Hammond introduces the new XK-1c

[Waterfall-K]

Good news! 8)

Χτες η Hammond USA ανακοινωσε το νεο μοντελο της εταιρειας, το Hammond XK-1c.

 

 

Απο μια γρηγορη ματια που εριξα στα specs, το νεο Hammond ειναι ιδιο με τη σειρα SK (ιδια sound engine) αλλα χωρις τους εξτρα_non organ_ηχους (ακ. & ηλ. πιανα, clavs, harpsichord, synths κλπ). Αυτο σημαινει οτι το XK-1c ειναι μονο Organ, με ηχο Hammond, Vox, Farfisa και Pipe Organ.

Με λιγα λογια: ενα νεο Hammond με ακομα χαμηλοτερη τιμη αγορας αλλα με τον γνωστο

"fat, warm, utterly authentic B3 organ sound." [Keyboard mag]

 

Παρακατω η χθεσινη ανακοινωση της Hammond USA:

 

"Introducing the smallest and lightest Genuine Hammond Organ. There was a time when the roaring sound of a genuine Hammond B3 Organ and Leslie Speaker required a moving van with burly movers, and room enough on stage to stand 4 regular musicians. Those days are truly now behind.

 

The new Hammond XK-1c, to be unveiled at the upcoming Summer NAMM show in Nashville (July 11-13), provides the full majesty and versatility of the industry standard B-3 in a compact package weighing just 16 pounds, with a MAP price of $1495 / €1144.

 

Following the lead of the wildly popular SK series of ultralight keyboards, the XK-1c uses the same Virtual Tonewheel “engine” as Hammond’s flagship B3-mkII Console Organ, with all the traditional elements, such as Hammond’s original Chorus/Vibrato and Touch-Response Percussion.  The latest digital Leslie™ is also onboard, completing the classic setup, which is one of the most desired pieces of gear for any keyboard player in any genre of music.

 

The XK-1c features extensive customization capabilities, allowing the Organ to be tailored into replicating any Hammond/Leslie vintage, with all settings stored in each patch. Most common aftermarket “Hot Rod” modifications are possible within the editing facilities, as well. A wide variety of different Hammond tones are contained in the factory patch library. There are 64 Factory patches and 64 User-programmable patches available.

 

In addition to the Drawbar Profiles, the sounds of two of the most popular transistor combo organs are included, along with 28 equivalent ranks of Classical Pipe Organ sounds. The Combo Organ and Pipe Organ voices may be fully registered in traditional fashion via the Drawbar controls.

 

Hammond USA Director of Sales and Marketing Gregg Gronowski says:

“The XK-1c’s diminutive size is shocking when compared to its massive tone, but one touch of the traditional waterfall keyboard tells the truth that the XK-1c is the real deal, not a clone or imitation, but a genuine Hammond Organ, worthy of the name and the legacy of nearly 80 years.”

 

Available September 2013"

 

XK-1c spec sheet:

http://alturl.com/cdj9h

[Waterfall-K]

Περιμενοντας να βγαλουν κανενα βιντεο της προκοπης (αργουν...) ας δουμε το μοναδικο μεχρι στιγμης βιντεο που υπαρχει, το οποιο ειναι εκνευριστικα μικρο.

 

[Waterfall-K]

[foxxx]

τιμη?

[Waterfall-K]

...with a MAP price of $1495 / €1144.

Το SK1 (61 keys) κοστιζει 1600€. Το XK-1c ειναι ενα SK1 χωρις τους εξτρα_non organ_ηχους, οποτε να το περιμενουμε κανα 1200ρι με 1400ρι το πολυ.

Η σειρα SK πουλαει τρελά, αλλα το XK-1c προβλεπεται να κανει ρεκορ πωλησεων με τετοια τιμη και αυτον τον ηχο. 8)

Αν δεν το αγορασω θα σκασω... :P

 

 

 

 

 

[foxxx]

Το SK1 (61 keys) κοστιζει 1600€. Το XK-1c ειναι ενα SK1 χωρις τους εξτρα_non organ_ηχους, οποτε να το περιμενουμε κανα 1200ρι με 1400ρι το πολυ.

Η σειρα SK πουλαει τρελά, αλλα το XK-1c προβλεπεται να κανει ρεκορ πωλησεων με τετοια τιμη και αυτον τον ηχο. 8)

Αν δεν το αγορασω θα σκασω... :P

 

Aντε με το καλο  ;)

[Waterfall-K]

Παρακατω ενα σημερινο συντομο review του νεου Hammond XK-1c απο τον γνωστο Jazz οργανιστα Jim Alfredson καθως και ενα ηχητικο demo.

 

Hammond XK1c quick review

 

Hammond is shipping their newest model, the XK1c. This replaces the discontinued XK1. The engine is much the same as the SK series but without the other non-organ voices. The form factor is also very similar but lacking the SK’s non-organ voice controls. It also features different end blocks with a more traditional wood grain.

 

The organ engine has a few differences from the current OS in the SK series (though this may change). First is a MIX parameter for the chorus/vibrato, which controls the balance between the dry signal and the affected signal. Users have been asking for this ability for some time. It allows you to dial in some “age” to the virtual chorus/vibrato line, not unlike the capacitors in a real tonewheel organ aging over time. The range is from -64 (dry) to +64 (100% wet).

 

Another difference is the COLOR parameter in the Leslie simulation menu. This imparts some tonal characteristics reminiscent of cabinet resonance to the Leslie sim.

 

Hammond also added some very subtle details to make the sound even more authentic. The drawbars exhibit a very understated ‘click’ in the audio when moved. It is barely noticeable but tonewheel Hammond organs do the same thing, even those with smooth drawbars. A similar understated ‘click’ is audible when holding a note or chord and pressing the chorus/vibrato tabs on or off. Again, a tonewheel console like a B3 does this as well and it isn’t loud or distracting.

 

Here is a quick improvisation using the very first stock preset on the XK1c and the internal Leslie sim. This was recorded straight into Cubase 7 with no external processing except for a very light limiter added to the final mix for web delivery purposes. The reverb is also from the XK1c.

 

 

The sound right out of the box is very good. To my ear, Hammond’s past instruments all needed substantial tweaking before they sounded as good as their potential, but the XK1c comes from the factory sounding really great. The presets are for the most part well programmed and display the range of tones available. One of my favorites is a re-creation of a 1940′s Hammond BV through a Leslie 31H tallboy.

 

I will be making a custom tonewheel set for it based on my ’54 Hammond C2 and this will be available on my site as well as the Hammond site for free. I think Hammond has a real winner with this product. A 13lbs Hammond organ with the big sound of the original 400lbs beast for $1495 (€1444 στο Thomann)?  

Sounds good to me!

[Waterfall-K]

Reviewed by Jim Alfredson and published on Nov 15, 2013