From bw@ashbysolutions.com Tue Dec 11 16:19:19 2012
Subject:Re: Korg CX-3 analog vs digital?

Hi Don,

Let me provide my $0.02USD ...

I agree with others' sentiment that an updated Korg CX-3 isn't what the
world is looking for. First off, the CX-3 wasn't really that good a
clone of the Hammond B-3, at least, by 2012 standards. It 96 tone
generators (vs. 91), different foldback points, no chorus vibrato, and
mediocre percussion. All of these faults would have to be addressed, as
well as 1,000 tiny details I haven't even mentioned.

That said, there *may* be a market for an all-analog Hammond clone, but
the window is closing pretty fast:

1. There is less demand for the Hammond sound than there was say, 35
years ago, if for no other reason than there are more tonal
options available today than ever before.
2. Like it or not, the market for Hammond clones is aging rapidly.
Based on the membership of this group, I would venture that the
'typical' clone player is 45-65 years old, gigs predominantly on
weekends (if at all), and spends far less time on musical pursuits
than he/she did 20 years ago.
3. Although analog electronics may have an edge in producing 'warmth'
in tone, there have been some fantastic improvements in the
digital world in the past 15 years, to the point where an analog
product isn't guaranteed to be head-and-shoulders better than it's
digital counterpart, if one can look at things objectively. The
Neo Ventilator is a good example of a product that has all the
good buzz-words -- warmth, growl, sizzle, etc. -- yet is almost
100% digital in nature.

So, a 'true analog' CX-3 wouldn't necessary turn into a best seller. It
*might* -- if it also manages to be small, light, and reasonably
low-cost like most of its digital competition. If it can't be, then it
has to be significantly better than the rest in raw tone, while equaling
the others in the secondary features. And be aware that the average
2012 clonewheeler has much higher demands than the target player for the
1980 CX-3. List members regularly buy and quickly sell gear based on
small differences in key click, percussion timbre, and vibrato depth.
Let's be honest: most Hammond clones released since about 2000 (and
some before that) are more than serviceable for gigging, but that
doesn't stop players from picking at their weak points.

Regards,

-BW

Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions.com^(TM)
bw@ashbysolutions.com
http://music.ashbysolutions.com
877.55.ASHBY (877.552.7429)

On 12/11/2012 5:22 PM, donstavely wrote:
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