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Hammond organs have many qualities, but portability isn’t usually one of them. The new M-solo, though, is cut from different cloth (and significantly less of it, as well) ‘It weighs less than a Fender Strat’.

The M-Solo is said to be in the spirit of the previous Hammond M and L series models, which were themselves designed to draw on the DNA of the classic B-3, C-3 and A-100 organs. The result is “the lightest and most compact true Hammond Organ ever produced”.

Tipping the scales at a mere eight pounds, Hammond says that the M-solo weighs “less than a Fender Strat”, which is certainly not something that could have been said about any of its previous organs. One of the compromises is a smaller, 49-note keyboard, but the MTW II drawbar engine is the same as the one found in the XK-4 organ.

Plenty of other essential Hammond features are here, as well: physical drawbars, vibrato-chorus and touch-response percussion, for example. The multi-touch keybed promises a B-3-style feel, and there are transpose and octave shift controls for when you need to change key or range.

And of course, no Hammond would be complete without a Leslie speaker emulation – in this case a “high definition” digital one.

To give the M-solo a little more flexibility, Hammond has added in three transistor combo organ sounds as well, along with a ‘70s-style string ensemble and even a 2-oscillator analogue style polysynth. Control of these sounds comes via the drawbars.

Hammond is also releasing a soft gig bag for the M-solo; this features double shoulder straps so it can be worn like a backpack.

Offered in Matte black or Matte burgundy, the M-solo is available now priced at $1,295/£1,189. Find out more on the Hammond website.

 

Hammond’s lightweight and ‘affordable’ XK4 organ promises “the B3 experience you’ve always wanted”

Hammond hopes to bring the B3 sound and feel into the future with the XK-4. It features a new Modelled Tone Wheel Engine and digital Leslie for the best in virtually authentic hardware.

The XK4 includes 91 virtual tonewheels, drawbars, touch-response percussion, chorus-vibrato and a newly-designed digital Leslie speaker emulation. The promise is that you’re getting the sound and feel of a B3 in a compact and affordable package.

However, this is a modern instrument that promises to “sound and play like a 60-year-old antique”. To that end, the XK4 also models some of a vintage Hammond’s imperfections, which have been captured in the new Modeled Tone-Wheel 2 Engine. Expect to hear slight pitch fluctuations due to tonewheel backlash, and subtle volume fluctuations due to ‘decentering’.

The virtual multi-contact keyboard is another purported highlight – this is designed to emulate the distinct feel of a vintage Hammond’s electro-mechanical keyboard – while the colour display shows current settings. The switches and knobs are user-assignable, so you’ll always have quick access to your favourite functions, and there are pitchbend and (assignable) mod wheels.

A new tube modelling system is also in play – tweak the overdrive control to add the desired amount of warmth or drive – and, in addition to the B3, you also get Farfisa, Vox and Ace organ emulations. Even classical and theatre pipe organs are covered off.

Build quality appears to be luxurious – the XK4 has real beechwood side panels – and there are plenty of connectivity options.

Hammond is calling the XK4 “a modern miracle” and, it does appear to be a keyboard that gigging B3 aficionados will want to take a close look at, particularly as it weighs just 20 pounds. More details – including a dealer locator – are on the Hammond website. Hammond XK4 cost around $2,495.00

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Nord’s fans would love this brand new flagship instrument line. The new Nord Stage 2 series incorporates Nord’s latest organ, piano and synthesizer technologies. The Stage 2 models includes Nord Stage 2 HA88; a 88 – note, Nord Stage 2 HA76; a 76 – note, and both model feature new fully weighted Hammer Action keyboard and Nord Stage 2 SW73 features a 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall keyboard, Effects; Effect 1 – Ring Modulator, Tremolo, Pan, Wah, AutoWah 1, Autowah 2 , Effect 2 –  Phaser 2 types,  Chorus 2 types, Flanger and Vibe, EQ, Delay and Reverb, 400 programs, LED, Master clock, Modulation wheel.

The Nord Stage 2 series have similar features apart from the keyboard. Part of what sets the Stage 2 apart from typical performance-oriented keyboards is the impeccable attention to detail in its extensive collection of sounds, keybed and control. Armed with twice the program memory of its predecessor, the widely popular Stage EX, the Stage 2 has the bandwidth to include subtitles such as string resonance, dynamic pedal noise and new Piano Release function, and is compatible with the new Nord v5 Piano library, maximizing the range of available sounds. The all-new Piano Release function once activated, you will get a slightly longer release more suitable for legato playing. This important feature reflects adjusting the damper tension in an acoustic or an electromechanical instrument. Likewise, the new Gen 3 organ is simply astonishing! The Stage 2 also features 380MB of on-board sample memory and with the Sample Manager users can also create their own bespoke sound setups, adding endless depth to its synth sound section. The Synth section also features a new powerful arpeggiator that can be easily synced to the Stage 2’s Master Clock for perfect timing with other elements of the Stage 2, including its effect. On top of all of these the Nord  Stage 2 also features an even more extensive effects section than ever before.

Additionally, the Stage 2 control panel and user interface have been designed to give immediate access to all of the key functions, and users are able to quickly and easily see exactly what they have selected. All vital functions are controlled by dedicated single-function knobs – dedicated piano, organ and synthesizer sections and new Live Mode buttons. And when you feel the texture and response of the new custom-designed keybed, you will have no doubt that this keyboard is made for professional keyboardist. If you are looking for the ultimate live keyboard, you are going to love the user-friendly Nord Stage 2, an instrument that offers huge expandability.

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