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

[timothyclee]

I have a Hammond C3 & 122 Leslie setup here in my studio and I can say it's hard to weigh in when you've played the real beast, but I would have to say that if you are going to be using B3 sounds as filler in a track the Virtual Instrument may be the easiet option, but for a real player physical drawbars can't be beat. I've never been able to play any keyboard or Virtual model very good without some sort of Drawbar controller to use in real time. Although the nord sounds pretty good for a clone, I don't like pressing buttons for the drawbars...I'm just fixed on the pushing and pulling of the bars I guess.

In my opinion any of your contenders for B3 sounds would be a great companion to a real leslie speaker. I think that this is where all these clones suffer is in the Leslie simulation.

Tim

[HCMarkus]

I have a Hammond C3 & 122 Leslie setup here in my studio and I can say it's hard to weigh in when you've played the real beast, but I would have to say that if you are going to be using B3 sounds as filler in a track the Virtual Instrument may be the easiet option, but for a real player physical drawbars can't be beat. I've never been able to play any keyboard or Virtual model very good without some sort of Drawbar controller to use in real time. Although the nord sounds pretty good for a clone, I don't like pressing buttons for the drawbars...I'm just fixed on the pushing and pulling of the bars I guess.

In my opinion any of your contenders for B3 sounds would be a great companion to a real leslie speaker. I think that this is where all these clones suffer is in the Leslie simulation.

Tim

Thanks Tim. Good points all around. The only advantage I see to the Nord approach is, unlike drawbars, when recalling presets the button indicator lights always reflect the state of the machine.

I hear you on the real Leslie... probably beyond the budget at present (any lower-cost suggestions?) but definitely on the long-term wish list.

[Dwetmaster]

I hear you on the real Leslie... probably beyond the budget at present (any lower-cost suggestions?) but definitely on the long-term wish list.

If you are handy this guy made his own leslie from scratch. It might be a less expensive solution

http://www.users.bigpond.com/johnacollins/hammond.htm

[HCMarkus]

If you are handy...

Yeah. Right. Custom louver-cutting tool.

I'm building a studio already. I want to make some music before I die.

[Dwetmaster]

I want to make some music before I die.

[tremolounge]

There's another option, new to the Mac:
VB3

Unfortunately, up to now, it won't work in DP. There's a story behind that, in this KVR thread:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=230225

There are links to the Mac beta in the thread -- I've been running build 4 in Logic for the past few days, and it's a worthy competitor to B4. Check it out -- just not in DP (...yet?).

GSi has been porting their other plugs to OSX as well -- MrRay73 Mark II is another goodie (and it's fine in DP -- go figure). And the usual disclaimer -- I have no connection to the company, just a happy customer, etc....

[David Polich]

My top hardware organs list:

1. Hammond Suzuki XK3c.
2. Korg CX-3
3. Nord Electro.
4. Roland VK-7 (not the VK-8).

My top software emulations list:

1. NI B4II
2. NI B4
3. Logic EVB3

I put the Nord third due to the lack of actual drawbars. B4II does sound better than B4,
the overdrive is different, not unusable, but the presets don't do it justice. You have
to work at programming the overdrive.

I used to own a Hammond B-2 (it had no percussion so an Edwards percussion box
was added to it), and a Leslie. I sure don't miss moving the thing. If I had one today
it would just sit at home, ditto for a real Rhodes.

There is another alternative, if you own any Yamaha Motif-based products (Motif
Classic, ES, XS, S90, S90ES, MO 6,7,8, Motif Rack, ES Rack, XS Rack). The "B's Knees"
and "Organimation" sound libraries, available from Motifator.com, are very
good.

[HCMarkus]

My top hardware organs list... There is another alternative, if you own any Yamaha Motif-based products (Motif Classic, ES, XS, S90, S90ES, MO 6,7,8, Motif Rack, ES Rack, XS Rack). The "B's Knees"
and "Organimation" sound libraries, available from Motifator.com, are very good.

Thanks David. Yes, the XK3C sure looks nice. But is it in the budget,? Time will tell.

Now, I do so happen to own a Motif ES, so will have to take a look at the referenced libraries. One issue I have always had with the Motif and organ sounds is the placement of the distortion emulation before the Expression pedal gain adjustment, so you can't swell into distortion like with a real organ, or for that matter, the Nord. Some of the sample transitions are a bit disconcerting on the Motif. Also, I have not found the Yamaha Leslie emulations to my taste... the tend to sound too pitchy for me. In a live environment, no one ever complains about my Motif organ sounds, but in-studio I would like to do better. Also, having drawbars or Nord-style buttons for partials would add so much to the available expression.

The above said, I really do enjoy playing the Motif, so much so that I recently bought an S90ES for my "all in one axe for the gig," and it is wonderful. The keys feel great and the pianos are super. Anybody want to buy my Motif ES6 so I can pick up a Nord or Hammond Suzuki?

Thanks again for the comments David.