posted 15 January 2000 06:31 AM         

I just bought a Motion Sound Pro 3T revolving speaker unit and I’ll have to tell you that this little unit has exceeded all my expectations on just how good one of these can sound . Set up to the characteristics of a true Leslie 147 this little toy is one serious musical tool at a very portable 27 lbs. With this unit, forget about the portable Leslie 303 system weighing in at 115 lbs., the 3T will do it all. The main difference is the Leslie 303 has a low rotor simulator with a true 12 inch speaker and amp built into it’s cab, the pro 3T only offers the rotating horn and a 40 watt amp with real tube pre amp. The low rotor simulation output (left and right) can be set up with a second guitar amp, but for steel guitar you don’t really need to use it unless you want it. No digital unit or analog stomp box can compare to the sound of a real rotating horn .

Excellent features make the difference:
The tube pre amp is a must... so don’t run out and buy a used Motion Sound 3 unit without the tube, these were the earlier models.
Stop, fast and slow foot control.
Real titanium driver for excellent sound crossed over at 800Hz.
Front panel controls allow you to contour pre gain warmth, tone and volume. There is also a separation control for the low rotor simulation left and right output. Being able to contour the sound makes all the difference, so you can blend the sound perfectly into your own mix. The tone control allows for the mellow Leslie 147 sound or the very bright 122.
Best of all... Speed control and horn acceleration and deceleration parameters can be tailored to taste with the 8 pots found on the main board inside the cab. It is a bit of a hassle to get in as you have to remove the top axle support, the four bottom corner guards and four support screws to drop the bottom out. Note position of original adjustment for reference. I slowed the adjustment for the slow and fast rotation, for me a must with use for steel guitar, but only minimally. Acceleration and deceleration is a matter of your own preference, I like a speaker that slows to chorale rather than a quicker brake, the original parameter seems pretty good. Since I’ve been around Leslie speakers and know their sound, it was easy for me to make a quick adjustment to find the sound I was looking for. The difference is more of a chorus effect on slow with the original parameter... slightly slowed to a mellower flange sound. With the tube pre gain... you can then get that perfect growl sound and that makes all the difference.

My set up: with lap steel and amplified Dobro ( real cool sound with Dobro).
My Laney 2 x 10 is light enough that I can set it on top of the Motion Sound Unit, not recommended with heavy guitar amplifiers but this is how I prefer to use the horn. My Dobro and Steel guitar are plugged directly into the guitar amplifier.... the line out signal from my Laney is routed into the Motion Sound Pro 3T, that way I get reverb to the unit. Later... when I get back to playing the pedal steel, I may add a low rotor second amp to the sound.
For sound reinforcement.... I place a mic in between the Laney and the Pro 3T.

If your looking for that sound, the Motion Sound Pro 3T is all you’ll need.
Also, the quality of the driver alone, has improved the tone of my amplified set up.
Price $600.00 and worth it.

posted 15 January 2000 06:34 PM         

the Motion Sound Pro 3T is much better designed for use with a steel guitar then say a real Leslie cab.... which are enormous ( even the portable ones ) and designed with a big wooden hollow sound that's perfect for the rumbling a Hammond tone wheel... but cumbersome for steel.

I used my new unit at rehearsal this afternoon and got a great sound on amplified Dobro... very unique...

The sound of my steel was richer and it was fun to use the fast speed in short micro bursts.

Final analysis... the Motion Sound Pro 3Tis better suited for today’s modern steel guitar sound... then a real Leslie system.

Dimensions H 6.5 ", W 20". D 16.5"

I've delegated my old 1970's Rotophaser cab to the antique closet...

posted 15 January 2000 08:37 PM         

of mention... when adjusting the parameters to set the rotation speed... do not set the speeds too slow.... remember that the unit is already set up to the specifications of a Leslie 147... all though it is a matter of personal choice... if you set the speaker to rotate too slow... you wont get the proper flange or chorale sound.
Pull a hair and use that as a measuring guide ( no kidding) only turn the very
small pot back about the width of one or two hairs... for both the fast and slow pot controls. Then test it a lot before you put the cover back on... because it will be a big hassle to take it all apart again if your not happy with the adjustment.

As I said before .... for steel guitar I prefer the unit to rotate a hair slower then the pre set parameters.... but it's really a matter of personal preference...