DaBous
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Posts posted by DaBous
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I gig with Swam Tenor Sax on a regular basis. I use a BC3 breath controller with it. I cover Sax parts and also do some soloing with it. With a little practice it sounds pretty convincing. I have both the Mac and iPad versions. Highly recommend.
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35 minutes ago, Al Quinn said:
It looks a great value with many nice features and sounds. Certainly a nice keyboard for gigging, rehearsals, yard jams, boat jams, and the couch.
I expect:
- the action to be very good since Yamaha usually gets it right.
- the midi implementation to be disappointing as Yamaha doesn't seem to care too much about this (e.g., they sometimes use SysEx where CC is clearly the correct choice -- so annoying!).
I listened to a demo on YouTube and thought the B3 sounded weak (i.e., it doesn't sound like the B3 in my YC73 which is pretty good; perhaps more like the B3 in the CP4 which, for me, is unusable). Maybe I just caught a bad demo, idk.
In the Anderton demo on youtube they stated that the B3 engine in the CKs is not the same one as in the YC series. It is sample based. So that is a bit of a downgrade from a clonewheel perspective.
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Since this thread is discussing the SK Pro Piano I thought I would share this. I did this video about a year ago - when I first got my SK Pro 73 ( I have since replaced it with an SKX PRO ) to compare the SK Pro piano with the Nord piano in a band context. First solo is the SK Pro, next song ( 2:15 ) it's the NS3 .They are going through a motion sound KP 610S behind me. This was recorded with a gopro.
This video also features the locally famous sideways dancing guy 🤣 .
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Well this is good news, 'cause as my eyes get older, my ipads get bigger. Ready for the next increment....... 🙂
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9 minutes ago, TWizzle said:
The NP5 73 was what I was hoping Nord would do for a long, long time. Bought one two months ago, and I'm in love with it. Sold my NE6 HP to fund it and don't miss it a bit (and the new one fits perfectly in the hardshell and soft cases I already had). I had been on the hunt for a 73-76 with a better action than TP100, and if I had found a used NS2 76 at a reasonable price I probably would have pulled the trigger on that.
Maybe I should put mine up for sale. Didnt realize they would be in demand.
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I have a stage 2 HA 76 which has the TP 40. Haven't used it in a long time as I've replaced it with a Stage 3 88. Was bummed they don't produce a stage 3 76 with the TP 40. To me the 76 was the perfect size for on stage.
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I picked up a Tornado 115 earlier this year. Great little leslie.
If anyone is interested - here is a video of me playing it live with one of my bands. This is at a local casino and the recording is taken directly from their house feed with the leslie miced in stereo. I have other videos on my channel where the Tornado 115 is recorded using a go pro without being miced so you can hear it in that context also. Keys solo is at around 2:35.
[video:youtube]
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The price of the MK8 doesn't surprise me. I had guessed 8 - 10k when I saw the first ads for it.
Largely based on the fact that Vintage Vibe pianos ( 73 ), range from $8500 - 12k, and the fact that there is so much labor involved in building them.
VV pianos are successful and hard to get due to the backlog - so it seems there is a market for premium hand built instruments, albeit a small one. VV has been doing this for a while and they do great work ( I own a Wurlitzer 200a they restored. Its' beautiful ).
At 50 units a month, given the cost of labor, the custom parts and the R&D that went in to this, some basic math tells us no-one is getting rich selling the MK8s. It is a big gamble for them and I am glad they are reinventing a classic instrument. I hope they are successful.
Seriously thinking of taking the plunge myself.
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I used the B3X on a gig last Saturday night. Overall sounded great live although the high end is a bit shrill. Needs some EQ / tweaking there. I was running it through a Motion Sound 610s
One thing that was surprising. I load this into mainstage 3 on a macbook pro. Mainstage shows the memory utilization for this plug-in at 2.5 GB. Wow........
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the ZXA1s needed poles which take up more stage space.
Yeah, poles are a pain. All speakers benefit from being off the floor, though. Do you do something to lift your 610s off the floor?
I use a guitar amp stand. Gets it about 2ft off the floor and angled back slightly. Seems to work fine......
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I have the KP 610S.
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I used to use 2 EV ZXA1s. This sounds just as good with less gear to lugg around.
Weight is reasonable to 43 lbs. I did end up putting casters on it although it is borderline whether they are needed.
If the 610S sounds "just as good" as a pair of ZXa1, why not stick with the ZXa1's? 19 lbs each, so even combined, that's only 38 lbs, and easy to carry as two separate 19 lb pieces. And the pair goes for $1k, which is $400 less than the KP. Okay, you have to add the cost and weight of the mixer, but with a small mixer, the EV will still end up cheaper and lighter.
I guess my point is, is there any reason to pay the "premium" for a KP *other* than the convenience of having it all on one box, and the associated reduced setup/breakdown time? (Not that that can't be reason enough!)
It's certainly a matter of preference - they both sound great. I kept the ZXA1s as I have an occasional need for a small PA system.
The reasons I prefer to use the 610s are:
Single box convenience.
Built in mixer - 2 channels with 4 stereo inputs with EQ.
Stereo and mono outs to FOH systems. ( I play clubs with both - sometimes you don't know ahead of time which you will need )
Easier to fit on small stages ( my main band is 6 pieces so space is important ) - the ZXA1s needed poles which take up more stage space.
But the best part is that there is now a single box keyboard amp that competes soundwise with the dual powered speaker setup.
Whichever you prefer it is nice to have the single box option without sound compromise......
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I have the KP 610S.
I pre-ordered through Sweetwater so I have had it since April. One of the first I think.
Really like this amp. I play a lot - I have a weekly Thursday night gig plus about 40 weekend gigs a year with my classic rock band so portability matters.
I think MS has a winner with this one. Handles all of the volume I can throw at it - very clean sound. I used to use 2 EV ZXA1s. This sounds just as good with less gear to lugg around.
Weight is reasonable to 43 lbs. I did end up putting casters on it although it is borderline whether they are needed.
It has both mono and stereo outs on the back for connecting to FOH. That is pretty convenient. Some local clubs are still mono - ugh.
My current rig is Yamaha CP 73 for bottom board and NS3 73 on top. Everything sounds great - AP especially is clean and bright. For the NS3 B3 with the internal leslie sim I had to EQ off some of the high end.
I don't usually get excited about keyboard amps - they are a necessary evil. But this is the best one I have ever owned. Not cheap but clean sound at a reasonable weight. Would highly recommend.
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Well you certainly stirred the hornets nest
I own an XK-5 and would be happy to share my thoughts about it.
Just so noone thinks I am a Hammond fanboy - I also own an Electro 5D 73, HX3 module, and DMC-122 with expander.
I previously owned an SK2 with vent II as well. I sold that after I acquired the XK-5. I liked the SK2, but the XK-5 is in a different league. Playing them side by side really makes that obvious.
I use my XK-5 with my Leslie Studio 12 or with just the internal sim, depending on the venue and how much space I have. I also frequently use both ( Stereo outs with sim to FOH and leslie out ( dry ) to studio 12. It is a nice feature of the XK-5 to be able to use both simultaneously.
The internal sim is excellent - a huge step up from the internal sim on the SK-2. I use the internal tube preamp ( U7 ) to warm up the tone and add some grit, EQ as needed and it cuts really well in a band mix. Tremelo speed has a lot of depth - similar to the vent. My only complaint is that the chorale speed is lacking depth and sounds a little dry - similar to the leslie sim in the HX3. Hope they fix that at some point. Not noticeable in a band mix though. Most rock / blues players seem to favor the "147 Wild" factory preset for the leslie sim.
Overall - I think the XK-5 is great. Has a warm and full sound and an internal leslie sim that is a big step forward. The action has a great feel to it also. Not springy or stiff like the DMC-122 or Nord. Not saying which of my clones is my favorite - not sure I have one actually, but I will say that for practice at home it is the XK-5 always.
If you are asking if it is the "real thing". Nope. There are a few clubs I play at that have house B3s and nothing yet touches that experience.
I would recommend finding a way to try one in person if you can. Online demos give you a basic idea but it is a poor way to evaluate an instrument. lots of variables. It took me a couple of months to get used to the XK-5 and get the sound I am looking for.
Cheers
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The Piano is evolving and getting better and better, it has the sound I like for live performance: clarity. The 1.5 ms clip was a great idea. Go Crumar!
Apologize if this is a dumb question or if I missed the discussion about this. The AP sample in the Mojo 61 is different from the one in the Gemini expander correct?
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Gig tested last weekend.
With my church band I use my laptop as primary sound source. They have a Roland RD700GX there which makes a good midi controller so I only need to bring my laptop.
Good timing since 2 of the songs we did last Sunday were heavy B3. I really liked it and it will replace my previous VB3 / Melda leslie combo.
The leslie 122A and 1969 C3 were my favorite combination. This is the first B3 clone vst I have enjoyed playing. Nice work.
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So I just downloaded the upgrade. ( free for version 1 owners )
Frankly - I thought version 1 was just ok.
However, the new version is a big improvement IMHO. Been playing it for an hour and it sounds great. With some tweaking I was able to get a nice gritty rock / blues sound. Leslie sim is a huge improvement. Nice job.
Will try it in a band context this weekend.
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The Forte 7 exhibits this behavior also in situations where the voltage is unstable. I use a voltage regulator with mine.
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Here is a message from Carsten posted in the HX3 Forum concerning update issues:
'Windows allows start of applications directly in explorer ZIP windows. This procedure will run into problems as HX3 Flash and HX3 Remote expect additional files to be present. IMPORTANT: Be sure to extract all files to a local hard disk folder before running HX3 applications. Update will fail if started directly from ZIP window.
If the update has failed, you should re-install firmware and licences with HX3 Remote for a complete parameter reset. Download
and extract contents to a lokal harddisk folder. Start HX3 Remote and connect to USB device. HX3 Remote will show your board info. Uncheck all "Auto Restore" boxes. Install HX3 firmware by clicking "Update FW" and open file appropriate to your device. Old boards prior to 2015 will need "mk2" versions.
Install new FPGA configuration by clicking "Update FPGA" and open file "fpga_11042016.bit".
Click on tab "Advanced" and enter organ/rotary licence numbers in "Create/send new HX3 board Licences" fields if "Board Info" does not show valid licences. Then click "Send Licences" and finally "Finalize".
A new HX3 Flash version is online from April 23rd, 2016. Please only use this version. It will create two text files "hx3_board_info.txt" containing your current licence info and a log file named "hx3_update_log.txt". In case of emergency, please attach these files to email requests. We can create new licenes for you at no cost when we know your serial number.'
Regards
Christian
KeyboardPartner
Although I am sure the problem described here is an issue. This was not the problem I had. The issue I experienced with the flash was after the first part of the update completed, the USB connection timed out and left the update partially done and the licenses invalid.
With the latest package for the remote ( available now diversi.us ) I was able to complete the update and resend the licenses using the remote software. Not going to attempt the flash again.
It is important to get the latest version of the ALL package.
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Ok, succeeded downloading 3.922.
Tried to update to 3.922 (using flash) and something went wrong. (3.92 went fine)
Now I have invalid licences for both organ and Leslie and no sound at all.
What to do? Tried to do a restore, but same thing.
I just had the same issue. Did you ever get a reponse?
Quick update
I was able to use the remote software to update the FPGA and FW software to the latest versions. Also resent the licenses using the advanced tab on the remote software.
Be careful of the flash updater.......
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Ok, succeeded downloading 3.922.
Tried to update to 3.922 (using flash) and something went wrong. (3.92 went fine)
Now I have invalid licences for both organ and Leslie and no sound at all.
What to do? Tried to do a restore, but same thing.
I just had the same issue. Did you ever get a reponse?
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Last gig setup with just my Forte 7 and the rack was around 15 minutes
Also - Quick update after a couple of gigs with the HX3.
Much to my surprise ( and I'm sure many others ) I actually prefer the sound of the HX3 without the vent.
The internal sim sounds really good in the mix. Very balanced. I have the tube amp gain mapped to the mod wheel so I can dial in the amount of grit I need for the song. I have the tone control mapped also as that helps getting the tone to sit right in the mix. If you use a lot of overdrive the vent may be better but I usually set the OD right on the edge of distortion - some grit but not heavy. The internal OD sounds fine for that.
Easy to get a nice full gritty rock/blues B3 tone out of it. Very convincing.
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Very slick set up. Where did you source the right angle USB connector?
newegg.com
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Just got my HX3 expander. This was to supplement my Forte 7. The pianos and EPs in the Forte are incredible but the KB3, while good, is not quite the sound I am looking for. I mostly do classic rock and blues these days so I wanted a more authentic sounding B3.
Well the HX3 is amazing - with or without the vent - but since I already have a mini vent I am using it with that. Configuring the Forte as a controller for the HX3 was a breeze. In my younger days I hauled around a C3 with a leslie 122. The HX3 with the vent is the closest I have ever gotten to that sound.
On some gigs I also use my laptop for some sounds - especially minimonsta and Omnishpere 2 for synth leads etc. So I spent the weekend working on a rig that would integrate everything together into a rack for quick setup / transport.
Here is what I came up with. First time I ever tried this so I thought I would share it.
In the rack I have: Laptop, presonus audio interface, HX3 Expander, Mini vent ( with ashby solutions mod ), Midi solutions relay ( for changing the vent speed via midi ), Midi solutions power adapter ( in case the controller keyboard doesnt put out enough power for the relay ), 3 channel stereo mixer, stereo direct box, Airpower 2 wireless midi adapter, power strip so only 1 plug for entire rack.
It was a challenge fitting it all in there but here are some pics:
So from the Forte 7 I just run 1 stereo audio cable and 1 midi cable and I am ready to go. If I have room on stage I can also use my SK2 as a controller for the HX3 ( rare that I have that kind of space though ).
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Interesting.
In going through the manual it allows you to create keymaps and edit samples.
So maybe not a big stretch to allow loading new samples in a future release?
Looking forward to beta testing the new OS when available for the Forte.....
Hammond Tease XK-4
in The Keyboard Corner
Posted
Just got word from Sweetwater my XK4 is shipping today. So some have arrived in the US.
Should have it for Saturday. I have a gig Saturday night and 2 on Sunday so looking forward to giving a try.