From organbarry@gmail.com Thu Dec 01 17:18:54 2016
Subject:XK-5 1st impressions...

My XK-5 showed up this afternoon. I've only had a short time with it, but
it seems pretty incredible! It looks gorgeous and it does feel heavenly!
It certainly has 'the Hammond sound' and it's remarkably realistic though
I'm looking forward to getting in and doing some editing. Using the 4
drawbar sets (and one for the pedals) and the preset keys reminded me how
limiting it is to have one set of drawbars for everything. It does have
three key contacts and pressing a key slowly does bring in 3 pitches or
sets of pitches - I haven't played with that feature much, but you don't
seem to get 9 separate note-ons when you press slowly - you get 3 each of
which can contain 3 pitches - but I haven't played with the parameters for
that feature. I've played the Nord C2 (with the C2D OS) the SK1 and the
Electros 4 and 5 and this undoubtedly blows them away. I tried a Mojo 61 a
while back but it didn't thrill me as much as I was expecting - this thing
seems to. The Leslie sim is definitely very good - I haven't had a chance
to play with its parameters or compare it to the Vent. I will say that
through a Leslie Studio 12 it sounds unbelievable! In order to afford this
and the Studio 12 I sold my Nord C2, some vintage keyboards, a couple
vintage guitars and amps, and will be selling my SK1- I have to say it was
well worth it! Once I get into it more, I'll report back!