Jump to content


Please note: You can easily log in to MPN using your Facebook account!

Dave's excellent Hammond midi controller debuts


Recommended Posts

After 4 years of working on my hammond midi controller, it's finally time to show it off. This is definitely the best project I have ever built - I could not be prouder.

 

Here's a quick summary of what it is, in case you have not seen the previous threads. It's a midi controller dedicated to controlling Hammond emulation software. I used real Hammond parts everywhere the player interacts - keys, drawbars, vib & percussion controls. In addition, I added pots to control secondary organ and leslie sim parameters in real time. I wanted it to be giggable, which meant it had to have reasonable weight and break down quickly. And I wanted to be able to take 1 or 2 manuals to the gig as needed.

 

I want to start by thanking members of this list for their encouragement and forebearance in my construction threads, and to specifically thank several people who directly or indirectly contributed to the project:

 

Bruce Barkelew - good buddy, great guitarist, luthier and musical partner - for making that jaw dropping wood happen. I did all of the fab, but he provided and selected the wood and the killer shop, and stepped in to do the final finish work when I chickened out.

 

Donn Watson - fellow list member and organ enthusiast - for making the engraved panels which provided that professional touch, and for insisting I use the black knobs.

 

Jordan Petkov - proprietor of midiboutique.com - for custom programming the midi encoder multiple times until I quit changing my mind.

 

Rick Prevallet - proprietor of tonewheelgeneral.com - for being there with the parts I needed!

 

Guido Scognamiglio - famous software instrument maker and all around good guy - for his fantastic VB-3 software, which I completely designed this controller around. I can't wait for VB-3 2. Have I mentioned that yet? ;)

 

The earlier threads can be found here:

 

It's alive!

https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2190231/1

 

It's alive woodworking edition

https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2174351

 

I will post a lot more pics and chronicle the whole thing on my website soon.

 

I consider the current state to be that of a finished prototype. The exterior is complete and the controller is 100% functional, but I may clean up the internal wiring and even refactor the electronics a bit at some point. I want to cut down some Hammond pedals and I have to build a dedicated road computer to run the software live. Oh, and I need cases... the to-do list endures.

 

Mostly, I have been playing and enjoying it mightily. For somebody like me who invested so much time on a console tonewheel over the years, it's like coming home. Charlene is getting jealous!

 

And now, it's time for some pics.

Moe

---

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Replies 164
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

First up is the tiger duo. The maple has a deep figure somewhere between fiddleback and quilted. It really explodes in color when I light it, so I have to be careful not to overload the camera.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_01_sm.jpg

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_09.jpg

Moe

---

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are a few close ups, showing the secondary controls.

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_03_sm.jpg

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_04_sm.jpg

 

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_singlemaple_04_sm.jpg

Moe

---

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whoah! That is too nice to take out. It is one of kind.

 

Combined with your Super Leslie system that is some combination.

 

For those that haven't seen it you should check out Dave's road leslie outfit also.

"It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne

 

"A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!!

So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It breaks down into 2 packages, to be carried in 2 cases. For the 2 manual version, the sides are what locks everything together, and come off for transport.

 

package 1 - top manual/drawbars (no ends). 41 lbs (currently - still have a little weight loss fight left in me)

 

package 2 - bottom manual/skirt 32 lbs plus endcaps 5 lbs.

Moe

---

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

:facepalm:

 

Meh... Photoshop :rolleyes:

 

Really.

 

I'm cynical, skeptical, and feelin' kinda rude... but you need a few more posts under your belt to convince me that it's real.

 

Who do you work for? What's your agenda?

 

HA! :laugh:

 

Nice work, Moe. :cool:

 

Tom

 

 

 

 

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...