Option 5 Destination Rotation

Very easy to use. the only "booby trap" is the fact that the Bi-Amp switch works when the unit is by-passed. I found this out the hard way when there was no top end in my sound(I ran one out from the pedal). Because the pedal was bypassed, I didn't ever think to look there...checked my amp out ;-).

Not noisy. The Leslie effect totally beats out the Line 6 (my last attempt at a leslie pedal) for depth and character. I really like the sound of this box! Whenever I buy a Leslie pedal, I use it for a few weeks and then take it off my pedal board... not so with this one...it's great!... it'll stay on my board!!!!

No problems and don't expect any!

Never had to deal with the company. But here in Canada, the salesman... Scott Hager sch333@rogers.com is great!!!

The best Leslie pedal I've used...THE BEST!!!!!!! 'nuff said!!!! Beefs... AC Adapter is heavy and large and had to be supported when plugged into my Pedal Power. I wish there was a speed control - a pedal? - to use when slowing and speeding up the effect. I find the transition from slow to fast(and visa-versa) a little quick. BUY THIS PEDAL!!!!!! Notice the price I paid...$1.00!!! That's because I use this pedal when I play Skydome and Madison Square Gardens.

The DR pedal is very easy to operate and there isn't a bad sound to be had. It is The Best Leslie in a box out there.

The overall sound quality is excellent. The only thing I would change is in the Biamp mode the Bypass switch should bypass the crossover to be a "true bypass". I talked to Jay and this change would really compromise the design of the pedal. It is easy enough to do the same thing with a stereo A/B switch on a pedal board. I also don't care for the drive feature as I would rather get that out of my tube amps,but then again I don't like many drive/distortion pedals either(I'm kind of a purist that way)

So far so good! I have not really tested it in this regard,but iI will say this. Just by talking to Jay I know they stand behind their products and are passionate about their designs.

Great company! You can speak with the guy who designed it!

I play a bunch of different styles and I actually own a leslie 147 which is the balls,but very awkward to drag around. I've read the other reviews of the destination rotation and anyone who directly compares this box to a Leslie is missing the point! NO it doesn't do the 360 degree thing,but Hello it is a PEDAL and not a 4'X3' box. And as a pedal it is the best out there bar none,I've tried them all. I can actually come close to some of the sounds with a boss chorus and an MXR phase 100 together,but the switch between high and low speeds on this box is where the magic happens. The slow wind up and down is f---ing great, none of the others capture this Leslie feature. I would buy it again in a heartbeat if it were lost or stolen.

Very easy to use device technically. Some settings don't seem particularly useful in most applications. I can't really imagine a serious keyboardist using a pedal like this so the Keyboard/Guitar switch seems a bit silly. The Gain control is also not hugely useful -- sort of fuzzy overdrive.

Instead of the keyboard/guitar circuit and even the Gain control I'd prefer a high rotor/low rotor balance control, and the ability to control the speed ramp up/slow down.

My big complaint however is the extremely awkward size of the unit. It is far too narrow, making it difficult to hit the right switch during a show; and the unit is oddly tall, so the face of the unit sits too high above standard pedals. I may have to build a new case for it actually..

The other issue is the power transformer which is large and bulky.

Sounds great -- in that 60's guitar Leslie way (think George Harrison -- who actually used a Fender rotating speaker I was once told). Nothing sounds like a real Leslie though; but wasn't remotely expecting this pedal to do so.

So far so good.

N/A -- haven't had a problem with the unit.

I'm an experienced player with many gigs -- usually playing fairly eclectic rock -- bluesy/rock/soul. I've searched high and low for a decent rotating speaker sim that'd fit on my pedal board. So far the Option 5 unit is my favorite, although I should say I do tend to like quirky sounds over pristine sounds. Other pedals on the board currently are: Fulltone '69, Boss Octave, old Ibanez analog delay, Akai loop box, and the Little Lanilei spring reverb unit.

Wish the box was flatter and wider; wish the power supply wasn't so clunky; wish it cost less than $250, but otherwise this unit is quite good.

Yes easy to use.

I wanted to write this review, becuase I gave this box a serious try with a Voce V5 organ module.

I don't want to kill the Option 5 people's business becuase they seem like great folks with great products, however...

With the V-5's strong tones, it actualy trilled between half steps.
This was very apparent when playing suspended chords, (which I play a lot of). It was like the method that was used to simulate rotation, staggered the timing by pitch. I re-sold the unit immediately for that reason.

This artifact was apparent in all speaker and setting configurations with my V5 as the tone source, when at the fast rotation speed.

On the upside, I really think this would be an excellent pedal for Guitar. Also the V5 has the strongest indivudual tones on each drawbar of any of the clones I have tried. So this artifact may only effect that particular hammond clone.

Plus I am very spoiled with a motion-sound product. Despite the Motion-sound's 70lb weight.

Admittedly, I never contacted the manufacturer with the issue. I hear they are top notch folks though.

Guitarists will love this pedal. V5 owners who play a lot of suspended chords better try this unit first before purchasing.

Simple! A no-brainer actually!

There is a manual, but you won't need it. The device lets you select to optimize the sound for either keys or guitar with a single switch.

There is a Bi-amp / flat output switch in case you want to run the pedal with 2 amps (one for the rotor sound and one for horn sound).

There is also a "drive" switch to add overdrive, and a knob to select the desired amount of overdrive.

There is a speed switch and an effect on/off switch.

The only thin it's missing is the ability to activate the "Speed" switch REMOTELY!!!!! (i.e., via a loop switcher of some sort).
It's very straightforward!

Sound Quality is awesome for a pedal!!

I compared it directly with an HK Rotosphere and it BLOWS the Rotosphere away!

I ran the pedal through my Naylor SD60's effects loop, and it works great. I also ran it in front of the Naylor and a Fender Twin, and it works great there too! Used a strat with Fralin S/S and Tom Holmes PAF Humbucker.

The sound is richer than the Rotosphere. There is more bottom end than when using the Rotosphere. The pedal is tiny compared to the Rotosphere (fits nice in my rack tray!).....and the Destination Rotation costs 2/3 of what the Rotosphere does!

Seems fine so far.....no problems.....Appears to be well-built.

Jay at Option 5 spent time on the phone with me and via e-mail. I took a chance by buying the pedal prior to hearing it......MAN, I'm glad I did!! Thanks Jay!!

I LOVE this pedal!! I would buy it again in a heartbeat!

I wish the speed switch could be switched remotely.....that's the ONLY extra feature that I think is missing....

This pedal is WAY better than the Rotosphere!

This is a very straightforward effect to utilize. Just look at the face of it...and it is very intuitive...just know that the bi-amp switch is in effect a stereo send....
This is an analog pedal of the highest caliber. In fact, I am going to review it with the organist in mind. Guitar players will find this to be one hell of a leslie-fied phase pedal to say the least.
Very thick and heady....but it is to the Organist who does not play a Hammond, a bona fide Hammond or any of the dedicated organ synths such as the Hammond Suzuki, or the VK8, VK88, CX3 or BX3 or any of the Voce Keyboard models....
This is for those of us using organ modules such as the Micro B's, or Baby B or Peavey Spectrum or the E-mu B3...and so on...
If you play one of these latter models...forget the leslie effect built into your unit...and GET YOURSELF AN OPTION 5 DR....it is as simple as that.....it has the two ramp speeds....as well as a gain, a bypass and other swithes all to enhance the sound of this marvelous unit....

This is as close as you are going to get to a Leslie-esque sound without buying a B3 and a model 145 or 122 or 147...you get the idea?????
I once owned both the Gibson made (no longer being made by Gibson and now in the hands of the Italian Viscount Organ Co....and this should improve things....)Oberheim OB 3 and OB 3 squared (module and keyboard versions....) and let me tell you the Leslie effect on those units...well...they sucked...period!!!
The Leslie effect on my Micro B is tolerable...but pales in the light of the Option 5...trust me....the whole allure to organ playing is the Leslie sound that is so captivating...

It is too new...but I had my unit dropped shipped from the factory in Indiana..and I spoke with the owner-builder, Jay...and he is one nice guy...very accommodating and friendly....hey...did you ever speak to the president of Gibson or Roland....hah!!!!!!! It is well built and I anticipate no real trouble....

as I said...I spoke to the owner of the company.....what more need be said....

I will use this unit indefinitely...and most likely seek a back up....

Its easy enouph to use. Functions are very useable meaning theres no spots on any of the controls that are weak or bad sounding.

As far as flaws from lously design or construction, this thing is devoid. Its not noisy, doesnt produce any weird artifacts or in any other way distort the tone of your rigg. Ive used it with alot of different types of guitars and amps. It seems to be high quality.

Now I agree with most of the reviewers on one point. This is the closest sounding rotary pedal Ive tried. I happen to like the sound of the H&K Rotosphere and the boutique Univibe clones more for other reasons. Ill explain why too.

Now the whole leslie/rotary thing has long been my favorite effect. Its way too subtle to use as a starting point when writing, say the way a delay would be (ie U2), but the way it fattens, pretties, and fills out a sound just does something for me like it does many other people. Now as far as comparing this box to other les. simu. boxes Ill give it a 10.

But my actual rating is a fair 6 and Ill tell you why. I own rotating speakers and I just have yet to see any box or DSP come close. Even this one. Its hard to explain what it is. The sound is very similair but it just doesnt have the life of an actual rotating speaker. I dont know how to explain that other then to compare it to the Line6 POD. I can hear some amp models sound almost like replicas of some of the amps thier modeling but overall theres a veil of fakeness or flatness to the whole thing. I settled for this box out of convenience which Im sure is the same for everyone. Why lug a cab when you can get a small pedal. But a few months back I bought both of songworks compact rotary cabs. The one is only a 6.5" speaker in an 8x8x12 inch 1lb cab. But it is and sounds exactly like any real rotary cab. Even with the small speaker to me it does a way better job then this or any box Ive played has done. Im sure its due to the fact that its an actual live doppler effect not a digital or analoge likeness. It only cost me 100$ more then the Dest. Rot. and although its a bit more combersome then a stompbox (just a tad smaller then a shoe box) when the sound is mixed in at the board its "the" sound. I later bought thier 100W 10" speaker version. That one was only 450$. It suites me fine too. Theyre cheaper then all other rotaries probably since thiers no amp involved. Its just a speaker cab with a motor that you plug into your amps speaker outs. I considered not factoring this in with my evaluation since, after all, the Dest. Rot. is not an actuall rotating speaker, but the fact that Option5, and all pedal manufacturers do this really, advertises this as sounding just like the real thing I figured that was my basis for comparison. So these are my options. Use the DR pedal and get a sound thats about 80% there. Or bring along a 1lb shoebox, plug it into a speaker output and get the sound. Recording is a no brainer. You always shoot for the very best. Rotary Sim's, to me, are just to save your ass from work in a live situation. Thats why Ive used mainly rack DSP's in the past. Ive used all of them. Sold them all.

Ill explain why I like the rotosphere and univibe effects better even though I think the DR is way closer to an actual leslie. No guitarist is ever gonna mistake a univibe sound for a real leslie. Its an effect on its own and I love that warbly throbing sound just as much. Same with the rotosphere. I fell in love with that becouse of its thick, washy, syrupy sound. Thier kind of like 2 more versions of a phaser to me. So if I was gonna go for a sound, Id rather just call on an actuall rotary then a box that sounds fairly close. If I cant get the real sound Id rather use one of those other effects I love then something thats 80% of what I was after.

So I give 2 rating.

As compared to other Rotary Boxes or patches in DSP's: 10
As compared to the real thing: 6

Havent put in the time and use required to make a good review in this category.

Only dealt with MusicToys.com

I am a rocker at heart but I do love all types of music. Especially instrumental music like jazz and ethnic styles. Im 23 and Ive been playing for 13 years give or take. I wouldnt buy this again but Ill definitly keep it around. I do like it. Especially for gigs on small stages, and impromptu jams.

If you must use a pedal Id highly recomend the Destination Rotation. But you cant expect any box that alters the signal BEFORE the power output stage and before the speakers to sound like something that essentially is all about a sound-effect made by a speaker, air and reflective surfaces. Thats what makes me laugh when I read people absolutly berating a product like this becouse its not a sonic clone of a leslie, 145 etc...

So my point is this. If your a real leslie enthusiast and you must have the actual sound, the DR probably isnt gonna satisfy all your expectations. Like all things sometimes you have to sacrifice your sound a little bit, for functionality and ease of use. But for people who like the leslie sound but not enouph to actually buy a real one, this is for you.

Option 5's Destination Rotation is superb! It is very easy to use. No programming, just flick a couple of toggle switches to get the desired tone. The unit has one knob for adjusting the amount of drive. Thats it. Its refreshing in these days of cyber gear.

I play with a American Standard Strat, a Warmoth B-bender Tele and a new Gary Moore signature Les Paul. I have two amps: my main rig, a Rivera Jake (with a Los Lobottom sub,) and a Fender Cyber Deluxe for home. Normally, I play straight from guitar to amp. The Destination Rotation is the exception. Its like having a Leslie speaker in a stomp box. If there is a difference between a real Leslie and the Option 5, it is very subtle. I was blown away the first time I tried this. (I bought it without having tested it.)

I was after the Beatles' sound on Abbey Road (Something, You Never Give Me Your Money, Sun King), McCartney (Maybe I'm Amazed), Clapton (or actually George Harrison on Badge), George Harrison (Beware of Darkness), etc. The Option 5 nails them all. It also captures the Vibratone sound of Clarence White on Chestnut Mare and Just a Season and Jesse Ed Davis on Taj Mahal's "Take a Giant Step" CD. (Jesse Ed's playing on this CD is superb, he uses a Vibratone on just about every track.)

I have just one minor complaint about the unit. The overdrive can be too harsh even at very low settings. The problem seems to vary with the type of amplifier used. I tried the unit through two Line 6 Flextone amps and the overdrive feature was fantastic. When I use the unit with my amps, I just leave the overdrive off and use the amp's gain to get the overdriven Leslie sound. This is the only reason a gave the pedal a Nine instead of a Ten.

One other aspect of the Destination Rotation deserves mention. Use this unit with two amps! It has two outputs. If you switch the toggle switch into bi-amp mode, one output produces the sound of a drum rotating around a speaker, while the other output produces the sound of rotating horns. The sound is soooo.. sweet.

Several friends have tried this pedal and everyone of them is sold on it. This is as close as it gets to the real thing.

The serial number on my unit is 014, but it seems very solid and dependable. I would gig without a backup.

I called Option 5 about the overdrive problem I described above. The owner was very polite and offered to replace the unit. I declined because it wasn't that big of a deal. As I mentioned, the overdrive does work well with certain amps.

I have been playing classic rock, blues, and some country since 1966. I have had a Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe, a Line 6 MM4 and GT 6. I purchased each of these units for the Leslie sound. None of them were very satisfactory. The Destination Rotation nails "the" Leslie sound. I was about to spend $600 or $700 for a Vibratone or old Leslie when I read about this unit. I am very satisfied. Much easier to carry around this little unit as opposed to a piece of hard wood furniture. It also takes a alot less space and I don't have to explain it to the wife.

Very simple to operate..controls are well layed out.

This is a very cool sounding pedal..if you close your eyes it is as close to an actual rotating leslie cabinet as you can get. Closest pedal design available. There is a knob that adds a touch of growl to the sound to resemble a leslie cranked..very cool..the speed up and slow down is very authentic...run in biamped mode..using 2 amps you actually get the woofer/horn combo of a leslie spinning in opposite swirls..

Looks very well made inside and out.

Jay answered emails promptly and friendly.

I've been using the pedal since I got it. It's very easy to use. For the most part, other than tweaking the drive control for different flavors, you can set the unit to the Leslie Speaker sound you like and leave it.

I used to use a Boss GT-5. I didn't like it. The only thing I did like was its "Rotary" patch. I thought they had something there, but hated the interface for programming (I'm a guitar player, not an engineer...Patch, Bank, Edit...forget that). This pedal does the Leslie thing, not Uni-Vibe style mind you. But true to form Leslie. The Drive control adds some great sounding authentic grit to your sound. I find that I have the drive on all the time, right around 9 o'clock. It sounds authentic. I'm blown away by the simulation.

It comes in a chunky box, the size of an MXR Phase100 only taller. I've opened it to look at the circuit and the unit looks to be put together very well. It is sturdy and looks to be made to withstand normal to heavy use. Not giving it a ten because it's a new product, but it's performance so far has given me great confidence.

I've never dealt with, or contacted the company.

I'm very excited about this product. I play primarily in the CCM / Contemporary Gospel market, and this effect is a key part of my kit. I've used real Leslie speakers and this unit get's me to that end, without the hassels of portability etc.... I'd say my favorite feature is the sound. This is what I was looking for. Compared to other products that claim to offer Rotating Speaker sounds (but are really just glorified phasers that miss the mark) this takes the cake. I strongly suggest trying and purchasing this unit for those looking for the BEST Leslie simulator out there.