From ken@kenhall.ca Wed Jan 14 06:01:32 2015
Subject:Re: numa 2 question

I owned two of the Numa Organ version 1, and sold them for different
reasons. They were a bit finnicky to load software and firmware, but
once I got that sorted out they were solid. I found them inspiring to
play. I now have a Numa Organ 2 and to my ear it sounds pretty much
identical. There are a couple of tonewheel variations which are
slightly different from each other and they've added Fafisa, Vox and
some pipe type sounds. There is adjustment for percussion volume and
decay as well as fine tuning. That's about it. I like the sleeker
design although it seems a bit heavier to me. It feels much more
sturdy and robust than the first version. Most of the quirky things
about the first version persist. I've been trying to make suggestions
to Studiologic about improvements and while they seem to be listening,
I'm not sure if or when any of those improvements might come. So, here
are the frustrations. The rotary sim is excellent, but there is no
visual indication of its status unless you use the mod lever
exclusively. When changing speeds with the hold pedal, you can easily
lose track of where the sim is. I have suggested the rotary LED should
flash slow, fast or remain on steady to indicate stop. If you're using
the Numa as a midi controller, you can't separate the hold function from
the rotary control function, so if you play a piano sound layered with
the organ, every time you hit the sustain pedal it changes the rotary.
I have asked for them to 'disconnect' the hold pedal from rotary control
when the Numa is in controller mode. As a controller, there seems to be
some inconsistency in velocity response between sharps and naturals, I
have asked them to attempt to smooth that out. Now to my biggest
concern. The Studiologic site offers downloads for loading new sounds,
upgrading firmware, etc. and there was even mention that if you have an
original version Numa Organ beyond a certain serial number, it may be
upgradeable to all of the new features of the Numa 2. My problem is
that I have yet to get the Numa Organ 2 to properly communicate with my
computer so that I can upgrade software and firmware. There seems to be
some type of USB/MIDI driver issue and I just can't get it to work. I
have had several email exchanges with the company about this but there
has been no resolution. I am hopeful that they will figure this stuff
out,hopefully quickly. When I plug a Nord keyboard in to upgrade it
just works. The Studiologic just doesn't. If they don't figure this
out soon it might just kill the Numa Organ 2 for them. I hope that
isn't the case. It's still very inspiring to play, it's compact, solid
and one of the best clones on the market at the moment. The rotary sim
is excellent, the chorus vibrato is excellent, the organ tones and
overdrive are excellent, the reverb is excellent. This keyboard fills a
void in my collection of instruments that I really miss when I don't
have it. Single manual, grab and go complete Hammond clone. It
complements my Nord Stage beautifully and stacks well. If I have an
organ only gig, the Mojo is still the best choice but the Numa gives me
a ton of flexibility and for the price, you really can't beat it as a
single manual clone. I don't want to get into bashing other products,
this just works for me. I'll try to hold their feet to the fire to get
the odd problems sorted out, but I still have no regrets about buying
the Numa Organ 2. Those who know me would know it would be sold if I
didn't love it, so I guess I love it. As always, YMMV.

Cheers, Ken