From tonysounds@yahoo.com Sun Jan 22 01:16:48 2006
Subject:Boss RT20

Yo folks, this thing is a keeper. CX3 fans (who worshipped the super-tweakable leslie sim) who have longed for a standalone unit will be all over this; V5 owners should be lining up to get one; and Electro users will discover a depth of leslie simulation they forgot existed.

As tweakable as the old ToneWorks G4, yet much sturdier, it offers a few things the G4 didn't.

There are 4 different modes: 1-leslie; 2-mic'd leslie; 3-Marshall powered-leslie; 4-Univibe.

1 and 2 are definitely happening. 2 has a sharper high end, emulating microphone coloration, but both 1 & 2 are smooth. 3 is pretty useless. And your guitar player will probably dig 4, but until I hear it through an amp, I can't be sure. (Keep in mind that all opinions expressed herein are based on headphone usage, and out of context: not in a mix with other instruments.)

You can adjust the ramp time, the fast speed and the slow speed, the horn/rotor balance, overdrive (um, it sounds best all the way down!) the direct level and effect level. Each function has its own dedicated knob. The knobs' center detent is the factory default setting, and actually sounds pretty damn useable there. I found that by taking the direct signal all the way down, and slowing the slow speed down a bit and adjusting the balance just a little more towards the horn side gave me what I was looking for.

When on fast, you really feel the 'helicopter' effect, and yet it's not too overdone. (Much more dramatic than the Electro sim.) Dark Side of the Moon exploits the leslie wonderfully, with different artifacts more pronounced on certain songs, and I'm able to get a good grip on many of those sounds quickly. Tweaking of the balance knob can reduce the 'copter' effect, or underline the difference in ramp times of the upper and lower rotors.

This is an insanely easy to use pedal; however, since this pedal doesn't store programs, it boots up to the knobs' current positions. And while you can certainly dial up your favorite leslie settings and leave it, you'll find you'll want to tailor the leslie sound to each song (right CX3 users?!!!). Unfortunately, putting it on the floor won't encourage this. Using a momentary switch eliminates ramp times (an unfortunate oversight). While using an expression pedal may not be the most realistic way to change speeds, it does correctly emulate the Univibe's approach, as well as the Motion Sound Gas Pedal concept.

I can't wait to try it at a gig or rehearsal. While I have no need for this with B4 and my Receptor, using it on my XK3, if for no other purpose than nighttime headphone playing, makes this purchase a no brainer and a keeper.

T


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