Controls for Fast Speed, Balance, Drive, Mix/Dist Lo, Mix/Dist Hi
Switch for Slow/Fast, Stop and Bypass
Inputs and outputs in Stereo respectively R/Mono
Dimensions 16 x 14.3 x 5.5 cm
Weight 1.1 kg
delivery without power supply
The Neo Instruments Ventilator II is capable of faithfully emulating the sound of the legendary Leslie Model 122 Rotary Speaker. After the original Ventilator effect and the two miniVents, the success story of these popular devices now continues! The original Ventilator has proven itself as a companion to international stars including Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones), Craig Frost (Bob Seger), Steve Miller and John Mayer. The Ventilator II sits in a sturdy metal case that's handy size making it easy to place on top of a keyboard rig or guitar pedalboard. It has three knobs for adjusting the rotor speed, balance and Drive. In addition, there are further controls for virtual microphone placement. This allows you to simulate different microphone distances to the drivers. Bypass, speed and stop can be controlled via the three footswitches. Starting with serial number E2309280, the Ventilator II runs on 9V DC (- inside) which is also the standard for guitar effects. The enclosed rubber feet can be attached if necessary.
Neo Instruments Ventilator II - First Look and Demo
This is my 2nd Neo Ventilator 2, so I knew what to expect. The first one is still working fine - I just wanted another for my home rig. Compared with the Leslie sim on my Hammond XK-1c, the effect is much richer at the slow speed and more natural and realistic at the fast speed. The overdrive is also smoother than the one built into the XK-1c, although the XK-1c overdrive is better at handling organ with a bass line.
The available adjustments make it easy to tweak the sound to taste, e.g. I like a closer mic on the hi rotor and more distant on the lo rotor.
Overall, the combination of cabinet tone shaping, overdrive and rotating speaker effect all built into the Ventilator create a sound that is very similar to a mic'ed leslie, and would probably make any clonewheel sound fantastic.
It's solidly built with an all-metal case. The wall-wart power supply isn't as rugged, but it's looks to be a fairly standard type (12V with coax plug).
