NOTE: This page is for a discontinued product. Click below to see the product page for the new version of Lex.
Born to Revolve.
When we decided to create a studio-class pedal that faithfully recreates the classic, unmistakable sound of the most sought-after rotating speaker system, we prepared to study every nuance and finest detail. The Strymon sound design labs have been filled with those signature, swirling, three-dimensional sounds, as we painstakingly analyzed and recreated the physics and mechanics behind these systems.
The complete rotary system.
Lex provides you with a complete, accurately reproduced rotary system: the low-frequency bass rotor, the rotating treble horn, the tube-driven amplifier, finely tuned microphone placement, and all the complex sonic interactions between these elements.
Utilizing a ridiculously powerful SHARC DSP, every drop of processing power is harnessed to authentically represent these details.
Extensive control.
You get eight parameters to tweak, allowing extensive control over the tonality and mechanics of the rotating speaker system. You can manipulate each element, from rotor speed, horn level, acceleration time, microphone distance, tube drive and saturation, and volume level.
Go from a maelstrom of dramatic, up-close, sweeping and swirling sounds, all the way to mellow, tranquil and calming undulations. All of this without a giant cabinet, microphone setup, and costly motor maintenance.
Listen
Sound Clips
Keyboard Demo
Tone Shaping
Press (+) for more info.
Front Panel Controls
- Fast Rotor Speed adjusts the rotational speed of the effect when spinning in Fast mode. Go from a relaxed 4Hz rotation to a frenetic spin of greater than eight rotations per second.
- Mic Distance varies the placement of the microphones at the horn (stereo pair) and rotor (single mic). Choose from up close, tight and intense, to distant miking with evened-out fluctuations.
- Preamp Drive overdrives the input feeding the rotary speaker effect. Harmonics are created that add growl and fatness, adding a whole new dimension when set into motion.
- Horn Level allows you to adjust the horn volume. Adjust in conjunction with Mic Distance to find the desired amount of high-end, and to match the sound with your particular setup.
- Slow/Fast Footswitch – Changes the motor speed from fast to slow. Press and hold for rotary brake.
- Bypass Footswitch – Engages and disengages effect. Bypass mode is true bypass.
Secondary Functions
- Slow Rotor Speed adjusts the rotational speed of the effect when spinning in Slow mode. At minimum Slow Rotor setting, the speed is zero, or “braked”, so you can set up a one-speed rotary system that switches between fast and stationary.
- Cab Direction changes the position of the cabinet relative to the microphones. In the Front orientation (knob turned left), the mics capture the sound as it travels through the louvers in the wood cabinet. In the Rear orientation (knob turned right), the mics capture the sound from the open side of the cabinet.
- +/- 6dB Boost/Cut allows balancing the output level under all conditions. Achieve a plus or minus 6dB boost or cut when the pedal is engaged.
- Acceleration Time varies the time it takes for the Lex rotating assembly to speed up and slow down. Set a quick acceleration if you’re interested in the destination, or select a slower acceleration if you think the fun is in getting there. At all settings, the drum will take longer than the horn to reach its final speed.
Ins & Outs
- Input – Plug your instrument in here. Default is mono input. Can be used as TRS stereo input by switching internal jumper.
- Exp – Connect an expression pedal and control any one knob with your foot. Or plug in a favorite switch to save and recall a preset or use as an external speed switch.
- Left Output – Connect to your amp, mixing board, other pedals, etc. Acts as a mono output when only one channel is being used. If using optional Bi-Amp mode, the Left Output is the rotary horn.
- Right Output – Connect to your amp, mixing board, other pedals, etc. If using optional Bi-Amp mode, the Right Output is the rotary woofer.
- Power – Maximum 9 volts DC center negative, with a minimum of 250mA current.
Features
Alternate between a slow and fast rotor speed.
Ramp up and slow down with the press of a switch.
Press and hold the Slow/Fast switch to put the brakes on.
The Lex rotary will wind down and stop. When at rest, the horn and drum “brake angle” is optimally positioned for consistent results.
Release the Slow/Fast switch and the rotary will begin to spin.
Lex provides you with a selectable Bi-Amp mode to send bass rotor signal out to the Left output, and the treble horn to the Right output.
Stack two cabinets and add another dimension to your sound.
You get an expression pedal input with assignable control over any front-panel knob parameter. When set to Fast Rotor Speed, you can sweep and ramp all the way from the “braked” position up to a selectable speed.
In-Depth
In-Depth Video
What's Happening Inside?
Lex rotary delivers a faithful reproduction of the entire rotating speaker system.
It’s all here—the low-frequency bass rotor, the rotating treble horn, the tube-driven amplifier, finely tuned microphone placement, and all the complex sonic interactions between these elements.
Read our Rotary Speaker Technology white paper to learn more.
Specs
- Hand crafted rotary algorithms faithfully deliver the signature, three-dimensional rotating speaker experience
- Extensive control over rotating speaker mechanics and configuration
- Four rotary adjustment and tone shaping knobs:
Fast Rotor Speed, Preamp Drive, Mic Distance, Horn Level. - Four “hidden” knobs for extensive tone tweaking:
Slow Rotor Speed, Cab Direction, Acceleration Time, +/- 6dB Boost/Cut. - Instantly alternate between a fast and slow rotor speed with the Fast/Slow footswitch
- Selectable Cab Filter allows for an optimal experience in front of guitar amplifiers and full range systems
- Stereo output
- High impedance mono input (internal jumper enables selectable TRS stereo input).
- Expression pedal input with selectable control over any knob parameter
- Connect our optional Favorite switch to save a favorite preset or use as an external speed switch
- Fast/Slow and Bypass footswitches
- Press and hold Fast/Slow footswitch for Rotary Brake
- Selectable Bi-Amp mode splits bass rotor and treble horn signals to separate outputs
- Ultra low noise, high performance 24-bit 96kHz A/D and D/A converters
- 110dB typical signal to noise
- Premium analog front end and output section
- Super high performance DSP in a compact form factor
- 32-bit floating point processing
- True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching)
- Powered with a standard 9V center negative DC supply. 250mA minimum
- Strong and lightweight mahogany anodized aluminum chassis
- Crafted with love in the USA
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