From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Thu Feb 10 13:37:21 2000
Subject:RE: DMI-64 Module

-----Original Message-----
From: FrankJ5205@aol.com [mailto:FrankJ5205@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 1:14 PM
To: bruce@ashbysolutions.com
Subject: Re: [Voce] DMI-64 Module

In a message dated 2/10/00 4:21:22 AM Pacific Standard Time,
bruce@ashbysolutions.com writes:

<< what is the difference between the DMI-64 (with
grey front panel) and a V-3?

Will either of these modules allow me to play dual manuals and pedals?

Does the DMI-64 have a Leslie simulation and will this unit work with
Voce Drawbars? >>

Hey, I get to try some answers to the list! (This is sort of like "who
wants
to be a millionare?" isn't it? Don't I win something if I actually get
it
right?!?!?)

There are MANY differences between the DMI-64 Mark II (was there ever a
Mark
I in distribution?) and the V3. As far as I know, the DMI was Voce's
first
product, wasn't it?

I, too, sometime back found a DMI available inexpensively, and thought
it was
an excellent sounding unit. I used it on some theatrical setups, and got
compliments on it -- I would often layer it with "Hammond" patches on my
e-mu
Vintage Keys Plus. The 'sweetness' of the DMI would often meld nicely,
and
give a little life to, with the excellent sample-based VK+. Note, this
was
not, on the whole, solo playing where comparison with a 'real' B-3 sound
would be made.

The DMI suffers from 1) low output level [so just plan your gain stages
accordingly], 2) ancient interface and programming architecture [hey, it
is
ancient]. But, aside from these 'historical, time-of-development'
differences, the main difference is one of tonal architecture.

The DMI creates the 'overtones' by, I believe, integral multiplication
of the
principal frequency. That is, the 2nd overtone, at the 12th, has a
frequency
of 3x the principal. The V3's 'overtones' are 'tempered,' which is to
say,
they have a frequency adjusted to the 12-tone tempered scale, which is
the
same as on a real Hammond tone-wheel organ. I myself regard the DMI as
kind
of a limited additive synthesis engine -- it sits in the rack with a
Kawai
K5m and a Kurzweil 150FS.

Both will let you play 'two manuals and pedals.' The DMI is actually
more
flexible about this in some ways, being multi-timbral. The Voce Drawbars
were
originally developed for the DMI. I believe that Voce has kept the MIDI
controller assignments consistent through the later modules and versions
of
the drawbars. There would, of course, be 'improvements' in the later
versions
of all these.

-Frank Johnson
San Francisco

(Where's my prize .. what did I win?)