CHOOSING AN ORGAN

Laurens Hammond’s original Organ (invented in 1935) had an intricate electro-mechanical mechanism that used 96 Quarter-sized wheels spinning on driveshafts powered by his patented synchronous motor. The wheels were notched according to pitch, and an electromagnetic pickup (much like that on an Electric Guitar) sensed those notches and rendered a musical note. The Drawbars combined those harmonic tones to produce the inimitable Hammond Organ sound.

The Modern Hammond Organ’s Sk Series’ VASE III “Engine” uses the exact model of Laurens Hammond’s design, executing it in the digital realm, with no moving parts, retaining all of the nuances, imperfections and idiosyncrasies of the original. The wheels are always “spinning”. When a note is played, the tones pass, just as water through a faucet. The random starts of each wave played allow for phase interaction, producing the rich tone so prized in the vintage Hammonds.

The Digital realization of Laurens Hammond’s System allows sophisticated control of every facet. Each Digital Tonewheel can be voiced for Volume, Timbre, Motor Noise and Leakage; enabling the musician to tailor the Modern Hammond to match the characteristics of any Vintage Hammond, or to create their own vision. Twelve Macro Profiles allow the user to quickly select the most popular “kinds” of Hammond, from Showroom-New to Road-Worn Antique and all points between.

At our website, You may now download and install custom Tonewheel sets provided by some of our Artists, as well as other vintage Hammond Organs as cloned by our in-house expert staff.

The Tonewheel Generator wasn’t the only great invention of Laurens Hammond, and no Hammond Organ would be complete without the full spectrum of ingredients that comprised Mr. Hammond’s genius design.

DRAWBARS Drawbar SelectDrawbars Mr. Hammond used the Pipe Organ Design concept of “Unification” in creating the iconic Drawbars of his Electronic Organ. This concept allowed one or more keyboards to control the pitches of many pipes within one set or “rank” of pipes. Adopting the harmonic standards and nomenclature of the Pipe Organ, Mr. Hammond’s design assured that any organist would be able to play his instrument without a steep learning curve. Unlike the Pipe Organ, Mr Hammond’s design allowed variable volumes of each Harmonic represented by each drawbar. This variation gave the musician millions of combinations of harmonics, and assured that every Hammond player would be able to summon a unique voice. An extra level to the expression a Hammond Organist had at their fingertips was added because the Drawbars could be manipulated in real time. The Sk Series features real drawbars in the size, shape and configuration of Vintage Hammonds. The Drawbars also serve the Combo and Pipe Organ divisions, but with a slightly different function.

VIBRATO/CHORUS Vibrato and Chorus

One of the most distinctive parts of the Hammond sound is the shimmering “Chorus Vibrato”. It adds a silken quality to the sound by adding a second, slightly detuned pitch to the original in the Chorus Mode, and repeat-modulating the pitch slightly in Vibrato mode. Mr. Hammond’s original design used an electromechanical apparatus that looked much like the distributors you would find in the automobiles of the day, and ran off the same synchronous motor that powered the Tonewheel Generator. The Sk’s Chorus-Vibrato is executed in the Digital Realm, without moving parts, and works under the same model. The classic V1/V2/V3/C1/C2/C3 controls are familiar to anyone who has ever played a Hammond. As with the Tonewheel Generator, Digital control allows a wide range of adjustment that was simply not possible on the original. As the Antique organs aged, the components acquired their own unique qualities. Digital control allows the user to shape the Chorus/Vibrato’s various facets, with the added ability to “age” the effect-with the resulting treble emphasis and subtle distortion that marks the organs that develop this patina as “sweeter” than others. The new “Mix” control allows you to temper or boost the Chorus/Vibrato creating the sound of a Vintage Hammond whose Chorus/Vibrato has dimmed with extensive use, or has grown overly intense through the years. These adjustments are saved per preset.

TOUCH-RESPONSE PERCUSSION

DIGITAL LESLIE

At the dawn of the Rock and Roll age, many groups could not carry the 500 pound Hammond Console Organ and 450 pound Leslie Speaker. The advent of transistor electronics brought forth smaller, more affordable portable Organs. The Thomas Organ Company in the U.S. and Italy’s Farfisa were at the vanguard of their design, and the Rock and Roll community embraced their instruments fervently. Thomas sold their Combo organs under the Vox name and their premier offerings were the “Continental” and the budget priced “Jaguar”. Farfisa’s organs became Rock icons, and the marque reached its height with its “Professional” model. The sound of the transistor Combo Organ never went out of style, and has even flourished in the “Indy” scene of the 21 ^st Century. The sounds of all three classic instruments are faithfully reproduced in the Sk series, with the ability to register them in the exact way you were able to on the originals. All three models employed a variation of Hammond’s Drawbars, and an accompanying legend on the control panel marks the functions for each drawbar, for each model.

The compact Sk series has a mammoth heart, with the inclusion of 32 Digital Ranks of Classical (Church) Pipe Organ derived from our Flagship 935 Church Organ. The Pipe Organ division uses the Drawbars as Drawknobs to select the stops you choose. Now you can take this majestic sound wherever you desire, whether it is to accompany Worship, Perform Classical Organ Literature, or Practice with Headphones in your Dormitory Room. Progressive Rock groups have relied on the sounds of Classical Pipe Organs, and have had to compromise with the few inflexible samples contained in Synthesizers and Samplers, but now the sky is the limit with a Classical Pipe Organ that can be registered in the traditional manner. As is customary with Hammond, each rank of pipes may be voiced independently to the user’s specification, and stored for instant recall.

Your Sk-series instrument has a total of 20 Pipe voices – nine (9) for the Upper Manual, nine (9) for the Lower Manual and two (2) for the Pedals. Below is a list of the voices and the screen abbreviations:

UPPER

Bourdon 16′ (“Bourdn16”)

Open Diapason 8” (“OpnDiap8”)

Gedeckt 8′ (“Gedeckt8”)

Voix Celeste 8′ (“VnCelst8”)

Octave 4′ (“Octave 4”)

Flute Dolce 4′ (“FlDolce4″)

Flute 2′ (“Flute 2”)

Mixture 3 ranks (“Mixt.III”)

Hautbois 8′ (“Hautboi8”)

LOWER

Principal 16′ (“Princi16”)

Principal 8′ (“Princi 8”)

Melodia 8′ (“Melodia8”)

Rohr Flute 8′ (“RohrFl.8”)

Prestant 4′ (“Prestnt4”)

Flute 4′ (“Flute 4”)

Super Octave 2′ (“SupOct 2”)

Mixture 4 ranks (“Mixt. IV”)

Trompette 8′ (“Trompet8”)

PEDAL

Sub Bass 16′ & Bourdon 8′ (“Bass16+8”)

Principal Chorus 8′ & Mixture IV’ (“PC4+Mixt”)

Drawbars, Extra Voice, Reverb The Drawbar and Combo Organ Divisions have a number of effects that may be applied. 4 different types of Overdrive, Phase, Flange, Chorus (Stomp Pedal Style-separate from Hammond Chorus), Auto Pan, Ring Modulator, Wah-Wah, Delay and Tremolo. A 3-band EQ is available with Shelf Lo and Hi with sweepable Mid control.

Hammond’s exclusive Prochord feature is added to a number of sounds, on the Sk series. With it, you play a chord on lower keyboard (with the keyboard split function engaged on the Sk1/Sk1-73/Sk1-88, and on the actual lower keyboard of the Sk2) and by playing a single note on the upper keyboard, you will hear complex harmonic voicings based on the chord that you are playing. With this feature, you can instantly produce a foolproof, professional sounding “horn section”, or other unique arrangements. This is not an “auto play” feature you might find on non-pro instruments, but a powerful tool that can add great color to your playing.

The instances of Prochord in conjuction with the Symphonic Strings Library voices add another component, that of leading voices in perfect enharmonic form. This allows you to create a rich, orchestral score “on the fly”, playing one finger with playing chords on the lower manual.

Extra Voice Even at Hammond, we realize that Musicians don’t live on Organ alone. There is a set of keyboard sounds that is basic to every genre of music, centered mostly on the Piano, acoustic and electric. Our goal in designing the Sk series was to create a foundation instrument providing the basic building blocks of a comprehensive keyboard rig, and that meant a serious Piano voice.

Acoustic Grand Piano

Our engineers meticulously developed the Sk’s Acoustic Grand Piano with the target being the Yamaha C7 Grand, perhaps the most widely admired Acoustic Piano in the World. It was engineered to respond to every nuance a player could ask of it, through all styles of music. It also had to have a comfortable playing feel in sight of the Sk’s Waterfall Keyboard which is a hallmark of Hammond Organs, and make an instant transition between “Organ Feel” and “Piano Feel” should the player make such a program change. One touch of the keyboard confirms and verifies the research and development that went into it. It’s one of the best sounding and playing Pianos anywhere-with a genuine Hammond Organ a switch press away.

Electric Pianos

After the Acoustic Grand, the next essentials are a pair of instruments that also have found their way into most every corner of music, the Rhodes and Wurlitzer Electric Pianos. These electromechanical instruments are great as rhythm voices, but are equally hot in the solo spotlight. Especially adaptable for many DSP effects, these two voices are tonal chameleons. If you can’t find something to play in a song, chances are a Rhodes or Wurlitzer will fill the void. The Sk features two variations of the Rhodes voice recalling their “Stage” and “Suitcase” models. Your playing velocity will reveal the depth of Hammond’s engineering, as greater velocity will call the various “artifacts” and noises that come with this electromechanical instrument. The Wurlitzer Electric Piano used vibrating metal “reeds” in place of the “tines” used by the Rhodes. The Wurlitzer was lighter in weight and sound than the Rhodes, but only until the Amps were cranked up, then the Wurlitzer became a rock/funk/blues beast. All flavors of the Wurlitzer are available in the SK series. It is difficult now to think of a time when Digital Pianos were not widespread, but it wasn’t long ago if you wanted the sound of a Piano, you either had to move one (insanity for a small band), or hope the venue had one (and it was well enough in tune…). In the late 70’s and 80’s, Yamaha came to the rescue with their ubiquitous CP-70 Electric Grand. Not quite a “real” Piano, but close enough; it became an iconic sound in and of itself. The Sk has captured this sound perfectly for your use. The other dominant keyboard sound in the 80’s was the “FM piano”, used in so many ballads and R&B songs. It, too is at your fingertips in the Sk’s palette

Clavs

Hohner’s Clavinet was essentially a solid body guitar played with a keyboard. It was a European curiosity for many years until artists like Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston got hold of it and made keyboard history. Funk, R&B and Disco were practically defined by its sound, most often heard with Phaser or AutoWah, usually both. Nearly every modern keyboard has a “Clav” stop, but few offer all the pickup positions and the wide range of sounds they cover. The Sk has all the combinations along with a CryBaby Wah model that morphs any volume pedal attached into a Wah Pedal.

Harpsichord

The Harpsichord may not be a first call Rock and Roll or Jazz instrument, but is an important part of many other genres. Like most of the Keyboards contained in the Sk, you are able to register the Sk’s Harpsichord traditionally, with a Lute stop available.

Use An External MIDI Keyboard

You can hook up an external MIDI keyboard to the Sk, such as a weighted 88 note controller, assigning all the Pianos, etc., to that keyboard and maintain the Sk’s keyboard as a dedicated Organ. This gives you a full keyboard rig that is very mobile, yet complete.

Like the Hammond Organ, the Accordion is an instrument found in many genres, with few modern keyboards accurately delivering the voice. The Sk features the entire range of a Suzuki 120 Accordion, with spot-on accurate and authentic registration capability. The unique symbols for Accordion registration appear in the display window, and a Musette setting is available as well.

The Sk is designed to be a comprehensive foundation keyboard, providing the “meat and potatoes” for any performance, but Hammond adds a selection of Orchestral and Synth Instruments for added versatility. Trumpet, Trombone, both also with Mute, Flute, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Sax are offered in solo and ensemble voicings. Glockenspiel and Vibraphone voices are also on the menu.

String Synth and Synth

A selection of String Synth and Traditional Synth voices are available on the Sk. Like all of the Sk’s Extravoices, they may be played solo or in combination with any of the Drawbar, Pipe or Combo Organ tones.

The Sk’s voice capability will continue to grow, at no extra cost to you. Library voices may be downloaded from the Hammond Website free of charge, and easily installed in your Sk. New voices will regularly be added to the website. Please refer to the Library section of this website for the list of Library voices available.

Drawbars, Extra Voice, Reverb The Extravoice division has a DSP independent from the Organ division. 4 different types of Overdrive, Phase, Flange, Chorus, Auto Pan, Ring Modulator, Wah-Wah, Delay and Tremolo. A 3-band EQ is available with Shelf Lo and Hi with sweepable Mid control.

PRESET, FAVORITES, AND BACKUP Favorites USB The Sk series has 100 Factory ROM Presets and 100 User-adjustable Presets. A Manual button on the control panel renders the entire control panel current. The ten buttons in the center of the control panel are assignable to any of the 200 presets for instant recall of your favorites. The same panel may be switched to a numeric input pad for direct selection of presets. The entire Sk setup may be saved to a common USB “Thumb Drive” for backup or restoration.

Up to three external MIDI zones may be controlled by the Sk, with all settings saved as a preset. You can play these external zones with or without the Sk voices sounding.

Master Equalizer Music Player Drawbars, Extra Voice, Reverb The Sk has an onboard Music Player that reads Mp3 or .WAV files stored on an attached USB “Thumb Drive”, and plays the audio signal along with the SK’s output through the Stereo ¼” outputs. A discrete volume control for the player and start/pause controls are located next to the Master Volume control. There is a system-wide reverb available, also a system-wide Equalizer. The Reverb parameters are saved within each preset, but the system-wide EQ is independent of the Presets, its settings remain unchanged regardless of Preset choice. System Upgrades are issued through this Website, and are installed via a USB “Thumb Drive”.

CU-1 Switch (SK2 only)

SK1 Gig Bag

SK1 ATA Case

SK2 Gig Bag

SK1-73 Gig Bag

SK1-88 Gig Bag

SK1 – 3.5″H x 35″W x 12″L, 16 LBS SK1-73 – 3.5″H x 44.3″W x 12″L, 21 LBS SK1-88 – 3.5″H x 52″W x 12.5″ L, 27 LBS SK2 – 6.75″H x 37.5″W x 18″L, 35 LBS