Rototron User’s Guide All contents c Absara Audio LLC 2014
Contents Contents 1 1 Welcome 2 2 Anatomy 2.1 Footswitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 Knobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 Jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 3 4 3 Getting Started 3.1 Basic Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 Guided Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Welcome Thank you for entering the realm of Pigtronix. Your new Rototron is an all-analog rotary speaker simulator effect that achieves unsurpassed 3D realism in a compact, easy-to-use pedal. The Pigtronix Rototron effectively recreates the complex acoustic phenomenon of the legendary dual-rotor 122 and 147 Leslie cabinets as used by Peter Frampton, Danny Gatton, the Beatles and many others.
2. Anatomy 2.1 Footswitches Engage This footswitch toggles the entire Rototron effect on and off. When the engage light is turned off, the Rototron is bypassed. Slow/Fast This footswitch selects between the slow and fast speeds as set by their respective knobs. 2.2 Knobs Slow This knob controls the rate of rotation in the Slow setting. Fast This knob controls the rate of rotation in the Fast setting. Depth This knob sets the overall intensity of the rotary speaker effect.
CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY 4 Ramp This knob determines the time it takes for the effect to change between the Slow and Fast speed settings. The Ramp knob will also control the rate of acceleration and deceleration when using the Brake function. 2.3 Jacks DC Power We recommend you use the 18-Volt, 300mA, negative-tip power supply that came with your Pigtronix Rototron. Any approved 2.1mm negative-tip regulated power supply with at least 100mA of current will work.
CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY 5 Out 1 Effect output. Use a standard (TS) 1/4” instrument cable. Amp, mixer, or DI goes here. Out 2 Effect output. Use a standard (TS) 1/4” instrument cable. Amp, mixer, or DI goes here. When using a mixer, hard pan the outputs left and right. Brake Plug in a momentary or latching remote switch here. Pressing the switch toggles the brake function on and off. When the Brake is turned on, the rotation will slow down and eventually stop.
3. Getting Started 3.1 Basic Setup 1. Unpack your Rototron and place it on a flat, stable surface. 2. Make sure you have the 18-Volt DC (negative center) power supply that came with your Pigtronix Rototron. 3. Plug the power cord into the DC Power jack on the back of the Rototron and then plug the power adaptor into an electrical socket. The Rototron is now powered up. To turn the device off, unplug it from the wall or turn off the power going to the 18VDC supply.
CHAPTER 3. GETTING STARTED 3.2 7 Guided Tour The following steps guide you through the sonic palette of the Rototron and show you how to get at the full range of tones it has to offer. 1. Set all of the knobs at 12 o’clock. 2. Press the Slow/Fast (left) footswitch so that the LED under the knob labeled Slow is lit-up. 3. Press the right footswitch so that the engage LED is off. The Rototron is in bypass mode. 4. Be sure to turn the volume knob on your guitar all the way up.
4. Acknowledgements Years of work have gone into making the Rototron Pedal possible. We would like to thank the following people for their help along the way: Howard Davis, Lisa Rickmers, the Bethke and Koltai families, Thomas Elliot, Kevin Griffin, Aaron Reed, Dan Pavone, Ben Artes, Steve Turnidge, Brett Perdie, Sean Fitzsimons and B-Dawg. Howard “Mick” Davis, David Koltai, Thomas Elliot and Kevin Griffin designed the Pigtronix Rototron during 2012-2013 in Brooklyn and Port Jefferson, NY.
5. Pigtronix Limited Warranty Your Pigtronix effect pedal comes with a 1-year limited warranty on parts and workmanship. During the warranty period we will repair or replace, at our option, defective parts or pedals free of charge, and return them to the owner. Warranty service does not include damaged, modified, or misused pedals and such pedals will be subject to a standard repair charge. What you must do: First, contact us directly via email and describe the problem to us.
6. Safety Precautions Safety Precautions: The safety precautions listed below are intended to ensure your safety whenever you use the Rototron. • Never Open the Case: Never try to separate the two pieces of the chassis from one another and/or modify the equipment. Opening this device will effectively void the warranty. • Stop Use in Case of Problem: Stop using the Rototron if ever you should notice smoke or a strange odor coming from it. Contact Koltai@pigtronix.com if you think you need a repair.
