From tombitondo@optonline.net Sat Dec 23 10:09:42 2006
Subject:Re: How "loud" is a tonewheel generator?

OK,
So I did what Walter said - I isolated the preamp first, and then
added the AMA.
Great idea, Walter! :)
What is funny is that I always was just "satisfied" with just the CX-
3, feeling something was missing.--- when I added the Speakeasy
preamp, then WOW I hit the next level - there was much more body to
the sound, realistic overdrive, and detail. (realistic vs artificial
sounding -- the Korg's overdrive was really fake sounding to me.).
But now, when I added the AMA after getting just the right sound from
the preamp, the AMA was the final component of "warmth" and "subtle
grind" which was still not quite there. It adds a certain color to
the sound, like a real leslie should. (Although as I said, just "pre-
amping" the sound was way way better than the stock sound).
I'm really diggin' it! :)
The weird thing is that I always percieved this kind of stuff (tube
amps etc.) to be largely "snake oil" and in people's minds. UNTIL I
actually took the plunge, that is!
I'll be in the studio next week -- I'll try to create some MP3's and
post them.
CHEERS everybody! Have a Happy!
Tom Bitondo
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" wrote:
>
> THANKS GUYS! I Will continue my experimentation and will post some
> MP3's when I have something "good".
> All the best to everyone - Happy Holidays to all!
> Tom Bitondo
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
> --- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" wrote:
> >
> > OK folks here's the scoop - I've been doing a LOT of
experimenting
> > with my Korg CX-3. I'm running it through my new Speakeasy 122AMA
> in
> > conjunction with my Speakeasy Stereo preamp (run in mono). (Final
> > output is MONO to my Barbetta 32c )
> > Preliminary results are really great. The sound has tons more
body
> > and hammond-like tone color. Ditto on the BALLS and GRIND factor.
> I'm
> > actually pretty satisfied with the results; however I feel I can
do
> > even better.
> > What I'm curious to know is this:
> > If you were running the pure output of a Hammond tonewheel
> generator
> > through a mixer (without any preamplification whatsoever) how
loud
> > would it be, in relation to the mixers VU meters? I.E., would it
> come
> > up to "0" on the meter or be slightly under (or over)??
> > I'm trying to approximate the "raw" sound's volume BEFORE any
> preamp
> > or amp. I'm curious because I feel I'm still not getting the
> optimum
> > (proper) starting level.
> > As far as the Korg's amp sim goes, I'm using a type I amp; and
I'm
> > not using ANY added overdrive to the sound. However, in order to
> have
> > the expression pedal kick in, I'm turning up the
> expression/overdrive
> > on the CX-3 to full. (obviously, when you "floor" the pedal it
just
> > gets louder, no grind or "balls" -- which is exactly what I want
> > before it hits the preamp etc.).
> > Truthfully, I'm getting really great results with the 2
Speakeasys.
> > If anything, the whole rig is so LOUD and I'm wondering whether I
> may
> > be driving the input to the preamp too "hot" directly from the
> organ.
> > Also, I'm wondering if the fact that final output is to the
> Barbetta
> > amp (which I doubt is not really designed to handle a huge signal
> > like this) -- maybe that's why I can only keep the Barbetta at
> about
> > 9:00 (1/4 of volume).
> > OK folks, that's the story --
> > Any thoughts would be HIGHLY appreciated!
> > AS always, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all and I'm eager to hear what you
all
> > have to say!
> > Regards,
> > Tom Bitondo
> >
>