R200 is a faithful, physically modeled reproduction of a vintage, quite unique amplifier.
The input signal is split in low and high frequency ranges. The low range is amplified and diffused through a fixed speaker while the high range is diffused through three independent rotating speakers.
The effect is an unique combination of amplitude modulation, phasing, pitch shifting, chorusing.
Very well known by Pink Floyd fans for its use in some of their most famous songs like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, “Us and Them” and more, in studio or live versions, it is quite rare and heavy.
We modeled the electronics and the mechanics of one unit, including a couple of microphones with control on spacing and distance that, being this a physical effect, influence the resulting sound.
We also added a complete two-stage tube amplifier, often used with this unit. Input gain and output volume controls let the user set the amount of saturation.
It is now offered as a VST/AU/AAX/Mac/Win/32/64 bit effect. Available in the Webshop.
MSRP 39.99$ (with a special launch price of 29.99$).
A beta version of the Apple-silicon-native AAX version is available for testing:
R200 – Beta/Demo – AAX Apple-silicon-native
Features:
- Continuous control on rotating speed (the hardwrae unit switches between a slow and a fast selectable speed).
- Low and High frequency range filters. Low control is a cut (keep it at 100% for original low band), High control is a Cut/Boost one (neutral position at 50%).
- Distance and spacing control for the couple of microphones, for fine tuning of the effect and the stereo image. Note how these two controls heavily affect the overall sound, not only the stereo image.
- Mono or stereo (stereo input is summed to mono).
- Actual correspondence of physical position of the speakers and the sound.
- Complete model of a tube amplifier to drive the speakers, often used in place of the original solid state stage.
Note about traditional uses on guitar:
- This is a complete amplifier and cabinet model, not just an effect.
- The original hardware amplifier is a full-range amplifier, originally conceived to be used on organs. Used straight on a guitar may probably sound too “hi-fi”, even though the effect is very strong.
- Probably the most common use on guitar is to set a guitar amplifier in parallel with R200 and blend the outputs.
- R200 produces an effect that is stronger as the audio frequencies are higher and richer. Some saturation before the input generally enhances the effect. Drive the tube stage for this.
- Using another guitar amplifier before R200 (series instead of parallel) is probably not the best idea because a guitar amplifier has a reduced high frequency range, where the most of the effect happens.
Here is an example about using R200 on lead guitar, by Bjorn Riis (see 3:50 for the description of where he used it). Bjorn takes care of the website www.gilmourish.com