Skyscrapersax

For gigging, which of course includes schlepping, which combination should I get: 1. Hammond XK-5, but the top board only, paired with a MIDI controller for the lower board; or 2. Hammond SK-Pro, 2 manual; or 3. IK Multimedia Hammond App with my MacBook Pro and 2 MIDI controllers? #1 and #2 are $4,000 each (new). #3 is basically free to me since I already own all of that stuff. Note: My main axe is saxophone (51 years). But my first instrument was Hammond Organ (I still own a 1969 E-112). So, my "double" is keyboards, rather than flute or clarinet, etc. This is for gigging, and I live on the third floor of a no-elevator apartment in La La Land, so the goal is to gig with this with heavyweight studio players. I like the IK MM app but I suck at setting up stuff like assigning knobs, faders, etc. and deem the whole thing a bit fiddy when the other musicians will have dedicated instruments. I also think there is a visual aspect of all of this that a computer just doesn't convey, as well as real-time manipulation. But the weight aspect isn't' *too* different between #2 and #3, except #3 comes apart for easier schlepping up those stairs. Given how long I've played saxophone, you can see that I'm not exactly a "spring chicken," but I'm in good shape for my vintage. #1 and #2 weigh about the same, except for the second board (12-15 pounds, depending on which one I would bring). I *might* add pedals (probably spinet type) to this since I at least used to be able to do that. Compressed YT videos have me liking the XK-5 more than the SK-Pro as far as authentic grease & grit go, and I like the idea of the multi-contacts for chewy. Maybe it's the tube, but it appears to have more soul, which is what it's all about. I don't see spending the additional 2K for the lower board anytime soon and 65 pounds is out of the question, but it does come apart (is that even practical for schlepping?). Of course the XK-5 is "organ only," so I'd have to bring the computer anyway (but it's AP and EP are better than the SK-Pro's). I really like the idea of "plug & play" with the SK-Pro (at least once set up). I'd really appreciate some organ players thoughts on this. Thanks!

Thank you. I check Matt Traum's list of favorite hardware synths for wind controllers (he's pretty much the expert and writes patches for them) and he doesn't list it. This isn't why I'm interested in it, but it would be nice if it were available for it. I'm going to consider this a "hard no." Thank you very much! Where, if anywhere is a list of the CC assignments for it?

Hi - Do the Prophet 5 or 10 support breath control? I want to MIDI my 1987 Akai EWI 1000/2000 (same one that Mike Brecker originally used with Oberheim Xpander). Thanks, - Jeff

I'm not so sure Behringer's costs are lower. I believe ASM has some affiliation with Medeli, another low cost manufacturer. Sorry to hijack your post, Another Scott, but since I know you have a Numa C2x, can you please tell me if "Numa" shows up as an audio interface in a DAW, Kontakt, Pianotec, etc? On mine, it doesn't. Another poster said to utilize ASIO4ALL (which I hate). I have been emailing with Gianni at Studiologic, he said it should show up. Thanks, Jeff

I'm a saxophonist, but started on Hammond Organ at 11 (sax at 15). Piano is my double these days. I played on and off through law school and a law career, but when a pit bull bit my left forefinger 7 years ago I couldn't' play sax at all. When the finger was strong enough, I started working on scales on a digital piano. With Covid, I've not touched a sax in 4.5 months - until today, on my new to me, new, 100 year old Conn New Wonder.

If your keyboard does not support splitting into multiple zones (to transmit on a different MIDI channel below a certain key, to trigger the bass pedal sound), you could probably use an app like KeyStage, iMidiPatchbay, or Camelot Pro to create that split and send the resulting (properly channelized) MIDI Note commands to B3X. I can't even figure out how to use both manuals with my Numa C2x and this app. How to accomplish this? Are you doing any mapping for the Numa? ( I also own the VR-09, but it's 300 Covid miles away)... Thanks....

Can somebody please confirm whether "Numa" should show up as an "audio source" in a DAW or Kontakt? If so, then apparently my Numa is defective, as this is not present. Thank you... - Jeff

Thank you! I see that you are in A2 - I'm U of M law, class of '86. I would assume that local control on is "on," as I can play the internal sounds by pushing the buttons to "red" under the LED display. I've yet to menu-dive with this instrument; hopefully this is in the manual. I assume you mean local on / off in the Numa, correct? My Win 10 OS is build 2004, installed (much to my aggravation, as it destroyed a song I was working on - wipe it out entirely!) on July 31. Do I have to roll it back to install those Lenovo drivers? I'm quite sure they are out of date. Giannia of SL did say in an email that WIN 10 has caused problems. Hopefully the Lenovo drivers will work. Thanks, and GO BLUE! - Jeff

I've also developed this weird "double tracking" when using the Numa with my DAW - each note also has a "ghost" note at the start of it (not all the time...). It takes forever to eliminate them, and the notes do not fully sound unless I do the elimination. This also occurs when using a Roland UNO MIDI adapter in the 5 pin MIDI ports (with the USB disconnected). Anybody experience this?

Thank you all for the replies! Let's see... 1. My computer is a 2 year old Lenovo Yoga with the latest OS from Windows 10 - it just updated the other day. 1.5 I have the latest firmware from Numa - I updated it on the app and installed the new sounds. 2. I have no idea what driver is required - where do I find the proper one? 3. I DID get the Numa C2x to work as a slave (Numa > computer > Kontakt Komplete audio interface > speaker), but still not with a single USB cable (Numa >< computer). Yes, I selected the Numa as my input source in my DAW (Presonus Studio One 4). It just started working out of the blue.... 4. In my DAW, Numa does NOT show up as a chooser for audio interface. Studiologic support (Gianni) says it should - I DO see several "studio" offerings - are they what I should use? Or, should an audio interface actually called "Numa" show up? Thanks you all! - Jeff (I will check that troubleshooting guide...)

I just bought a Numa Compact 2x, and I can't get it to work at all as a slave for my DAW (Presonus Studio One 4) or hear anything from my computer. I works flawlessly plug and play with my iPad... I even emailed the company... Is there some special set-up? I tried using the MIDI button, etc., nothing works. Thanks, - Jeff

How was the gig? Can you give an example of a preset change that you made? I just received my 2x yesterday. Do you think the speakers have enough umph to play a small coffeehouse, intimate bar, etc. gig? I am awaiting my back-ordered Kawai ES-110 (I own their MP-11). How would you compare the acoustic piano sounds and speaker power on these boards? Thank you! As for the presets, I went through and tried to recreate the one"s I"ve made in my C2: 1) Piano/String lyr with the swell pedal only on the strings, no effects on the piano, but some phaser ready to dial in on the strings. 2) Piano/Brass lyr set up in similar fashion. 'Unchain My Heart' and 'Into The Mystic'. 3) Synth Pad/High Chimes split w/ chimes on the top two octaves. Covers 'Drive' by The Cars and 'Wrapped Around Your Finger' by The Police. 4) Rhodes; Fagen-style. 5) Wurly; drive and tremolo ready to dial up. 6) Clav; stacked and detuned to emulate chorus which makes available the drive on upper and phaser on lower. 7) Piano/Organ split; piano on the lowest two octaves, transposed up an octave for SRV"s 'Crossfire'. 8) Piano/Flute split to cover 'Can"t You See' and a couple of Jethro Tull tunes (though MODX does it better). 9) Vox/Farf; really like 'em layered. Far from authentic, but sure is a hoot of a sound! 10) Honky Tonk Piano...just fun to pull it out sometimes...works great on Rolling Stones" 'Dead Flowers'. ...and on and on. I"m not sure if Numa"s internal speakers are enough for much more than personal practice. However I like how they vibrate the keys that little bit, giving an added nuance feel, even though they can"t really be heard on a loud stage. So glad to have the on/off option for the speakers. Kawai"s ES100 (and presumably ES110"s) onboard speakers have much stronger bass response and are probably better suited to fill a small, intimate space...imho. I like playing the Kawai much better for piano...obviously an excellent keybed; and perhaps has a more refined(?) sound. The Numa C"s have way more character (artifacts?). Like 'em or hate 'em; l like them...most of the time. Just the opinions of a keyboard hack, though. ------------------> Thanks for the blow by blow! As to #4 (Fagen) what did you do to recreate Don's sound on Lucy? And, to ask a newbie (to this board at least) question, how does one go about saving a preset generally? I'm trying to see if this board will cut it for Jazz solo and trio gigs. It's doable on public transportation in NYC and LA. The ES-110 might be too, but since I'm a saxophone player (first, actually), I bring a tenor sax too, and so the lighter keyboard, the better. So far (2) days, I'm impressed with the 2x. The keybed is top notch for a non-weighted and is actually playable. I assume the hammer action weighted Kawai will be better, I own their MP-11 and really dig it (NOT giggable at 85 pounds...). I dialed up the string resonance on the new German and Japanese pianos, and they sound really good, save perhaps the really low end through the small speakers - fine through headphones, though.

How was the gig? Can you give an example of a preset change that you made? I just received my 2x yesterday. Do you think the speakers have enough umph to play a small coffeehouse, intimate bar, etc. gig? I am awaiting my back-ordered Kawai ES-110 (I own their MP-11). How would you compare the acoustic piano sounds and speaker power on these boards? Thank you!