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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
 Posted - 04/01/2009 : 19:43:19
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Hey Guys
I haven't had the opportunity to try out this effect and there is very little representative video/audio material to be found on the web.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether the RT-20's rotary effect is not too similar to a chorus effect (which is commonly used as a 'surrogate' for the leslie-effect) or to the sounds produced by a phaser?
I have a DC-3 and MXR Phase 90 and I wouldn't want to buy (online) an effect I already have at my disposal.
Thanks for any feedback,
Frederick |
Edited by - Frederick on 04/02/2009 12:28:55 |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 19:35:27
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I don't have the RT-20 but i do have the Dynacord CLS-22 rack unit which replicates the leslie effect....some chorus pedals can come close(i can get a pretty good sound mixing my CE-2 with my TR-2) but the dynacord is tops it really in the end...some others here like the H&K rotosphere pedal as well....i'm a bit biased when it comes to this but IMHO analogue is the way to go with effects like this... i,ve tried digital sims in multi effects but i still go back to my analogue boss/dynacord/SD effects for live and most other stuff.... |
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zestystrat
Silver Member
USA
283 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 14:02:04
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quote:
Originally posted by DeFrag
I've been considering a Uni-Vibe effect as of late & here are a few links worth considering:
Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Fox Electronics AquaVibe
Fulltone MDV-2
Fuzzbox Vibe Unit
Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe
Sweet Sound UltraVibe
H&K RotoSphere
Not to hijack this thread but I'd like to throw this out there on Univibes.
I too am looking to add a Univibe and there are two I'd like to add after looking, listening and researching for the past few weeks. These two are at the top of my list (tied with the Aquavibe):
KR Musical Products Megavibe
MJM Sixties Vibe Pedal
Also, I'm not sure I'd add the Rotosphere to this list as it's not a univibe, neither is the rt-20, despite the attempt to do a quick Robin Trower thing on one of the videos.
If you go on the gear page (mysteriously down for the last day or so) there are dozens of univibe threads.
DeFrag, if you are looking you may want to spend some time over there.
Personally I think the Univibe topic deserves it's own thread.
But back on topic, I'm a big Rotosphere fan but from the clip I have heard the RT-20 does sound good. I was playing with a cat last night that runs a pro studio and he said some good things about it and works with it w/ gtrs and kbs.
Will it replace my Roto? Nope. My rig is mostly analog and I can't see the COSM pedal fitting in. I'm happy where I am right now with it.
Now would I pull the Roto to go in a different direction ala a Univibe? You betcha...that is where I'm leaning....
EDIT: instead of hijacking this thread with Univibe talk I put up one here:
http://www.bossarea.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6942 |
Edited by - zestystrat on 04/03/2009 17:54:00 |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 14:59:44
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Thanks for the input, guys.
As far as the digital-analog debate is concerned: I personally believe that the difference is only audible on higher volume levels; I play at small clubs where most of the times there's a 'talking crowd' so I hardly ever play at volumes where I might benefit from the 'superiority' of analog effects.
Besides, I'm nowhere near a professional musician, so I can't justify spending 'huge' amounts of money on single (analog) effects that won't give me any direct advantages. I use almost exclusively Boss stomboxes and quite often I get compliments on my tone, from non-musicians and musicians alike.
I've read in some reviews that the Univibe effect on the RT-20 is not exactly great, but if it sounds like the Univibe on the ME-70 (the new promovideo where Robert Marcello plays a nice part with the Univibe effect) that's more than fine with me. Besides, the ability to speed up and down and 'break' the different 'warbles' seems like a nice feature.
I'm not looking for the 'holy grail' of leslie effects, I just want a decent effect at a reasonable price, and with my question that started this thread I'd like to make sure it won't be 'doubled' by (an) effect(s) I already own (chorus, phaser).
Still, I really appreciate your insights. Keep 'em coming! |
Edited by - Frederick on 04/03/2009 15:01:30 |
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zestystrat
Silver Member
USA
283 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 17:25:18
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My $0.02 is whatever inspires you to play your best.
If you are happy with your sound there is no need to find the most elusive pedal out there.....
Like I said, I have heard good things a/b this pedal so don't get hung up on my concern for my rig or perceived analog snobbery. 
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 19:01:04
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I like your view on that, zestystrat.
And, really, I didn't mean to scorn players that have 'analog preferences'.
Cheers,
F |
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Some Weird Sin
Bronze Member
Netherlands
73 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 18:39:31
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I used to own an RT-20, but sold it.
The lowdown:
- cool looking pedal, pretty easy to use
- pretty cool sounds
BUT
- big 'n' heavy
- overdrive is really bad
- and this is why I sold it: there is a very substantial volume boost when you engage the pedal, which made it impossible for me to use live.
just my 2c |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 19:37:30
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Most other players think i'm nuts anyway dragging a big pedal board and a couple of very heavy valve amps around..... and i didn't mean to start a big analogue/digital debate.... if you have a chorus pedal see if you can borrow or try out a tremolo pedal with it and mess around with the rate and speed controls on both..... while not a true leslie sim it might be ok for you plus your getting two indivual effects that you can use in other ways as well.... |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 21:05:56
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quote:
Originally posted by FRANZONI
Most other players think i'm nuts anyway dragging a big pedal board and a couple of very heavy valve amps around..... and i didn't mean to start a big analogue/digital debate.... if you have a chorus pedal see if you can borrow or try out a tremolo pedal with it and mess around with the rate and speed controls on both..... while not a true leslie sim it might be ok for you plus your getting two indivual effects that you can use in other ways as well....
Well, actually I have a TR-2 so I'll get to work doing some experimentation with the chorus and the tremolo. Thanks for the tip Franzoni.
Of course, the speeding up and down and the 'breaking of the effect will be hard to obtain, let alone the Univibe-effect... (yep, I guess I'm trying hard to convince myself to buy the pedal huh)
quote:
Originally posted by Some Weird Sin
I used to own an RT-20, but sold it.
The lowdown:
- cool looking pedal, pretty easy to use
- pretty cool sounds
BUT
- big 'n' heavy
- overdrive is really bad
- and this is why I sold it: there is a very substantial volume boost when you engage the pedal, which made it impossible for me to use live.
just my 2c
The fact that pedal looks cool really adds to the attractivity of the pedal. Of course it's the delicious leslie-sounds that really count.
The bad overdrive is not a real problem as you can turn it off and I have several Boss overdrives that give me the drive I need.
The volume boost is something to take into acount... Although not as annoying as a volume drop, a boost can be a pain in the but for the overall mix of the band. there's always my guitar's volume knob though...
Thanks again for the input, guys. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 21:34:43
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You won't get the uni-vibe effect more of a fast leslie thing out of the chorus/tremolo mix.....think SRV and 'cold shot' if you know the song.....and your right about the boost vs drop in pedals...i get a little boost out of my CE-2 when i kick in the effect and i really like it..it helps the effect to cut through the band mix and like you said you can always turn the volume down on the guitar.... ...
BTW ..your welcome..... ... |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 10:03:43
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quote:
Originally posted by FRANZONI
You won't get the uni-vibe effect more of a fast leslie thing out of the chorus/tremolo mix.....think SRV and 'cold shot' if you know the song.....
I most certainly know the song. SRV, God rest his soul, is at the top of the list of guitarists I admire most. 'Couldn't stand the Weather' also comes to mind. The Cold Shot sound would be great to obtain, but I'm also looking for those swirly sounds Carlos Santana got using those leslie effects. And of course, the Hendrixian Univibe sounds are just great to have.
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ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 11:09:08
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Dano makes a cheap little single rotary speaker simulator, the Rocky Road. Heard good things about the Chicken Salad Vibrato too.
I use to run my CE2 and PH1r mixed in a LS2 for the faux rotary sound |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 11:46:15
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quote:
Originally posted by ChristoMephisto
Dano makes a cheap little single rotary speaker simulator, the Rocky Road. Heard good things about the Chicken Salad Vibrato too.
I use to run my CE2 and PH1r mixed in a LS2 for the faux rotary sound
Thanks for the tip ChristoMephisto, but I've held the little pedal in my hands in a shop not long ago and the plastic casing felt really flimsy. Moreover, it was pretty noisy.
I'll do some experimenting with my chorus and phaser combined.
cheers,
Frederick |
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Frederick
Copper Member
Belgium
46 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2009 : 20:07:33
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So I've taken the plunge and ordered the RT-20 
Thanks for the various opinions and views, guys.
I'll let you know how the pedal turns out.
Ah, it's a good feeling to know that a Boss pedal is on its way  |
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Rid
Bronze Member
Denmark
87 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2009 : 21:32:47
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I mostly use chorus, phasers, flangers before my drive.
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RT-20
