From tonysounds@yahoo.com Thu Nov 30 13:39:18 2006
Subject:Hammond Xm2

I picked up my Hammond Xm2 module with drawbar controller Wednesday, and spent basically Wednesday evening getting to know it, and a good chunk of the day Friday and Saturday getting it programmed for my Pink Freud gig on Saturday. I've been enjoying the heck out of B4 but as we do more non-Floyd stuff, I wanted more immediate control over the organ. Plus, I REALLY wanted to integrate my Roadbox 3 into the rig without carrying a 3rd keyboard. I love the way my XK1 sounds, and knew the module would be the ticket.

If you know the sound of the XK3 or the XK1, then you know what you're getting. But interestingly, I do hear a difference between the XK1 and XM2. The XM2 is maybe just a little creamier and smoother, which is something because the XK1/Xk3 are pretty smoothe already. The percussion is MEATY, but the C/V needed to be dialed down a bit for my own taste. The XK1 into the Roadbox requires me to dial the bass up to 9, and I tame the mids and treble down to 0 (flat). On the XM, I actually did the bass at 6, and liked the results.

If you've done any programming on the XK1 or 3, you'll be right at home on the XM2. The menu hierarchy is the same. Editing is a breeze.

The drawbar controller is very fine; bars are smooth but not loose. The controls on the drawbar module include an overdrive amount, reverb volume (no on/off), and the percussion 2nd/3rd/both selector, and the C/V choices. There are two buttons that will give you access to 5 presets, of which you can map in the module. The unit is red (matches my Stage, to which it is velcro'd), and connects to the module with one of those Apple printer cables they used with the old XM1c module. As with the older module, it comes with a "handy" (?) 3 foot connector.

The module and drawbar controller are sold seperately, as are the rackears for the module. The module 3/4 width of a rack space, and has its own not-quite-a-wallwart.

The same drawbar settings I used for B4 sounded fuller and smoother on the XM2; the overdrive when used judiciously added another dimension to my organ tones, and blended with the guitar quite well.

My guitarist said he stopped playing during my first solo: "you were loud, but it was GOOD loud; I just wanted to sit back and hear you go. That rig got tone!" I'm not sure how much this was a testament to the XM2 itself, or to the Roadbox3, but the combination was unbeatable. My bassist and drummer were just as excited and told me those items had to come to every gig. It made the effort of the two days of programming worth it.

At the same price as an XK1, the price is a little steep; but it is a great sounding module. Through a leslie or Roadbox, it's a killer sound. As for the onboard sim, it's subjective. I'm not a big fan of simulators, but the Electro's is my favorite, 2nd only to B4. The XM2's sim will make lovers of the XK1/3 happy.


---------------------------------
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]