I don't get it...Charlie replaces my B4? Or works with it? And why do I need this? Forgive my ignorance on this thing, but it appears to be an organ only sampler. I love B4, enhancements would sweet...but I ain't gonna replace it. I'm already set up with my pcr50 to control everything and even have three keyboards (Roland xp-10 and Roland A33 controller too) if I wanted one for each manual (I would like a set of midi contoller pedals so I could play it proper)...but this is only for certain people with B4 and others...that's my confusion. I guess Gotta go over it again...

Oh I see it is to compete with B4...I ain't giving up my Strats and I'm not looking to replace B4. Even if I buy a Hammond...

hink wrote:

Oh I see it is to compete with B4...I ain't giving up my Strats and I'm not looking to replace B4. Even if I buy a Hammond...

I have B-4 (and recently reviewed it) as well as two vintage Hammonds. Charlie brings some non-Hammond-ish sounds (like playing a B-3 through a guitar amp rather than a Leslie) and some combo organ sounds. There are no drawbars - to me this is a downer, but for others it may simplify things. the UVI engine provides filter and amp envelopes, LFO, reverb, etc - all rather un-Hammond-like, but familiar to VA tweakers. Beyond that, it's a matter of taste - for example, I like the B-4 rotary sim, other reviewers didn't.

I agree that the B-4 and my 1962 A-105 can't replace each other. There's nothing like real Hammond manuals and pedals... but I'd much rather carry a MIDI keyboard and laptop if I'm not playing at home or church. I think right now the only other viable alternative for me is a Nord Electro (I had a Korg CX-3 but it was too bulky, as are the Roland VR-760 - which I like - and VK-.

Incidentally, although they're a little lacking on features compared to the "big boys", the M-3 and M-100 spinets do a decent job of being a "real Hammond" and only weigh in about 200-250 lbs. They go pretty cheap too, but shipping them's a bear if you can't find one locally.

Doug

of course there are enough guitar amp simulator vsts that you could easily run B4 into an amp. No drawbars is a drawback. I automate them on occasion, also I have found the B4 through a wah wah like coyote is very cool. I have plenty of keyboards and a couple hard synths, tons of soft synths...but I'm a guitar player mainly...so if I buy a hammond it's for owning a vintage hammond and wouldn't travel. My keyboard player can worry about what he wants to tote around..