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In my time gigging I have owned actual Hammonds/leslies as well as the original CX-3 with a Leslie 145 (Birthday present from my wife) not to mention theater pipe organs and other stuff. The CX-3 I now have is software version 2.0. I've seen and played lots of stuff, and this new Korg unit is killer!
This thing is hands down the best Hammond clone yet made. The Leslie effect is extremely convincing, especially going from fast to slow. The way the rotor and horn can speed up and slow at different rates and the 'chorus' effect one gets when the horn has slowed but the rotor is still at speed (but slowing down) is just like an actual mechanical Leslie, an effect I've always liked and used. I now have it again. The overall sound of the instrument, drawbar for drawbar, is better than most actual Hammonds I have played. All actual Hammonds were not perfect, folks!
Yes, the chours effects are a little 'hot' and the high end drawbars can get on the screechy side, but that depends on how you set your internal parameters. (also on what actual Hammonds you've heard) Probably the thing that impresses me the most is the internal programming, the settings you do not see just on the front panel. You can program EQ, drawbars 'bright' or 'mellow', amp gain (affects distortion a lot), amp type, output level, and everything about the Leslie speaker except the wood color of its (virtual) cabinet. All of the complaints in the previous reviews can be rectified or improved on by programming.
I have read reviews about the CX-3 from people that owned previous software versions. Korg heard you and they listened! Key touch, wheel brake, and other issues have been addressed and have become variable in this new version. I'm glad I waited.
My new CX-3 now sits proudly in the studio next to my three manual theater organ. An odd couple to be sure, but they get along just fine. I have always dreamed of the 'ideal' Hammond sound. With all the programmability the CX-3 offers, I am finding it, and many other virtual organ setups as well.
Incidentally, I play music on this organ that would probably be the most challenging for any Hammond clone. Jimmy Smith, Vanilla Fudge, Lee Michaels, The Nice, Brian Auger and the Trinity, ELP, Deep Purple. (ya, I'll Old School) Try playing Michaels' 'Stormy Monday' or 'Tell Me How Would You Feel' with any other Hammond clone, and they fall drastically short. With all the adjustable internal parameters, the organs of all these performers can be realistically emulated.
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