From mate_stubb@yahoo.com Sat Apr 15 15:57:42 2006
Subject:Re: MS Pro 3 T

It has been written many times what effect the deflectors have on
sound, but I guess it doesn't hurt to repeat it from time to time.

From just looking at the deflectors' role, you might conclude that
removing them would make the horn louder since it would now project
straight out. This is correct.

Another effect though is that it is "beamier". As the horn passes the
listener's location, it is louder than if it had a deflector. By the
same token, the volume falls off way further when it points away from
you, while the deflectors help maintain a more constant volume since
they spray the sounds out the side.

Put another way, the frequency modulation component of the sound
(vibrato, pitch shift, doppler effect) of a horn without deflectors is
overwhelmed by the amplitude modulation component (tremolo).

When you mike a leslie without deflectors, the effect of extreme
amplitude modulation is accentuated. I have old recordings of a leslie
of mine without deflectors. When on fast speed, it sounds like whap,
whap, whap, whap! More like a helicopter than a musical instrument IMO.

Now I seem to remember that John Fisher had shaped his horn to help
maintain the fm component more even without deflectors, but it is only
partly successful IMO. When I had my Pro-3T it reminded me of my old
deflectorless leslies.

Some people prefer that sound however, so as always YMMV.

Moe


> Motion Sound, as far as I know, sells a replacement horn with a
> REFLECTOR on it. I called John Fisher (sp?) at Motion Sound once and
> asked him about the difference between it and the stock white horn.
> If I remember correctly, he said that it doesn't necessarily make it
> sound more like a real Leslie, but maybe that it will give it a
> more 'throaty' sound.