From mattoregan@hotmail.com Sun Apr 02 14:26:26 2006
Subject:Re: Viscount DB5 - opinions?

Hi everyone,

This is my first post to the group but I thought I'd chip in as I bought a second-hand
Viscount DB-5 about 2 weeks ago. It's in mint condition (home use only) and came with a
13-note pedal board, expression pedal and quicklok stand (not an "x" type stand but the
sort you would normally see supporting a mixer). I paid £1000 so quite a good deal I think
for 2 manuals and pedals!!!

First of all, if you want to use the DB-5 to control the B4 you'll probably be disappointed.
I've got both the B4 and the B4 II and the problem is that on the DB-5 only the the
expression pedal sends cc messages, pretty much everything else - INCLUDING THE
DRAWBARS - is sent as system exclusive.

This really is a pain. If you look at post no. 25586 there is some information on midi
translators but the software doesn't seem to be available for mac - I've tried midipipe but
couldn't get it to translate sysex to cc.

This shouldn't be a problem as the DB-5 sounds fantastic - but make sure it says
version 2.2 when you switch it on. I haven't noticed any problems with harmonic beating
apparently found in the earlier version. I'd say it sounds warmer than the B4 but the B4 has
better Leslie Sim - also there's no Brake, but you can set the slow speed to zero.

This isn't a problem for me as I've ordered an 1147 kit to hook it up to my 145, it also
means that my REAL Leslie can now be controlled via midi.

The only thing I need to do now is set it at the right height. I'd be grateful if anyone with a
real Hammond console could measure the height of the upper and lower manuals from the
ground and let me know. Having the whole thing FEEL right really helps to PLAY it right.

Hope this post helps,

Matt

--- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, "Josh Lawrence" wrote:
>
> I was doing some search for a dual-manual clone, and came across the
> Viscount DB5. Anyone remember this? Did you own it, and if so, what
> did ya think? I'm seeing it on closeout in a few places, and it may
> be worth it to me to purchase one, if not for anything else but to get