Dave Osoff

I had the same concerns when I bnought my HX3 - I only run Mac. Luckily I know someone in tech who refurbishes and resells windows computers. He gave a Dell just so I could use he software. I tried running the Remote software on my Mac using the Wine Application and got the software to open and run but I couldn't get it to recognize the device through the USB cable. That could easily be my inexperience with the the Wine Windows software on the MAC, not sure. In any event, unless you are setting up some custom CC sets for your controller, most of the other functions are available on the menu and the extended parameters would most likely be set them, save them and forget them once you're done. Any comments - MG?

Those nuances make all the difference to me and my performance. Most of the audience won't notice the difference in the organ tone, percussion, A028, crosstalk, etc but they will certainly notice an inspired performance!

Here's a pic of the DMC-122 with the HX3 Expander on the top right and my Kronos X61 on the upper tier. Also under the Expander is the GSI accessory shelf that expands the surface area of the controller for modules, etc. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz0jqSemJOScQ0d2WmxvdXotQnM/view?usp=sharing

LX88 - The HX3 is available as a module (HX3 Expander) and also is now available as the sound engine for the new UHL X3-1 and X3-2 organs. I own the HX3 midi Expander and love it. I also just purchased the new Crumar / GSI DMC-122 dual manual controller that you mentioned in your post. They are a fantastic combination. The action is smooth and fast, all drawbars, buttons, potentiometers are assignable to any midi CC function as well as Global functions. I sold my Mojo to get this controller as I thought it would be a better fit for my needs and I'm very happy with the choice.

I use the 1961 setting also. In regard to the remote software, did you try using the "read parameters" function? If that doesn't work you what you can always import the Organ and Leslie defaults from the HX3 remote software folder, make adjustments from there, hear it in real time and then save a copy and write them to the device when you are done

I have never been able to get my SK1 to inspire me either. I've tried Jim's tonewheel settings, tried it through a few leslies as well as my Vent, and just haven't felt it the way I do with the HX3 expander... I've been holding on to the SK1-73 and using it just as a controller for the HX3 Expander. But now I'm seriously planning to sell it and get a UX-1 or UX-2 when they are available to US customers this summer. The HX3 has been a game changer for me as well and all the UHL videos posted so far sound fantastic. Wolfgang supposedly has tweaked the leslie effect ever more from the Carsten's settings, so I would love to hear more demos with the leslie opened up more with a bunch of different drawbar settings. For anyone using the HX3 Expander, remember it's a stereo effect, so use the Rotary L/R setting and run both audio jacks into a stereo amp or PA to get the full effect. It sounds quite good - it hasn't made me stop using my Vent yet, but I also haven't tweaked it very much at this point.

Al - I traded emails with Wolfgang and he said he'd get back to me in a few weeks after he sorts out the rules and pricing for US shipping...

I am considering selling my SK1-73 and probably my old Voce V5+ and getting the X3-1 or X3-2. No information is available on shipping costs to the USA at this point but I would assume based on previous overseas purchases that the VAT that is included in the end user Euro prices would be discounted from the total prior to shipping to the USA, thus knocking 19 % or 20 % off the pre shipping price, correct?

Patiently awaiting the Mitch report... ;-)

I'm infected for sure...

For DI box I use a Radial D2. The sound guys like it and the stereo option is always there. The rolling Gator case for the SS that MotiDave and I bought is The GPA-720. I just got a great deal on it from B&H - 95.00. It's 149.00 or 159.00 at other places.

Gig report: First off, a big thank you to Aspen for getting my SS up and running again after a mishap in my vehicle that broke off the width control knob and thus disabled the side speakers... We swapped out the rear panel and it works beautifully. I just bought a Gator rolling mixer case for it which is a great solution for transport. The dimensions are almost perfect for the space station, all it needs is an extra piece of foam to tighten the fit. 3 gigs this weekend, 2 with an original / cover southern flavored rock band - electric and acoustic gtr, bass drums, 2nd keyboard player, one indoor club gig and 1 outdoor. Overall the space station has been a big hit with this band. Organ is a big part of the band sound and the SS has made a huge difference, especially in that area. My setup this weekend: HX3 organ expander > DMC-122 controller >Ventilator 1 and my Nord Stage 2 73 > Samson S10 mixer > SS V3. I have been running the organ through the Nord's monitor input (or my Kronos' audio inputs at other gigs). to simplify the set up and bypass using the mixer but my Nord's Monitor input isn't working too well right now. The Mixer gave me more head room, and the organ just sounded huge today! I got tons of compliments about the organ sound, both the space station and HX3 / Crumar. Even though bringing a mixer is more work I may start bringing it more often because the extra headroom allowed me to ride the expression pedal and use the drawbars more creatively, without the subtleties getting lost in the mix. The other gig was outdoors with an 11 piece horn band - they also loved the organ and fullness of the SS. FOH and stage mix today was excellent, last night the stage mix was boomy and loud. Nord EPs and clavs sound great through the SS, the Nord acoustic pianos are tough to dial in though. My Kronos K Sounds pianos sound much better through the SS.

MotiDave - I feel your frustration. Nothing worse than a great gig like that with hellish sound, FOH situation. I can't speak about the Behringer sub as I haven't given in to that temptation (I have a few reliable old JBL EONs that give me the extra juice when I need it). But I still want and need my stage sound to inspire me. That's what the SS gives me. I can't control the FOH sound and unfortunately, more often than not the sound guys don't want to take more than a mono signal. So I just don't worry about it. I just try to get the best stage sound I can and grin and bear it when it sucks. :-) I know the SS doesn't work for some folks who need more output but it's been working for me very well with a little trial and error with placement, Gator amp stand, and sometimes adding my mixer to the chain to give me more headroom.

Bill, I have the Mojo set up with the HX3 expander right now and I am looking at the stock settings for the Midi CC set for Hamichord. Out of the box, here's what this CC set does: All drawbars (Upper / Lower / Pedal) in real time. All 12 presets can be used to recall presets you have stored in the HX3. The percussion on/off, soft, fast, 3rd are all synced. The C/V section is synced. The Drive knob controls the Amp 122 volume *if* you are using that output setting on the HX3, if you are using clean organ signal output it doesn't do anything. The Click knob controls pedal sustain. The Reverb knob controls Reverb type. The Bass knob controls the swell trim. The Treble knob controls the tone trim pot. The Leslie buttons controls the built-in HX3 Leslie (if you are using it, if not, they could control other parameters). I am planning to make some adjustments to this Midi CC set now that I'm using the Mojo with it more (Of course the Hamichord predates the Mojo, so this CC set probably was a better custom fit for that) There are a ton of parameters in the HX3 Expander that can be used, T.G. flutter, leakage, TG Cap set, foldback, A028 Tube age, key contact flex, and more. Some are set 'em and and forget em, some you may want real time control over from the Mojo. Here's a link to the manual if you haven't seen it yet - listing all the menu items. http://wiki.keyboardpartner.de/index.php?title=HX3_MIDI_expander_module The remote software allows you to customize any of the organ parameters to any midi CC# and then you can save the whole CC set in the Expander as a menu item or default setting. Hope this helps!

They still sell the Expanders direct. You may have to go through one of the service / organ manufacturers like UHL, MAg, Keyboardmanufaktur, for the parts. Thanks Al Coda for all the other info - I'm most familiar with the Midi Expander. As to the Mojo - Yes to all above, via the HX3 MK 4 midi expander, Volume is controlled either with the AMP 122 volume setting in the HX3 controlled by the Mojo Drive knob, or clean signal setting via a volume or Midi CC expression pedal The Mojo (Hamichord) midi CC preset is preconfigured for the Reverb knob controlling the Reverb Type on the HX3. You could change that in the Remote software to control the Reverb level instead (There are 3 different Reverb types in the HX3 Expander to choose from - any of those can be a stored default setting.) Presets will work - you can set up the presets anyway you like and store them for recall.

http://wiki.keyboardpartner.de/index.php?title=HOAX/HX3_Hauptseite

Hi Bill, I own the HX3 expander also. It is fully compatible with the controls on the Mojo. I use my Mojo and other keyboards to control it. The Expander ships with several preconfigured midi CC sets; NI B4, Voce, Hamichord (Mojo), Hammond XK, SK and KeyB, along with space to set up your own custom midi CC sets with the remote software. Many folks do buy just the HX3 board, scan boards etc. to install them directly in older Hammonds like the B3000, XB2, etc. and then have the advantage of having all controls directly connected to the board as opposed to using Midi processing. Mitch is having some kind of custom job done with his. Some Folks on this forum and many on the keyboardpartner forum in Germany have many ongoing discussions about these things and there are wiki pages that you can link to dedicated to all this info.

I use a Yamaha FC7 expression pedal directly into the HX3 and it works great. Your B4D should work fine with the B4 CC set - if you need to do a custom CC set, it is easy to do with the remote software.

Agreed on the Vent through SS. I also set my Vent mic distance at 2:00. I haven't needed a sub yet either. Lovin it!

Luis - For some reason I'm having trouble uploading my picture of the rear panel. PM me an email address and I'll email you the pic.

HX3 Expander output rating 9V / 800mA, Plug 5.5/2.1 mm, plus on Center http://shop.keyboardpartner.de/epages/13705466.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/13705466/Products/snt9 I bought my HX3 Expander adapters at Radio Shack, got a bargain on a few from some stores that were closing. It does have 2 midi inputs, handy if you are using a set of Midi drawbars or a V5 to control the functions of the HX3. Easy USB connection - cable provided. I'll upload a picture of the rear panel

Ha! you never know - I've been collecting them lately on Craigslist. I have 4 of those Invisible Stands right now. 2 set up at home, 1 in the car for gigs and another I grabbed for a local keyboard player friend who hasn't claimed it yet...

Hey Dave, Here's pics of the SS with the Gator Frameworks combo amp stand. I've tried it both wedged on the ground and on the stand and I find for my uses it seems to project a little better on the stand and the band hears it much clearer. Your mileage may vary... ;-) http://daveosoff.com/SSV3_pics/SS_pic1.JPG http://daveosoff.com/SSV3_pics/SS_pic2.JPG http://daveosoff.com/SSV3_pics/SS_pic3.JPG http://daveosoff.com/SSV3_pics/SS_pic4.JPG http://daveosoff.com/SSV3_pics/SS_pic5.JPG

I use the Gator amp stand with SS also - I don't place the amp sideways on it though - I put it straight on with the lower bar in the back, so the amp controls don't get in the way. Very good, solid amp stand. I also got the Ampwedge and have used that at a few gigs to angle the speaker up. I haven't posted any big reviews of the S.S. V3 here yet - just been busy - but in a nutshell, all rave reviews from bandmates, audience, the wife... Oh yeh, and I love it too - the best my rig has sounded in years!

It finally arrived 7:30 pm!! Fed Ex must have been busy today with the storm... Now I have a few days to play with it before my gig Saturday - more in a bit!