From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Mon Jun 11 19:33:24 2001
Subject:Re: CX3 outputs and split mode

Mel,

I'll do you one better: I've thought about a few things I would do
differently, if I was creating the CX-3 from scratch!

First let me say that I am VERY pleased with the new CX-3. KORG -- I think
it's supposed to be capitalized, as their original name was the Keio
(pronounced "K-O") Instrument Company, so KORG is probably an acronym
-- did a superb job of catching the must-have features of a Hammond
clone. I'm happier with the CX-3 than any keyboard I've owned in the past
15 years, with the possible exception of my Yamaha AN1x. They did,
however, leave off a couple of things somewhere between "nice-to-have" and
"ought-to-have," IMHO.
* The Expression/Overdrive knob -- Every Hammond clone seems to have at
least one "feature" that leaves players shaking their heads, and KORG is no
exception. This knob is completely worthless, once you attach the included
FC-7 pedal. It's a shame that there isn't a setting to allow the knob to
be dedicated to Amp Gain, so that players would have a real Overdrive knob.
* Bass pedal support -- I don't use the pedals, but I recognize that
there are a lot of organists who do. It's a shame KORG left this feature
off. Rather than a cost issue, I'm inclined to think that it was a matter
of the processor not being up to the task of keeping three channels of
sound running at once (modeling is a difficult thing to do, and the closer
the emulation, the harder it gets to do the math needed on-the-fly), so
KORG Marketing looked around at the number of B-3's with lost pedal boards,
and rationalized away the need for pedal support.
* A Leslie interface -- I think a 122 or 147 interface would have
improved the usability for many players. OTOH, most of the clones to date
have managed to screw up the interface so that it's only marginally useful,
so maybe KORG left well enough alone.
* Dual-triggered keys -- in order to better simulate the feel of a B-3
keyboard, both key contacts should be used: The first 2-3 drawbars should
kick in just like they do today, and the others should chime in at the
second key switch. This is closer to what happens in a real Hammond, with
it's nine contact switches that all trigger at slightly different amounts
of key travel. Again, this may be outside the abilities of the CPU and DSP
chosen.
* Programmable Wheel Brake speed -- OK, this one's a bit of a stretch,
but ... The current implementation acts just like a tone generator whose
synchronous motor has been shut down. The problem is that many players
kill the Run switch on the way down, but use both the Run AND Start
switches on the way up, causing the TG to recover faster than the CX-3
mimics. Try doing the multiple TG kills in Boston's "Smokin" on the CX-3,
or jump from the falling trills in Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" to the
droning chords that punctuate the vocals -- you can't really do it, because
the organ's pitch won't return soon enough.
* Tie the vibrato speed to the Wheel Brake -- everybody knows that if
you slow the TG's, the scanner slows down, too. So, how come the vibrato
maintains its pitch while the rest of the sound falls off a cliff? (OK,
maybe I need to get out a little more ...)
That said, my list is mostly a collection of nit-picky details, so maybe
KORG didn't do so bad, after all ...

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions"
www.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group moderator
978.386.7389 voice
978.964.0547 fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com

At 08:08 a 6/11/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>Dear Bruce,
>
>Thanks for the detailed answer. The CX3 is an amazingly designed
>analog-digital instrument, so even though some features I would like are
>missing and are not hackable, I can't complain too much.
>
>Your answer, however, stimulates me to think on what features I would put in
>a clone. I am particularly glad that Korg paid attention to making the
>physical keyboard and action resemble an organ's. The keyboard feel is one
>element that makes me prefer to play the CX3 over the V5/controller-kb combo.
>
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