Regarding the features themselves, the design of this product is excellent. It's logical and well-labeled. Function-wise, it definitely lives up to the manufacturer's claims, and the various demo videos I've seen about it. I'm getting tones (from my Fender Hotrod Deluxe, and THD UniValve) from the output stage that I hadn't been able to get before, simply for reasons of volume. Yes, the UniValve has a built-in attenuator, but it's not reactive like the Rivera is.

One of the stars I took off was because I feel like the product is overpriced. The other two are for the build quality (specifically, the power supply), which I feel absolutely has to be addressed before this product is really fit for purpose and sale (altough, I'll put up with it, because I'm not sending back a second one of these).

While the industrial design is also great for the most part, for me it's severely marred by the power supply. The power plug is Type A (ungrounded). The adapter is a funny little thing, and it gets way too hot in use. It even gets hot if you just connect the power supply to wall power (whether or not the other end is connected to the Rivera, and whether or not the Rivera is switched on). That seems broken and unsafe to me. So, when it's not in use, you can't rely on the unit's power switch. Instead, you have to disconnect the adapter from wall power. And then, probably worst of all, is the horrible and unforgivably flimsy little connection from the power adapter to the unit. It doesn't seat tightly, nor does it go far in, it's stupidly wobbly, and it works its way out over time as/when the cable moves. No. That's not acceptable. This thing's power supply is going to continue to be a source of concern for me each time I use it, and I'll need to keep an eye on it in terms of heat, remaining connected, and remembering to unplug from wall power after each usage. Very annoying.

Other issues (which don't affect the rating) are logistical. I found this product to be very hard to get ahold of. It was out of stock for the longest time, so Rivera evidently isn't making enough for demand (perhaps the high price is to suppress demand instead of meeting it). And, when mine finally arrived, it didn't work. The unit was wrapped in a regular kitchen trash can liner (!) with a little styrene over the EQ sliders, wrapped in bubble wrap, and boxed. Every other item I've gotten from Sweetwater was in a box, bubble-wrapped, and in another box. Nor was there a return label, so I suspect I got sent a unit that someone else had already returned (just a theory). When the replacement came it was packaged exactly the same as the first except the box was then bubble-wrapped in another box (as usual, except for the bubble wrap around the unit itself), and there WAS a return label. And that second unit did work. Anyway, both of those cases should, in theory, have been sufficient to protect the unit, even if they were a bit weirdly packaged. This kind of thing is ok, it just gives me a faintly amateurish, and not confidence-inspiring, impression.

Every time I order something from them I get it so fast.A+++

I have finally had a chance to play thoroughly through this attenuator and am very happy with it. I have been playing through a Mesa Mark V head into 4x12 cabinet at the 90w setting. This amp is so incredibly loud that an attenuator really helps unless you have a need for so much power or want to go deaf (I am already half way there!).

I have only two (very minor) complaints.

First, the EQ band does not affect the attenuated sound through the speaker cabinet. It is only for the direct out for recording or plugging in direct live - which I have not experimented with as of yet and cannot comment on. Most people say great things about it, but I under the impression that it could also be used to shape the sound through the speaker. Not a big deal for my Mesa Mark V which has a great EQ, but this may be a factor for you. If you are not planning to record with it (or using it direct live) you can get the Rivera non-recording model which will do the attenuation only and save a lot of money. The other two toggles do work with the speaker cabinet and do sound great in shaping your sound.

The second minor complaint that I have is that there is a big drop from the E attenuation setting to the studio level setting - even with that control at Max. The concept is great, and it still sounds very good at the studio setting, but in my opinion the sound is much better at E and the lesser attenuated settings (A-D). It would be perfect if the studio level at "max" was very close to the E setting and allowed you do dial it down from there. Or, if there were additional attenuation settings to bridge the gap. To my ears, "E" sounds approximately half as loud as no attenuation at all. Still great, but it leaves more to be desired, and next "studio" level - even at max - is too quiet and takes away too much mojo.

Overall, these are minor issues and I am very happy with the purchase. If you can afford one and especially if you own several loud tube amps, this is a great purchase.

Read the other 5 star reviews already posted that rave about this box. All true from my experience. I dithered about this for almost a year. Now I know I was just being dumb. Crank up your amp, run it thru the Rockcrusher Recording, and hear your amp sing as it was meant to be. Just a WOW box. I could kick myself for not acting sooner.

After 35-years of playing I just don't require the ear-ringing pain nor the neighbor-complaining pain of a 100 watt Marshall cranked all the way up so this Rivera delivers all it promises. Haven't even had to dabble with the EQ but am glad it's there to shape when I need it.

Had this for a couple if years now. This is an awesome piece of gear. Only used in my home studio and ALWAYS in between my AFD 100 and my Laney 2x12. This thing rocks! Stick a 57 and XR1 on my cab, out the level down to just above conversation levels and have tone for days! If you can afford one, go for it! This will change your life!

1. All of the reviews are correct.
2. All of the videos you watch on this are correct. (Pete Thorn has a really good one to watch when you get done with the Sweetwater videos)
3. This thing is incredible.
4. Makes no difference what tube amp you attach it to, your amp WILL sound great.
5. I will never play without one again!
6. the quality build feels like it will last a lifetime.

Rivera's genius in this device is the perfectly calibrated EQ that can be used to fine tune and shape what ultimately goes into your PA or DAW to match what you are hearing while playing directly through your amp / cabinet. You can set up a consistent tonal quality across any and all devices and speakers that your guitar passes through. What this means is that when I play through my combo amp speaker alone or when I plug into my external cabinet (note: my combo amp and cabinet all have matched Celestion 12" Vintage 30s), or when I am running through the mixing board / PA, or even when I am recording and listening through my DAW studio monitors or headphones -- without miking the amp -- my carefully crafted guitar tone always sounds the same! (notwithstanding any slight coloration that may be added by the PA or DAW itself). And with attenuation, that same great tone stays consistent at any volume level!

Also like to add that I have been buying gear from Sweetwater for over 5 years now and I want to send a special thanks to my Sales Engineer Ryan Murray for all the great customer service!

I love the Rockcrusher recording, it is perfect! I just wish their was a way to get the 11bit EQ curves for all types of cab speakers and such

1st, Thanks to Nick Church. As usual, Nick excels in follow up and follow through. I always deal with Nick exclusively. I ran it through my Quinn OD Heaven ( Ser. # 001 a D-killer! ) , my Triple Drive Supreme, My Redplate Magic Dust and my Mark 5. It delivers as advertised. I considered an Aracom but Sweetwater is reliable and awesome with any issues after delivery. Watch the video by Pete Thorn and that's what you get. Easy to use. Also sounded great through my DAW.

This peice of gear is one best investments you will ever make that's all I have to say about that.

First, I want to qualify my review by saying that I have not yet tried out the EQ speaker emulation functionality for recording. I decided to buy the RockCrusher a few months after buying a Rivera Venus 3 amp (separately reviewed). I found I was not able to get the tone I wanted from my amp without cranking it up to levels that would disturb the neighbors where I live. Also, playing at high levels for hours is probably not a great idea. I have multiple "overdrive/distortion" pedal options in my setup (Boss Blues Driver, Tube Screamer, Proco Rat..) as pre-amp supplements, but in my opinion the pedals on their own don't replace the sound of a quality tube amp in the sweet spot.

I called Rivera technical support before my purchase with questions, and they were very helpful and knowledgeable.

The RockCrusher unit is very solidly built, and sits on top of my amp without being too obtrusive. It was shipped with adequate packing protection, and the documentation is good. Setup was simple; move one speaker cable and add another short cable. Dial and switch functions are straightforward and intuitive. I was playing within minutes. I find I can now get the sounds I want for rock/blues at reasonable home volumes; very happy about that. For cleaner/jazz sounds I put the RockCrusher on bypass so I don't waste energy or wear out the amp tubes for no reason.

The RockCrusher helps me get the best sound out of my tube amp across a range of genres without waking up the neighbors.

If you are a tube amp lover you should definitely have one of this, its simply the best amp attenuator in the market. Perfect for home recording and practicing. And the 11 band eq gives you tons of amazing posibilities. Thanks to my sales engineer Mike Arango for helping me to get one.

This thing is great! i watched many youtube demos and did some other research and this is as good as it gets. An American Company making a beautiful high quality product in America. I can now use my high end tube amps at bedroom volume and not sacrifice any tone or overall sound quality. Same w/ recording - the cabinet emulation is amazing. Great product!

I am blown away! Why? Mostly because this is the only attenuator I have ever used that truly does not degrade your amps tone at low volumes. I have a 50 watt Marshall plexi NON master volume amp. I am a tone snob! I want my guitar tone to be as good live as you hear on recordings. It can be done with the right set up and this RockCrusher Recording gives me what I need. I run a dry 4x12 Greenbacks and line out to a stereo effects processor and a pair of 1x12's. So Wet/Dry/Wet. That in itself is an amazing sound but the magic is the true plexi tone carried through this attenuator. No need for a two channel amp. I can roll my guitar volume back and get beautiful cleans or crank the volume up to make that Marshall crunch then add an OD to make it scream. I will say that when in studio mode and the speaker volume is almost shut off, like dialed down to 1, it will not get real clean except for the line out. That's the recording line out that will stay clean or cranked. And the 11-band EQ does wonders to balance my effects sounds. I have only set this up for live playing so far. Judging by the tone in the stereo effects I trust that there are some very good tones to be had using the line out for direct recording. I have completely forgotten (and don't' care) how much it cost as it is a very versatile tool and sounds amazing. I play clean jazz, pop, country rock, ballad rock, 70's classic and hard rock, 80's hard rock and 80's metal up to Scorpions and Judas Priest. The RockCrusher Recording really tames the volume while preserving the bliss that is found in pushing the power tubes AND provides speaker emulation line out to mixer, effects or what ever...even another amp! So needless to say more, I am very happy with how it performs and having a LOUD tube amp I actually really needed it.

Over the past year my band has moved to an in-ear monitoring system. Besides drums and vocals, my tube amp was the only open sound we had left to control. I had made the sacrifice in my tone in rehearsals by turning down the volume and mic'ing the cab. At home cranking up tube amps isn't an option with a full house. After some research I discovered the RockCrusher.
This fine piece of gear blew my mind from the get-go and is now one of my most prized musical weapons. There's nothing like the rich sound of pushing your tube amps, and the RockCrusher Recording delivers that sound in combination with its features. Here's how I use it:
Direct: For rehearsals I use it as a pure load box and output direct to the the mixing board. High transparency and clarity.
Attenuation: For live gigs I can push the amp and use the attenuator to control stage volume levels. Now the sound engineers say, "Go ahead and turn up." With a flip or two of the attenuation switch its easy to find a sweet spot. The low and high bumps are nice too if you feel something is lacking in the high or bottom ends.
Recording: In studio I use the attenuator for the cabs, and direct out simultaneously. Major depth of sound when blended. Wow!
EQ band: For live and rehearsal situations I typically use the Vintage 30 setting, but in the studio I've experimented with other speaker settings. Lots of fun for sound engineers who have a solid understanding of EQ bands.
Construction: Very solid, and surprisingly light-weight.
If you need to fill only one of the uses I described then buy it! This is a serious piece of gear for people who seriously care about their tube amp tone in any environment we find ourselves playing music.

Until now I have been using amp modeling software for my guitar recordings because it's just not possible to crank up my vintage amps in my home studio without blowing my family and neighbors away. I found out about the RockCrusher Recording Attenuator and it sounded like the perfect way to start using my amps again. I'm really blown away by what you can do with the RockCrusher. I can now crank the tubes on my amps to a level I have never been able to do through speakers, send it into my DAW and play and record at bedroom levels at any time of night and day. The result is a guitar sound that was previously only possible in a professional soundproof studio. Amp modeling is a great tool and very useful for home recording but if you're a guitar player who craves that real authentic cranked amp sound, the RockCrusher is a must. The ability to dial in the EQ to mimic different speakers is also a great feature to get a full sound for multi tracked guitar parts. Love this thing!

An amazing product. It's easily the most solidly built piece of gear I own. Sweetwater probably could have shipped it without all the bubble wrap and it would have still arrived without a scratch. All the controls are very sturdy and easy to use. So far I have used the Attenuator functionality with a Carvin Legacy 3 amp and it sounds incredible. That mode is worth the price all by itself. I haven't used it as a load box or for recording direct yet but I'm sure that will be equally impressive.