From dougsloan@neo.rr.com Tue Nov 19 12:09:23 2002
Subject:OT Applied Accoustics Lounge Lizard, B4 & soft synths

Hi all:

A bit off topic, but I'm thrilled (so far). I had soul searched for a
great Hammond clone, and a great Rhodes/Wurli clone. Electro is a
natural one-stop, and I checked one out a few times. I wanted as few
compromises so as to avoid buyer remorse. I already have and totaly
dig a CX-3. The Electro seemed the best clone on the Rhodes/Wurli
side. It also is a top notch Hammond clone. Ulitately for me,
however, I knew I'd kick myself if I gave up on the CX-3's ass-kicking
Leslie sim, great tweakability and versitilaty, great overall clone
sound, and its layout including two "live" drawbar sets. Thus I was
faced with the expense of an Electro rack primarily for Rhodes/Wurli,
though a definate compliment to the CX-3's Hammond, introducing a
somewhat fatter, more compressed tone with nicer distortion (still
short of Speakeasy). The $s saved on plan B for Rhodes/Wurli, Roland,
would have been settling for #2 IMHO.

Reading the B4 posts (and trying the cool B4 demo), the concept of
soft synths really peaked my curiosity. After looking into Applied
Accoustics' Lounge Lizard, I took the $175± plunge. For Rhodes/Wurli,
(which I have admitedly never owned either, but did try out both
Roland & Electro), it flat out KICKS ASS! Price be damed!! I like it
better than any other Rhodes/Wurli sim I ran across. And its so 'n cheap!

ARE SOFT SYNTHS THE WAVE? Costs are limited software development,
whithout microprossesor and hardware costs. So much more efficient.
The NI B4 IMHO has a few weaknesses like any other clone, including
sorta weak low end, just OK Leslie sim, and Hammond control issues
that some posts already discuss solutions for. But it damn sure has
a fat tone, even in the upper octave. The adjustable C/V and the
thunk are absolutely second to none.

But wow! The Lounge Lizard is so good, and Rhodes/Wurli doesn't need
so many on-the-fly adjustments as a Hammond, so I now now have the
Hommond Clone I like best in the CX-3 (sans Speakeasy), and the
Rhodes/Wurli generator I want in the Lounge Lizard (sans wieghted
controller). P.Audios & Speakeasy next on agenda.

As always, personal experiences may vary.