Native Instruments B4 Organ controller...

For those of you using the B4 Organ software who what a dedicated keyboard controller then this looks like a good bet, its got a NI B4 mode built in... see link below.

http://www.eastcoastmusicmall.com/product/NONE/none/MDM+MK461C.htm

Rgds

Larigot

No expression pedal input.
Starkeeper

Starkeeper...

Dont worry.. its not the end of the world without the expression pedal input, I already pass the audio output of my Laptop into a stand alone volume pedal to get expression for the B4 organ anyway..problem solved.

With this keyboard you can control the '9' B4 organ drawbars in realtime during a performance, assign any or all of the B4's controls to any of the buttons / rotary controls to your own liking and save them in memory...and you have dismissed this degree of control of the NI B4 for the sake of a expression pedal input !!!! Jeez you just cant please some people.

You can change drawbar or other settings by setting up the B4 and then calling those settings up by sending program change numbers from your midi controller keyboard. You can do a similar thing with forte by sending program changes which results in scene changes which in turn results in B4 drawbar or other changes. Can't get any faster than that - plus the cost is reasonable.

You can also use Native Instruments controller with any keyboard..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 09-03-2004).]

"Jeez you just cant please some people." Yea, I know.
How about a Roland A37 controller with 76 keys AND an expression pedal for $399. Three EZ (not difficult) payments of $133.00.
Starkeeper

My main criteia for a dedicated keyboard matched to the B4 software is the 'REAL TIME' control of the B4's drawbars, that means 'pushing in/pulling out' the draw bars whilst holding a chord to create a crescendo etc, the A37 is a great general master keyboard but it still cannot control the 9 drawbars in real time and secondly the A37 has the typical Roland single sprung combined pitch bend / modulation control, this is useless for controling the B4 Leslie control as it springs back to zero efectively keeping the B4 rotator constantly on slow, using keyboards with this type of 'all in one' modulation/pitch bend control to run the B4 organ is not a good idea, a nice chunky modulation wheel is the next best thing to the old 'half-moon' Leslie switch for controling Leslie speed, and real Hammond players will know that bringing in the Leslie at the right time is an art in itself.

OK Starkeeper... if the A37 is what 'floats your boat' then go buy one, dont let me stop you.

Rgds

Larigot



[This message has been edited by larigot (edited 09-04-2004).]

[This message has been edited by larigot (edited 09-04-2004).]

Larigot, the Roland A37 floats my boat. I have used it for years and use it every day with my software based arranger system which includes the NI B4. To make all this work as it should, I also use the Roland PK5 Midi Bass Pedals. I split the A37 and I have a very good sounding responsive Hammond B3 Organ. Oh and I also use the Yamaha volume pedal for additional expressive control. While it is not perfect, it is close enough. Plus I can carry all of it including the computer under one arm!!!

Frank,

How do you get over the problem of the NI B4 Rotator being triggered from a modulation wheel when the A37 does not have one, only a shared and sprung joystick ? (which I hate) and you still cant manually adjust the drawbars from the A37, only change patches.

I have a StudioLogic SL-880 which is a great 88 note piano touch master keyboard but its best used for piano style playing, its a bit of an overkill on the NI B4. I'm pleased your getting the best out of your A37, one thing about being a good musician is not only playing but being able to adapt to your instruments failings and faults and make the best out of them....well done Frank.

Rgds

L

When I use the B4 with my G1000, my laptop sits on one side of the G1000..I have quick access to the laptop,including the space bar that changes the Leslie slow/fast control...As a bonus the two source sliders of the G1000 allows control of harmonics in the B4..

larigot, in addition to what Fran has indicated you can use the B4fx as a VST insert/send effect within a host such as forte Ensemble to turn on Vibrato, Overdrive, etc. Furthermore, you can turn on rotary speakers (up/lower, slow/fast) by sending midi control messages (Appendix B Page 62). So in the A37 you can program midi messages and store them in one of 128 memory locations.

Similarly, you can change drawbar settings very quickly sending patch changes from the A37 to the B4. It may not be quite as good as the continuous drawbar changes in real time with a real B3 - but it is very good. If you want to get fancy you can always send continuous control changes using say 9 instances of the B4 DXi from the A37. As I mentioned previously you can setup scenes within host software such as forte Ensemble. These setups can include anything from volume to other controller changes. In fact, it stores the current B4 setup as a scene.

So you see you can get very close to the real thing. Nothing is perfect but it is very good indeed!!! For those who must have the real deal I always say well then buy it....Hammond B3, Violin, Guitar, Sax and so on. It is very difficult to do an exact replica of the real deal with todays technology.