Electro-Harmonix Lester K - Stereo Rotary Speaker

– CONTROLS – 

FAST Knob – Varies the speed of the rotating speaker effect when the LESTER K is in FAST mode. Turn the FAST knob up to increase the rotation speed in FAST mode. When in the center position, the rotation speed in FAST mode is an accurate reproduction of a real rotary speaker cabinet’s fast speed.

SLOW Knob – Varies the speed of the rotating speaker effect when the LESTER K is in SLOW mode. Turn the SLOW knob up to increase the rotation speed in SLOW mode. When in the center position, the rotation speed in SLOW mode is an accurate reproduction of a real rotary speaker cabinet’s slow speed.

BALANCE Knob – Controls the mix between the simulator’s low-frequency rotor and high-frequency horn. Turn the BALANCE knob clockwise to increase the volume of the horn and decrease the volume of the rotor, yielding a brighter sound. Turn the BALANCE knob counter-clockwise for a darker sound. Set the BALANCE knob to the center position to reproduce the natural acoustic balance of a rotary speaker cabinet.

DRIVE Knob – Controls the amount of overdrive, simulating the tone of an overdriven rotary speaker cabinet’s tube amplifier. When the DRIVE knob is set fully counterclockwise, the overdrive effect is bypassed. As the DRIVE knob is turned clockwise, the amount of overdrive increases.

VOL Knob – Controls the output volume of the LESTER K. As the VOL knob is turned clockwise, the output volume increases.

BYPASS Footswitch – This silent footswitch selects whether the LESTER K is in buffered bypass mode or effect mode.

SPEED/BRAKE footswitch – This silent footswitch selects the speed mode of the LESTER K. Tap the SPEED/BRAKE footswitch to switch between FAST and SLOW modes. Press and hold the SPEED/BRAKE footswitch for at least half a second to enter BRAKE mode. See “Operation and Description of Modes” on the next page for more information on the speed modes of the LESTER K.

LED –When the LESTER K is in effect mode, this LED is lit. The LED pulses between green and orange at the speed of the low frequency rotor oscillation.

MONO/L and R INPUT Jacks – The LESTER K can be used with either mono or stereo inputs. The input jacks are labeled MONO/L and R. When using the LESTER K with only one input, we suggest you use the MONO/L input. The input impedance presented at each input jack is 2M.

MONO/L and R OUTPUT Jacks – The LESTER K has true stereo output. The output jacks are labeled MONO/L and R. If using the LESTER K as a mono effect, we suggest you use the MONO/L input and output. The LESTER K can also be used with mono input and stereo output: plug your input into the MONO/L jack and then connect the MONO/L and R Outputs to two separate amps or inputs on a mixing board. The output impedance of each output jack is 680.

9V Power Jack – Plug the output of the LESTER K’s supplied AC Adapter into the 9V power jack located at the top of the LESTER K. The LESTER K requires a standard EHX9.6DC 200mA power supply with a center negative plug.

– OPERATION AND DESCRIPTION OF MODES – 

The LESTER K has three modes of operation: FAST, SLOW, and BRAKE, which simulate the three rotation speeds of a classic rotary speaker cabinet. In normal operation, tap the SPEED/BRAKE footswitch to switch between FAST and SLOW modes. Set the FAST and SLOW mode oscillation speeds with the FAST and SLOW knobs. The oscillation will accelerate or decelerate to the new mode, and the LED will pulse to indicate the oscillation speed of the low-frequency rotor.

FAST mode – FAST mode oscillates at the fast speed of a rotary speaker unit for a tremolo-like effect. With the FAST knob at the center position, the high-frequency horn oscillates at 6.2Hz, and the low-frequency rotor oscillates at 5.9Hz. Using the FAST knob, the horn’s rotation can be adjusted between 1.55Hz and 24.8Hz and the rotor can be adjusted between 1.475Hz and 23.6Hz.

SLOW mode – SLOW mode oscillates at the slow speed of a rotary speaker unit for a chorale-type effect. With the SLOW knob at the center position, the high-frequency horn oscillates at 0.8Hz, and the low-frequency rotor oscillates at 0.7Hz. Using the SLOW knob, the horn’s rotation can be adjusted between 0.1Hz and 3.2Hz, and the rotor can be adjusted between 0.0875and 2.8Hz.  

BRAKE mode – To enter BRAKE mode, press and hold the SPEED/BRAKE footswitch for half a second. The LESTER K will gradually decelerate to a stop, and the LED will hold steady at one color. Once in BRAKE mode, tap the SPEED/BRAKE footswitch to return to either FAST or SLOW mode. The LESTER K will return to whichever mode you were in before entering BRAKE mode.