2 B3 or Not 2 B3? That is the Question.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:05 pm

Anyone care to weigh in on these options? I work both in my personal and outside studios and live. Comments on Leslie simulation would be especially appreciated...

1. NI B4

2. Logic EVB3

3. Nord Electro

4. Suzuki Hammond XK-1 and XK-3c

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:35 pm

Nord electro I have used and a dear friend has one and the Hammond simulation are some of the best out there IMHO.

I'd try one.

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:23 am

For the price, B4 anytime. Make sure you have controller with all the faders you need though.

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:32 am

Dwetmaster wrote:For the price, B4 anytime. Make sure you have controller with all the faders you need though.

That would be my 2nd choice

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:14 am

I love my B4 and B4II, however the Nord Electro is really amazing and it's portable if you don't have a laptop.

Jeff

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:18 am

I wish I could still use the B4 as NI changed something in the B4II's Overdrive that makes it virtually unusable. It's definitely not as smooth as it was with the original B4

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:06 am

I've heard this from other folks as well but it doesn't bother me. I like taking virtual instruments out of the box anyway, so shutting off the OD and running it through either another plug-in or a pedal or an amp is a good solution. And if you have Komplete you can obviously use Guitar Rig.

Check out this plug-in as well for Tape Saturation:

http://www.smassey.com/au.html

Jeff

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:00 pm

Funny because this is actually what I use for Saturation purposes

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:19 pm

Anybody play the new Hammond XK-3c?
Anyone using the Logic Organ? I recall reading that it compares favorably to the NI version.

Thanks for the replies so far.

SixStringGeek · Post by **SixStringGeek** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:22 pm

B4 II is the bomb in my book.

markwayne · Post by **markwayne** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:39 pm

I agree. NI got it right with the B4.

Having said that I do a fair amount of work in a studio with a well maintained C3 and Leslie combo. Oh my! Just about the time I begin to forget how organic and thick a real Hammond sounds, the studio owner (an old school, prog rock guy) will play some UK tune on that beast and I'll fall in love all over again.

I think it really comes down to the fact that the sound is so elusive and hard to capture on tape/disk that sometimes the VIs win out. But if you are standing next to the real deal in a nice room . . .

Dwetmaster · Post by **Dwetmaster** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:03 pm

markwayne wrote:I agree. NI got it right with the B4.

Having said that I do a fair amount of work in a studio with a well maintained C3 and Leslie combo. Oh my! Just about the time I begin to forget how organic and thick a real Hammond sounds, the studio owner (an old school, prog rock guy) will play some UK tune on that beast and I'll fall in love all over again.

I think it really comes down to the fact that the sound is so elusive and hard to capture on tape/disk that sometimes the VIs win out. But if you are standing next to the real deal in a nice room . . .

Of course my B4 doesn't stand a chance compared to the M3/Leslie 122 we have at church. There's nothing Like feeling that wooden speaker shaking right next to you. Same thing thing apply with BFD or Ivory, there's nothing like standing right next to the instrument and feeling it vibrating. But on CD I'd rather have a B4 than a poorly recorded Organ in a bad room...

noah330 · Post by **noah330** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:10 am

Not being a keyboard player I have to say I really like B4.

The only thing I hate is I paid for B4 and they make you pay for the Intel upgrade instead of making it Intel compatible.

That being said, MOTU's 'Electric Keys', which I just picked up and really like - gives a pretty decent B3 as well.

In case you don't know, MF is selling the B4 II bundled with some others for $169.00

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=702669

OldTimey · Post by **OldTimey** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:27 pm

B4 is a fun VI that sounds great. I've only used the demo version. I ended up getting a Nord Electro 2 because i needed good organ sounds and key sounds for use live. It hasn't disappointed. A very playable instrument, and sounds great through a guitar amp. I think the speaker emulation is amazing. A step up would be the nord stage, which has multiple organ models (the electro is just one hammond, the a100 i think). It really is an amazing keyboard.

I never got into vi's because I have never had a good controller. but i much prefer standalone instruments over ITB equivalents, so instead of a neat controller and vi bundles, i just got a nord. Can just turn it on and start playing, no latency etc. It does 90% of what I ask for out of a keyboard.

I would just try them out and decide!

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:44 pm

Bump

HCMarkus wrote:Anybody play the new Hammond XK-3c?
Anyone using the Logic Organ? I recall reading that it compares favorably to the NI version.

Thanks for the replies so far.

MOTUnation.com

2 B3 or Not 2 B3? That is the Question.

2 B3 or Not 2 B3? That is the Question.

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