It appears I've lost control over my own thread..man...I hate it when that happens... so, any other takers? I have the B4 software, the VK-7, VK-8, XK-2 hammond, and the 9000 pro....Any other keyboards for live use you'd recommend? Thanks B2

[This message has been edited by B2 (edited 03-22-2002).]

Jedi,
I should have said Hard WARE systems, like the Roland VS line or the Korg D16, D12, that stuff. All in one boxes that record, master, burn .... all that.

Brian,
I have both the Tonewheel B4 software (by Native Instruments) and a Roland VA7, together with a Roland XV 3080 and a couple of samplers (Akai S2800 and Ensoniq ASR10); in the past I have also owned a Suzuki Hammond XK2 and a lot of older synths (Roland, Korg and Yamaha), so I think that I can speak out of personal experience. While I agree that the software option (B4) is the one which comes closest to the real thing, I have to say that it's a bit awkward for a live situation (if you want to modify the drawbars settings you have to use a mouse or another similar device and that takes time). In this kind of situation the hardware solution is much more practical; from my experience I can say that the VA7 has a lot of great sounds sampled from actual Hammond organs, with and without Leslie, percussion, distortion and so on and satisfies all my present needs for Hammond sounds, from Jimmy Smith to Procol Harum.
I remember that a few years ago Keyboard Magazine compared side by side all those Hammond "clones" and the conclusion was that the best ones were the Suzuki Hammond XK2 and the Roland VK7, with a slight edge for the latter.
Regards,
Andrea

Hi B3 fans!
if is it of interest i can give you my experience with the Wersi Abacus keyboard:
There is a basic XG sound module with 'standard-fixed' sounds ,including organs.
The OX7 is an optional item (which i have installed) and it can produce Hammond B3/H100 and Wersi Organ sounds ,using the 9/7 RealTime Drawbars,complete with KeyClick,Leslie emulation,Scanner Vibrato etc.it The OX7 is based on a Motorola DSP chip,the current software version is 7.6 and it is also user programmable.
On the next level,there are the OAS sounds which use more DSPs and can be loaded with any AKAI compatible sounds ,lots of sampled organs among them.But the beuty of the system is that -as it is based on a Windows PC-any Windows sound generator can be used in real time.I have tried NIB4 and works.I can 'play' the B4 drawbars using the Colour Touch Screen.It is possible to layer all different sound sources on the various keyboard zones.
The new version OAS4 that just came out ,gives full support to Gigasampler,with the possibility of reacalling the Gigasampler sounds using the front panel buttons.I will give you my impressions when i install this.
Have in mind that all sound processing ,including effects and equalizer, is done digitally (32bit) and the 24bit D/A converter is at the output.How it sounds? Maybe I have to post some sounds so you can listen and give your feedback.

Dreamer and cosel,

Thanks for the input. After reading this thread and playing with the PSR 2000, I'm opting for the VK-7/XK2 route. I like to have actual knobs and be able to touch and feel stuff. However, I want to try the B4 software for studio use. Sounds like everyone rates that pretty high. Thanks again Brian

While I agree that the software option (B4) is the one which comes closest to the real thing, I have to say that it's a bit awkward for a live situation (if you want to modify the drawbars settings you have to use a mouse or another similar device and that takes time).
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Just to point out that the B4 does respond to MIDI control and that allows me to push REGISTRATION MEMORY buttons on my PSR-740 and change the B4 condition. No need to touch the mouse. Of course, you have to have previously determine the paramters you want for that discrete way of operating the B4.

Brian,
If you have a free hand to make the adjustments with - there is NO substitute for having real drawbars. It adds all the difference in the performance, to be able to make miniscule changes in real time. It's an art all unto itself, and one that is so much fun. Once you have a drawbar organ, it will be tough to go backwards, so good luck. I'm a little jelous. I've had a few over the years, but I just can't devote my left hand to the control of the drawbars. I settle for presets, and deal with it that way. I have a few sounds right next to each other that sound like I'm making drawbar adjustments....sort of. Like Marvin said:
"Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby"