Dave Osoff

Chuck, I have the UHL x3 single manual Organ and love it. You do have access all the low-level parameter tweaking that you have with the HX3 module and the keyboard is very well-made and sturdy in my experience. As far as the Nord, Al answered the question regarding the E4 D, I have the Nord Stage 2 and it doesn't send hi trigger over midi output, high trigger option is available on Nord internal organ only. I believe that's the case with all the Nords except the C2 D's.

Bill Bosco: I traded emails with Wolfgang just this week. He said he will be sending out the new X3 update in about two weeks. Luis: wish I could help you on this one. I'm still running 3.84 on my expander. For some reason I'm having trouble connecting it to the computer. It is not recognizing my USB cable anymore. If I can't resolve that I might have to send my Expander to Diversi. 3.84 sounds great, But I would love to get the new features of 3.9 when it's ready for prime time.

You've all peaked my interest here. Speaking of PSP: I've been really digging the PSP Vintage Warmer demo on my Receptor this last week with a few of my Rhodes and Wurly sample Libraries. After reading this thread tonight I'll download the L'otary and check it out and compare with my other sims... I hope PSP has an XMAS sale coming up... I missed the last promotion by a few days. :-)

Why is it that I really want one of these drawbar controllers even though I don't really need it?

Hmmm.... This single drawbar controller would pair up nicely with my Nord Stage 2 and it looks like it would solve the problem of not having real time HX3 drawbar control while in External Mode. I may get this and sell my Ocean Beach DB1 draw bars.

Wow! Real time reverb control - Hardware, are you listening ;. Sustain and sostenuto and a lot more. I'll wait until all the beta testing is done before going for this but look forward to these updates.

Hardware - I finally received my new HX3 Expander (had a damaged one that needed to be replaced) and I have experimented with the Reverb level control. The level changes are not real time - they do not take affect until you turn that reverb off and then on again. I'll post a note on the HX3 forum. Maybe Carsten can address this in a future firmware update. I set up my DMC-122 controller so that I can turn on Reverb 1,2 and 3 with a button push and then adjust the levels with knobs. So it's almost real time ;-) On another note, I just saw this post on the Keyboardpartner forum: "The HX3 MIDI expander will support MIDI CC #64 (Hold) as well as MIDI CC #66 (Sostenuto) in the future. We expect to implement this feature in the next major revision. So there will be no need for an external box." Good news - many folks have been requesting this feature for a long time. Some have been using Midi Solutions boxes as a roundabout solution.

Hardware - I haven't experienced that problem with the parameters I've controlled with midi CC's, but I haven't tried it with the ones you mentioned. I'll set up the HX3 this weekend and test those out.

Re. Reverb control: Parameter #: 914= Reverb I on/off 915= Reverb II on/off Reverb III is usually activated by engaging both I and II simultaneously 463=Reverb 1 Level 464=Reverb 2 Level 465=Reverb 3 Level So, yes you can control the reverb levels by assigning any of these parameters to an available CC and writing it into the Custom CC file.

Hi Bill, Re. the D3c, D3m: I do not have experience with those but there is a section in the midi controllers page on the HX3 Wiki pages dedicated to them. Here's the link: http://wiki.keyboardpartner.de/index.php?title=Using_HX3_with_MIDI_controllers

I haven't noticed any gaps. I think they are a great combo. The DMC can control more HX3 parameters than you'll really need. it has 2 sets of draw bars + 2 pedal draw bars, upper and lower CV controls, percussion, lots of extra knobs and buttons and nice smooth action. Another great thing is the DMC software is so easy to use that you really don't need to dig into the HX3 remote software if you don't want to. You could use it out of the box with the HX3 Hamichord CC set and then customize it from there. I used the NI b4 cc set and after some tweaking, have real time control over nearly everything: upper, lower DB, percussion, CV, plus Reverb 1,2 and 3, Ao28, key click, swell trim cap, tone cap... Audio Jack A/B switching... Pretty awesome...

Al - With the exception of the HX3 engine installed, the DMC-122 does all that!

Hardware: if you have some free knobs and/or buttons on your controller we can program a separate On/Off And C/V choices for the lower manual. Drop me a line if you want to work on that.

I will send Diversi the CC sets I have made. I have the Nord Stage CC set and also one for the GSI DMC-122.

Every keyboard I own has things that I love about it and things that I don't like and sometimes things that drive me nuts... The HX3 at this stage is a very mature product. It's been in constant development for several years. The fact is that a small company like Keyboard Partner can often actually implement requested changes or updates in the firmware very easily, whereas a company like Korg, Roland or Yamaha might take years to do an update and good luck getting the 1 or 2 things on your wishlist implemented. If I recall correctly it probably took 6 months at least for Korg to fix that double-trigger problem in the CX3 reissue about ten years ago. Nord Finally put out an OS update for the Stage 2 out in June after almost 2 years. They still haven't addressed a number of issues on the Nord forum's Wish list and instead put out a Stage 2 EX, which most of us Stage 2 owners don't need. But they have bigger marketing and development issues driving their decisions. Carsten is mostly a one man operation. Keyboard Partner has their own very active forum in Germany. Some of us here are also members of that forum (and yes, many of those folks speak English, so it's not a big deal to communicate and Google translate is easy to use). That is where any specific issues can be posted and seen directly by the developer. LX88 - I can't speak for Keyboard Partner not responding directly, sometimes it takes a little to get a reply, but obviously the information was received. Anyways, it didn't work for you, so good luck with the Numa or Crumar. I hope one of those gives you what you need.

The Hammond SK1 does.. I just sold mine but was using that as as a controller for the HX3 for a bit.

Hello, I have a custom cc set file for the Nord stage 2 that I'd be happy to share. I think there are some instructions from creating cc sets somewhere. There's been a lot of communication between different owners about this so if there's not one documented officially there should be some instructions on one of the forums. I'd be happy to help walk you through it if you need it. As far as the low trigger point, it's a bummer that nor doesn't make a high trigger point available for external sounds. That's actually a specific post that I've made on the Nord forum several times as a wish list item. As you probably know they haven't updated the OS on the Stage 2 in a long time. Overdue. I'm out today but send me a PM or an email and off I'll forward you that file later on tonight. Dave O

Dglavko - according to the Nord Stage manual, the Preset II button in the organ section sends Midi CC#3. So theoretically you should be able to assign that to a specific HX3 setting in the remote software, perhaps one that changes the current preset.

There is a percussion 'soft' setting and a 'normal' setting that are global and can be stored as defaults, but each can be recalled with presets for soft, normal, fast, 3rd...

I can answer a few of the Nord Stage 2 questions: 1. How do you dial back the keyclick? Is there a way to do that without using a PC? >The key click is controlled via the ContspringDmp and ContSpringFlx parameters from the front panel. 2. I'm unable to get the Nords to do a split (ie using the hx for organ on the higher split, and the Nord Wurli/other on the lower split). I've gone through the Nords' midi and other options and think I have exhausted their possibilities as a controller, so I'm wondering if it is the Nord or the hx? Is anyone else able to do that? I can get the Nord on one panel, and the hx on the other though, and do layers as well. >The limitations seem to be within the Nord. I helped Ken Hall initially set up his Stage 2 with the HX3. The HX3 *presets* do work fine in Nord External mode and splits with the Nord's sounds will work alongside HX3 presets using the *External* Mode. But the only way I have found to use the HX3's live drawbars, live percussion, etc is in Global midi mode on the Nord, which will allow you to layer, but not split sounds. The A/B panels on the Nord Stage only will control the HX3 presets alongside any other internal Nord sounds when it is being triggered from the External Mode section. One workaround is by using the Ocean Beach DB1 drawbars so the HX3 is always in live drawbar mode. 3. I'm unable to get the Nord Preset button to trigger the hx. The drawlights change when I press the preset button but there is no corresponding change on the hx sound until I move the drawlights manually. Is anyone else able to do that? I suspect the cc might need to be customized further on that? >When you say 'Nord Presets' I assume you mean the 5 program buttons where you store your patches, Correct? When you say drawlights, are you referring to the Nord's electronic drawbars and drawlights? Same problem. Global midi mode for Live control over the HX3 drawbars, percussion, etc., and external midi mode for presets and splits. As far as some of the other sound issues perhaps M_G or others may chime in on this. Often the Keyboardpartner forum in Germany is also good place to post those issues. Sometimes it will help to facilitate a new firmware update, if one is needed. Dave

Thanks Tom and the folks at Diversi for taking on support and distribution of the HX3. Just for the record I'm not trying to push older versions of the firmware; I always encourage folks to update to the latest version after the beta testing is complete. I've been an owner of both the Mark III and Mark IV Expander modules for several years from way back in firmware 3.47 or so. It's been fascinating watching this product develop and Carsten has been been very responsive to his customers requests and needs in firmware updates. I'm thrilled we now have a U.S. Distributor and support. The buzz has been building for a long time and the folks in Germany on the keyboard partner forum have also been very helpful in guiding the newbies over here with support with the software and updates to this point. Personally I don't find the remote editor to be rocket science but I agree that caution is needed so you don't overwrite settings that shouldn't be touched or mess around with some of the developer level areas of the software. And obviously everyone on this forum is not necessarily computer savvy and some need guidance. That said, if Diversi is getting some updated documentation that is great! Some of the Wiki pages don't seem to be updated as regularly. I'm also happy to give step by step help to folks who want to make a custom cc set or other Remote based edits. Some folks on this forum have said 'well the HX3 seems like a work in progress product, not a finished product'. One one hand I can see the logic of that statement compared to other big name manufacturers who release a product every 2-4 years. But, compared to those big-name manufacturers who might take years to put out an updated product or even updated software or firmware for their product, we get updates regularly addressing individual requests for incremental improvements or modifications. It's sometimes done within a week's time of a forum post! I think that's really cool. I've lost count of the number of times that I have posted on other manufacturers forums 'why can't they just implement this or that function, I've had this keyboard for four years and it still does this. Blah blah blah. :-) The HX3 won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I love mine. I'm also a big fan of Crumar / GSI - they're doing great work with their products and support as well. Cheers

Hi Jason, Well it depends on what your goals are. Most of the organ settings can be accessed from the front panel of the HX3 and saved as defaults or in presets. The Remote software is best used for creating custom midi CC sets to better sync with your controller. Also for firmware updates, although the flash updater now simplifies that task. What version of the firmware are you running? And if you want to make a bunch of presets or really get under the hood with the sounds, the Remote software can save you time. What controller are you using with the HX3? Do you need to make a custom midi cc set? Here is a link to the Wiki page for the Remote. Some of the stuff on this page you won't need to worry about, but there is some good info there on creating presets, cc sets, etc. http://wiki.keyboardpartner.de/index.php?title=HX3_Remote_Application Feel free to write if you have any questions. Dave

https://github.com/keyboardpartner/HX3/tree/master/LATEST Inside that 'LATEST' folder you will find this file: HX3_firmw_383.zip Download that, extract it and you will find all the other files I listed inside the extracted folder. Let me know if you get this far or need more help. D

The latest software update is always posted here: https://github.com/keyboardpartner/HX3 hx3_flash.exe is the updater application and hx3_remote.exe is the Remote editing software The following files all contain the HX3 parameter numbers that you use when creating custom midi CC sets. You will also see a lot of these numbers when opening the remote software. hx3_buttons.csv hx3_organ_defaults.csv hx3_leslie_defaults.csv hx3_lower_presets.csv hx3_midi_cc_defaults.csv hx3_upper_presets.csv

LX 88 - Sorry to hear the HX3 didn't work out for you. The HX3 Remote software is a very powerful editor and can customize the HX3 into your rig in countless ways. I know we've posted links in the history of this thread to the manual and Wiki pages, but it sounds like some of it didn't filter down to you and you preferred your Numa anyways. Here's the link to the Remote software pages and all other HX3 info, including flash updater, Midi CC mapping, etc. http://wiki.keyboardpartner.de/index.php?title=HX3_Remote_Application As far as Diversi, I haven't dealt with them personally, but since they are new to the unit and it's distribution they may not be aware of some of the info that many of us long time owners have at our fingertips. I'm glad to see that we now have US distribution and support though.