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Lex logo in white with tagline rotary

NOTE: This page is for a discontinued product. Click below to see the product page for the new version of Lex.

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.

Lex Rotary Speaker Simulator

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.

Leslie Rotating Speaker System Diagram
Lex Rotary Speaker Simulator

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

Lex - Tone Shaping and 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

Lex - 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

Strymon Lex rotary

  • 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

In-Depth

In-Depth Video

What's Happening Inside?

Rotary Speaker / Leslie Speaker diagram

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

Reviews

...they set out to create the most authentic sounding rotary simulator and in my humble opinion I think they’ve done it. Highly recommended!
The Lex nails a host of rotary speaker tone, but it also delivers a lot of the response and feel of playing one in impressive fashion.
The Lex Rotary was designed with a painstaking focus on details and the complexity of a rotary cab and look no further people – this is as close as you’ll get to fit a Leslie in a box!
The Lex is fun, and it sounds brilliant.
Total Guitar Magazine
Total Guitar
The preamp drive is pretty remarkable in terms of the accuracy of its tone and vibe.
Harmony Central
Phil O'Keefe
Harmony Central
Standing in front of the stereo setup you can hear how incredibly dynamic and sophisticated the Lex is.
I’ve heard a lot of simulators over the years that have tried to nail the sound of a rotating speaker, and the Lex is right up there at the top of that list.
Harmony Central
Phil O'Keefe
Harmony Central
If you’re the type of player who likes to ‘work the switch’ a lot rather than leave it at one speed all the time, you’re going to really like the Lex. It does those all-important transitions between speeds beautifully.
Harmony Central
Phil O'Keefe
Harmony Central
If you're looking for an extremely natural-sounding rotary speaker emulation in a decent-sized stompbox, you'll find it in the Lex.

Awards

Total Guitar Best Buy Award