Lookin for a Leslie in a box...

[The Actionman]

...of course on a budget!
My old Maestro plug-in finally bit the dust and I want a truer Leslie swirl than it did anyways. (did make some cool noise though!)
Anybody with a favorite, please jump in.

Thanks for all of your opinions!!!

[John Harrison]

The Korg G4 is the best I've ever used, but they're not cheap. They are no longer made, but do pop up, on occasion.
The Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere has gotten a lot of positive notice. Last time I saw Tom Petty, Benmont Tench (keyboard player) was using one. They're not cheap, either, though.
Lots of folks just crank on their chorus pedals, but, to me, that's only the start. I use a Univibe, it has the chorus and vibrato, and push it with an overdrive pedal. It gets pretty close, to my ears.

[Rodgre]

After trying a zillion boxes I feel that the Hughes and Kettner, though big and bulky, is the best of the bunch.

I don't mind the Line 6 modulation modeler in a pinch, and I have heard good things about the Korg too, but I've never tried it.

I've gotten okay results with flangers or choruses if I just want a fast vibrato for an effect in the background, but when I want to use the fast/slow ramping and I don't have time to mic up the Leslie, the H&K is the way.

Roger

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by The Actionman

...of course on a budget!

The others mentioned here are certainly great leslie effects, but if you're really that budget minded, try an Arion Stereo Chorus pedal. You can find them new for around $30.

I've got one on my pedalboard right now, and although it's not a H&K Rotosphere for sure, I don't think anyone in the audience can tell the difference. Plus it's much smaller, and will run off a standard 9-volt power supply. And it's got two outputs that can be switched from stereo L/R to dry mono/wet mono.

I also use a Voodoo Lab Analog Chorus sometimes. The faux-leslie sound is slightly better, but the pedal is not near as transparent, plus it's a bit more money.

[roger]

Heard some good reports on the H2O. Plus it's got a good analog echo. Sells for @ $139.00

[Admin]

I posted a review of this unit a couple of months ago:

http://www.tdpri.com/viewtopic.php?p...rotation#50894

Still not cheap, but less than a Rotosphere, and I'd put the sound quality right up there. Worth a look if you can find one. Best of luck, CS

[Silverface]

The Korg G4 is king of the hill - a bit noisy, but has the whole package - ramping, horn-vs-baffle speeds, mic placement, boost function (like the real Leslies with built-in amps).

I also like my old Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter - the ramping functions work really well and the sound is decnt.

The Rotosphere is also very good for the basic functions.

The Arion Chorus is great for single-speed swirl, but has no ramping function. IMO the new ones (the SCZ-1) are terrible, though - you need to find the old SCH-1.

Stay as far away from the Dano Rocky Road as possible - it's a complete pile of doo-doo.

[The Actionman]

Chris S."]I posted a review of this unit a couple of months ago:

Chris, Thanks for that review link. I wish I had the $$$ and the room for a real Leslie. I got spoiled several years ago having access to one a keyboard buddy had.

I'm really on a quest to get that Robbie Robertson guitar sound on "Tears of Rage". Last week it was Jimmie Vaughn, so I figure I need this effect...at least that's the pitch I'm giving my wife! (need honey, not want!)

Thanks guys for your experiences and opinions, as always!

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by Silverface

IMO the new ones (the SCZ-1) are terrible, though - you need to find the old SCH-1.

I've got both of them...and I'll tell you, I can't tell a heck of much difference - good or bad. The tone control on the new one does a bit more.

Originally Posted by Silverface

Stay as far away from the Dano Rocky Road as possible - it's a complete pile of doo-doo.

Agreed.

[meterman]

Originally Posted by The Actionman

I'm really on a quest to get that Robbie Robertson guitar sound on "Tears of Rage"....

I listened to that song just this morning, great tone!! Sounds like a leslie, some overdrive and possibly even some phasing going on, very cool. If you figure out how to nail that tone let me know!

[The Actionman]

...has a little Wah or envelope filter thrown in there too I think. Those guys did some of the most interesting things with music ever!
I'll certainly post up the concoction if I can figure it out.

[Oster]

I just recently picked up one of these and am happy with the results BUT it's small, it's plastic & it's limited (Chorus effect is permanent - No clean swirl). Leslie effects aren't my main thing though, I only use it for colour here and there. That said it does a pretty convincing job, revving up to full speed either slowly or quickly depending on how you switch. At full tilt, it sounds pretty cool.

[detuned]

I read that there's a simple mod to defeat the chorus-y stuff & just get the leslie sound. Apparently this sounds pretty cool.

I'd believe it based on my experiences with other cheap-o Dano pedals, cheap boxes, expensive sounds.

Try surfing over there & doing a search on "Rocky Road".

I used to have an Alesis Quadraverb, which you can sometimes find used *cheap* (well, cheap compared to the H&K), which did a killer leslie sim.


Hope this helps...

[TheGoodTexan]

...as I went and got a H&K Rotoshpere MKII this weekend.

I didn't even know that there was a MKII on these things, but it has the modifications to it from the things that I didn't like about the original version. The "Breaker" button is now push/push as opposed to momentary, and the default max speeds is now adjustable for both the rotor and the horn.

It actually fits on my pedalboard, and I'm really diggin' it again.

[stantheman]

I myself LUST for a Replex (tried one with an old MXR Distortion Plus and like the "pie guy" says ooh la la!) total
"Forever Man" tone. H&K stuff really is the standard by
which all modern simulators should be made to stand up to.

[The Actionman]

The Replex (Stan) and the Rotosphere (Texan)???

Can you give me an idea what the major differences between theses models are and what type of $$$ we're talking?

Thanks guys!

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by The Actionman

The Replex (Stan) and the Rotosphere (Texan)???

Can you give me an idea what the major differences between theses models are and what type of $$$ we're talking?

Thanks guys!

Nope - The Replex is an analog tube driven, multi-tap delay. Very cool indeed for folks that like the tone and features of the old original Echo-Plexes...but without the complications that a tape and motor cause.

The Rotosphere is the only leslie simulator H&K makes, although there is a Mark I and a Mark II. The Mark II replaced the Mark I. I explained the differences in the earlier post.

[The Actionman]

...for the clarification.
I thought a few years ago I had "matured" and got away from pedals entirely, but some are too cool not to want to use, not to mention the cost/size/weight of a Leslie Box!
I guess I'll have to go to the city and spend some time playing around with some. Thanks again.