’t really understand what’s going on due to the small display.
Luckily for the Windows users there is great software for the Voodu valve so you can change parameters and play with the settings to your hearts content.
Let’s take a look at the different versions that are available.
Rocktron Voodu Valve Models and Their Differences
The Rocktron Voodu Valve became one of Rocktron’s most famous rack guitar preamps because it combined digital DSP effects with real tube warmth. It was designed for guitarists who wanted both programmable effects and classic amp-style tones in a single rack unit.
The original Voodu Valve featured a 12AX7 tube, programmable high and low gain modes, built-in HUSH® noise reduction, speaker simulation, MIDI control, and a large collection of effects including chorus, delay, flanger, tremolo, pitch shifting, and reverb.
Over time, Rocktron released several versions:
- The original Voodu Valve was the standard black-face version from the late 1990s. It became popular in live rack systems because of its flexible EQ and strong MIDI integration.
- The Voodu Valve Online added downloadable artist presets and access to Rocktron’s “Patch Bay” online preset-sharing system. Hardware-wise, it was very similar to the original unit, but focused more on community-created sounds and online support.
- The Voodu Valve LTD was a limited-edition reissue released years later with updated cosmetics and renewed production. It kept most of the original features, including the DSP effects, tube gain options, speaker simulation, and MIDI functions.
The biggest differences between the models are mostly cosmetic, firmware-related, and availability rather than major tonal changes. Many players still prefer the original USA-made units, while others enjoy the LTD for its refreshed production and reliability. Online discussions often describe the Voodu Valve as having a unique late-1990s rack tone that mixes analog warmth with early digital processing.
What made it stand out was the combination of features that were very unusual in the late 1990s:
- A real 12AX7 tube preamp combined with 24-bit digital DSP effects
- Switchable High and Low tube gain modes
- Unique voicings like Variac, Triode, Pentode, and Solid State simulation
- Full parametric EQ before and after the preamp stage
- Advanced speaker simulation with mic placement and “Reactance” control
- Built-in HUSH® noise reduction in the correct signal path position
The Witch Doctor
I’m always looking online for cool gear or pre-amps.
And let’s be honest, the gear that costs you an arm and a leg in the “old days” are now bought for next to nothing.
I bought the Voodu Valve on Marktplaats and according to the seller it sounded awesome.
When I got it in it was a bit of a disappointment, the sound was weak and the noise was pretty high.
After opening the unit I got the suspicion that it was still running with the original tube.
After replacing the tube for a JJ high-gain I still had in stock the unit really came to life.
The pre amp sounds massive and is highly tweakable, but I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of the effects.
The Voodu Valve is literally a one stop solution.
You can use the build in cab simulation but as with most of these now a days it doesn’t sound great.
In my setup I route the Voodu Valve to Genome (two notes) and run a power amp and cab sim inside.
The end result is great for recording, you can change the sound after the fact (not the pre-amp and FX of course), which makes the Voodu Valve a great studio unit. Especially seeing the price they go for online.
When I got the unit in, I started looking online about the different versions and found out that the Witch Doctor was a lucky purchase.
The Witch Doctor story
The “Witch Doctor” version of the Rocktron Voodu Valve is unique mainly because it was the very first production run and has become the most collectible version among Rocktron fans.
The “Witch Doctor” nickname was never really an official separate model. Players started calling the earliest black-face USA units “Witch Doctor” versions because of the graphics and because Guitar One magazine described it as a “high-tech witch doctor.”
Some also claim the USA-made units sound slightly warmer and more organic than later versions. Some owners describe them as essentially a tube-enhanced evolution of the older Rocktron Chameleon platform.
Another reason the Witch Doctor version became legendary is its very “90s rack tone” character. Unlike modern modelers that try to copy dozens of amps perfectly, the Voodu Valve developed its own recognizable sound — tight high gain, huge stereo effects, and polished processed tones that worked extremely well for progressive metal, shred, and studio guitar rigs.
Today, the Witch Doctor versions are considered the most desirable Voodu Valves because they represent the original Rocktron rack-era design before later revisions and reissues.
