Strymon Lex Rotary Speaker Simulator Pedal V2

Lex recreates the unmistakable sound and feel of a vintage rotary speaker system, including the low-frequency bass rotor, rotating treble horn, tube-driven amplifier, microphone placement, acceleration characteristics, and the complex interactions between each part of the cabinet. From slow, three-dimensional chorusing to fast swirling modulation and gritty driven rotary tones, Lex delivers the complete rotary speaker experience in a pedalboard-friendly format.

The second-generation Lex retains the rich rotary sounds of the original while adding expanded control, stereo operation, MIDI, USB-C connectivity, and an updated analog front end. Dedicated controls for Speed, Mic Distance, Horn Level, Preamp Drive, Dry, and Volume provide immediate access to the key elements of the rotary system.

Horn Level controls the output of the high-frequency rotating horn, allowing the upper rotor to sit forward in the mix or blend more subtly with the woofer. Dry adds the unaffected input signal to the rotary effect, ranging from fully wet at minimum to a 50/50 dry/effect blend at maximum. Volume provides ±6dB of boost or cut for matching Lex to the rest of your signal chain.

Mic Distance varies the distance between the virtual microphones and the rotating horn and woofer. Closer microphone positions produce a more pronounced modulation effect and wider stereo image, while greater distance introduces more room ambience. The dedicated Mic switch selects between the partially covered front of the cabinet for a more diffused response or the open rear for a cleaner, more direct sound.

Preamp Drive controls the modeled tube preamp and phase inverter stages inside the rotary cabinet. Lower settings remain clean and open, while higher settings add the harmonic grit and texture associated with driving a vintage rotary speaker amplifier.

The dedicated Slow/Fast footswitch seamlessly transitions between individually adjustable slow and fast rotor speeds. A three-position Ramp switch determines how quickly the system accelerates and decelerates, with the low-frequency rotor accelerating more slowly than the horn just as it does in a physical rotary cabinet. Hold the Slow/Fast footswitch to engage the Rotary Brake, gradually bringing the horn and drum to a complete stop before allowing them to ramp back up when released.

Bi-Amp Mode separates the horn and woofer signals between the left and right outputs, making it possible to process, record, or mix the two virtual speakers independently. A selectable Cab Filter also tailors Lex for direct connection to an audio interface, mixer, or full-range speaker system when a traditional guitar amplifier is not being used.

Full MIDI implementation allows nearly every knob, switch, and setting to be controlled remotely through the EXP/MIDI jack or USB-C connection. Rotor speed can synchronize to MIDI Clock, and 300 MIDI preset locations are available for storing and recalling complete settings. The EXP/MIDI jack can also be used with an expression pedal, MiniSwitch, MultiSwitch Plus, or compatible TRS MIDI connection.

Lex features full stereo operation with a high-impedance TRS stereo input and independent low-impedance left and right outputs. An external Mono/Stereo input selector makes routing straightforward, while selectable instrument- and line-level operation provides an additional 10dB of headroom for active instruments, synthesizers, keyboards, effects loops, and other higher-level sources.

Features:

• Complete rotary speaker system simulation
• Independently modeled low-frequency bass rotor and rotating treble horn
• Modeled tube preamp and phase inverter stages
• Dedicated Speed, Mic Distance, Horn Level, Preamp Drive, Dry, and Volume controls
• Adjustable slow and fast rotor speeds
• Slow, Medium, and Fast acceleration ramp settings
• Front and Rear virtual microphone positions
• Rotary Brake function
• Dry control from fully wet to 50/50 dry/effect
• ±6dB output boost or cut
• Bi-Amp Mode separates horn and woofer outputs
• Cab Filter for direct and full-range applications
• Full stereo input and output
• Mono/Stereo input selector
• Instrument- and line-level operation
• Additional 10dB headroom in Line Level mode
• High-impedance discrete Class A JFET input preamp
• Full MIDI implementation
• MIDI Clock synchronization
• 300 MIDI preset locations
• Expression pedal support
• MiniSwitch and MultiSwitch Plus compatibility
• USB-C for MIDI control and firmware updates
• Electromechanical relay True Bypass
• Selectable premium Buffered Bypass
• 24-bit / 96kHz A/D and D/A conversion
• 32-bit floating-point processing
• 520MHz ARM Superscalar processor
• Strong, lightweight anodized brown aluminum chassis
• Designed and built in the USA

Specifications:

• Effect Type: Rotary Speaker Simulator / Modulation
• Controls: Speed, Mic Distance, Horn Level, Preamp Drive, Volume, Dry
• Mic Positions: Front / Rear
• Ramp Settings: Slow / Medium / Fast
• Footswitches: Slow/Fast, On/Off
• Output Level Range: ±6dB
• Presets: 300 via MIDI
• Input: High-impedance TRS stereo
• Outputs: Independent Left and Right 1/4" TS
• Input Impedance: 1MΩ
• Output Impedance: 100Ω
• Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz
• A/D & D/A Conversion: 24-bit / 96kHz
• Processing: 32-bit floating point
• Processor: 520MHz ARM Superscalar
• External Control: Expression / MiniSwitch / MultiSwitch Plus / TRS MIDI
• USB: USB-C
• Bypass: True Bypass or Buffered Bypass
• Power Requirements: 9V DC maximum, center-negative, 300mA minimum
• Power Supply: Not included
• Dimensions: 4.5" D × 4" W × 2.4" H
• Metric Dimensions: 11.43cm D × 10.16cm W × 6.1cm H
• Country of Manufacture: USA