Neo Ventilator

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 1 Jul 2010 3:50 pm

I've read a number of comments about the H&K Rotosphere, but would like to know if anyone has tried the Neo Ventilator.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 2 Jul 2010 9:26 am

No, I haven't but I've heard it and it sounds great. Dr. Lonnie Smith's demo and endorsement is very good.

Gerry Simon · Post by **Gerry Simon** » 20 Jul 2010 9:21 pm

Lynn..Glad you asked, otherwise I wouldn't have known about them! After listening to the demos and reading reports, I decided to give it a try. It should be in sometime August...I'm having the stereo mod done to it so in bypass mode, it stays stereo. Did you go for one as well? Gerry

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 20 Jul 2010 10:11 pm

Gerry, I'll look forward to hearing your comments. At this point I'm just window shopping, as I first need to pay for the new Clinesmith that is due next month.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Sep 2010 12:46 pm

Gerry,
Did you get your Neo Ventilator yet?
I see that they are sold out again but I ordered one for delivery, hopefully, later on in the month.

Gerry Simon · Post by **Gerry Simon** » 6 Sep 2010 9:27 pm

Just got it and only tried it at home...no gigs w/it yet. Sounds clean, quiet, and a very pretty sound. Not hearing quite the grunge from the overdriven amp sound from it yet but I may not be hitting it hard enough. I bought an f/x rack to mount it on along with my other little boxes to make them more accessible and mainly to cut down on setup time...also since it's the type of effect you need frequent access too, it needs to be close and easy to hit..(I use my right hand)
I'll post more when I have given it a better test. I just got the new preamp from John LeMay and I'm not sure the best way to use it in league w/ my other boxes and that preamp yet...needs some experimentation!! I think you will like it Erv; it adds another dimension to the steel and tho I do love the straight steel sound, I guard against boredom of tone and texture when playing in small combos. Gerry

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Sep 2010 6:54 am

Gerry,
I'm hoping that when I get it I can just substitute it for the H & K I am presently using.
I have that plumbed into the effects chain in my rack. I use a two button switch on the H & K and I understand that same setup is available with the Ventilator.
I've gotten a couple of real nice e-mails from Bruce with Ashby.

Gerry Simon · Post by **Gerry Simon** » 7 Sep 2010 7:04 am

Bruce was very good at keeping me informed on the status of my order. He did the stereo mod for me so I would get the stereo pass thru when I shut the effect off. I was tempted to get one of the switches he offered but decided I just needed to keep the box very close, with the other 2 boxes I use for steel f/x and 3 I use for harmonica, for quick changes. I'll post a foto
eventually of my setup and I would be interested to see how you use yours...Gerry

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Sep 2010 7:13 am

Gerry,
Most of the music I play is gospel.
When I play a song, usually I'll play it through once with straight steel and then the second time around I'll kick in the Leslie sim for some variety and then kick it out for a straight steel ending.
If I really want to get fancy, I have a Pog 2 and that together with the Leslie sim gives me the complete organ sound!
I have a two button Boss foot pedal that I'm using with the H & K, hope it will work with the Ventilator.

Gerry Simon · Post by **Gerry Simon** » 8 Sep 2010 1:01 am

Erv, I'd ask Bruce about that Boss pedal before trying it Might not damage Ventilator but if it doesn't work, you may still need to order one and it will save you shipping to get at the same time as Vent.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Sep 2010 6:21 am

Gerry,
I've already got a Y cord coming with the Ventilator.
The H & K I'm using now has two inputs so no need a Y cord.
I ordered the stereo model so need something to get the two outputs from my pre-amp down to a single plug. I'll try my Boss pedal before ordering another one. I really like the Boss as it has LED lights on it so I can see what I'm doing.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 17 Sep 2010 11:37 pm

Looking for feedback and field tests, gang...

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Sep 2010 6:04 am

John,
I just received mine the other day but haven't had a chance to try it out, hopefully this weekend.

Gerry Simon · Post by **Gerry Simon** » 3 Oct 2010 1:33 am

Lynn, Erv and all...I've had to gigs with my new setup; the LeMay Preamp and the Neo Ventilator. It's hard to know where to start. Unfortunatly the real listening is being done from the audience perspective and tho I can get some feedback, it's hard for me to personally evaluate how the sound mixes with the rest of the band. The stereo effect and overall tone sounds good to me from the stage but I don't think I would be fooled into thinking I was hearing a real organ...when I play, I try to keep it down in the levels so it stays in the background and mixes in...I think that might enhance image. As far as a steel thru and f/x unit, it sounds great. The growl is there if I want it(sound of pushing the Leslie amp a bit into distortion). I am lucky to have the new Lemay/Telonics pre because I had to hook up my 4 boxes in different ways and the pre gave me enough options. I have distortion; Ventilator; TC G Forcef/x rack; and an Eventide delay unit. So...I go from the steel to the preamp in/; then to mono f/x loop for the volume pedal out to distortion; to Volume pedal;to mono f/x in. Then I have my rack f/x in the stereo f/x loop and the Ventilator has a send from the tuner out and back in with a seperate volume control on the preamp for Ipods or whatever, but it's a stereo return, perfect for the ventilator...finally the stereo delay unit is between the main outs of the preamp and the input of the power amp. WHEW...if that doesn't confuse everyone we can start talking politics!!

Here are a couple fotos of the setup with the pedals inback used only for harmonica....now it's your turn:

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Oct 2010 5:08 am

Gerry,
I see you are using an octave effect box. It would be my suggestion to substitute a "POG 2" for that unit and if you get that set up right, you would get a very authentic organ sound with your steel. The POG 2 would compliment the Ventilator very well.

Gerry Simon · Post by **Gerry Simon** » 3 Oct 2010 10:30 am

Erv,
That line of 3 f/x boxes,(octave box;anti feed back; and grafik eq), are all only used for harmonica. If I need octave f/x I can get it from the TC GForce. Gerry

Steve Force · Post by **Steve Force** » 15 Jan 2011 5:49 am

FWIW I own a Neo Ventilator (for my Gigging Hammond XK-1) and also a Leslie 122 (for my Hammond XK-3C) and I can say, with complete confidence, the Neo Ventilator is a Worthy Leslie sim--arguably the best in the market.

I know several pro gigging keyboardists and they swear by their Vents.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 15 Jan 2011 8:06 am

I tried the Neo Ventilator and believe it might be the answer for keyboard but I was rather disappointed with it when used with pedal steel. In fact, after trying it out, I bought a Boss rotary unit and gave that a try. It was fine but I believe that I'm going back to my H & K Rotosphere again. I guess what I like most about the H & K is the ability to use a remote control. Also, I think the H & K has a true bybass. With the other units I can still hear a trace of effect from the unit even when bypassed.

Steve Force · Post by **Steve Force** » 15 Jan 2011 8:25 am

Hmmm. That's cool. But I know pro guitarist that use the vent and love it.

Different strokes for different folks.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 15 Jan 2011 2:56 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiKMjrm9 ... r_embedded#!

sounds pretty amazing, and $295 price!

Paul Haun · Post by **Paul Haun** » 15 Jan 2011 3:40 pm

Y'all must wait for some soon to be upcoming demos of the new Strymon Lex. Here is the link for the white paper...these guys do incredible work...I have the El Capistan which is their "3 tape echos in a box"...I must say, it's an incredibly built pedal...best thing short of having a space echo and EP3...

Knowing how much detail went into the recreation of the tape echo, based on their white paper release, it looks like the lex is very promising...This will most likely be $299...

http://www.strymon.net/2011/01/12/rotar ... ite-paper/

I have no profesional relationship with Strymon, just amazed with their work...If you are a fan of delay, Check out the new Strymon Timeline as well, has their two delays (bucket brigade and tape echo) built in:

http://www.whatsthatdudeplay.com/2011/0 ... -timeline/

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 15 Jan 2011 4:14 pm

YouTube directly comparing the Neo to a real leslie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCIItbcO ... re=related

I agree with Erv about the Pog2. I would buy that 1st and add the Leslie sim later if you want an organ sound.

Greg

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Jan 2011 6:33 am

Greg,
You are correct.
The Pog2 gives you the organ sound and the leslie sim is the frosting on the cake.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Neo Ventilator

Neo Ventilator

New Leslie sim from Tech 21