Boss has once again bottled lightning with the announcement of the RT-2 Rotary Ensemble, the newest entry in their iconic line of compact pedals.
Designed to capture the unmistakable depth and motion of vintage rotary speaker cabinets, the Boss RT-2 delivers lush, swirling modulation in a pedalboard-friendly format. Whether you’re looking to channel the soul of a combo organ or tap into the textured tones of countless classic guitar tracks, this modern marvel brings it all together with precision, flexibility, and unmistakable Boss DNA.
At the heart of the Boss RT-2 is a meticulous emulation of the rotary speaker’s dual-rotor design — a spinning high-frequency horn (the treble rotor) and a woofer firing into a rotating drum (the bass rotor).
This classic combo creates a living, breathing sound that’s always in motion. Boss nails this complexity with a dynamic virtual system that includes two-way speed switching, a Rise/Fall Time toggle for customizing speed transitions, and a vivid visual indicator that shows rotor movement in real time.
Flexibility is baked into the Boss RT-2’s DNA. A three-position Mode switch gives players access to a traditional rotary sound as well as two custom Boss variations tailored for contemporary tastes. Crank up the Drive knob to add warm, amp-style grit modeled after the overdriven tube circuits found in vintage rotary units. A rear-panel switch lets this control do double duty — switch it to balance the volume between treble and bass rotors and sculpt your tone with surgical precision.
Of course, no rotary experience is complete without real-time control. The RT-2 delivers with a host of performance-ready options. The main footswitch is programmable with four different behaviors, giving players nuanced ways to bypass and change speeds mid-song.
Plug in an external footswitch to access instant fast/slow changes or engage the “brake” mode to freeze the rotors for eerie, suspended tones. For even deeper control, add an expression pedal and take full command over level, drive, rotor balance, or speed — with customizable parameters for each.
Get the Boss RT-2 Rotary Ensemble pedal here for $239.99.
