From jlcason@yahoo.com Sun Mar 06 04:18:49 2011
Subject:Re: Anybody try the B3 emulation on a Kurzweil PC3 series?

I have the experience - had a PC3X since Mar 2008, PC3 since Feb 2009, Electro 3 since last year.

The new latest operating system (2.0.1) for the PC3 has a significantly improveed Hammond/Leslie sound. There are over 80 different internally programmed Leslie effects used on the various patches. Most recently, a new one called "double Leslie" was added - and this one is doing well enough for me that I am just carrying the PC3 most of the time instead of both the PC3 and Electro 3.

The older operating system Leslies were not as realistic, although the base Hammond sound was not bad - it was voiced with less upper brightness than the Nord. This new patch is "in your face" like the Electro. This new OS was just released a couple of days ago to the public, but I am part of the beta test team that has been working with all of the 18 or so versions released leading up to 2.01 from 1.35. Note that most of the PC3's you will see in stores have not been upgraded, but the upgrade is free, downloadable from Kurzweil, and simple to install (although the instructions should ALL be followed in sequence).

If I were really doing an exposed Hammond sound (for which I'd probably want both manuals anyhow), I'd sell the Electro and get an XK-3c. But I am playing a mix of acoustic, electric pianos, Hammond, and occasinally other sounds. I run the rig through either one or two (depending on the venue) QSC K10 speakers.

The Electro 3 does excel in a couple of areas still: weighs under 20 pounds, and the immediacy of adjusting all of the built in effects. However, the mod wheel on the PC3 adds (for instance) tremelo to the Wurly sounds and overdrive to the Hammond patches.

I will probably have some others in heated discourse about this; but that is my feeling about the PC3. One of the few things I've ever bought that has gotten better consistently since I got it (it has OS 0.9 on it when I first got it). Kurzweil and Nord have a similar thing going of providing added functionality after the purchase.

There will probably be considerable feedback from others on this starting in a day or so on SonikMatter, Mastering VAST, and Keyboard Corner forums. I go by the screen name of MoodyBluesKeys on those forums.

Jim

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