Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble

The Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble is a digital guitar effects pedal that emulates a rotary effect. It has 1/4 inch inputs and outputs and is powered by the power supply that comes with it. It is not a rackable unit as it is a guitar stomp box.

UTILIZATION

The general configuration of the pedal is pretty simple, but takes a little time to get used to it as there are a lot of different parameters to control different things. The knobs it has includes one to choose between four different modes, one for effect level, one for direct signal level, one for rise time, one to balance between the bass and horn level, which is kind of like tone, one for overdrive, and one each to control either slow or fast, referring to the speed. The manual is complete and helpful when learning this pedal.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound quality of the Boss RT-20 is pretty awesome. It basically emulates all types of rotary sounds like a sound from a leslie speaker or a chorus like sound. I have only used this with guitar, as that is what I play, but it would definitely work well with other electronic instruments like an electric piano, or even an organ that needs a leslie simulator. The overall sound is rich and full and the variety of effects is pretty outstanding. The many different modes and parameters allows for this to be a pretty versatile pedal.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble for about a year and I have found it to be a great tool when looking for rotary type effects. It is built extremely well, and has the Boss seal that I have come to trust. Once you learn what everything does on this pedal, the possibilities are pretty much endless. While it isn't the cheapest Boss pedal, it is reasonable considering how much you are getting with this pedal. It probably isn't as good as the Hughes & Ketner Rotosphere, but it will cost you less and probably has a wider array of tones. All in all, if you're looking for a leslie simulator or a rotary type sound, definitely check out this pedal.

Boss RT-20 is a Leslie simulator, which is supposed to reproduce the sound of the Leslie model 122 (originally scheduled for sound with the Hammond organ). For that uses BOSS COSM technology developed by Roland.
The RT20 comes in the form of a double pedal (pedal twin) in the center with a "virtual rotor", which allows to visualize the speed of the two speakers that make up a leslie cab (gadget, but nice when same!).

Let's review the various controls of RT-20:

• Transition time adjustable speeds, slow and fast (RISE TIME)
• Overdrive
• Setting the slow speed position and fast position
• Adjustable balance between the rotors and the acute and severe
• 4 types of sounds, effects of standard rotary speaker sounding rock, UNI-V and so on.
• Switch guitar / keyboard

Connectivity:
Taken INPUT A (MONO) jack (1 / 4 "), INPUT B jack (1 / 4") jack SPEED (EXP PEDAL) jack (1 / 4 "), PHONES jack (stereo 1 / 4") , OUTPUT A (MONO) jack (1 / 4 "), OUTPUT B Jack (1 / 4") jack adapter
• Power supply: LR6 (AA)) x 6, AC adapter (PSA series)

UTILIZATION

From a general point of view, no particular concern: getting started is quick.
One may regret the absence of a switch: the RT 20 is in service from the moment you enter the INPUT A jack. To turn it off, disconnect the plug.

What that is a Leslie?
2 speakers (one bass and treble) rotary, running at speeds faster or slower and give the characteristic hum. Once you understand the system, using the RT 20 is childish:
It regulates the speed, you set the acceleration of the rotation, you set the overdrive, it adjusts the balance between bass and treble, and now. Cons: speed is the same for the two speakers, then we would have liked an independent adjustment.

SOUND QUALITY

Personally, I use the RT20 clone in addition to a Hammond organ, the Viscount DB3. This one has very good sound but a B3 Leslie simulation to cry, which spoiled everything.
So that the sound seems authentic Leslie, in addition to a faithful modeling of process noise, it was also necessary to reproduce the defects of this type of vintage instrument. This side is "roots" which I believe gives full dimension to the Leslie.
With RT20, I really sound closer Hammond + Leslie: I really feel like playing on a B3 as the characteristics of Leslie are well reproduced. Oddly, the effect seems a little less well in slow speed (slow position) that fast, but overall it's very good simulation.

OVERALL OPINION

For comparison, I did a test between my config + DB3 and RT20 software from Native B4 with its own simulation Leslie. Appraisal: a tie for the sound, but great advantage for the couple at the DB3/RT20 gaming experience in real time. Not to mention that for the stage, I much prefer a keyboard 61 notes and pots to turn, a computer keyboard and mouse.
In terms of pesos, again it's interesting: I bought my nine DB3 € 700 and the Boss RT20 less than € 200, € 900 which makes for a near-perfect sound of Hammond, in any case perfect for me .
For information, the Korg Cx3 (€ 1900) and Roland VK8 (1800 €) are significantly more expensive.

Good, well-t CHARACTERISTICS have Describes by Funkypopol.
The effect is ditable, but not as mmorisable dvelopps certain effects in this format by Boss Twin Pedal. Too bad.
The connection is complte, there's even a jack for an expression pedals. The format is a little large at first for a pedalboard, I prfr a simple but pedals use, we gain in comfort. -1 Point to go the lack of memory.

UTILIZATION

So I put a few dozen minutes to get a really nice sound. I thought it would be simpler, but there really is a lot of paramtres grate, including paramtres which dixit the manual, do not appear on a real Leslie 122. So, you can really fine tune the sound more prs.
The manual is succinct but sufficient, even for me

SOUND QUALITY

I never had the hands of Leslie, so I do not really have a point of comparison. The only comparison I could make is with the pedals of rotary dveloppe Line 6. J'tais actually went to buy the Line 6, but APRS test, I found the sound trsdcevant, trs muddy.
So, I eyeing towards Univibe (Dunlop, Voodoo Lab), but the lack of paramtres me a little scrap. So, I bought the RT-20 without even having tried. But hey, 159 in France, the risk limit even when silent. J'tais rticent just take my RT-20 because I had a Boss VF-hands, and simulations of COSM Rotary Embedded in this multi-effects I had not at all convinced.

It seems to me that the simulations are ralistes, I get much closer to me sounds of musicians known to use rotating speakers. My preferences in terms of simulation goes to THE FIRST (mode I) which reproduces the sound of the Leslie 122. APRS, the other options / modes are just variations of this simulation. The 4th mode is a simulation of Univibe, I do not like the masses (I wonder if I'm actually a fan of Univibe ).
A priori, the sounds of HP seemed to better simulate rapid turnover than those with slow rotation, although I managed to have a good rsultat also in this area.
The thing that makes me really tripper is that pressing on the two pedals simultanment, it activates a "breaker", a brake that stops gradually (this speed knob dpend the "rise time") rotating speakers. and you end up with a sound enough crmeux, warm, with nice bass, jazz in all. All I was looking for
A small point less for the expression pedals that can rgler the speed of the speaker. I AIM we can activate the overdrive, could be a nice. The quality of the overdrive is not stunning, but hey, it's not so horriiiiiiiiiiiiiiible what some seem to say on sites like Harmony Central ... Srement of true aficionados of vintage vacuum that particular portfolio. Personally, I use it all fawn not, the fact that speakers switch rapidly rotating dj brings a semblance of overdrive mmmmmmhhh yum yum.
Another nice thing is that you can make a balance between the two speakers as they sound sweet prfre more aggressive. And then you can grate the amount of signal untreated and treated as we want to keep some of the timbre of his instrument.
In short, we plthore of rglages, I did not ask for much!

OVERALL OPINION

So I use it for only a few days, I will update as and a measure of my tests. I play a Chapman Stick on a keyboard amp, but I'm ending for use on sound, we'll see what a deal.
Report quality unbeatable price for me. As I said, before buying, j'tais priori rticent take me quite a Boss, because until then, I was operating with VF1 which did not satisfy me at the Rotary simus . It is with great mfiance that I finally convinced by RT-20 and honntement, I do not regret my choice.
Just something to finish: the screen to visualize the rotation of speakers, I'll be fine. It is not absolutely nothing, and was spending all pedalboard for a tree Nel. Frankly, it's corny supra (go hop least one point - well, with all these 9 / 10, did what average gnrale ...??? Ben 9 / 10; -)

Much has been said in the post t previous ones. However I use this with a guitar (Fender Stratocaster). Construction mastoc, aa look solid.
I regret the absence of a switch.

UTILIZATION

The manual is Retailer same but I still took time to understand the use of the machine (I have been offered, so I did not have a trs pr ide Cise of what we could learn). qq After hours, I found great clean sounds (Pink Floyd style mid 70's) I like least with overdrive. I am still under Discoveries but I find the possibilities INTERESTED trs.

SOUND QUALITY

I do not have much to say. For me, the quality of sound is nickel (I never used to Leslie), with the strato particulirement. I still sounds as the possibility of discovering rglage and yet I do not use the expression pedals.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the pedals for two months. It is a gift, so I did not compare to other models. Considering the price, I would have probably not buy (it's expensive and I practice as a hobby), but I intend to keep it. In practice, I find beautiful sounds and more j'apprcie the pedals. I think we should try it with a guitar.