Dilo

To me, the Minimoog started it all, still sounds the best. The DX7 --> D50 --> M1 were the industry game changers. D-50 was my favorite of the 3. Even to this day, the current Kronos, Montage and Fantom are just improved versions of those 3 with much better samples and effects. Those along with Kurzweil, I believe it was the K250 at that time and then subsequent samplers from Ensoniq E-mu, Akai to the DAW to all the possibilities we have now have in software shaped the way we record music today.

Good information. I prefer the Nefertiti as well for reasons mentioned above. Not to turn this into a Nord discussion but for those that have a Stage 3 - with Nefertiti on panel A with no effects, volume all the way up, set the layer detune to 1. Add Nefertiti to panel B, volume 1/2 way and set eq to taste. I like to brighten up the second layer. Instant transformation from raw 70's to Al Jarreau 80's by turning the piano layer on panel b on and off. Real nice on ballads, I prefer it over the chorus effect. Mike

Hammond has posted more videos on their site. Current SK1 and Stage 3 owner, The B-3 tone on the SK Pro sounds fantastic. Jim A. and others take you through various sounds not heard yet on the previous videos. Check the very last video to hear the brass section. In one of the videos, Jim takes you through various recognizable tunes (personal thanks for not actually playing 'Jump') Great playing as always and what looks to be a great board.

For a 2-board rig, I am also in the traveling light camp. Depending on the gig (when there were gigs), I use any combination of NS3, MX49 or SK1 along with an ipad on a K&M 18880/18881 stand. I wish I bought that stand years ago, it can't get any lighter. Has anyone tried one of these - https://www.midi-store.com/Kenton-MIDI-USB-Host-MkII-p/sku44975.htm . These are supposed to work with any of the Yamaha P series or new Casio's that do not have a 5-pin MIDI jack.

Also have been a fan and user of rackmount modules since the mid-80's. I still have a few analog modules that just stay in the studio now as I still prefer hardware for analog synth sounds. Another big positive is I never had to take any rackmount module to the repair shop. Most modules from the past were either digital or sample-based (not to say that you still can't produce good music with them) but they have been pretty much surpassed with software. Look at what Spectrasonics has done by controlling Omnisphere with hardware synths. At first, I didn't get it but Eric who is the best, explains it here: https://www.spectrasonics.net/video/videos.php

Agree with that. Between the 2, I find the NS3 weaker with organ bass. The other method I tried is the same as above but splitting panel A with a sine wave or bass sample on the lower half to layer with panel B's lower organ manual setting if you can't get the eq how you like it. The SK1 and B3X to me is more in the tradition, just pull out your lower drawbars and it gives you what you expect. With regards to all other sounds, I'll take the NS3 any day. I was also looking into the Mojo which I think sounds great, but already owning a SK1, adding the B3X made sense for me.

B3X controlled by SK1. I just like the small form factor for organ-only gigs. You can also control and map it to a Nord, Yamaha or any other keyboard. As far as gigging, I think it's going to be a while, especially in the NY/NJ area. The SK1 was mentioned in many posts above which is why I brought up the B3X as an inexpensive plug and play upgrade option. For commercial / cover band versatility with very good organ, I happen to use the Nord Stage, but the YC61 looks like a great option as well.

I do not think you can run the SK1 through the ipad app for its leslie effect, unless someone knows if that is possible. I think they have a vst version of the leslie only. You would just run the B3X directly through its internal leslie and can use the sk1 just as a controller. For precautionary reasons in case the ipad or app froze since it was the first time I used it, I also ran audio from the sk1 at a much lower volume (think layered effect) - all drawbars, chorus, percussion, leslie are auto-mapped. The drawbars are fairly similar so it does not sound like some midi layer, but when you kick in the leslie is where you really hear the difference over the standard internal SK1 leslie. These guys did a real good video for the vst version, more in the gospel vein, but you can hear it here:

I have not tried the new Yamaha but have played the Vox which has a fantastic action and excellent all-around sounds, but maybe the least authentic Hammond tone. For those SK-1 owner's that also have a decent ipad, I recommend trying the IK Multimedia B3X app. I believe the price recently dropped. I was able to use it on one gig right before the lockdown and it sounded great. In settings, just select SK1 and everything maps automatically to the Sk which you can use as a controller only or route audio as well. I ran audio from the SK and combined both just in case of any glitch with the ipad but there were no issues. The leslie alone is worth the price. For reference, I also own a Stage 3 Compact which I use for most gigs, but for jazz gigs playing l/h bass, I still prefer the Hammond, now with killer Leslie.

Great topic! Just joined the forum. Recording chain - (2) Avalon U5's --> Empirical Labs Fatso --> Apogee Element 88, plenty of clean gain. At home I use a pair of Rane SM82's where all keys are submixed. I even come out of the Rane's into the Avalon's when layering synth pads. I keep the mixer level around 50%, same clean signal. In a studio, usually always receive a pair of DI's going straight to the board or outboard preamp before conversion.