From hallk@post.queensu.ca Tue Mar 11 13:19:25 2003
Subject:Re: EVB3 Opinion

Doug,

What hardware are you running? What was the latency? What's the total cost
including Logic?

Thanks, Ken


> Hi all
>
> I checked out the Emagic EVB3 this past week, a very intriguing
> product. Following are some of my observations.
>
> This has some very authentic B3/Leslie sounds. The basic drawbar
> sounds are meaty/thick, where the tones seem to push through nicely.
> The top octave is not quite as thick as the B4, but up there with,
> say, the Electro and bit better than most clones. The remaining
> octaves are nicely balanced. Unlike the B4, this has pretty good low
> end grunt. The key click is the best I've heard from a clone, and
> very authentic. The notes give that Hammond "kerthunka thunk" when
> you play. The chorus/vibrato is to me perfect. Its very robust
> without going a bit overboard. The percussion definitely gives the
> wooden mallet thunk, rather than a metallic ding. The rotating sim is
> very good, and very distinctive, although I won't call it great. The
> overdrive is absolutely fantastic. This is digital? There must be a
> Speakeasy in there, with both Classic (growl) & Howler (bity) modes.
> The leakage is also pretty good. Reverbs are OK.
>
> The interface is very well thought out. Nine drawbars for the upper,
> two for the pedals (which I have not tried) and nine again for the
> lower manual. My CX3 maps to this very nicely. Drawbars 2 control
> the upper drawbars, the V/C knob maps perfectly to the EVB3's V/C
> knob, and likewise the upper/lower vibrato. I control the 2rd/2nd
> harmonic with the Korg's 3rd harmonic switch, although its in reverse.
> Likewise for the Leslie brake. The Leslie fast toggles the EVB3
> between fast (tremolo) and slow (chorale). I cc'd the 16' drawbar 1
> to "morph" through the EVB3's upper manual drawbar presets (obviously
> adjustable) that are arranged like a Hammond's reverse color presets
> (C through B). This is very slick. I also use the 8' drawbar 1 to
> add/subtract reverb level.
>
> Overall Impressions: This is very, very authentic for a lot of Hammond
> sounds such as Jimmy Smith, Brian Auger, Soulive, Chester T, Greg
> Rollie - Abraxas, and Allman Brothers "Dreams" etc. Goes well with
> some other cd's I played along with such as Stanley Turpentine (don't
> recall organ players name, sorry), although I need to get my Unity CD
> back for a Larry Young test. To me, this gets the Electro's V/C
> turned back ever so slightly, and adds a Speakeasy dual mode. The
> notes clunk in a Hammond way that I've not heard in any clone. I
> swear there are sounds coming from a wooden cabinet with glowing
> tubes. It basically takes the B4, improves the Leslie sim, gives back
> the low end, and ends up with something that sounds like the real
> deal, even when compared to the B4. I also like its interface better.
> However, I'm not totally confident in the fact that it is not a stand
> alone, and has to run through Logic. I have had a few notes burp.
> It's never locked up, and keeps going beginning with the next note,
> but it has missed on a couple of notes. This never happened to me
> running either the standalone B4 demo or the standalone Lounge Lizard.
> Thus, this minor concern, and the fact that the tremolo sim is short
> of CX3 perfection (IMHO) are the only drawbacks of note.
>
> Note as a reference point that I last had a real Leslie (142) a year
> ago, with an XK-2 & original Speakeasy. Before, that a BC with
> percussion, and 14 years ago an L100 & 145. I've played real B3's and
> A100s a few times, including an A100 & 147 about four weeks ago.
> After about 3 notes that time, it was instant "man, there just simply
> AIN'T NOTHIN like the real deal." While that still holds, the EVB3
> is REAL close. It's in a league by itself that I haven't heard from
> H-S, Roland, Korg (although the tremolo with full drawbars still rules
> - too bad v2.0 neutered the C/V) Electro (great effort though), or
> even B4 (closest until now).
>
> Hey, each clone has its strengths and weaknesses. This is a great
> compliment to my CX3, and cheaper than a Speakeasy Stereo rack. A
> great enhancement for cheap. First Lounge Lizard, now this, I'm
> placing a big vote for softsynths! Many thanks also to Steffan
> Diedrichsen on this list for his assistance and answering some of my
> questions about the EVB3.
>
> Regards,
>
> Doug
>
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