[MY OPINION] and Pro's and Con's of the Leslie Studio 12 vs. the Motion Sound Pro 145

[@philburns5656]

I was gigging quite some years with the MotionSound KBR-M that only has a bass rotation simulation and a mono XLR-out. But: the built-in mic can be a very useful thing for frequent giggers. There's no setup with microphones, no sound complications, steady setup, effecitively zero crosstalk, very quick and easy. If you play on festivals and similar gigs, this can be truly gold. So for me, the difference of the built-in mic's is quite a huge one. I would prefer the MotionSound as the live amp. The Leslie might be better in case you tend more to use it in the studio.

[@lmoore3rd]

On the Leslie 2101 MK2, the horn does slowly rotate to face out the side when you stop the rotors. When I first got it I thought mine was haunted but it was a feature from Hammond Suzuki. I actually prefer the horn to land in a random spot when stopped like on a vintage Leslie.

[@alessandrobertoni7926]

Thanks for this review. Do you think it is possible, on the Motion Sound, to disconnect the amp from the speaker and use an external amp (like a Marshall) with the cabinet ?

[@ketimo]

Yes - as long as the amp is suitable for the Eminence Beta 250 w/8 ohm. I would upgrade to a more powerfull bassspeaker also. You should connect the amp post the preamp then you can still use eq settings and other controls. If you just connect to the 12” speaker, you will have to use the sound settings of the new amp. You can require the el-diagrammes at Motion Sound.

[@philburns5656]

The low rotor of the Pro 145 is that fast because you've set it that fast on the front screw, or no?

[@DavidThackerMusic]

Not sure, but that an option. I was renting the 145 and never changed the settings

[@Joedoriamusic]

Yes, it's not adjusted properly (or adjustment trim pots broken, it's a rental MSPro 145). Way too fast.

[@B3burner]

What a bummer! I just googled the Motion Sound, and given the day I've looked (Oct 29, 2021)... the company says it is no longer available. I'm assuming that means out of production. So apparently, the only way to get them now is used.

[@DavidThackerMusic]

That is a bummer! The motion sound wasn't bad, but I definitely prefer the studio 12

[@B3burner]

@@DavidThackerMusic Oh ok. I’m leaning toward the Leslie 3300, but I’m a little concerned about its size and weight, and fitting it in my car. Can you tell me reason it is bad to lay a Leslie down on its side?

[@travisnielsen906]

@@B3burner I’ve heard people say it’s like oil in a B3 or M-series (similar to refrigerator compressor) they say it could dry out. This could be BS tho, but that’s what I’ve heard. I played a friends Motion Sound 145 and I agree with your options on the MS 145 …definitely quieter than I’d expected. Also kinda muffled …not a ton but more than I’d expected.

[@vivianasings9999]

In case you didn't know - the other horn in a leslie is just for counterbalance. It's not functional.

[@philburns5656]

True. That's why Motion Sound has simply put a little weight at this place. Though, I'm having a Leslie 147 and though it's only visual, this 2-horn appeals as "the thing" to me. (I know that's stupid.)

[@Joedoriamusic]

The studio 12 fast is spinning a bit too fast. I would adjust for more realism. Your adjustment for the rental Pro 145 slow is either wrong or broken, mine can be adjusted to verrry slow on up, same with the horn. Very easy to dial in vintage leslie realism. 3 internal mics are NOT a pro for the Pro-145, their mics are absolutely terrible (completely pointless). Always mic it externally with better mics. The lower mic on the Pro 145 is in the corner, front opposite amp side. Again, pointless. Swap in better mics, the wiring is there. The weight is the biggest factor between each, MS Pro145 is way lighter. I mean, it's mainly why these exist. Haul a real vintage 122/147 and get the best possible otherwise. Wow, the volume of this MS pro-145 is SCREAMING for me. Doesn't break up the same of my vintage leslies, but screams is an accurate term. Sub out = yes. Plug it into an amp with a 15" and boom, very fun! MS Pro145 also has sturdy handles on each side, easy loading. Always take the castors off either leslie btw. You're cutting a good chunk of tone with castors on. It's possible you're not hearing the difference between fast/slow because your Nords vibrato (it's always been a bit much). Again, I gotta give the edge to MS Pro-145. One can pick up a used working one for less than half the price of the studio 12. I love Hammond, but I can't for the life of me understand their pricing strategy. Leaving $ on the table. Both aren't going to beat a vintage 122/147 in good shape but then again the idea is portability here with these products.

[@st8kout961]

As far as a sub out goes, most powered subs have a way to wire them up if you don't have an amp with a special sub out jack. Look online for the owner's manual for different powered subs. Some models will have in/out for your speaker wires. It will extract the low freqs and send the rest to your speakers. So in your case, you'd cut the wires from the Leslie amp to the woofer and send it to the sub amp. Then run wires from the sub amp to your Leslie speaker. Other models will simply let you tap off your Leslie speaker without cutting the wires.

[@DavidThackerMusic]

Good to know, thanks! That being said, the longer I've played w the studio 12 the more I realize it doesn't need a sub. It's got a hell of a lot of bass on its own particularly when you crank the gain and EQ

[@ericrobert5296]

How much does the MS Pro 145 weigh, do you think?

[@DavidThackerMusic]

Its super light, maybe 50 lbs at most. I could carry it in one hand easily

[@ericrobert5296]

oh wow, that's crazy light.

[@TomasLaverty1000]

I think it says 60 pounds but it has casters and it feels light!

[@Joedoriamusic]

@@TomasLaverty1000 Always take those castors off imo. Ruins the sound for all leslies having them on castors.

[@billgrabbe9992]

The second horn in a Leslie is a dummy, just put there as a counter-weight for balance.

[@ketimo]

Both got just one horn. On Leslie horn 2 is fake - just made to keep balance

[@glenncollins4778]

Got coffee?