mate stubb Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 After 4 years of working on my hammond midi controller, it's finally time to show it off. This is definitely the best project I have ever built - I could not be prouder. Here's a quick summary of what it is, in case you have not seen the previous threads. It's a midi controller dedicated to controlling Hammond emulation software. I used real Hammond parts everywhere the player interacts - keys, drawbars, vib & percussion controls. In addition, I added pots to control secondary organ and leslie sim parameters in real time. I wanted it to be giggable, which meant it had to have reasonable weight and break down quickly. And I wanted to be able to take 1 or 2 manuals to the gig as needed. I want to start by thanking members of this list for their encouragement and forebearance in my construction threads, and to specifically thank several people who directly or indirectly contributed to the project: Bruce Barkelew - good buddy, great guitarist, luthier and musical partner - for making that jaw dropping wood happen. I did all of the fab, but he provided and selected the wood and the killer shop, and stepped in to do the final finish work when I chickened out. Donn Watson - fellow list member and organ enthusiast - for making the engraved panels which provided that professional touch, and for insisting I use the black knobs. Jordan Petkov - proprietor of midiboutique.com - for custom programming the midi encoder multiple times until I quit changing my mind. Rick Prevallet - proprietor of tonewheelgeneral.com - for being there with the parts I needed! Guido Scognamiglio - famous software instrument maker and all around good guy - for his fantastic VB-3 software, which I completely designed this controller around. I can't wait for VB-3 2. Have I mentioned that yet? The earlier threads can be found here: It's alive! https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2190231/1 It's alive woodworking edition https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2174351 I will post a lot more pics and chronicle the whole thing on my website soon. I consider the current state to be that of a finished prototype. The exterior is complete and the controller is 100% functional, but I may clean up the internal wiring and even refactor the electronics a bit at some point. I want to cut down some Hammond pedals and I have to build a dedicated road computer to run the software live. Oh, and I need cases... the to-do list endures. Mostly, I have been playing and enjoying it mightily. For somebody like me who invested so much time on a console tonewheel over the years, it's like coming home. Charlene is getting jealous! And now, it's time for some pics. Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 First up is the tiger duo. The maple has a deep figure somewhere between fiddleback and quilted. It really explodes in color when I light it, so I have to be careful not to overload the camera. http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_01_sm.jpg http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_09.jpg Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 Next is the slightly more sedate mahogany duo (same instrument, just switched the interchangeable sides). http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmahog_03_sm.jpg http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmahog_02_sm.jpg Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 Finally we have the nord-buddy single (remove the top manual and switch sides again). http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_singlemaple_12_sm.jpg http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_singlemaple_06_sm.jpg Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieP_MechE Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Man, i'm drooling! You have my eternal salutation, sir. Quote "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I can't say much else other than... [video:youtube] Quote A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalTube Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Wow!!!!! Nice!! Quote DP 7.24, Superior 2.3, Ivory II, FM8, NI Vintage Organs, Kontakt, Arturia MMV 2.6, GSI VB3, Fractal Axe FX II, Roland A-80, Oberheim Matrix 12, Minimoog, Oberheim 4 voice, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dglavko Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Awesome and congrats! How much do they weigh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewImprov Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Damn. Words fail me. That is soooooo freaking cool! Quote Turn up the speaker Hop, flop, squawk It's a keeper -Captain Beefheart, Ice Cream for Crow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 You are an artist and a mad genius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Tonewheel Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Outstanding!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Please Moe, take some pictures of the knobs. I can't read what's written and i'm dying to know. Once again, amazing Quote "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Warren Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Gorgeous! Quote DigitalFakeBook Free chord/lyric display software for windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Simply beautiful. Congrats on getting through it. Mean piece of work. Send that in to Stephen Fortner post-haste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 Here are a few close ups, showing the secondary controls. http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_03_sm.jpg http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_dualmaple_04_sm.jpg http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/hammond/keeper/keeper_singlemaple_04_sm.jpg Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Whoah! That is too nice to take out. It is one of kind. Combined with your Super Leslie system that is some combination. For those that haven't seen it you should check out Dave's road leslie outfit also. Quote "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Awesome! I don't remember if you said, what does it weigh? Quote "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 It breaks down into 2 packages, to be carried in 2 cases. For the 2 manual version, the sides are what locks everything together, and come off for transport. package 1 - top manual/drawbars (no ends). 41 lbs (currently - still have a little weight loss fight left in me) package 2 - bottom manual/skirt 32 lbs plus endcaps 5 lbs. Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3Nut Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Well done! Amazing work...now we want video of it in action! TP Quote --- Todd A. Phipps "...no, I'm not a Hammondoholic...I can stop anytime..." http://www.facebook.com/b3nut ** http://www.blueolives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmp Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Simply AWESOME!!!! Lot's of folks (like me) gripe about nobody building the gear they want, but very few have it the drive to do it themselves. Congratulations! Quote --wmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 That's beautiful! Congrats!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahZark Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Wowza! Too friggin' cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 That's great, nice job. That's how they all should look. Quote "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I have no words. Incredible! And, I had not realized that you were building *three* of them. If they feel as good as they look, this is a fantastic achievement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bourniplus Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Awesome, very professionnal-looking! Quote "Show me all the blueprints. I'm serious now, show me all the blueprints." My homemade instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDP Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Dude.....you gave birth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Meh... Photoshop Really. I'm cynical, skeptical, and feelin' kinda rude... but you need a few more posts under your belt to convince me that it's real. Who do you work for? What's your agenda? HA! Nice work, Moe. Tom Quote "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 You sir, are an artist. ... and that kinda gear porn is gonna have me in therapy for a while I'm sure. Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 And, I had not realized that you were building *three* of them. If they feel as good as they look, this is a fantastic achievement. There's only one instrument - it has a top manual chassis, a bottom manual chassis, and interchangeable sides. Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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