PRODUCT REVIEW
Xotic Effects
ROBOTALK 2
BY ADAM MOORE
To be honest, the only real complaints I had with
the Robotalk 2 were on the surface level. While
the pedal is built like a tank, the paint scheme
has the dual distinction of being a bit bland and
making the control labels difficult to read from
a distance. And it could just be my Western
left-to-right bias, but the fact that Channel A
appears on the right side and Channel B on
the left seems somewhat counterintuitive. But
that’s really personal preference and backseat
design—if you could care less about being able
to read your control labels, then the Robotalk 2
will serve you just fine.
The Final Mojo
Xotic’s Robotalk 2 will likely be a revelation for
any player who has been searching for the perfect envelope filter—it can do subtle, it can do
intense, and everything in-between without sacrificing nuance or control. At an MSRP of $280,
the Robotalk 2 may look a little expensive in
comparison to other popular filters, but if you’re
tired of buying and selling pedal after pedal, this
could be the one that ends your search.
An envelope filter is one of those effects that
can have a bit of trouble fitting into a player’s
life. For many guitarists, the search for a new
auto-wah/filter ends in the classic Goldilocks
scenario: this one’s too dramatic, this one’s
too subtle, and that one is just plain terrible. If
this seems to sum up your struggle to find the
perfect pedal envelope, you’ll want to consider
adding Xotic’s Robotalk 2 to the running.
Debuting at this year’s NAMM show, the
Robotalk 2 proves that Xotic has been listening
to players, adding in features they want and cutting the rest. The Robotalk 2 refines and focuses
the scope of the original version, adding another
envelope filter channel and dispensing with the
random arpeggiator function. Each channel
features Sensitivity and Decay knobs located at
the top of the box, along with Channel Volume
and Resonance mini-knobs situated underneath.
A Direct Volume mini-knob is shared by the two
channels, and essentially functions as a Mix control (more on this in a moment).
Versatility is the name of the game here. While
the Robotalk 2 doesn’t pack in any real surprises,
envelope filter fans of all stripes should find
something to like. For starters, the two channels are each distinctively voiced, giving players
two different jumping-off points; the A Channel
is more midrangey and a bit hotter, making
it suitable for lead lines and notes higher up
on the neck, while the B Channel dials down
the midrange and the gain for chord work. If
you’re still not digging the sound, four internal
dipswitches allow you to lower the envelope
frequency—I actually preferred this over the
stock settings, as the Robotalk 2 became more
round and vocal, and less nasal, but the point
is that Xotic was wise enough to let you decide
what works for you.
On the topside, the Sensitivity and Resonance
controls work as you would expect, but the
Decay and Direct Volume controls provide
for some extended tone-shaping. The Decay
knob in particular has an impressive range to
it, allowing you to move from deep textures
to sharp, percussive snaps. In fact, some of
the coolest sounds in the Robotalk 2 actually
came from setting the channels with opposing
Decay settings and engaging them both at
the same time; you get both percussive funki-ness and slower wah-tones simultaneously.
And while the true bypass Robotalk 2 resists
imprinting itself upon your tone too heavily,
the Direct Volume control allows you to tweak
your dry/wet signal balance, so you can either
go all filter or keep more of your instrument’s
attack, so it isn’t washed away altogether.
Buy If...
you’re looking for a pro-grade
filter pedal that will cover all of
the bases.
Skip If...
the envelope filter makes only a
brief appearance on your set list.
Rating...
4. 5
ONTHEWeb
Head online to hear sound clips of
the pedal in action at
premierguitar.com
Xotic Effects
MSRP $280
www.xotic.us
