Keyboardpartner-Forum

Question about the HX3 expander: Consider to buy an expander but need to know if the unit will hold the incoming midi notes if it also receives midi controller 64 (sustain) on and release the notes as soon as it receives controller 64 off? On most clones this is implemented per channel (independantly per upper and lower manual). Hope somebody can confirm if this is possible or not?

The HX3 does not recognise sustain (midi 64). Naturally there is no sustain on a real Hammond, but on my XK-3 Hammond-Suzuki it was possible to allocate upper manual sustain to the expression pedal side switch. Some interesting musical ideas could be had by holding chords on the Hammond upper manual while playing melodic stuff on the lower manual. Whilst a 'non-standard' procedure this may be, since the HX3 is a midi controllable device maybe a future version could recognise midi 64 just for those of us who like to experiment :-)

Apart from this very small future request, I personally would strongly recommend the HX3 as the best Hammond clone currently available. Nevertheless, it's still only the sound source - to create an actual instrument, the ergonomic setup of the keyboards and controls to effectively use that sound (i.e. create an organ), is most important.

Paul

Thanks Paul, I have already ordered the HX3 expander based upon all the positive feedback on this and other forums. I know for sure that sustain is not a part of a original tonewheel organ (have a B3) but have for long time been used to clonewheels and possibility to layer piano from an external controller with lower manual organ from the clone (now: the HX3). Sustaining the lower manual organ avoids the staccato cord changes of the organ. Maybe it is very special but this work well for at least Korg CX3, Hammond XK3c and SK1 and GSI VB3. But I just have to adapt to the HX3 not having this feature. Looking forward to receice the unit!

Jon