The Hammond electric organ was invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934. It was originally intended and indeed used in churches as an alternative for the costlier wind-driven pipe organs. Though there have been numerous emulations throughout the 20th and indeed in the 21st century some respectable soft-synth versions of the B-3 organ but nothing compares to playing an original Hammond instrument.
The new Hammond SK1 Combo Organ is a truly portable instrument weighing merely 15.4 lbs. As for emulating the original B-3, Hammond fans would love these two iconic features; the nine mechanical pitch drawbars, an iconic feature of the original Hammond organ that essentially served as a built-in mixer by allowing you to control the levels of various frequency waveforms, is a key feature as well as the built-in digital Leslie feature, which emulates the Doppler Effect of a true Leslie speaker remarkably well. This Doppler Effect from the Leslie speaker was a key part of the personality of the original Hammond and the emulation on the new SK1 is superb. A notable feature missing are bass pedals but remember because this is a digital emulation you can split the keyboard and actually play the lower register.
The Hammond SK1 offers feature-rich add-ons with a host of additional voices, like Acoustic and Electric Pianos, Clav, Vintage Combo Organs, Vintage String Synthesizer, Accordions, Pipe Organ, and many others which enables your Hammond to do more than just emulate. Hammond organ sounds to include emulations such as Vox, Continental and various Farfisa models. The range of onboard effects, including adjustable vibrato/chorus, reverb and overdrive are all wonderful benefits of the digital platform. The full MIDI and USB capabilities also bring the SK1 firmly into the 21st Century. The USB is great as you can save your own customised patches direct to flash or hard drive aside from connecting to your DAW.
Besides Hammond SK1, there are other instruments like Nord C2 and Nord Electro 3 HP. Each of these instruments has their own virtues and depending on your requirements you will without doubt purchase accordingly. What I like to say here about the SK1 is that this is a dedicated combo organ catering specifically for organ players. A highly desirable keyboard instrument – it has the portability, the sound, the playability, looks and the features. These will guarantee its popularity among gigging keyboardists. Additionally, there is also the SK2 for more advanced players, which has an extra layer of 61 notes for double-decker organ ripping.
As we all know, Korg is a well-respected brand for their ability to create vast libraries of diverse effects and sounds. The updated version, the Korg Pa3X Arranger Workstation gives you the maximum flexibility inside of a single housing, which not too many keyboards make equally good arrangers and workstations but, Korg has succeeded in creating the pinnacle of flexibility. The Korg Pa3X features 61 semi-weighted keys and 76 semi-weighted keys; both with velocity and aftertouch, TFT display, TC Helicon Vocal Effects.
The Real eXperience engine is as powerful as it ever has been. Some of the included sounds are the highly acclaimed SV-1 stage piano, as well as a new stereo grand piano. With 1,100 sounds to choose from, the Korg Pa3X delivers on all accounts. Besides, it is not just about the sound as it would not do you any good without some rock solid effects to back them up, and the Korg Pa3X once again delivers the goods in this area. With more than 140 available effect types to choose from, all accessible from an easy to navigate user interface, you would not have any trouble crafting the exact structure, tempo, and tone of the sound you are imagining. It is much easier than ever to create, record, and perform all of your music, be it in MP3 format or recorded from the keyboard workstation itself. Including an Advanced Vocal Remover, if you are into doing covers that would not be a problem with the Korg Pa3X. Everything can be programmed into the workstation however you want, and if you need push button automation of an entire MP3, that is easy to do without leaving the user interface.
If you are a vocalist , you would like this TC-Helicon Voice Processor for Harmonies. Basically, Korg has included this feature to enable player to fully take advantage of their voice while playing this instrument. Including pitch correction and up to 4 realistic voice channels, you would not be disappointed with the backups this electric piano is able to automatically generate with very little input on your part.
In my opinion, though you may be able to find keyboards that do better in one or the other area for a fraction of the price but, you are going to be hard pressed to find a synth that incorporates more features from both an arranger AND a workstation any better than the Korg Pa3X. Korg is the leader in flexibility and sound quality. Korg have developed the Korg Pa3X Arranger Workstation Keyboard for one and only reason – To give you a Single keyboard for all of your musical needs, both in creation and performance.
The Nord Electro 3 Hammer Action Portable ( HP in short) possess all the features of it’s predecessor Electro 3 but, is enhances with new Hammer Action Portable keybed, 4 selectable Dynamic Response Curve, a Delay Effect, Long Release mode, String Resonance-control and Extended Control Pedal .
The Nord Electro 3 HP is compatible with the acclaimed Nord Piano and Nord Sample Libraries – including access to Mellotron and Chamberlin sounds and a wide selection of quality sounds from leading sample producers. The new weighted keys Electro 3 HP carries across the tonewheel and transistor modelling of the Nord C1 organ and rotary speaker simulation too. You can select a dynamic curve to suit your playing style and there are four variations, and Nord have developed a new “Long Release” mode that you can select for a smooth legato style. Other effects include a flexible Delay which has a stereo “ping-pong” mode, Tap-Tempo, Rate and Amount. Live locations get ‘upped’ as well in the new model – from 1 to 4 , offering greater degree of of experimentation with regard to sounds and associated settings. Program access too has been improved providing the user with a faster, more efficient ‘button pressing’ sequence and ease of use during a performance.
Nord fans would love this new and weighted keyboard with the emphasis on playability and portability. Weighing merely 11 kg with 73-keys Hammer Action Portable keybed, the ultra portable professional Hammer Action keyboard sets it apart from the current competition. The Nord Electro 3 HP is ideal from gigs to stage performances and studio sessions.
Digital Pianos
