From emilindru@yahoo.com Tue Jun 29 09:53:31 2004
Subject:Re: B3 Clone Comparison MP3s

--- elggobo wrote:
> --- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, emili gene
> wrote:
> > --- tonysounds wrote:
> > Well, that's what the author of the mp3s asked
> for:
> > opinions based on those recordings he made.
> > I haven't had the chance to play a xk3 myself,
> > otherwise I wouldn't care to make a comment on how
> an
> > instrument appears to sound like after hearing it
> > mp3'd
>
> There are some mp3s from the XK-3 demos on
>
http://www.hammond-organ.com/mp3/xk3_demo_file_form.htm

Thanks a lot for the link. This is somethin' else!.
There was not much of it showed in the clone
comparison mp3s, so my opinion wasn't quite fair.
Sure enough, now my impressions have changed. It's
amazing how detailed and warm the tone is. It's
percussion, leakage, keyclick and chorus/vib is
amazing. It sounds like a REAL tonewheel. I must admit
that. However, it's unbelievable how cheezy the leslie
sim is. It makes it sound like a toy when it's in fast
speed, specially with upper drawbars pulled out.

>
> The Leslie sounds a bit thin, lacking the FM and
> richness of tone of
> a real Leslie

Sounds to me as the same one they had on the
xk-2/xb-1/xm-1. No improvement on that field, same old
HS.

- no criticms of the the organ tone
> though

What I don't understand is all the rave about the tube
preamp. I don't think that the OD or distorsion
present in the song "Liberation" is nothing
exceptional. To be it sounds like digital harsh.
The electro simulates tube OD with physical modeling,
and to my ears it sounds MUCH more convincing. I guess
the whole purpose of including that preamp was to help
sell the instrument better.
Now, I'm sure it's nice being it there and it may be
really handy when using it with a real leslie, but I
can't see how this tube amp sets this thing away from
competitors, as stated everywhere by xk3 enthusiasts.


- it sounds
> very realistic under Joey's fingers.

Even a farfisa organ would sound good under his
fingers!. Just a few months ago I saw him live with an
xk-2, and he played it astoundingly. I remember
testing the unit myself a few years ago, and I clearly
remember that it disappointed me. Under joey's fingers
it sounded terrific, though.
I think it has to do with the fact that as good
jazzers, they do rely very little on leslie use. 75%
of the time it will be set to stop, or it'll be off



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