Classic Vibratone in a Stompbox
Neo Instruments packed their renowned Ventilator rotary speaker simulation technology into a compact guitar pedal form factor. But while they shrank its size, they super-sized its sound quality. The micro Vent 16 and its twin, the micro Vent 122, are packing crazy powerful DSP just like their bigger siblings, Ventilator II and mini Vent II. Neo Instruments even added a new circuit — analog blend — which allows for latency-free parallel processing of the wet and dry signals. Delivering killer sound in an attractive, roadworthy housing, Neo Instruments’ micro Vent ups the ante for rotary emulation effects pedals.
Related Videos: micro Vent 16 Rotary Speaker Simulator Pedal
Shining twins
The micro Vent comes in two flavors: the micro Vent 122 (black) and the micro Vent 16 (white). But aside from color, what’s the difference? Rotary sim fans and tonewheel mavens at Sweetwater will have already guessed: deriving its algorithm from the acclaimed Ventilator II (very popular here), the micro Vent 122 simulates the classic Leslie 122, while the micro Vent 16 serves up a newly designed simulation of a Vibratone guitar amp.
Modeled on the classic Vibratone
The micro Vent 16 delivers the sound of the classic Fender Vibratone guitar amp in a compact pedal. The algorithm simulates capturing the Vibratone with one mic — and you can vary its distance from the cabinet. Compared to the micro Vent 122, the micro Vent 16 sounds less complex and attention grabbing. It is ideal for giving rhythm and lead guitars a final polish while allowing them to sit perfectly in the track.
Two speeds
The micro Vent has two adjustable speeds. Controllable via a pot, Speed 1 ranges continuously from slow to fast, while Speed 2 is selected via a 3-way switch offering the standard speeds — slow, fast, and stop. There are special switch modes that allow flexible switching: for instance, from slow to fast, fast to slow, stop to fast, slow to stop, and more. The creative combinations on tap are mind-bending. The Ramp parameter determines the acceleration and deceleration between the two speeds. Take it from us: you’ll never tire of hearing the rotors spooling up and down, re-creating the legendary sounds that made the originals so magnificent.
Switch modes
The micro Vent’s Bypass switch is more than just a bypass switch. In addition to switching the effect on and off, you can select between the two speeds. It is either momentary or latching depending on the mode, and you can also use it to only select speeds while leaving the effect on. This is very useful for creative performances when the micro Vent is used with a switching looper.
Analog blend circuit
Legendary guitarists such as David Gilmour and Stevie Ray Vaughan achieved their distinctive sounds by miking rotary speaker cabinets and guitar amps and blending them together. To nail the essence of this effect with only one amp, micro Vent features an analog blend circuit that allows latency-free mixing of the dry and wet signals for that classic rotary sound we all crave.
Neo Instruments micro Vent 16 Features:
- Modeled on the famous Vibratone guitar amp
- Onboard SHARC DSP
- 2 adjustable speeds
- Versatile switch modes
- Analog blend circuit for parallel processing
- Roadworthy housing with cool graphics
- Power requirements: 9V DC (standard polarity)
