New Rig: Shakedown Run

[Dave Pierce]

Well, my new rig got a nice shakedown run tonight. Had a last-minute gig at a bar in San Jose.

 

The RD-700 is AWESOME! Love those weighted keys. Something about realistic keys just makes playing piano stuff so much nicer. It's like I still make the same mistakes, but something about the feel of the keys makes it easier to recover. I can't explain it, but it is so.

 

I was only moderately pleased with the KBR-M, but that's totally unfair to Motion-Sound to report that -- I had spent zero time preparing to use this amp. And the "clean side" sounded great! The organs didn't sound so hot, but I need to make some adjustments. The rotor speed is too slow, and the accelleration of the rotor is like an order of magnitude too slow. Unfortunately, I have to take that baby apart to adjust that. I'll guess I'll have to crack out the toolkit tomorrow. Wish me luck.

 

I noticed that I didn't end up using my DX-27 *at all*. Might need to re-think this three keyboard thing...

 

--Dave

[eric]

Dave,

 

I've used a KBRm for going on 3 years and it has been a stable unit but does not blow me away. Its main selling point is the rotary channel. When dialed in properly, it can make any Hammond sound come alive. But the solid state channels are not terribly loud and sort of round and full sounding as opposed to piercing.

 

I had actually decommissioned my KBRm since about March due to the fact that my new CX3's Leslie sim was so good that I did not feel the need for real rotary. However, I have just pulled it back out for a couple of gigs to see what I think now. I was using it last night and was really happy with the organ sound through the KBRm. It is packed in my truck right now, but when I get a chance, I will post my knob settings.

 

I bought an RD700 last year and used it for 3 months before deciding that I was so attached to my RD600 that I sold the RD700. So we have similar rigs.

 

Good luck tweaking the KBRm and have fun with the new RD.

 

Regards,

Eric

[Dave Pierce]

Originally posted by eric:

Dave,

 

I've used a KBRm for going on 3 years and it has been a stable unit but does not blow me away. Its main selling point is the rotary channel. When dialed in properly, it can make any Hammond sound come alive. But the solid state channels are not terribly loud and sort of round and full sounding as opposed to piercing.

 

I had actually decommissioned my KBRm since about March due to the fact that my new CX3's Leslie sim was so good that I did not feel the need for real rotary. However, I have just pulled it back out for a couple of gigs to see what I think now. I was using it last night and was really happy with the organ sound through the KBRm. It is packed in my truck right now, but when I get a chance, I will post my knob settings.

 

I bought an RD700 last year and used it for 3 months before deciding that I was so attached to my RD600 that I sold the RD700. So we have similar rigs.

 

Good luck tweaking the KBRm and have fun with the new RD.

 

Regards,

Eric

Wow, we do have similar rigs. I use a vintage CX-3, and of course now the RD-700. What's your third board? And what do you use it for?

 

--Dave

[eric]

Dave,

 

Our rig similarity is pretty nifty. I believe we may have already recognized this in the past?

 

Search for some previous threads under my user name to learn more details and see photos of my rig. The live rig includes the RD600, new CX3 and Nord Lead among others.

 

I played a festival gig today and used the KBRm and now I remember the main reason I decommissioned it...it does not cut it when the stage volume is real loud. I could barely hear it today. It was one of those hot and sweaty gigs involving multiple bands on multiple stages. We had 15 min to set up and no sound check. It was fun and a lot of people were there, but the stage volume was out of hand and I could not hear myself. I think I am going to continue exploring the route of using a Mackie SRM450 or something like that.

 

I will say that the rotary sound in the KBRm is pretty sweet...if I part with the KBRm, I guess I will need to start carrying my Leslie 122 again if I want to move air with an actual rotating horn.

 

Regards,

Eric

Phat Albert - 70\'s Funk

Buzby - Original Groove Rock

[Dave Pierce]

Hmmm. The rig similarity is getting a little too close now: I was at Gelb Music on Friday, and I pretty much decided that the next time I get some cash I'm getting a Nord Lead.

 

I do love the real rotary sound, and I found out today why I didn't like the KBR-M sound last night -- the low rotor simulation was too loud, and it basically sucks. A hint of it is nice, but Motion-Sound has the default at 8. Ungood. At tonight's gig I ran it at around 2 and change, and that's as much as I can handle. And it sounded real sweet tonight, I'm real glad I bought it.

 

Funny about the stage volume. We're playing pretty small places right now, and stage volume is a serious problem because it carries to the whole bar (of course). I've been a contributor to the problem when I was using my Pro3/Crate combination, because the Crate was just so muddy I kept turning up to hear myself decently. The KBR-M is just so much more well-defined that I find I can keep the volume much lower. Good stuff.

 

--Dave

[eric]

Dave,

 

I just unloaded my gear and here are my current KBR-m knob settings:

 

Pre: 7

Post: 8

Contour: 6

Low Vol: 4.5

Low Bass: 0

Low FX: 7.5

 

I found that I like the sound of the low simulation, but not at loud volumes or with too much bass. The KBR-m can be a little bass happy on the rotary channel, so I have dialed that back to get the sound I desire. I have one of the first KBR-m models and there have been several upgrades since mine was made. The Motion Sound website has a "Tech/Legacy" section with several mods. You might want to check this out:

 

Motion Sound

 

The bass port mod looks easy, but I'm not sure I want to introduce much more bass response unless it helps the solid state volume and punchiness. Overall, I am happy with the KBR-m other than its less than optimal volume. I have considered swapping out the 12" speaker and replacing it with a nice EV or JBL but have not gone there yet.

 

Using another tube preamp in the organ chain helps the sound as well. I use a Speakeasy Vintage Tube Preamp on certain occasions when I feel like lugging an extra piece of gear. It was used on the Buzby sessions and I think the organ sound on those tracks sounds a little bit nicer with it.

 

Regards,

Eric

[Rick K.]

Too spooky, guys...I'd love a CX3 myself. I'm still in debate over going with a Motif or Triton as my top. I am having a difficult time with this, because the cost is relatively close. I am playing country/southern rock and have been using B3 sounds more than anything else, but occasionally I like to throw in a electronica lead. I prefer to not stage 3 boards, but would love the Nord myself, just to screw around on. Currently I'm using my trusty QS7. I like it, but I really am digging the B3 stuff and would like some better patches and leslie sim....

 

Rick