For Immediate Release
IK Multimedia Debuts Hammond B-3X virtual
instrument
in
partnership with Hammond USA and Suzuki Music Corp.
of Japan
IK's Hammond B-3X is the first real Hammond organ
for Mac/PC, complete with Leslie™ speaker
September
26, 2019 - IK Multimedia announces the Hammond
B-3X tonewheel organ virtual instrument.
Created in close collaboration with Hammond USA and
Suzuki Music Corp. of Japan, along with top Hammond
artists, it meticulously recreates the sound, controls
and entire effects signal path of the legendary Hammond
B-3. This comprehensive approach offers a level of
realism and detail that will satisfy most the
discriminating B-3 fans while also offering an
affordable introduction to the unique world of tonewheel
organs that can be enjoyed by all levels of players.
IK's industry-leading modelling techniques were employed
to deliver fine details and nuances that passed the
discerning ears of the Hammond Organ Company in Chicago.
In addition to its authentic organ sound, this new
instrument offers a full-rig chain including stomp
effects, an extended version of IK's Leslie® Collection
with a rotary cabinet with mix-and-match amp and cabinet
models plus four microphones, a parallel guitar amp with
4x12 cabinet, a mixer and three studio post effects.
Available for Mac/PC as a stand-alone application and as
a virtual instrument plug-in, the Hammond B-3X offers
plug and play convenience for both recording and
performing.
Hammond USA Executive Vice President Peter Nguyen
shared, "We're excited about the very first official
Hammond/Leslie Virtual Instrument, and the partnership
with IK Multimedia which made it happen. The teams
certainly captured the qualities that have made the
Hammond Organ an essential part of music for the past 85
years."
It's all in the details
True to the hardware original, Hammond B-3X begins with
91 tonewheels, which are based on well-maintained
Hammond organs that IK studied in locations around the
world. These free-running tonewheels are mixed in
real-time based on the notes played and drawbar levels,
for authentic realism.
Hammond B-3X can be fine-tuned using IK's detailed
models of the original settings, controls and circuits,
which were all approved by the Hammond Organ Company.
Users can employ tonal filtering, select the independent
key click, and engage the iconic Hammond percussion and
chorus-vibrato circuits with advanced controls.
For deeper exploration and realistic touches, Hammond
fans will appreciate a familiar simulation of the
effects of "ageing" components to control tonal balance,
generator leakage and crosstalk, and the chorus
circuit's presence boost.
True tone, real experience
All the controls are designed to recreate the exact
experience of playing a classic, hardware B-3 organ -
from the order of the chorus/vibrato settings to the
placement of the percussion switches. Some additional
features have been included as well, for modern
convenience.
The drawbars update in real-time when the inverted
drawbar settings keys are selected, allowing users to
save 24 custom drawbar settings per preset. For live
use, a "Controls" view hides the keyboard and enlarges
the drawbars and switches for less distraction while
playing. MIDI assignments for modern Hammond digital
organs are also included, making it plug-and-play easy
to perform with everything at arm's reach.
Extended stomp box effects
The organ feeds a 5-unit pedalboard in the STOMPS
section that features overdrive, graphic EQ, stomp
box-style chorus-vibrato, wah wah and spring reverb.
Derived from IK's award-winning AmpliTube and T-RackS
software, these effects were carefully chosen and
arranged for easy recreation of the widest range of
iconic tonewheel organ sounds. They can also be assigned
to MIDI control for on-stage use.
Real Leslie® sound
The signal is then sent to a CABS section that includes
a choice of real Leslie amps and speakers that can be
mixed and matched, along with a parallel guitar amp and
4x12 cabinet. Using technology derived from IK's
award-winning AmpliTube 4 amplifier
modelling, combined with an extended version of IK's Leslie®
Collection, Hammond B-3X's cabinet section
offers a massive range of sound-shaping option tabs.
They include:
- Setup
- lets users fine tune the Leslie's slow and fast
speed settings - including acceleration and
deceleration - and adjust the mic distance and
configuration
- Leslie
Amp - offers a selection of five Leslie power amps
(or a power amp modelling off switch) and two guitar
power amps to use in any of five Leslie cabinets,
with full control over gain, EQ and volume
- Leslie
EQ - enables the rotary speaker to be shaped with
high-pass, low-pass and parametric mid EQ
- Guitar
Amp - adds a parallel guitar amp derived from
AmpliTube into the mix for use with popular rock
tones used by top rock and blues players; offers
full tone-shaping controls and spring reverb
- Mixer
- blends the sound of the Leslie, with independent
volume and panning of both the horn and drum mics,
the parallel guitar amp, and the DI organ sound for
unprecedented tonal flexibility
Add
professional polish
Lastly, Hammond B-3X offers three rackmount studio
effects derived from IK's T-RackS
Mixing and Mastering Workstation to add a final,
professional touch.
IK's Limiter 76 FET-based compressor offers an iconic,
timeless sound; the EQ-81 adds classic console
tone-shaping and warmth; and a digital reverb adds a
pristine sense of space.
Pricing and availability
Hammond B-3X is available from the IK Multimedia online
store and from authorized IK dealers worldwide for a
special introductory price of €/$199.99 (regular pricing
will be €/$299.99). IK customers with qualifying
registered products with a retail value of €/$99.99 or
more will be eligible for special introductory
crossgrade pricing of €/$149.99 (regular crossgrade
pricing will be €/$199.99).
** All prices excluding taxes
For more information about Hammond B-3X, please visit: www.ikmultimedia.com/hammondb3x
To see Hammond B-3X in action: www.ikmultimedia.com/hammondb3x/video
Tiia
Hassinen
International PR Manager
IK Multimedia. Musicians
First.
T: +39 059 285496 | www.ikmultimedia.com
About
IK Multimedia: IK Multimedia is a leading
music technology company that harnesses advanced
software and hardware design to make professional
quality tools accessible to everyone - from its
ground-breaking AmpliTube, T-RackS and SampleTank
software, to its acclaimed iRig series of music
creation tools for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac/PC;
from the award-winning iLoud reference monitors, to
its first analog hardware synth, UNO Synth. With
millions of installations and registered users
worldwide, IK leads the way for musicians in the
studio, on the go or on the stage.
AmpliTube and T-RackS are trademarks of IK
Multimedia. B-3 and Leslie are trademark properties
of Hammond Organ/Leslie, wholly-owned brand
subsidiaries of Suzuki Musical Instruments Mfg.,
Ltd. of Hamamatsu, Japan. Hammond's USA HQ is in
Addison, Illinois. Mac, iPhone and iPad are
trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.
and other countries. All other trademarks are
property of their respective owners.
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