From dougsloan@neo.rr.com Mon Jun 21 07:49:06 2004
Subject:73?? vs 61 note "proper" controller

Hey folks!

It sounds like Doepfer is definitely going forward with their organ
controller. They may also explore a 73-key version as well. Both the
61-key and 73-key versions would be modular, allowing for a proper
dual manual configuration (i.e. B3 placement), plus the module for
dual drawbars, etc. The 73-key version, running six octaves beginning
and ending with C, could be very popular, even preferred in spite of a
somewhat higher price for several reasons:

1) For organ splits, you would gain a whole octave where there is
that dreaded overlap at the bottom of the treble (upper) and top of
the bass (lower). I recall many Electro users, Tony O in particular,
really like the 73-note Electro over the 61-note version for that
reason. This in spite of the fact that the Electro 73 runs six
octaves beginning and ending with F, which is not optimal for Hammond
playing.

2) For the ultimate in Hammond control, the bottom octave of the
73-note keyboard may be used to trigger drawbar presets - as on the
real deal. The EVB3, and I believe B4, are set up to handle that
range as the reversed color octave on a Hammond. For those of you
controlling an Electro rack, the same notes could be set to trigger
the Nord's drawbutton presets. When using two of these 73-note
keyboards, you would have the full dual manual B3 experience, assuming
they do end up with the two pedal drawbars as well.

3) One of the main benefits of any dual manual controller, is to also
have separate upper and lower instruments. Here again, the 73-note
keyboard is much better for electric pianos, etc. (i.e. Lounge
Lizard), with perhaps a spit upper manual for organ - or what ever.
You simply have larger, more useful ranges with 73-note manuals than
61-note manuals.

Personally, I am VERY happy with what my CX3 can do as a controller
via MIDI-OX. All the Doepfer 61 would really do for me is provide
proper placement of upper and lower manuals. While this is nice, it
wouldn't seem worth replacing the CX3. But if it also gave me 73-note
manuals, hence fuller piano range, better organ split capabilities,
and Hammond-like dual organ layout WITH preset triggers via the bottom
octave on each manual (for heavy-duty Hammond work!), I think I would
spring for it.

I'm curious to hear some feedback from you cloners that might be
interested in Doepfer's waterfall/drawbar controller. Would the
73-note manuals be worth a little extra $s to you? Or are 61-note
manuals going to be good enough for you?

Regards,

Doug