Mimicking a Hammond B3 type organ

Bitflipper · Post by **Bitflipper** » Thu Sep 15, 2016 12:06 am

Thank you for saying that, SanderXpander. I have $1,000 invested in Ventilators (after replacing the one that got stolen), and hearing this makes me feel much better.

Tomdini · Post by **Tomdini** » Thu Sep 15, 2016 5:07 pm

When selecting a Leslie pedal for my Suzuki Hammond (which I now leave in the studio and, like others here, utilize the individual Outs on the Kronos to get my gigging Hammond sound), I had a friend of mine who already owns all of the major available pedals bring in his three favorite and help me build some tones and jam in what would be, for myself, a blind ear test.

After a full evening across many genres, styles and Hammond tones, I chose "B" of the A, B and C Leslie pedal choices - I figured it was probably the Vent. To my surprise, it was a Boss pedal - the RT-20. Considerably less expensive than some of the other (also excellent) options, and arguably more versatile. I really like the sound of this pedal, and through a stereo keys rig (dual EV ELX115Ps), that sweet spot stereographic sound is phenomenal.

Incidentally, the pedal I had liked least in my blind demo was in fact the Vent.

You really can't go wrong, all of these pedals sound pretty awesome and can inject life into even the most static PCM organs (running Roland's esteemed SRX Hammonds through this pedal has given me some of my favorite organ tones yet!!).

Thought I'd throw it out there. I rarely see the RT-20 get a mention in these conversations. For the money, it contains four Leslie models: a standard stereo mic'ed 122, a 122 with on-axis mic'ing for a collapsed stereo field and stronger tremolo effect, a 122 through a '59 Marshall for the Lord sound (or your own gnarly distorted organ sound, there is a lot of headroom and flexibility with the overdrive knob on this one) and a badass programmable Uni-Vibe model that could be a pedal all its own. Kind of a one-stop shop for rotary effects. I've also run vocals, my Farfisa, and my J-Bass through the pedal and they all took very nicely to the RT-20's processing.

Tom

aron · Post by **aron** » Thu Sep 15, 2016 8:27 pm

Nice to see someone do a blind test. Thank you!

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Thu Sep 15, 2016 11:08 pm

Wow! I didn't even know Boss made a Leslie sim pedal. Good to know!

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Thu Sep 15, 2016 11:33 pm

Thanks, that's definitely interesting! I don't really think there is a "best" with these things, just a "best for you". We all have a slightly different opinion of what sounds good and what it "should" sound like. I'm glad we don't all prefer the exact same thing.

geoelectro · Post by **geoelectro** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:32 am

For me the Ventilator sounds more like a real Leslie. I have been playing and servicing Hammonds and Leslie's for 40+ years. I play them practically every day. I also play in church and have used VST instruments as well as the Kronos. I have installed over 30 Ventilators in gospel churches. Some are used with Leslie's, some in place of.

A lot of recordings of Hammonds have exaggerated overdrive etc. Howver, real Leslis don't necessarily sound that way unless played flat out which isn't always possible. It's great that there are options with sims that can bring studio effects etc. For me, the Vent it as close to a real Leslie of anything I have found.

Geo

aron · Post by **aron** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:31 am

How many people who have tried the ventilator have tried the Roland?

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:17 am

Assuming Roland, like all of these companies, reuses their COSM technology I think I can make an educated guess. I always felt the Roland clonewheel leslie sounded good but a little like a caricature of a Leslie. Everything just exaggerated a tad too much. I haven't tried the pedal though and it sounds like it gives you some options.

Btw don't forget that the Vent 2 alao has mic distance control, mono mode and a guitar amp style distortion option. I think even the factory setting is the guitar amp distortion so if you try it in the store make sure to also check out the 122 setting which we keyboard players would mostly use. Makes a huge difference, at first I assumed the Vent 2 sounded worse than the 1.

geoelectro · Post by **geoelectro** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:46 pm

SanderXpander wrote:Assuming Roland, like all of these companies, reuses their COSM technology I think I can make an educated guess. I always felt the Roland clonewheel leslie sounded good but a little like a caricature of a Leslie. Everything just exaggerated a tad too much. I haven't tried the pedal though and it sounds like it gives you some options.

Btw don't forget that the Vent 2 alao has mic distance control, mono mode and a guitar amp style distortion option. I think even the factory setting is the guitar amp distortion so if you try it in the store make sure to also check out the 122 setting which we keyboard players would mostly use. Makes a huge difference, at first I assumed the Vent 2 sounded worse than the 1.

I like the Vent 2 having mic distance independently for each rotor. I like the upper rotor to be a little more aggressive (closer) while the lower to be less keeping the bass smoother. Having separate controls is a great improvement.

Geo

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 3:13 pm

SanderXpander wrote:I tried them side by side once and have to say I really prefer the sound of the Vent. I wish it had midi control like the Burn though.

Same here. The Burn can do some very cool things that the Vent can't, but having had them side by side, I could not get the Burn to sound as good as the Vent (original model), strictly as a Leslie sim.

Normski · Post by **Normski** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 1:12 pm

Disappointed with a Neo Ventilator 2. I prefer the Organimation patches.

I have owned 3 Hammond’s and 2 Leslie speakers over the last 40 years, plus many more other keyboards. As a gigging musician, Humping a Hammond lost its appeal in the late 70’s. I have continuously searched for the perfect clone ever since. I have owned many of the clone’s and Leslie sim’s that has been available.
When in a studio I have used VB3 for many years and still love it. The Leslie sim is the software that is within the Burn.
I also gigged with VB3 in a Virtual Machine for a few years too. A Great sound.

I owned a Korg CX3 v2 when I purchased My 1st Kronos. I soon found that I no longer needed the CX3 and sold it.
I have gigged with either or both of my 73v1 & 61v2 Kronos’s for the last couple of years.
I love my Kronos’s. And with the Organimation patches I have happily done hundreds of gigs, but as always, the search for the perfect Hammond/Leslie is still with me.

I recently thought about buying the new Hammond XK5, but have decided against it, because of the many reports of problems and hanging notes. I may look again when that issue is sorted.
So with money burning a hole in my pocket, I thought I’d get a Ventilator 2.
My impression of the Vent 2 to the Organimation 2 is that I prefer the Organimation.
There seams more movement, it is also smoother. Other things I prefer, as a gigging musician, are not having to patch 3 extra cables and a psu etc.
I really was quite disappointed with the Vent 2 sound.
I returned the Neo Vent 2 and will for now, stick with my K2 and Organimation. It does use a lot of the internal FX, and careful use is needed when using in a multi combi, but it’s worth it. The Korg Kronos is such a great keyboard.
These are just my opinions. And my search will continue as ever.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 1:17 pm

I know he's not playing a Kronos but as far as I'm concerned, this is the closest I've ever heard to the real deal. Cory Henry on a Nord.
Check it out.

https://youtu.be/nYAwYzcXvKA

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 1:18 pm

I could also be wrong about that keyboard.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 1:42 pm

Normski wrote:When in a studio I have used VB3 for many years and still love it.

Have you checked out the Gemini module?
http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=43

JPROBERTLA · Post by **JPROBERTLA** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 1:02 pm

Have used the Korg emulation for over years. Get more compliments about that sound that any of the other sounds. I am not sure if it actually faithfully copies the Hammond sound, but it sounds good live.

Korg Forums

Mimicking a Hammond B3 type organ

Disappointed with a Neo Ventilator 2. I prefer the Organimat

Re: Disappointed with a Neo Ventilator 2. I prefer the Organ