Modern keys that do Hammond ?

[morningstar]

Lately I have gone completely gonzo for the old Hammond rock organ (like Gimme Some Lovin, ELP etc). Also gone nuts for CCR. Seems odd for a metalhead, but I do love the stuff even though it struck me as "meh" when I was a little kid. Now it seems shit hot..

Does any modern synth do "the" "hammond sound? Can it be done?

Thanks for the input

morningstar

[tobereeno]

modern synths have only become more and more complex. With thousands of options, I can never find the basic sounds I want!!

like Wakeman's Hammond tone on "Roundabout", or the synth tones of late 70s Styx and Journey. That's all I need. Like five sounds.

[RichRS6]

Not a modern synth but I have an old Ensoniq SD1 which I have had some great Hammond tones out of.

The poly aftertouch is a nice feature on this synth too great for using with midi guitar.

[tomteriffic]

Hammond, of course, makes several models. To me the real test of a Hammond sound has always been what Al Kooper did on Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone". That's because the tones are constantly shifting, Leslies going on and off, key click on and off, etc. I've run across a number of keyboards that have anumber of good "static" sounds or ones that are able to be slightly modified in real time, but the current Hammond XK3 is the real deal, with reverse color presets (an often overlooked component of the Hammond sound) chorus/vib switch, etc.

The next best stuff I've heard, with decent real-time control has been the Nord stuff.

[sonic1974]

Hammond, of course, makes several models. To me the real test of a Hammond sound has always been what Al Kooper did on Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone". That's because the tones are constantly shifting, Leslies going on and off, key click on and off, etc. I've run across a number of keyboards that have anumber of good "static" sounds or ones that are able to be slightly modified in real time, but the current Hammond XK3 is the real deal, with reverse color presets (an often overlooked component of the Hammond sound) chorus/vib switch, etc.

The next best stuff I've heard, with decent real-time control has been the Nord stuff.

The Nord stuff sounds awesome!!

[alantig]

Native Instruments has a virtual B3 in its B4 VI.

Alan

[mathman]

Sampletank free has a hammond b3 listed. it has good reviews. It is real samples of real instruments. They also have an iOs version but I've never used it.

[kevinbower1959]

The current state of the art for what you're looking for;

http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Stage_2

[Steve Haynie]

_{Roland makes synth organs with draw bars just like a real organ. They even make organs that are full sized like old Hammonds.}

_{Look for a used VK-8.}

[kenjones]

The next best stuff I've heard, with decent real-time control has been the Nord stuff.

The Nord stuff sounds awesome!!

+3 on the Nord stuff. I have played with a couple of keyboardists that had one of these and was blown away by how natural the sounds are.

[GooCart]

I've played the nord lead and it sounds great and in a live performance or in the studio I'm sure it's more or less impossible to tell the difference from the real deal. But you can't compare it with the real deal as a music instrument. The Hammond organ is amazing and really inspiring to play. There are endless combinations and they all can give you ideas you never would have though of if it wasn't for the Hammond and the leslie. It's so much music in these old organs that it's ridiculous. I'm not saying that a digital gizmo are "dead" but in comparison with a tone wheel organ it's as much a music instrument as a clock radio:) Just the winding sound of the leslie warming up is music to my ears.

Here's the result of my 30 year search for the holy grail; a '68 Hammond C3 that have spent most of it's life in a church in UK.

It's not a practical as a digital organ but for me "practical" is not the keyword when I look for music instruments. I totally understand why some like all the possibilities the digital stuff gives but it's not my thing.

[morningstar]

Ooooooohhhhhh Hammond C3 Porn. NICE!~ I know a guy who has a twin to that and worhips it, but has to leave it in the man cave due to weight, bulk and fear of injuring it.

Thanks for all the input on Nord.

Rawk

morningstar

[sonic1974]

I've played the nord lead and it sounds great and in a live performance or in the studio I'm sure it's more or less impossible to tell the difference from the real deal. But you can't compare it with the real deal as a music instrument. The Hammond organ is amazing and really inspiring to play. There are endless combinations and they all can give you ideas you never would have though of if it wasn't for the Hammond and the leslie. It's so much music in these old organs that it's ridiculous. I'm not saying that a digital gizmo are "dead" but in comparison with a tone wheel organ it's as much a music instrument as a clock radio:) Just the winding sound of the leslie warming up is music to my ears.

Here's the result of my 30 year search for the holy grail; a '68 Hammond C3 that have spent most of it's life in a church in UK.

It's not a practical as a digital organ but for me "practical" is not the keyword when I look for music instruments. I totally understand why some like all the possibilities the digital stuff gives but it's not my thing.

Hi GooCart,

I always thought the B-3 was the one to go for. Is the C3 considered more desirable? Not too familiar with the organs but I love their sounds.

[GooCart]

Sonic,

the electronics of the C3 is identical to the B3. The case differ though. As I've understood it the B3 was a home organ and the C3 was made for churches and such. The story I've heard about the design is that the female organ players wanted the back of the organ to cover up their legs for the audience. A B3 is wide open with its four legs while the C3 is "closed".

But at least here in Sweden is the B3 more desirable and quite more expensive. So if you want B3 sound but not want to pay premium, go for a C3.

[specialk]

Thanks for the explanation, GooCart. I was wondering about the difference between the two myself. The B3 is much more well known, at least to me.

[bobbymack]

Nord Electro

[tomteriffic]

I was a church organist for several years. The guy who taught me was the main guy, I was his backup. He taught me on a C3 and that's what the church had. The church had planned on eventually getting a pipe organ but for the time being they had four (count 'em 4!!) Leslies where the pipes should have been, way up about 30 feet off the floor. The Leslies weren't synced so it could be a swirly, wobbly mess sometimes, but Gawd, what a glorious swirly wobbly mess! Man, I loved to sneak in there when nobody else was around and let that thing rip. That's what informed my opinion of the real-time tweaking you can do with the real deal.

But if I was gigging on keys these days, I'd most likley go with a Nord.

[GooCart]

Wow, great story!! I can only imagine the sound of four un-synced Leslie cabinets.

[sonic1974]

Sonic,

the electronics of the C3 is identical to the B3. The case differ though. As I've understood it the B3 was a home organ and the C3 was made for churches and such. The story I've heard about the design is that the female organ players wanted the back of the organ to cover up their legs for the audience. A B3 is wide open with its four legs while the C3 is "closed".

But at least here in Sweden is the B3 more desirable and quite more expensive. So if you want B3 sound but not want to pay premium, go for a C3.

Interesting, thanks.

[geoff_hartwell]

The Nord is the all-around bomb if you want top of the line everything (synth, piano, B3, etc), flexible and portable, but I don't own one.

I own a Hammond with a Leslie.

Particularly if you're looking only for Hammond tones, search for Hammond XK (xk-1,-2 or -3) or Roland VK (vk-7 or 8).

You can find them used for a grand or less.

The onboard leslie is better on the Hammond Xk-3 than any of the others, but a Rotosphere always sounds killer.

Really, the cheapest way to scratch the hammond itch is to use an okay-keyboard-on-the-B3-patch

(or a cheapo midi controller and tone generator like EMU vintage keys...paging Brooks...) with a H&K Rotosphere.

Good luck!

GH

[Brooks]

(or a cheapo midi controller and tone generator like EMU vintage keys...paging Brooks...) with a H&K Rotosphere.

yassir! roland gr30 guitar synth thru a H&K Rotosphere, right here

(also some fretless guitar, & HHB tearing it up on a newport);

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=6201

[GooCart]

Guess who just bought a Nord Electro 3 SeventyThree....

I didn't see it coming, I've tried to stay away from the digital world but thing thing actually talked to me. It sounds great, it's not a Hammond but it comes pretty close. The pianos are OK, they feel fine to play, good enough for me. I don't really know how much I'll use it. When it's serious business I'll use the C3 but for rehearsal and playing for the fun of it at home I think this one will be great.

[RichRS6]

I see you're sorted now but spotted this which could be useful.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280866148382?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1080

[mjtripper]

The Kurzweil pc3 series has a great hammond sound.

[gorch]

For purists there is nothing like the real thing. I took this photo at this years Musikmesse. Thought it would contribute leisurely to this thread.