The Neo Instruments micro Vent 122 is a compact rotary speaker emulation pedal. It simulates a Leslie 122, deriving its algorithm from the company's well-known Ventilator II, and it sits in the speaker-simulation lane alongside pedals like the Strymon Lex and the Electro-Harmonix Lester G Deluxe.1
What it does
The pedal models the Leslie 122 rotary speaker, the same speaker its larger siblings, the Ventilator and the mini VENT II, are modeled after. Neo Instruments describes the micro Vent 122 as sounding "rich and complex with deep movement and modulation," and positions it for rotary sounds that need to stand out in a mix.1
The algorithm reproduces a classic studio micing setup for a rotary speaker: one microphone on the horn and one on the drum rotor. A DISTANCE control varies the simulated distance between the microphones and the cabinet, which changes how much room and spread the effect conveys.1
The micro Vent family
Neo Instruments makes two versions of the micro Vent, and the company states that the controls and functions are identical on both models. The difference is the speaker being modeled1:
| Model | Speaker modeled | Micing approach |
|---|---|---|
| micro Vent 122 | Leslie 122 | One mic on the horn, one on the drum rotor, variable mic distance1 |
| micro Vent 16 | Vibratone | One mic on the cabinet, variable distance1 |
If you want the fuller, two-mic Leslie 122 character in a small enclosure, the 122 is the model for that; the 16 covers the single-mic Vibratone approach. Both draw on the same control layout, so moving between them requires no relearning.1
Videos
Mike Hermans
Alberto Barrero
Guitarist
Questions
What is the difference between the micro Vent 122 and the micro Vent 16?
The two pedals model different rotary speakers. The micro Vent 122 simulates a Leslie 122, while the micro Vent 16's algorithm simulates capturing a Vibratone with one mic, with the distance from the cabinet variable. Neo Instruments states that the controls and functions are identical on both micro Vent models, so the difference lies in the speaker being modeled rather than in how the pedals are operated.
Sources (1)
- micro Vent, neo-instruments.com
