TECH 21, THE COMPANY
Tech 21 was formed by a guitarist possessing the unusual combination of a trained ear and elec-
tronics expertise. In 1989, B. Andrew Barta made his invention commercially available to players and
studios around the world. His highly-acclaimed
SansAmp™ pioneered Tube Amplifier Emulation
in professional applications for recording direct and performing live, and created an entirely new
category of signal processing. There have since been many entries into this niche, yet SansAmp con-
tinues to maintain its reputation as the industry standard.
With a full line of SansAmp models, Tech 21 also offers effect pedals and MIDI products, as well as
“traditional” style amplifiers for guitar and bass. Each product is thoughtfully and respectfully
designed by B. Andrew Barta himself with the player in mind. Our goal is to provide you with flexi-
ble, versatile tools to cultivate, control, refine and redefine your own individual sound. Tech 21 takes
great pride in delivering consistent quality sound, studio to studio, club to club, arena to arena.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The Roto Choir celebrates the swirling glory of a vintage rotating speaker cabinet. With its
specifically formulated SansAmp™ technology, the Roto Choir takes this concept to the next
level. It delivers the entire signal chain--from the original tube power amp to the low-frequency
speaker and high-frequency horn to the microphone used to capture it. This studio-quiet, road-
worthy pedal can be used with guitar as well as keyboards, synths and vocals --and to record direct.
The Roto Choir offers an abundance of easy-to-use, intuitive controls in an incredibly compact,
battery operable pedal. It features a Fast/Slow foot-switch which allows you to ramp up, slow
down, or even stop the rotating speaker. There’s a dedicated Top Speed control to custom set
the rotor speed and a Position control to adjust the virtual mic closer to or further from the
horns. A Biamped switch allows you to change from single speaker mode to Biamped mode,
and there’s a Speaker Sim switch for direct recording.
The Drive, High, Low and Level controls are 100% analog for warm, organic sounds. Stereo out-
put, buffered bypass, and a silent-switching, custom foot- switch actuator completes the package.
You can get lost for days exploring and discovering all the celestial sounds lurking within the
Roto Choir.
As with each Tech 21 product, the controls are designed to give you the flexibility to obtain
your desired sound. It is our hope that the Roto Choir will be a useful tool for stimulating
your creativity and, ultimately, providing the inspiration to play your best.
THE INS AND OUTS
1/4” INPUT:
1megOhm high impedance input, same as traditional tube amps. Also
switches battery power on/off. To avoid battery drain, unplug when unit is not in use.
1/4” OUTPUT:
1kOhm low impedance stereo output drives long cables without loss of
signal integrity, even in bypass. For mono, simply use a mono cable into your amp. For stereo
use a stereo or TRS cable, or stereo splitter cable to split the outputs.
SIGNAL LEVEL TO INPUT/CONNECTIONS
The Roto Choir is designed to accommodate instrument level signals to the Input, such as the out-
put of a guitar, the output of distortion pedals, etc. For normal operation, signal level to Input should
be close to that of a standard electric guitar (approx -10dBm / 250mV). If using with keyboards and
the output is too hot, use the volume control on the keyboard to reduce the amount of overdrive.
GUIDE TO CONTROLS
DRIVE
Adjusts the overall amount of gain and overdrive, similar to when the output section of a Leslie®
is being pushed. The first half of the rotation increases the volume as well as the overdrive.
LOW and HIGH
On-board pre-EQ section gives you full control. Unlike passive tone controls that only cut,
these active controls cut and boost. You can tailor the distortion response, balance the low
and high rotor, and shape the top end horn response.
FAST/SLOW and TOP SPEED
Fast/Slow emulates the two modes of a Leslie where Fast = Vibrato and Slow = Chorale.
Slow mode is preset to vintage Leslie specs. Fast mode is determined by the setting of the Top
Speed knob, which sets the speed of the rotor --from a complete stop at minimum to high speed
at maximum.
The ramp time is also preset to vintage Leslie specs and changes according to the position
of the Biamped switch. In Single Speaker mode, the ramp up time is different from the ramp
down time. In Biamped mode, you have two different ramp up times and two different ramp
down times.
TIP: Frequently stomping on the Fast/Slow footswitch, so the sound never synchs up, is a
common method of veteran keyboard players. Not to worry, our custom actuator can handle it.
POSITION
Moves the mic closer to or further from the horns or speaker, depending upon the setting
of the Biamped switch. At maximum it is the closest and you get a tremelo-like effect with
noticeable volume swells. At minimum, it is the furthest away for more even volume. In
Single Speaker mode, the mic is aimed at the speaker. In Biamped mode, the mic is aimed at
the horns.
BIAMPED
The up position (off) = Leslie 125-style/Fender® Vibratone-style Single Speaker mode with
bottom rotor only. Engaged (pushed in) = Leslie 122-style Biamped mode, where the low
and high rotors turn in opposite directions and at different rates for more swirly sounds.
SPEAKER SIM
Speaker simulation is an integral part of the circuitry that completes the full experience of
vintage Leslies. It is designed with inherently erratic and irregular peaks, valleys, and notches
to give you that familiar, unique raspy grind. To engage, push the switch in.
If desired, you can defeat the speaker simulation by disengaging the speaker switch (up
position). This will give you a more neutral sound of the time delay effect only so you
can achieve just a spinning speaker effect through your amp. Simply set the EQ flat and
Drive at minimum with the Speaker Sim off.
LEVEL
100% analog circuit. Adjusts the overall output level.
® Registered trademarks.
2
!! WARNING !! DO NOT RUN THE SPEAKER OUT-
PUT OF ANY AMP directly into the input.
Severe damage to the amp and the Roto Choir will result.
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