TheSonsieBogle
new member
Joined: 18/09/02
Posts: 4
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Organ controllers
#470127 - 06/06/07 11:50 PM
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Hi,
I've been gigging with a Hammond/Leslie, and (like many before me!) I'm
getting a bit fed-up with all the lugging kit about. I'm looking for a more portable and
lightweight solution for low-key gigs, with the tonewheels coming out for bigger events.
Does anyone know of a low-cost two-manual MIDI controller keyboard that would be suitable?
The Doepfer modular system would be an possibility, but at c. £1000 for a full
2-manual-plus-drawbars setup it's a little expensive. Any other options?
Thanks
Kenny
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Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18382
Loc: Worcestershire
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Re: Organ controllers
[Re: TheSonsieBogle]
#470276 - 07/06/07 12:42 PM
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Check out Hammond-Suzuki's various offerings. All very good now, with accurate sound,
near-perfect controls and easy lug-ability.
I've not tried it yet, but Nord
have also produced a two-manual version of their machine intended for gigging organists.
Worth a look
hugh
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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
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Dave B
Joined: 03/04/03
Posts: 5367
Loc: Maidenhead
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Re: Organ controllers
[Re: TheSonsieBogle]
#470300 - 07/06/07 01:55 PM
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If you think that £1000 is expensive for a double manual system, then you'd better brace
yourself before you start looking at the various modern organs. I've not come across
'controllers' but there are various digital versions of the organ - the Viscount /
Oberheim OB3/3mk2, the Roland VK7/8, the (afforementioned) Hammonds, etc. They are mighty
nice bits of kit and lots of fun to play but damn they are expensive!
Of those,
I've tried the Oberheim which was lovely and the VK7 which had a great sound but weedy
overdrive. I have heard great things about the Hammonds but never tried one. These are all
single manuals, but thanks to the s/h market, you could possibly get a couple and have the
two keyboards you crave.
You mention that you are looking for controllers -
what would you be thinking of as a module / sound generator just out of interest?
--------------------
Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)
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Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18382
Loc: Worcestershire
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Re: Organ controllers
[Re: Dave B]
#470345 - 07/06/07 03:52 PM
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Quote Dave B:
These are all
single manuals, but thanks to the s/h market, you could possibly get a couple and have the
two keyboards you crave.
Hammond offer several two-manual solutions. The most cost-effective is the XK3 system
reviewed here but you
could also drool over the Portable B3
The NORD C1 Combo organ can be found at: www.clavia.se/main.asp
If you really do want just a MIDI
module to use with a controller keyboard, I think the Oberheim is amongst the best.
Hugh
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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
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TheSonsieBogle
new member
Joined: 18/09/02
Posts: 4
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Re: Organ controllers
[Re: TheSonsieBogle]
#470377 - 07/06/07 05:59 PM
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Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions - I've actually already got a Nord Electro Rack
and NI's B4 II, so I'm fine for a sound source. I just need a cheap(ish), easy-to-lug
two-manual master keyboard. I thought about the C1, but again it's just a bit too
expensive at £1500 and it duplicates a lot of what I already have with the Electro.
It's just a pity that there aren't too many controller options for organists -
especially given the number of hard/software modules that there are out there. I'd prefer
not to go down the route of stacking two separate keyboards and using a MIDI merger
because it just doesn't 'feel' right (psychosomatic, I'm quite sure), and you lose some
of the visual impact.
Kenny
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--
active member
Joined: 29/05/03
Posts: 6085
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Re: Organ controllers
[Re: TheSonsieBogle]
#470664 - 08/06/07 12:19 PM
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Quote TheSonsieBogle:
I'd prefer
not to go down the route of stacking two separate keyboards and using a MIDI merger
because it just doesn't 'feel' right (psychosomatic, I'm quite sure), and you lose some
of the visual impact.
You could of
course build two separate keyboards into an MDF enclosure so it looks more like a hammond.
It will also add some of weight back into the equation!
And one problem
you'll get with most (if not all) normal MIDI controller keyboards is that they have
standard synth keys and not the waterfall keys as used on organs.
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MarkOne
Joined: 15/02/07
Posts: 950
Loc: Bristol, England, Earth, Perus...
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Re: Organ controllers
[Re: --]
#470728 - 08/06/07 02:25 PM
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Quote Wonkey Wabbit:
And
one problem you'll get with most (if not all) normal MIDI controller keyboards is that
they have standard synth keys and not the waterfall keys as used on organs.
Well yes, on an actual B or C or an
A100... But the spinnet models like the M100 have the lighter overhanging keys like
synths. (The touch is still different because of the multi contact arrangement on the
tonewheel organs) I'm not sure even the hammond clonewheel models replicate that properly
- except of course the New B, but that's megabucks!
--------------------
New album 'Fantasy Bridge' available now!
Making of Fantasy Bridge Diary
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