From ozmusicman88@internode.on.net Wed Feb 20 19:04:44 2013
Subject:Re: external chorus vibrato?

The characteristics of an old tonewheel console and mechanical Leslie (notably the B3 + 122), just happen to add up to a classic sound. Clonewheels aim to achieve that authentic sound not for historical reasons but for musical reasons: because it is a good sound.

For me, most of the characteristics of the XK1 and XK3c (tonewheel character, keyboard mechanics, key click, percussion envelope, overdrive warmth, cabinet resonance, rotary simulation) are authentic enough to give a good sound and feel (and the Ventilator makes the overdrive, rotary and cabinet simulations even a little better).

Some things are actually an improvement over the original (customizable parameters, digital presets).

However, the chorus vibrato is the one thing that is not quite good enough - not because it is not authentic as such, but because it is not pleasing to the ear and inspiring to the player like the original is. It is frequently observed that all tonewheel organs are slightly different; however, the XKs' chorus vibrato is not like that on any old tonewheel console that I have ever heard. If the modulation were less prominent, and more dry (unmodulated) tone were present, then the XKs' chorus vibrato would be both authentic enough and good enough.

--- c_schonberger@... wrote:

> I just hope that Hammond-Suzuki one day will make an XK-3(c) compatible model which will fit into all those existing XK-3 systems - with the following heavily improved: ... Key and release click ... Chorus-Vibrato ... "animated" overall timbre....

--- ozmusicman88@... wrote:
>>I have an XK1 and XK3c that I am very happy with except for the chorus vibrato, which sounds too warbly no matter how I tweak it, and if the chorus vibrato in the XKs and SKs could be improved so that it purred and shimmered smoothly like that on an old B3 (and on the new Nords, Numas and Mojos that I have heard), I would be first in line.

--- ken@ wrote:
>>> I've thought of this many times but the problem is that on a Hammond, the chorus vibrato affects the organ tone but not the percussion tones. With an external generator, you wouldn't be able to affect one without the other. Also, sometimes it's nice to have C/V on one manual and not the other. These are two good reasons why it's not practical to do this externally.

--- c_schonbeger@ wrote:
>>>> Did anyone ever think about making an external [chorus vibrato] FX-Box to be put into the signal path between the organ and Leslie?