KVR Audio

jeffn1 · Post by **jeffn1** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 5:56 pm

It looks like the IK Media BX3 would cost me $149. (I don't think this is any special price.)

But, I think I have read discussions where the price referenced seemed higher.

I just want to assess whether this is a full, well-regarded (well reviewed) organ library.

Or whether, for example, it is not really what people praise when they are discussing this library. For example, whether they are referring to the version (about double the price) with the Leslie Collection.

I don't need the very top end B3 with all the bells and whistles.

But, I am trying to get a feel whether the $149 BX3 is the item that I think it is.

Thanks,

Jeff

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 6:05 pm

Doesn't IK have a trial period?
I have the BX3 and the Leslie collection. Haven't felt the need to combine them.

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 6:10 pm

B-3X comes with the full Leslie speaker collection integrated in it.

It’s more than an “organ library.” It’s a fully modeled Hammond B-3. It’s the best B-3 VST instrument you can get. It’s got all the bells and whistles, and drawbars too.

Funkybot's Evil Twin · Mon Jun 06, 2022 6:45 pm

jamcat wrote: Mon Jun 06, 2022 6:10 pm B-3X comes with the full Leslie speaker collection integrated in it.

It’s more than an “organ library.” It’s a fully modeled Hammond B-3. It’s the best B-3 VST instrument you can get. It’s got all the bells and whistles, and drawbars too.

Just to be clear: if you want to use the Leslie Collection on vocals and guitar, then I do not believe you can do that with just the Hammond plugin. But if you want Leslie's on your Hammond, then Jamcat is correct - you shouldn't need to purchase anything else. Their B3 is both a Hammond and a Leslie.

That said...I'd advise anyone to never pay full price for an IK product. At some point they'll do a huge sale or a Group Buy where you can get lots of products for the price of 1. They do huge sales regularly.

On a totally side note: my favorite B3 is the Acoustic Samples library for UVI. Combines samples and modeling. I hear the new Universal Audio one is the new "best in town" - including from some people with decades of experience on real Hammonds/Leslies. But that's Mac only right now [not M1] and can only be purchased if you own UA hardware.

jeffn1 · Post by **jeffn1** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 7:41 pm

Thanks everyone. Another big concern is CPU drain. Collab3 was basically unusable. So, probably a good idea is to do the free trial of IK Media, especially to to see if CPU usage is acceptable in my situation.

Thanks for confirming that I am in good shape Leslie-wise if I end up getting the IK B3.

Yes, hoping for a sale too.

Lotuz2019 · Post by **Lotuz2019** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 7:55 pm

jeffn1 wrote: Mon Jun 06, 2022 7:41 pm Thanks everyone. Another big concern is CPU drain. Collab3 was basically unusable. So, probably a good idea is to do the free trial of IK Media, especially to to see if CPU usage is acceptable in my situation.

Try the B-3X with the GUI opened and closed.

zvenx · Post by **zvenx** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 8:18 pm

I just bought the Waterfall B3.. not because I fell in love with it, but because I was in the middle of a project that needed an organ and tried a few and that one was the most economical for something I wouldn't use that often.. I actually preferred the sound of the Ik MM B3, solo and in the mix (but not their preset browser, it doesn't even have a previous and next button that I could find), but I was too cheap and figured why buy it for $149 when I know it will drop to $99....

Indeed I heard that Waterfall is THE new kid on the block.... personally it was not my favourite.. just at $74, it was the most reasonable one to buy.

my two cents.
rsp

jeffn1 · Post by **jeffn1** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 9:30 pm

Is the $149 price for the IK Bx3 reduced from what it used to sell for?

zvenx · Post by **zvenx** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 9:47 pm

Yes it is..

I have seen it however on sale for 99, as recently as May.
Rsp

jeffn1 · Post by **jeffn1** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 9:50 pm

Cool, I am not in a rush....

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Mon Jun 06, 2022 10:03 pm

Yes. The “regular” price is $299.99.
If you own any IK multimedia product (valued $99 or more) it’s $129.99 (crossgrade). If you have JamPoints, you can get up to $39 more off.

They had a sale back in February where it was $99.99. That’s the lowest you’ll see it for, but who knows when it will be on sale for that again. Probably not for a while. So the question is, do you need it now? Time is money, so having it now vs. later is worth something, too.

jeffn1 · Post by **jeffn1** » Tue Jun 07, 2022 12:38 am

I don't really need it now. Plus other B3 vsts keep coming out and improving. At a minimum the time will give me a chance to see how cpu intensive it is.

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Tue Jun 07, 2022 1:53 am

Not so sure they keep improving.

rj0 · Post by **rj0** » Tue Jun 07, 2022 1:55 am

That said...I'd advise anyone to never pay full price for an IK product. At some point they'll do a huge sale or a Group Buy where you can get lots of products for the price of 1. They do huge sales regularly.

^^^

jeffn1 · Post by **jeffn1** » Tue Jun 07, 2022 11:23 pm

I just downloaded and installed HaNOn B70. I am no expert on Hammonds/Leslies, but I love it! And, perhaps most importantly, the CPU is totally reasonable (Collab3 was pretty much unusable for me).

Very happy! I think I am now set in the Hammond B3 department.

Jeff

IK Media Hammond BX3: Is Leslie Collection Essential?