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I've decided I'm going to wait either until the next version of the XK5 or the next version of the SKX Pro. Bummer it will likely be years!

What's making it particularly tough for me is that I am REALLY liking the various demos of the XK-4! If a second manual will be available, I'm in. However if someone can confirm the XK-5 sounds exactly the same, I'll get that for the dual manual and traditional form factor.

That's what really sucks - someone in the know, PLEASE tells us what the difference is (beyond that MTW2 is all modelled - I'm sure you can appreciate that , the modelled explanation is not helpful) I've been in the market for a 2 manual XK-5. I (recently) looked into SK-ProX, and it gave me pause as I can get one for even cheaper and get a lot more with it. Without knowing if there will be updates to the XK-5 or an XK-5 mk2, it's really hard to chose. The reason why I like the XK-5 is the "traditional" form factor. I have a Nord Stage 3 so not sure how helpful the SK ProX would be. However, I would get rid of the Nord if I truly believed the SK-ProX would replace it. I had a VR-730 and a YC-61 and as much as I actually liked the YC-61, neither of those replace the Nord - not even close.

Was searching for Ashby Solutions and came across this post. Really sorry to hear! Purchased a Vent II, two half-moon switches and an adapter to use my FC7 expression pedals with Roland keyboards. Bruce, really glad you and your products were there.

Here's my thoughts (and I'm very picky/particular) on the VR-700, VR-09, VR-730, YC-61 and an HX3: (all of which I currently own except the VR-09 which I sold about 4 weeks ago) -- Roland VR-700 - BEST action of any waterfall keyboard I've ever played on an combo/organ (huge plus) - 76 keys (huge plus) - "Real" drawbars (big plus) - Organ is OK but it's the same organ since the VK-7 (which I owned back in the 90's) - A beast (heavy) but feels totally "professional" quality - Although the VR-09/730 has more "modern" sounds, the 700 has all "the basics" and they are useful - UI on the VR-700 is clunky but everything works well once you know where everything is - I even use it to control computer-based VSTs, etc. and the HX3 and it works really well (again, once you learn to navigate the clunky UI) -- Roland VR-09 (VR-09B) - Same exact organ engine as the VR-700 (again going back to the VK-7) - Very portable but "plasticky" - Synth keys are OK but not great for (particularly) piano-type sounds - 61 keys - UI is decent and I find it flexible enough for everything - Organ has upper/lower AND pedals (big plus) - Latest firmware (which makes it like the VR-09B and VR-730) added a brand new rotary that is significantly better than the previous versions ( -- Roland VR-730 - Same as VR-09, except 73 keys (big plus over VR-09) and a bit bigger/heavier (no issue there, still very portable) - Key action is NOT great - (feels heavy and nowhere as smooth as the VR-700) -- Yamaha-YC61 - Organ is absolutely great - much more realistic organ compared to Roland - Rotary OK but not has good as the newest VR-09B/730 - Key action is not great - perhaps a bit better than VR-730 but still heavy and not as playable as VR-700 - 61 keys (huge downside) - Very professionally built (not plasticky like the VR-09/730) - Absolutely great pianos, E. Pianos, etc. (much better than VRs in my opinion) - FM synth (one of key reasons why I bought it) not useful until someone develops an editor for it - Global EQ is great! Let's you quickly adapt to whatever you are plugged into (keyboard amp, studio monitors, etc.) - Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel (or whatever you want to call it) but they feel horrible!!! (at least they are there!) HX3 Drawbar Expander - Not a combo organ keyboard but listing here as a reference to compare above from an Organ perspective since it is so strong. The Yamaha YC61 by far best compares to the HX3 in terms of realism and "soul". The VRs' organs are totally OK but the YC wins hands-down in my humble opinion. I'm not a big user of the Chorus/Vibrato so can't say which of the above wins but they all sound very similar. Used to play a Nord Stage 2 EX at church and although that was my favorite combo to play live, the YC61 is just as good. In my opinion, all of these are useful instruments. The Yamaha YC61 is my favorite all around given the quality of the organ and "other" sounds but needed at least 73 keys! The VR-730 is a great step-up from the VR-09 just because of the 73 waterfall keys but I just don't like the keybed. The VR-700 is just the best in terms of playability and "feel" but it is very heavy and clunky to use - fortunately it can be a great controller for the YC61!!!! The best possible thing that Yamaha could do is 1) offer at least a 73 key version, 2) lower their prices (Yamaha is not as ridiculous as Nord on pricing but 2nd closest). Hope this is helpful.

No one answered my question so I'll answer it myself!!! I bought the Ashby Solutions half-moon. In fact they now have a version of the half-moon that has dip switches that make it work with almost any organ clone out there. My take on it is - I LOVE IT!!! Works great with the HX3 DBe. I use a Roland VR-700 as my controller for the HX3 and the half-moon attaches perfectly to the VR with the special 3M velcro they use to attach turnpike sensors to a car's windshield (it's a clear/white product that works a lot better than traditional velcro). Replacing my HX3 Plexi with the DBe with now the Ashby half-moon is truly a game changer for me! Hope this helps.

What are folks here with an HX3 or HX3-Drawbar Expander (DBe) using for 1/2 moon switches to control the rotary speed? I got the HX3 DBe this past week (took advantage of the "trade-in" program from Diversi) and what a GREAT experience using the DBe provides over the HX3 plexi!!! Tom was a real pleasure to work with as well. He is an incredibly knowledgeable guy with tons of experience and some really great stories. Thank you, Luis.

Thank you so much, Dave. I was hoping it was a new on/off setting within the HX3! Can anyone else with controllers > 61 keys confirm if they also lost the ability to trigger beyond the C-to-C 61 keys with version 4.21? I use a Roland VR-700 (76 key keybed) which works really well being that it has incredible feel/action and shallow triggering. The latest upgrade is rely great and do not appear to have any other issue. Thank you! Luis.

I don't get it Dave; are you saying this issue is unique to me; or that there is no setting that turns the feature on/off? Also, is this not an appropriate place to ask this kind of a question?

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Hi everyone, Happy Holidays! I upgraded to v4.21 from a version that was 3 or 4 versions back. Before the upgrade, all keys on my 76 note keyboard; now only 61 keys play. Does anyone know how to revert back to keys beyond the 61. When I first got my HX3, this is how it behaved (61 keys) but then Karsten made an update that enabled to play on all notes. Now it's gone again! Thank you so much! Luis.

One of the list members has one of the NIB4D's and he said everything works with the HX3. His name is Bill and here is what he sent me in an email when I asked him how he made out with the one he bought. "Tom, The NIB4D works flawlessly with the HX3. It also gives you the option of using any midi keyboard as a controller. I was fortunate to find this unit as it is like new." I second that - my B4D works great. Carsten even fixed it so that the buttons that switch the drawbars between upper, lower and bass also work. Now I just have to figure out how to program my MIDI Solutions Event Processor Plus to be able to control the HX3 from my Roland VR-700!!! I don't like the VR per se but the keyboard/keybed and shallow note triggering is absolutely fantastic for the HX3.

I wonder if Carsten would be open to releasing a "kit" or package to have current HX3/Expander owners upgrade to the HX3 Drawbar Expander? Does anyone (HX3 Expander owners perhaps) even think that is a good idea? When I first ordered my HX3 Expander I actually had a bunch of the components (drawbar and button boards) on the cart with the idea of building some kind of DYI Drawbar Expander (such as what is now available). I ended up not buying the components because I wanted to first understand the HX3. Hopefully such a "kit" or upgrade package would be less expensive than buying each individual component (for which many are not even available for sale). Any thoughts?

Hi Craig, I personally do think the BURN improves the HX3. It has a warmth that provides much more satisfaction and better feel for me. If I didn't have the BURN, I probably would have been fine but having both, I prefer the BURN. Before the latest update, I had to use the Rotary from the HX3 in the default stationary position so I could control the level to not clip the input on the BURN - this darkened/muddied the sound. With the new Master Volume feature I can go direct and it has improved the sound through the BURN even more. Since you also have the Vent, any chance you could do and post a short audio recording to compare the HX3 with your Vent and BURN? Luis.