Tag Archives: Tonewheel

Bob Leggitt releases Classic-H and Skanksta

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The Classic-H provides the essence of an old tonewheel organ within the VST environment. This VSTi captures the distinctive personality of a classic Hammond/Leslie combination, as well as simulating twin manual operation across a single MIDI keyboard, using a variable key-split function. Thirty extremely cool presets provide a jumping-off point for almost every type of music, from the ‘Full Throb’ of old time soul to the screaming distortion of Deep Purple-type rock. It does gobble CPU, but it has the sounds, and it doesn’t cost a penny.

Each virtual manual has its own set of nine drawbars. The set on the left controls the lower manual. The set on the right controls the upper. You can arrange the drawbars as you please, then split the manuals across the keyboard as you please. By default, all the presets are split at C3. You can change the split point by clicking on the blue selector in the top right hand corner of the console. Because the VSTi uses a separate audio stream for each simulated manual, it will use more resources when both manuals are played simultaneously. To cut down on the amount of resources used, you can set the instrument for single manual operation. This is done by selecting either C1 (upper manual only) or B6 (lower manual only) with the key-split selector.

The Skanksta is a ska-orientated VST organ, designed to produce a light and bright sound which will fit in well with quite a number of quirky and/or rhythmic music styles. It’s essentially a Vox Continental II with animation provided by a rotary speaker rather than a vibrato unit, and selectable key-splitting to simulate two manuals across a single MIDI keyboard. The key-splitting is particularly important for reggae-derived styles, where the left hand part will typically contrast sharply in tone with the right hand.

To the left of the upper manual are two switches. The left hand switch is labelled Rotor, and switches the rotary speaker effect on or off. The right hand switch is labelled Speed. This allows you to alternate between slow and fast rates of spin. The simulation mimics a speaker-plus-horns setup, with both rotation components speeding up and slowing down at their own rates. The key-splitting is set by clicking the blue note name at the top right of the graphic display. This will open a menu of notes from C1 to B5. Simply click on the desired note and the key-split will be set at that point. To use the upper manual only, spread across the whole keyboard range, set the key-split not to C1. To use the lower manual only, spread across the whole keyboard range, select the key-split note B5.

Classic-H and Skanksta are available to download as freeware VST instrument plugins for Windows.

Visit. Classic-H / FreeST Skanksta

Bob Leggitt releases FreeST Organ

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I need to make clear first of all (what with this site having such a high spoof content), that these are genuine free VST instruments. Virtual organs for musicians who create and record using a VST host and are looking for some retro keyboard sounds. As I write this they’re brand new and not available elsewhere. I plan to add more in the near future, so if you’re interested, please keep an eye on this page.

The FreeST virtual organs create their sounds in the traditional way, with each drawbar or voicing fader having its own dedicated, independently working oscillator. This sound production system places comparatively heavy demands on the computer’s CPU, so you should be aware that these VSTis will use more system resources than average. This, however, should not present any problem with a relatively modern PC (models from the past five years or so). Please also note that these VSTis can take a few moments to load into the host application.

The FreeST Organ plugins for Windows (VST) are available as freeware.

Visit: planetbotch.blogspot.com

K-Sounds releases Organimation

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With true drawbar and percussion samples taken from a vintage tonewheel organ, massively upgraded rotary speaker effects, and impressive real-time control options, Organimation unleashes the true organ power of ksounds_organimation_m3your M3.

At the heart of Organimation are long-looped samples of true vintage tonewheels, capturing their signature complexity, key click, and leakage. We carefully recreated all nine drawbars in the M3, constantly referring to the original, so that any drawbar setting you choose will sound authentic. We also included full-length percussion samples, programmed to provide single-trigger performance (like a real B) with harmonic and volume variations. Selectable chorus and vibrato effects are provided, and tube emulation effects further sweeten the tone.

Utilizing both Program and Combination modes, we’ve included dozens of classic drawbar settings and organ tones. And if you want to sculpt the sound yourself, the power is there like never before. All combination mode organs include up to 9-way drawbar control (8-way minimum), selectable chorus / vibrato (6 choices), selectable percussion, and the options to stop the rotary speaker, add reverb, and boost presence. As if that’s not enough, Organimation M3 is even optimized for double manual operation! On MIDI channel 2, you’ll find three more adjustable drawbars that are already configured for bass or comping.

No B3 emulation is complete without a killer rotary speaker effect, and Organimation delivers! Two unique rotary speaker simulations provide authenticity that’s typically reserved for dedicated organ keyboards.
Rotary 1 is very wide with a glassy, shimmering high end. Rotary 2 is ultra thick, providing a depth of animation that holds it own in any mix, even without chorus added. Nothing even close is found in the M3’s factory presets.

The soundset is compatible with the Korg M3-61, M3-73, M3-88 or M3-M only.

Price: USD 40.00

Visit: K-Sounds

Roland announces V-Combo VR-700

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V-Combo VR-700 : Featuring the best of Roland’s acclaimed Virtual Tonewheel organ, full key multi-sampled piano, roland_vr-700and pro synthesizer sounds, the V-Combo is perfect for players who need an all-in-one keyboard for a variety of musical settings, including houses of worship, stage performances, and rehearsal studios. The V-Combo offers powerful real-time performance capabilities in a simple-to-use-interface.

The V-Combo provides an authentic sound and feel to satisfy any organ player. Using Roland’s Virtual Tonewheel engine, the V-Combo simulates the unique structure and distinctive sound of vintage organs. The new amplifier and rotary simulator faithfully reproduces the sound needed for jazz, rock, funk or gospel, while the 76-key waterfall action captures the feel of a vintage organ. Add an optional PK-25 or PK-7A pedalboard for a more console-organ type feel.

V-Combo VR-700 features

  • Roland’s acclaimed Virtual Tone Wheel and COSM technology provide authentic organ sound.
  • Dedicated harmonic bars, rotary-speaker simulation, and amp models, including Active Amp Enhancer.
  • 76-key waterfall keyboards offers smooth glissandos, fast action, and provides enough keys for splits.
  • Dual-manual simulation with Split function plus pedalboard capability (optional Roland PK-25A, PK-7A).
  • Essential ensemble sounds (with tone remain function) onboard, including 88-key multi-sampled pianos, EP, strings, brass, synth pads, and more.
  • Full polyphony in the organ section, 128-voice polyphony for the ensemble section.
  • WAV/AIFF/MP3/SMF playback function for backing tracks.
  • Built-in rhythm patterns for practice and play-along performance.
  • Store user and system settings onboard and to USB memory sticks.
  • Versatile I/O, including professional XLR outputs.

Price: USD 2.329,00

Visit: Roland

GSi releases Key Performer

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Key Performer can be described as “the Swiss Army knife of the modern gsi_key_performergigging keyboardist”. It’s a single software instrument which offers a wide variety of keyboard sounds that are always used in almost all musical genres where a keyboardist is involved. Just to summarize a few of its key features, it offers:

  • Several classic keyboard sounds including pianos, electric pianos, synths, organs, etc.
  • A sample playback section (aka “ROMpler”) with “adaptive playback”
  • A physical modeling classic Electric Piano
  • A physical modeling “Wurly” piano
  • A phase modulation synthesizer for the famous DX Piano
  • A Virtual Analog polyphonic synthesizer
  • A Virtual Tonewheel Organ with rotary speaker effect
  • Two effect slots with all the most famous effects
  • An AMP simulation section with overdrive
  • A global Reverb effect
  • 64 Programs per bank, 9 snaphots for organ sections and 9 for VA synth
  • Full MIDI implementation
  • Easy MIDI Learn
  • Huge efficiency with very low CPU power requirements
  • Simplicity of use, Versatility, Stability, Expandibility, Authenticity!

Minimum System Requirements (PC)

  • Microsoft Windows operating system: 98SE, XP, 2000, Vista
  • 900 MHz CPU with SSE2 instruction set
  • RAM 512 Mb
  • Stereo soundcard with low latency ASIO support
  • A MIDI interface or MIDI controller keyboard
  • A VST Host program for the VST plugin

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