Digitech should reissue the Lexicon Vortex in Whammy format

[K2000]

Isn't Digitech already using Lexicon's reverb technology?

They should put the Vortex into a Whammy enclosure. You basically needed expression controls to get the most from the old rack unit, so just build the new Vortex into a treadle.

1. Add Vortex to Whammy line
2. ????
3. Profits

[Gone Fission]

This has come up before. Take one or two of their DSP chips, port Vortex stuff, port Space Station and other algorithms from that treadles pedal series, bundle in a box with something like the RP360XP form factor, and sell it to all the shoegazers and P&W folk. TGP has this come up perpetually for the Space Station, less so for the Vortex. Tom, Digi's guy who engages over there, has indicated he's interested enough but that Digitech won't move until they have a good idea that they can make money on it. Recall the Space Station, as well as the Vortex, did not sell for shit when they first came out.

I'd really like to see Digitech do something like this but bolder. Also bundle in the Time Machine delay stuff, Harmony Man pitch stuff, their Lexicon reverb algo ports, and their modulation stuff. (Notice this makes success/failure less dependent on the albatross algorithms.) Include capability for two or three effects at a time, deep editing, and real MIDI facility including 5-pin ports. And skip the dirt and amp sim stuff. At a price of $350, if it could be done, that could undercut the Eventide H-9 a bit.

[jrmy]

I'd really like to see Digitech do something like this but bolder. Also bundle in the Time Machine delay stuff, Harmony Man pitch stuff, their Lexicon reverb algo ports, and their modulation stuff. (Notice this makes success/failure less dependent on the albatross algorithms.) Include capability for two or three effects at a time, deep editing, and real MIDI facility including 5-pin ports. And skip the dirt and amp sim stuff. At a price of $350, if it could be done, that could undercut the Eventide H-9 a bit.

This right here is straight-up genius. I would buy the hell out of that pedal.

[D.o.S.]

Absolutely.

[leaves turn]

I want one.

[rfurtkamp]

I honestly wonder if they *have* the Vortex stuff on file.

I can't believe it didn't come out in *something* yet otherwise.

How could we not get more BLEEN?

I mean, BLEEN!

Either that or it's very dependent on a particular DSP chip that's not in production or some magical unicorn, but regardless, I'd love to see something like it.

Not a big fan of the whammy-type format, in this case I'd rather it just be in a flat out multi or rack format - because, let us be real, most of the folks who know what it is and would want one aren't exactly afraid of 1U.

Only thing keeping them out of production past that is simply that you can still bag them for $100 if you're patient half the time.

[antennafarm]

man, that's a ridiculous and wonderful idea -- the vortex is one of my favorite fx units, with the exception of its interface, which was...esoteric. i mean, i guess you get "used to it" -- like with an ensoniq mirage sampler and its hex interface... but still.

i think, actually, the time is now to release that sort of thing... the 'weird pedal' stuff is at its highest level, not to mention the proliferation of eurorack synthesizers. vortex would sell very well if it had a good UI.

[zeravla]

Gimme gimme gimme!
I'd be all over that!

[D.o.S.]

I want one.

If you can -- are we on the "impossible" or "impractical" side of the "not happening" axis?

[leaves turn]

I want one.

If you can -- are we on the "impossible" or "impractical" side of the "not happening" axis?

It's definitely doable but it'd be a massive DSP porting venture.

[D.o.S.]

[rfurtkamp]

The esoteric controls were around the oddities of the Lexicon Alex and the other units in the line - they used one interface, one control, one set of hardware, etc for all of them.

One size fits all at the lowest possible price while maintaining a semblance of end-user control.

In that end, they did a lot with two digits and 3 rotary control (not counting input trim) faders. It's stupid fast to dial in once you get to know how it works, which I think was the intent - it's sort of a rackmount for pedal-dudes.

I always had hoped for SuperSonofTimebender with the Vortex stuff added in and more than four presets.

The morph/expression on the Timebender would have fit right in with the Vortex.

[Gone Fission]

Ah, I misspoke--I had meant Time Bender algorithms for the super happy awesome box, but Time Machine algos, too, would certainly be fun.

I picked up a few compact Digi pedals in the last year and have been really happy with them. I've looked at the current multi stuff they have, but nothing lines up with that idea of mine. Something like that could kill off a lot of Strymon and Eventide gas.

[tuj]

Love the Vortex algorithms, so unique and strange. I think I've got two of them (one is in hiding maybe) because they are such good unique effects when you need something different.

[AC128]

Isn't Digitech already using Lexicon's reverb technology?

They should put the Vortex into a Whammy enclosure. You basically needed expression controls to get the most from the old rack unit, so just build the new Vortex into a treadle.

1. Add Vortex to Whammy line
2. ????
3. Profits

I was working for the german distributor of DigiTech (Warwick) over 10 years ago.
This gave me the opportunity to talk to DigiTech (granted) Sales Managers, but also Product Managers.
Being a huge fan of the Vortex I suggested something similar on more than one occasion and always got the same empty stare and question 'What's a Vortex?'
(at this point they already had a Lexicon 'verb in a DigiTech product)

Never underestimate the level of ignorance present in a large company.
Yes, Lexicon and DigiTech are still separate entities owned by Harman, but even the blurb on Harman's site is ridiculous:
"DigiTech® is the world’s largest manufacturer of guitar products and is responsible for unmatched innovations in distortion pedals, preamps and modulators, which have been used by guitar legends such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix."

sooo,... apparently Hendrix was really using this