ShadowMan

Yamaha MOF6 I needed a light 61 note do all keyboard for rehearsals, and it's really morphed into something more. With the internal piano sounds and the Organimation B3 sounds (an amazing addition) it ably covers for my Nords when I'm too lazy to take one. Using the Lester K takes it up another notch. I recently started gigging with a classic rock band - and having the synth and pad sounds has been tremendous. Can't recommend this board enough.

FOLLOW UP: Going back many pages and posts on this thread, I mentioned issues I was experiencing with my SS3 where there was a discernable "warble" when using a fast rotary sound. I also had issues with low end - so much so that I needed to use a second amp to improve the bass. But I was just never happy with the sound. I couldn't reconcile this with all the great comments others were posting. So I reached out via email directly to Center Point to inquire if what I was experiencing was normal - and immediately heard directly from Aspen. Frankly, as I had purchased from Sweetwater, I expected to be sent back to them... but no, Aspen spent a lot of time walking me through troubleshooting and testing. I sent him some WAV files of my unit and he agreed something was definitely amiss and IMMEDIATELY drop shipped me a new unit. No "provide a credit card number in advance," he just asked my address and rushed me out a brand new unit so I'd have it in time for a big gig. Which says an awful lot about Aspen and Center Point. I'm still overwhelmed, as many companies would have just pushed me back off the vendor. The new amp, of course, rocks - and NOW I know what everyone was raving about. I've used it on several smaller gigs so far to rave reviews from both band members and musicians in the audience. I've got some big shows coming up and am really looking forward to getting a chance to crank it up. So I'm quite a happy camper now! Every company can have a unit or two slip thru QC... that's just unavoidable. But how they stand behind their product says an awful lot. And for the head of the company to get directly involved to resolve an problem says even more. So I thought kudos for Aspen and company were warranted here!

Thanks, vonnor! Very cool - and nicely done. -Brian

Very nice! What stands are you using? And is the upper tier attached - or standalone? (I'm looking for something similar for my MOXF / C1 rig)

While I love the sound of the HX3 and its drawbar controller, I'm just not enjoying the functionality with my Nords as controllers - so I'm going back to my old Electro rig with Ocean Beach drawbars. Module and controller are now up for sale in classifieds.

Try running through a mixer and have separate sends to the SSV and the sub. I do this with a small Barbetta amp and can dial in more lows as needed - at any volume. Your mileage may vary, of course.

I have to say that my HX-3 and the controller generate absolutely authentic sounds... and working with Tom and his team is an absolute pleasure. ALL companies should offer the same level of personalized service. My quandary is that I Use Nord gear - which isn't really user friendly when controlling the unit. It really doesn't allow for full use of all the midi capabilities and splits. (Also, it's another case of gear to transport and set up...as I strive to downsize my rig transportability) Are there any Nord users out there having better success than me?

I, too, have been having problems dialing in the sound on my SSV3. So far, I've kind of had mixed results. For gigs I've take to stacking it on my Barbetta 31C - and sending it a separate feed from my mixer. I dial the Barbetta in more when I play piano to boost the low end, and that kind of balances the sound. But frankly, I am hearing an unnatural warbling on the SSV3 on the fast rotary setting with my Electro 4, C1 or HX-3. I use the fast rotary a lot, so I wind up keeping the width setting very low to minimize the warble... somewhat defeating the purpose of having the amp. Anyone experiencing the same... and any thoughts?

Thanks for all the input! Actually, I set the SS3 up on top of my Barbetta Sona 31C tonight and pushed the low end of the Barbetta. (I forgot what a loud little amp it is...) First I fed it from the sub out, and then tried a separate summed output of my mixer. That actually worked great - and sounded fantastic. It also allowed me to balance them on the fly and bring in more lows on piano patches. I plan to take both to a gig next week in a bar without a house system, and leave the Sona dialed down but available. While I work on tweaking the SS3 and getting a better feel for it, between the two I think I should be covered for anything. Will report afterwards...

Rehearsed with the SS3 tonight and was amazed at the level it put out. Kept pace with a fairly loud band. Boy, was everyone impressed with it. I had it tilted back about 7 feet behind me...probably not optimal for me though - as it sounded a bit shrill to me on some organ and piano parts, even though I eq'ed my Nord. So I am probably going to augment it it with a sub or bass amp. The Behringer sub repeatedly mentioned here at $300 seems a bargain, but I'm wondering if popping the extra bucks and spending $400 for a small bass amp would offer more flexibility. I would welcome feedback from both sides on this... Thanks

I got my SSV3 this week and am working to dial in my sound. Obviously anything with a rotating speaker effect (Nords or HX3) sound amazing, but I can't seem to get a really good piano. I have tried eq'ing on the SS, on the keyboards and on a mixer.. and can't find a setting that isn't too thin. Was hoping subbing to my Barbetta might do something, but when stacked the SS lost a lot of the low end. When on top of the Barbetta it also picked up quite a ground buzz from the Barbetta- wouldn't have expected that. It also seemed the sub out wasn't giving enough level to drive the Barbetta, so I tried running into an EV ZLX 12 and got a bit closer. I then sent different feeds from the mixer to the SS and the EV... but found I had to push the EV more each time I used the piano to get good bass. Other than springing for a sub, can any of the SS users here make a recommendation? How are you guys getting a good piano sound - without one? Thanks.

Thanks, Dave. I also have a Barbetta 31C I could consider stacking under the SS3 - if needed - for larger rooms where I don't go thru the house system. Maybe that's a better option. (I just don't want to wind up underpowered and overdriving the system...)

I'm close to dropping the hammer on one - any thoughts on the merits of running the sub out into my EV ZLX-12p for some extra bass? With thanks, in advance.

Yes... exactly. I also need to find someone to modify the drawbar unit and install a toggle switch to replace the midi channel dial on the back - so I can more easily toggle between upper and lower drawbars on Channels 1 and 2.

I've given up trying to get my Electro 4 to control all the parameters via custom CC...Since like others I have found the Nords don't seem to be able to properly control the percussion on the HX3. I did find that my old Voce drawbars do work flawlessly... So am in the process of making a little platform to Velcro them onto on the top left of the unit. Instead of using the Leslie control on the Voce, I dug out an old dual latching pedal from a guitar amp - which works great for triggering run/stop and fast/slow. This is really an amazing little box! And I can't say enough about Tom at Drawbar City - who helped me with my many questions! It's nice to come across a company these days that believes in customer service. They have been absolutely great.

Michael- Can I ask what stand you're using with your Nord? It looks a lot more solid than the one I have for my C1. Thanks! Brian

Al- Were you able to get your Elecrto 4 to control rotary on/off and fast/slow speed? I haven't been able to do this on mine... Thanks.

LX88- Having gotten squeezed out of the introductory sale, I'm seriously looking at an aggressively priced Numa. Mind if I PM you with a few questions? Thanks...

Thank you!

I am really intrigued by the HX3 - as I have been looking to upgrade my sound.. But I love the feel of my current boards. Can anyone tell me how much work/cost would be involved in mapping a Nord Electro 2 or a Nord C1 to control the HX3? Thanks!!