The Rotator is an extensive model of a classic rotary speaker unit, allowing the characteristic sound of the rotating speaker to be reproduced without having to haul in an actual cabinet. The array of features provides comprehensive control and configurability of all the different options and frequent use cases for rotary speakers.

The rotator models the treble/woofer speakers of the rotary speaker separately, along with their crossover. The rotors can be switched on and off, and their speed adjusted from a very low setting (0.1Hz) through the classic “Chorale” and up to “Tremolo” settings. The speed of the treble speaker is indicated by a large flashing lamp. The acceleration/deceleration on each speaker is modelled independently and both speakers stop facing the front when the motors are powered down.

Some users of rotary speakers choose to cut the deflectors off the end of the treble horns to produce a more pronounced “chopping” sound (more amplitude modulation and a less pronounced Doppler effect). In the Rotator the deflectors can effectively be removed or replaced by the flick of a switch. Similarly, the back panel of the cabinet can be removed or replaced to produce a different cabinet response.

Microphone set up is crucial to the rotary speaker effect, so three options have been provided in the Rotator. The effective microphone positions can be set to Side-Side (one either side of the cabinet), Front-Back (one at the front/back of the cabinet) or Front-Front (to reproduce the effect of a stereo pair). In the latter setting, the distance between the two microphones can be adjusted, to change the effective physical width of the stereo microphone pair.

Rotator features a simulation of the tube drive stage found in a classic rotary speaker. This reproduces the warmth and distortion introduced by such a stage and when driven hard can produce the classic rotary speaker ‘growl’. Finally, an option to introduce mains hum (and its associated intermodulation distortion) is provided for those who desire the true rotary speaker experience.

As with the real rotary speaker, this effect is mono input only, but produces a stereo output. If a stereo input is assigned, the two channels will be software summed to a mono input.