I just bought an XK5 for our band. I am not going to be the one playing it, but as the band leader, there are certain sounds I want coming from the instrument. This has been one of the absolute best tutorials on TH-cam. Absolutely fantastic. I tried to understand the manual that came with the XK5 and was frustrated within 5 minutes of opening it. You have been a life saver!!! Thanks for this video!
Just the best Jim... watched this several times now. Would love a follow up video that does dive into the custom tone wheels and the different contact envelope settings.
Yeah, I've had my XK-5 complete rig for 3 years and I still reference this video. The awesome thing is the XK-5 is such a good instrument, the more you learn about how to improve the settings, the tone just gets better and better and more authentic.
I wonder if there is an Academy Award for best instructional video. If there is, you should receive it! Thanks for your amazing effort to bring us up to speed!
It's pretty snazzy. It doesn't have the tonewheel authenticity, but you can adjust it, transport it, piece it, and it's all snazzy and new. Expensive, but an amazing instrument. I might get a tonewheel later but I decided to just get this since it seemed like the best investment all around and I'm glad I did.
Steve, I believe you can look at a manual online .pdf style if you want to check a detail out. Furthermore, please be sure to post some vids of your playing as you ease into the instrument. Would like to see as many players highlighting this instrument as possible-- (that is if that's something you feel comfortable with).
Hi Jim! Excellent video! Thanks for creating this. We met at Winter NAMM 2018. I bought my XK5 in July 2018 and have used it extensively. I love it, but have had a tough time programming it. The manual seems confusing. I have successfully figured out a lot of what you covered here but no where near as in depth. You have added much more clarity to the XK5 for me. Thank you!
Got my XK5 yesterday and am digging in...let the tweaking begin! Thanx for this video really helps out figuring out what Suzuki was figuring out with this recreation. So so many places to set things. Really didn’t like the Leslie effect at all until I began to tweak it. Do you ever give away your settings? That’d be sweet and save a bunch of time since you understand and are such a master at it. Again thanx and more, more...
Congrats Steve!!! I too have had many Hammonds, vintage and digital. I am still enjoying the SK2 with Studio 12 Leslie. This was a mainstay in the Arthur Holmes Blues Band I played in for nearly 4 years. You can look us up on youTube. The XK3-C with lower manual and B3 Guys wood stand and a Leslie 330 from the 70ies before the SK2. Enjoy your new XK5 !
Great video very comprehensive and well presented.Would like to know your settings to get a nice pedal base sound and how you set up to maximize the Leslie to make it sound great. Thanks Jim
I just came across this video. Being an old guy who used to play a B-3 through a 925 leslie (after hauling 2 145's with twin sets of horns on each that were exposed since we cut the tops off to get more volume) I am really impressed of the sound and your depth of your explanation as to how to make this thing sound unbelievable. If I was still playing, I would definitely buy one of these and save what's left of my 71 year old back! Thanks for taking the time to do such a great job.
Thank you Jim! I love the informative video! One thing I want to ask you is when you do another video, please focus on the way the lower manual presets behave when different banks are selected on the upper manual and it is kinda confusing as to saving and maintaining selected sounds in the lower presets when I change banks in the upper manual. I'm sure you could clarify so much if you could please focus on the lower manual presets. Also, do you share drawbar registrations by chance and is there detailed info on Hammond's website regarding drawer registrations categorized to different genres of music, namely country, spiritual, easy listening, etc. that a person can utilize? Again, a GREAT BIG thank you Jim! Tim
Nice Hammond built in these editable parameters making the KX-5 an editable, customizable organ application but also includes this performance keyboard with it's waterfall mechanism, rounded keys, etc... Nice studio piece imo. How would you compare this and choose between this and the newer Hammond models of the SKX Dual Keyboard model and the SKPro? I know these newer models add other keyboard sounds and take away the waterfall mechanical keyboard. Though the SKPro advertises it uses the same organ model as the KX-5. Any thoughts? As a layman, I'd still choose the KX-5 for authenticity and editable control. Edited: Okay I'd buy this for the split keyboard Jimmy Smith decay lower keyboard decay sound. That is really happening for that style shown at 51:00. Amazing.
Jim, this is a fantastic video. I'm not an organ player, but once my situation changes, I hope to get an XK5 full setup, sans Leslie. On the other hand, I AM an Arranger keyboard player (not good, but hey, I have fun). What I really would like to see is a MIDI setup using an Arranager Keyboard, or something like the Roland BK-7M. Specifically, the XK3C had buttons for external control, but I'd like to see how the XK-5 would work with that. I'm assuming that changes would need to be set on the Preset keys. Also, I'm wondering how you might send the pedal signals to the keyboard, so you might use an acoustic bass sound from the keyboard, or electric bass, or whatever. Finally, since you don't want to send those sounds to a real Leslie, maybe a setup with a pair of powered monitor speakers and something like a Mackie Big Knob+. I really enjoyed this video. There's a guy selling XK-5s on Reverb, and charges $200 more for the 'custom setup', this video is going to put that out of business! Now, if I could just play as well as you, but as we all know, the only way to get there is 'practice, practice, practice!'
I used to use my XK3 system with a Yamaha Motif ES rack. The level of control of external MIDI devices is actually quite deep. I should probably make another video detailing how to do that.
When I first worked thru this entire tutorial, I mistakenly thought that this was a GLOBAL thing, but discovered that when I changed to a different preset that all of the associated parameters that I had painstakingly set didn't match what I had set up while working thru the tutorial. So, as a solution, I am going through all the settings for one preset, and then copy that preset to all the other presets. Then, I should have my keyboard set to the GLOBAL values I prefer and the only difference between each preset will be the drawbars selected. Am going to explore this to see how it works.
The B3, C3 & A100 were identical organs except for the cabinet styles and the built-in amplification on the A100. So, with that in mind, why do some of the XK5 menu settings suggest that these three instruments sound different?
A 1955 B3 sounds very different than a 1972 B3. The important thing here isn't the model name but rather the age of the organ that they are modeling. My understanding is that the B3 they used to model the B3 setting is from the late 50s, the A100 is from the mid 60s, and the C3 is from the 70s. So all three organs would sound very different because of manufacturing differences, component differences (wax caps in the generator in the 1950s vs mylar caps in the mid 60s), etc.
I think I figured out how to use my extra voices via the iPad...Just need to use the EXT mode template on MIDI, assign a channel and then turn local off...Can you make this a Preset so you can quickly go back and forth between the different voices...Still need to run a 1/8 adapter to 1/4 out to PA from iPad but it should work! This is awesome!!!
Is it possible to have the internal digital leslie engage only on the top manual and NOT the bottom? I'd love it for the top manual but not for bass notes on the bottom manual
Why would you buy a CLONE of this Hammond when you can own the XK 5 PRO SERIES for just a few $$$ more ............ HAMMOND created a BEAST here. NO OTHER CLONE can compare to this XK 5
Good point in the large scheme of things, but for some people who are barely buying within their means, there's a huge difference between $3,600 for the upper manual by itself, and $5,700 for the upper, lower, stand bought each separately; and $8,500 for the full pro kit. I for one am sick of splitting a single manual clone, with one set of drawbars to be shared between the upper, lower, and bass pedals. That's my great attraction to doing this right and going for it all. But some cannot do that.
I had a few real spinets, a $100 keyboard, eventually got the XK-1c. There was no other music gear I needed. Have bass, guitars, recording, digital piano. Thought, I'm gonna get one epic instrument and do it right. So I got the full rig and am so glad I did. It totaled about 8.7k. No way was I gonna get another brand. They don't really sound much better than the lower tier clones. Hammond really did create a BEAST.
I am getting the XK5 soon. How do you get the left hand bass or foot bass to come thru a separate bass speaker and not the Leslie? How do you set that up?
@@JimAlfredson Frank Montis is playing his XK5's left hand bass thru a Markbass and it is not going thru the Leslie 142 he has. How is he doing that? Similar to your setup.
Always really appreciate your videos!!! Very helpful. I purchased by Neo Vent II from Bruce Wahler at Ashby because of your videos - what an awesome product the Vent is and likewise the service from Ashby! Would you be able to review and explain other products, such as the HX3, GSi, etc., products?
As a Hammond endorsed Artist, I can't do reviews of competitors' products. They are not really happy with me doing Ventilator stuff, but I've been with Neo Instruments as long as I've been with Hammond, so it's kind of 'grandfathered' in. Thanks for watching!
Thank you Jim, as always, a great insight to this fantastic Hammond! QUESTION, is there sheet music for 'Funk Fo You' .. I have been playing around with it by ear. Thanks again!
@@JimAlfredson Thanks for your reply Jim! That would be a nice tutorial for sure. Could you steer me to one of your latest albums featuring the pipe organ? I remember seeing the 'making of' video you did, but can't seem to put my finger on it. Appreciate that. I am still working for a small but well known pipe organ company for over 31 years now! Here is a little story for you and the audience. I remember well and not too long ago when Joey D. came to one of our client churches that has a jazz program there hosting his trio. It was during his days with the Key 3B organ. After the concert while he was signing things, I approached him and asked if he would give the Aeolian Skinner organ a work out. He looked up at me and said 'That's a WHOLE DIFFERENT animal." And sadly, that is where it ended. Thanks for reading (O:
Hi Phil. I don't really have any presets for the XK5. I just use the drawbars. But if you need some help setting yours up, let me know. My email is b3groover at gmail dot com.
Jim...great video. I also watch you live shows each week. I can't seem to find Hammond Sks and Xk's around and would like to know if the keys (black and white) on these keyboards are the same measurements of the vintage A,B, and C Hammond models? To me size matters? Thanks and you're an awesome Hammond Player...
@Jim Alfredson Does the XK5 have a pipe organ sound in it? I noticed the word PIPE show up in your menu section and have seen it on other videos as well.
Hi Jim! Thank you for this video! I received my XK-5 yesterday. Love it, but not loving the factory default settings. As a person who dreads going down the rabbit hole of tweaking sounds, could you publish (or sell) a core set of parameter values (key click, leakage, preamp, percussion) for the gigging jazz organist? Again, I’d be more than happy to pay for the service.
Doug, congrats on the purchase! I need to create a tonewheel set for the XK5 based on my 1954 Hammond C2, as I have done for the SK1, SK2, XK3, XK1c, and XK3c. I just need to find time. I'd be hesitant to send you those parameters because I don't know what you're playing through; a real Leslie? Tube? Solid state? Powered speakers? Live or in home? It all changes. That said, if I find the time to make that tonewheel set, I'll offer it for free on my website.
Cheers Jim this is brilliant. One question I have is my foot switch only works intermittently, it works once on startup and then very sporadically after that, any ideas? It’s set up correctly.
I ran into that issue as well once. I looked down and my volume pedal body which rests on the floor was slid up against the side of the bass pedals thus causing a problem when I activated the foot switch to operate the leslie.
I don't own an XK-5 but I just enjoy watching these kinds of demo videos. I have a question: in this video the XK-5 has 2 keyboards but I've also seen many images of it where it has only one, but it still has some buttons saying "lower" and "upper". So does it have 1 or 2 keyboards?
It can be either. You buy the upper manual to operate on its own. Then if you want, you buy the second manual that is a “dummy keyboard” with a wood box behind it to drop the upper, above & behind, INTO the empty space behind the lower’s keyboard. Really amazing how they made that work.
I like the idea you can set the key click on and off volume. That's really a musical parameter imo though I do not own the KX-5 yet. I can imagine that being an important setting realizing that the organ tone sustains and your start and end to the note is emphasized by the click at the start and end of the duration of the note held. This adds to the swing. Very cool.
@@JimAlfredson next time you do a performance, I offer a challenge - the track: I'm So Afraid (sung by Lindsey Buckingham) on the album: The Dance by Fleetwood Mac... intro is switched between the strings on F & G. Break is around the 2 minute mark before he resumes singing...then, the solo resumes before the 5 minute mark until the end just before the 8 minute mark
Hi Jim - Awesome video which in no small part contributed to my getting my XK5 a few days ago. Quick question for you: is there a way to use a sustain pedal (i.e. sustain a chord with the pedal indefinitely while pedal is pressed)? I cannot seem to find this anywhere.. if so, what pedal do you recommend? Thank you!!!!!!!
The way you sustain an organ sound is to hold it down with your hand. Hahaha! So different than the piano I know. But so important to the technique and sound and style of the organ.
I own an XK3c which i gig with every week, I bought an XK5 pro last year which gives a way better sound and playing experience however after watching this video it's opened a whole new chapter in setting up and playing. The organ was used when i bought it and did come with a manual but... Reading the manual is well an admission of defeat and doesn't quite explain things in the way Jim does in this video
Hi Jim, thanks so much for this great and deep insight into more than the XK5. It also gives me great pleasure to hear and see you play the organ. As I am no pro and do the Hammond-ing just as a hobby, it's sometimes hard to learn new things and dig deeper. Your video really helped me to understand more about it. I bought my XK5 in 2018 and instantly fell in love with Betty (that's how I call her). I run a Santana tribute band called "Jingo-Lo-Ba" ( www.jingoloba.band/ , sorry, it's all in the German language) and am a great admirer of Gregg Rolie's early B3 organ work, especially on "Caravanserai". I have a very special question that could be interesting to other people, too: Is it possible to set a Hammond pedal (EXP50J) so, that it only controls the volume (really only the volume, nothing else)? I would like to use the volume pedal (in addition to the Expression Pedal EXP100F) as a second pedal with the left foot to adjust the volume while playing with both hands. I have tried a lot but not succeeded yet. Many thanks in advance for your answer and thanks again for the incredibly helpful video. I hope you play a concert in Germany in the Munich area so I can hear you playing live.
TimmyP1955 a compressor reduces dynamic range. You can use it to bring softer parts up in volume compared to the louder parts. Then you use the gain to compensate for the loss in overall volume.
@@JimAlfredson At any moment that the signal is over the threshold, the compressor turns down everything in the signal. The trick is to set the threshold so that the compressor does not turn down those moments that you don't want turned down. If the operator turns up the makeup gain, everything then gets louder - both what's below the threshold and what's above it.
I stumbled on to this. Are you serious ???? You used to have to be nothing but a musician to play organ. Now you have to be a space shuttle pilot. Key clicks? Routing parameters?? Jimmy Smith didn't need all that garbage. Just give me the talented musician and the pure keyboard..
You don't have to change any of these parameters if you don't want to. Just play. Some people like to tweak things, though. So this video is for them. And many of the original jazz organists did modify their Hammonds. Both Jimmy McGriff and Jack McDuff did percussion mods and Groove Holmes did modifications to the bass pedal overtones. You can do all that in the XK5 if you want and you don't even need a soldering iron!
@@JimAlfredson Ok. I appreciate your response and information. I hear organists change to a brighter mode for soloing and less for comping. And also the full church mode for color and emphasis. Those manipulations make sense to me. What you were getting into seemed pretty advanced. I probably needed to be more informed before I made my comment here. I didn't know pro organists modified their instruments as you pointed out. Thanks for educating me. I have two questions..... One of my fav videos of yours is "Lets stay together" in MI I believe. Cool version of that song. Were you using any special tweaks in that performance? Also...were you fan at all of Joey Defrancesco? No worries if not. Just asking.
@@blue81blue81 Joey D was a dear friend. He was very kind to me and encouraged me when I was just learning the instrument. I used to rent my B3 to a club in Ann Arbor MI for him whenever he came to town. He showed me quite a few things. A beautiful human being. I miss him. Regarding the "Let's Stay Together" video, thanks for the kind words. That's a Hammond SK2 in that video, which I did tweak pretty extensively. I edited all the virtual tonewheels to sound as close to my 1954 Hammond C2 that I could. When Dr Lonnie Smith heard those tweaks at the Hammond booth at NAMM in 2012, which a friend of mine surreptitiously put on the SK2 there, he turned to the then president of Hammond USA and asked "What did you do?!?" He loved the sound so much and could tell right away that something was different. After that, they started inviting me to NAMM and using me to test drive their instruments. :)
@@JimAlfredson Wow. Amazing story about Joey D and his impact on your life. Hammond and NAMM as well. Thanks for sharing that. You left handed bass players always impressed me. I was a drummer so familiar with idea of hands and feet doing completlely different things. If you have never seen it check out a Joey D video with Bobby Hutcherson playing "I thought about you". Slow and easy tempo yet very powerful and tasty. Are there anymore tunes/videos from your "Lets stay toether" gig ?
I just bought an XK5 for our band. I am not going to be the one playing it, but as the band leader, there are certain sounds I want coming from the instrument. This has been one of the absolute best tutorials on TH-cam. Absolutely fantastic. I tried to understand the manual that came with the XK5 and was frustrated within 5 minutes of opening it. You have been a life saver!!! Thanks for this video!
Just the best Jim... watched this several times now. Would love a follow up video that does dive into the custom tone wheels and the different contact envelope settings.
Same here.
Great camera work! This isn't just tips and tricks. It's entire course from the ground up!
Thanks Jim!
Yeah, I've had my XK-5 complete rig for 3 years and I still reference this video. The awesome thing is the XK-5 is such a good instrument, the more you learn about how to improve the settings, the tone just gets better and better and more authentic.
I wonder if there is an Academy Award for best instructional video. If there is, you should receive it!
Thanks for your amazing effort to bring us up to speed!
I watched the entire video, and I don’t even own an XK5!
Jim is just _that engaging._
Better get one!
Hammond keeps living up to its name
These clone wheels are getting better and better every day.
No more new tone wheels from Hammond, only digital ones. The XK-5 is so legit, it's basically a real organ.
Jim,
Thank you
I have learned so much from this video and other demonstrations over the years. Sincerely, Alan
Thank you, Jim! Just got mine (bench and music rack still on back order). I am hoping you do another video on this fabulous instrument!
This is a fantastic recommendation for the XK5. If Jim has this in his own personal studio then you know it's great.
It's so good.
That is a BEAUTIFUL organ!! I have an M3 and I love vintage but I'm definitely intrigued.....😍😳
It's pretty snazzy. It doesn't have the tonewheel authenticity, but you can adjust it, transport it, piece it, and it's all snazzy and new. Expensive, but an amazing instrument. I might get a tonewheel later but I decided to just get this since it seemed like the best investment all around and I'm glad I did.
Most helpful video ever! All tone and knowledge. Thank you!
THANK YOU JIM! Please do more explanations of this immense instrument...saved me a ton of time as I bought my xk5 used w no manual
Steve, I believe you can look at a manual online .pdf style if you want to check a detail out. Furthermore, please be sure to post some vids of your playing as you ease into the instrument. Would like to see as many players highlighting this instrument as possible-- (that is if that's something you feel comfortable with).
Jim-Thank you, thank you, thank you. So informative and well done!
Hi Jim! Excellent video! Thanks for creating this. We met at Winter NAMM 2018. I bought my XK5 in July 2018 and have used it extensively. I love it, but have had a tough time programming it. The manual seems confusing. I have successfully figured out a lot of what you covered here but no where near as in depth. You have added much more clarity to the XK5 for me. Thank you!
Give away all your great secrets, all they need now is 25+ years practice to get half as good as you Jim.
excellent explanation on X35, nothing like it elsewhere for clarity and dedication. Thanks a lot
Jim, thank you so much for doing this instruction tutorial video ... it's needed!
Very helpful Jim. Love your videos. Cheers, 🍻
Got my XK5 yesterday and am digging in...let the tweaking begin! Thanx for this video really helps out figuring out what Suzuki was figuring out with this recreation. So so many places to set things. Really didn’t like the Leslie effect at all until I began to tweak it. Do you ever give away your settings? That’d be sweet and save a bunch of time since you understand and are such a master at it. Again thanx and more, more...
Congrats Steve!!! I too have had many Hammonds, vintage and digital. I am still enjoying the SK2 with Studio 12 Leslie. This was a mainstay in the Arthur Holmes Blues Band I played in for nearly 4 years. You can look us up on youTube. The XK3-C with lower manual and B3 Guys wood stand and a Leslie 330 from the 70ies before the SK2. Enjoy your new XK5 !
Great video very comprehensive and well presented.Would like to know your settings to get a nice pedal base sound and how you set up to maximize the Leslie to make it sound great.
Thanks Jim
Thanks Jim, this video shows EXACTLY what I needed to know! Very helpful!
love the XK5
that ..
and a 145 are all you need
Hello JIM thanks for doing this VIDEO. I just got my Hammond XK5 PRO SERIES set up and I am already Loving this video.
This is a great video. Very, very helpful. Thank you.
I'm definitely planning on ordering Hammond Xk5 in 2022
Very informative and extremely well done. Thank you!
I just came across this video. Being an old guy who used to play a B-3 through a 925 leslie (after hauling 2 145's with twin sets of horns on each that were exposed since we cut the tops off to get more volume) I am really impressed of the sound and your depth of your explanation as to how to make this thing sound unbelievable. If I was still playing, I would definitely buy one of these and save what's left of my 71 year old back! Thanks for taking the time to do such a great job.
This is just wonderful.
Awesome work Jim. Thank you.
Jim, outstanding video. You cover soup to nuts.
Thank you Jim! I love the informative video! One thing I want to ask you is when you do another video, please focus on the way the lower manual presets behave when different banks are selected on the upper manual and it is kinda confusing as to saving and maintaining selected sounds in the lower presets when I change banks in the upper manual. I'm sure you could clarify so much if you could please focus on the lower manual presets.
Also, do you share drawbar registrations by chance and is there detailed info on Hammond's website regarding drawer registrations categorized to different genres of music, namely country, spiritual, easy listening, etc. that a person can utilize?
Again, a GREAT BIG thank you Jim!
Tim
great explanation😊 Thanks alot
Excellent instruction! Thank you!
Excelente la explicación nada parecido ni en otro lugar, por su amplitud claridad y profundidad. gracias gracias.
Awesome and extremely helpful tutorial!
Fuckin great video man.
Need more pripper tutorials like this for us geat heads.
Love it.
Thanks Jim
When the SK3 is coming?. It's been a long time! and there're many needed features that could be implemented. Thank you
Genius.....Jim....Thanks
Thank you!
Nice Hammond built in these editable parameters making the KX-5 an editable, customizable organ application but also includes this performance keyboard with it's waterfall mechanism, rounded keys, etc... Nice studio piece imo. How would you compare this and choose between this and the newer Hammond models of the SKX Dual Keyboard model and the SKPro? I know these newer models add other keyboard sounds and take away the waterfall mechanical keyboard. Though the SKPro advertises it uses the same organ model as the KX-5. Any thoughts? As a layman, I'd still choose the KX-5 for authenticity and editable control. Edited: Okay I'd buy this for the split keyboard Jimmy Smith decay lower keyboard decay sound. That is really happening for that style shown at 51:00. Amazing.
Jim, this is a fantastic video. I'm not an organ player, but once my situation changes, I hope to get an XK5 full setup, sans Leslie. On the other hand, I AM an Arranger keyboard player (not good, but hey, I have fun). What I really would like to see is a MIDI setup using an Arranager Keyboard, or something like the Roland BK-7M.
Specifically, the XK3C had buttons for external control, but I'd like to see how the XK-5 would work with that. I'm assuming that changes would need to be set on the Preset keys. Also, I'm wondering how you might send the pedal signals to the keyboard, so you might use an acoustic bass sound from the keyboard, or electric bass, or whatever.
Finally, since you don't want to send those sounds to a real Leslie, maybe a setup with a pair of powered monitor speakers and something like a Mackie Big Knob+.
I really enjoyed this video. There's a guy selling XK-5s on Reverb, and charges $200 more for the 'custom setup', this video is going to put that out of business!
Now, if I could just play as well as you, but as we all know, the only way to get there is 'practice, practice, practice!'
I used to use my XK3 system with a Yamaha Motif ES rack. The level of control of external MIDI devices is actually quite deep. I should probably make another video detailing how to do that.
When I first worked thru this entire tutorial, I mistakenly thought that this was a GLOBAL thing, but discovered that when I changed to a different preset that all of the associated parameters that I had painstakingly set didn't match what I had set up while working thru the tutorial. So, as a solution, I am going through all the settings for one preset, and then copy that preset to all the other presets. Then, I should have my keyboard set to the GLOBAL values I prefer and the only difference between each preset will be the drawbars selected. Am going to explore this to see how it works.
The B3, C3 & A100 were identical organs except for the cabinet styles and the built-in amplification on the A100. So, with that in mind, why do some of the XK5 menu settings suggest that these three instruments sound different?
A 1955 B3 sounds very different than a 1972 B3. The important thing here isn't the model name but rather the age of the organ that they are modeling. My understanding is that the B3 they used to model the B3 setting is from the late 50s, the A100 is from the mid 60s, and the C3 is from the 70s. So all three organs would sound very different because of manufacturing differences, component differences (wax caps in the generator in the 1950s vs mylar caps in the mid 60s), etc.
Awesome!
I think I figured out how to use my extra voices via the iPad...Just need to use the EXT mode template on MIDI, assign a channel and then turn local off...Can you make this a Preset so you can quickly go back and forth between the different voices...Still need to run a 1/8 adapter to 1/4 out to PA from iPad but it should work! This is awesome!!!
Great love it
Is it possible to have the internal digital leslie engage only on the top manual and NOT the bottom? I'd love it for the top manual but not for bass notes on the bottom manual
Why would you buy a CLONE of this Hammond when you can own the XK 5 PRO SERIES for just a few $$$ more ............ HAMMOND created a BEAST here. NO OTHER CLONE can compare to this XK 5
Good point in the large scheme of things, but for some people who are barely buying within their means, there's a huge difference between $3,600 for the upper manual by itself, and $5,700 for the upper, lower, stand bought each separately; and $8,500 for the full pro kit.
I for one am sick of splitting a single manual clone, with one set of drawbars to be shared between the upper, lower, and bass pedals. That's my great attraction to doing this right and going for it all. But some cannot do that.
I had a few real spinets, a $100 keyboard, eventually got the XK-1c. There was no other music gear I needed. Have bass, guitars, recording, digital piano. Thought, I'm gonna get one epic instrument and do it right. So I got the full rig and am so glad I did. It totaled about 8.7k. No way was I gonna get another brand. They don't really sound much better than the lower tier clones. Hammond really did create a BEAST.
I am getting the XK5 soon. How do you get the left hand bass or foot bass to come thru a separate bass speaker and not the Leslie? How do you set that up?
The 11 pin Leslie output can be used in tandem with the regular 1/4" line outputs.
@@JimAlfredson Frank Montis is playing his XK5's left hand bass thru a Markbass and it is not going thru the Leslie 142 he has. How is he doing that? Similar to your setup.
this thing sound far superior than my sk2
Is there a sheet music rear for this organ?
QUESTION: Jim can you plug the power of the XK 5 into a POWER CONDITIONER???
Always really appreciate your videos!!! Very helpful. I purchased by Neo Vent II from Bruce Wahler at Ashby because of your videos - what an awesome product the Vent is and likewise the service from Ashby! Would you be able to review and explain other products, such as the HX3, GSi, etc., products?
As a Hammond endorsed Artist, I can't do reviews of competitors' products. They are not really happy with me doing Ventilator stuff, but I've been with Neo Instruments as long as I've been with Hammond, so it's kind of 'grandfathered' in. Thanks for watching!
Thank you Jim, as always, a great insight to this fantastic Hammond! QUESTION, is there sheet music for 'Funk Fo You' .. I have been playing around with it by ear. Thanks again!
Thanks for the comment. I do not have sheet music for Funk Fo Ya, but maybe I'll do a tutorial video. :)
@@JimAlfredson Thanks for your reply Jim! That would be a nice tutorial for sure. Could you steer me to one of your latest albums featuring the pipe organ? I remember seeing the 'making of' video you did, but can't seem to put my finger on it. Appreciate that. I am still working for a small but well known pipe organ company for over 31 years now! Here is a little story for you and the audience.
I remember well and not too long ago when Joey D. came to one of our client churches that has a jazz program there hosting his trio. It was during his days with the Key 3B organ. After the concert while he was signing things, I approached him and asked if he would give the Aeolian Skinner organ a work out. He looked up at me and said 'That's a WHOLE DIFFERENT animal." And sadly, that is where it ended. Thanks for reading (O:
Can the XK5's bass sound be routed to a separate bass amp like you can with the new SKX Pro and not thru the Leslie?
It does not have a separate bass output per se, but using a combination of the 11pin output and the 1/4" outputs, you can do this.
Ok, we will give a try. Thanks
On the other hand I had used a Alesis Nano Bass sound module on left hand and foot bass and it sounds really good and may use it instead.
I just bought an XK-5 and saw your video. Can I buy your presets?
Hi Phil. I don't really have any presets for the XK5. I just use the drawbars. But if you need some help setting yours up, let me know. My email is b3groover at gmail dot com.
Jim...great video. I also watch you live shows each week. I can't seem to find Hammond Sks and Xk's around and would like to know if the keys (black and white) on these keyboards are the same measurements of the vintage A,B, and C Hammond models? To me size matters? Thanks and you're an awesome Hammond Player...
Yes they are the same size.
Perfect 👍 Thanks alot!
@Jim Alfredson Does the XK5 have a pipe organ sound in it? I noticed the word PIPE show up in your menu section and have seen it on other videos as well.
Yes, it does have pipe organ!
@@JimAlfredson Awesome!!! Thanks a bunch 🙏🏾
Hi Jim! Thank you for this video! I received my XK-5 yesterday. Love it, but not loving the factory default settings.
As a person who dreads going down the rabbit hole of tweaking sounds, could you publish (or sell) a core set of parameter values (key click, leakage, preamp, percussion) for the gigging jazz organist? Again, I’d be more than happy to pay for the service.
Doug, congrats on the purchase! I need to create a tonewheel set for the XK5 based on my 1954 Hammond C2, as I have done for the SK1, SK2, XK3, XK1c, and XK3c. I just need to find time. I'd be hesitant to send you those parameters because I don't know what you're playing through; a real Leslie? Tube? Solid state? Powered speakers? Live or in home? It all changes.
That said, if I find the time to make that tonewheel set, I'll offer it for free on my website.
Jim Alfredson Thank you Jim. I just sat down and read the custom tonewheel section of the XK-5 manual. Oh. My. God.
Cheers Jim this is brilliant.
One question I have is my foot switch only works intermittently, it works once on startup and then very sporadically after that, any ideas? It’s set up correctly.
I'm sorry, I have not heard of this problem before. Are you using the latest OS?
I ran into that issue as well once. I looked down and my volume pedal body which rests on the floor was slid up against the side of the bass pedals thus causing a problem when I activated the foot switch to operate the leslie.
I don't own an XK-5 but I just enjoy watching these kinds of demo videos. I have a question: in this video the XK-5 has 2 keyboards but I've also seen many images of it where it has only one, but it still has some buttons saying "lower" and "upper". So does it have 1 or 2 keyboards?
It can be either. You buy the upper manual to operate on its own.
Then if you want, you buy the second manual that is a “dummy keyboard” with a wood box behind it to drop the upper, above & behind, INTO the empty space behind the lower’s keyboard.
Really amazing how they made that work.
The upper is set up to accept the lower if you choose to buy it, but you can use the upper on its own.
Nice Jim! Still have your SY99 BTW?? Best 😎
Yes! I love the SY99!
Jim Alfredson 👍 good on you Jim - best FM synth plus everything else that goes with it! Love you uploads too, keep it up! 😃
Key Click is a "Consonant Sound" Like the attack of a wind blown pipe. :)
I like the idea you can set the key click on and off volume. That's really a musical parameter imo though I do not own the KX-5 yet. I can imagine that being an important setting realizing that the organ tone sustains and your start and end to the note is emphasized by the click at the start and end of the duration of the note held. This adds to the swing. Very cool.
Hi Jim,
could you do a similar video for the XK1C?
That's a good idea.
@@JimAlfredson next time you do a performance, I offer a challenge - the track: I'm So Afraid (sung by Lindsey Buckingham) on the album: The Dance by Fleetwood Mac... intro is switched between the strings on F & G. Break is around the 2 minute mark before he resumes singing...then, the solo resumes before the 5 minute mark until the end just before the 8 minute mark
Hi Jim - Awesome video which in no small part contributed to my getting my XK5 a few days ago. Quick question for you: is there a way to use a sustain pedal (i.e. sustain a chord with the pedal indefinitely while pedal is pressed)? I cannot seem to find this anywhere.. if so, what pedal do you recommend? Thank you!!!!!!!
The way you sustain an organ sound is to hold it down with your hand. Hahaha! So different than the piano I know. But so important to the technique and sound and style of the organ.
Thanks Jim...Is there anyway to use my iPad and the usb to host for piano sounds or say synthmaster etc?
Yes, I plan to make a video on how to do this soon.
Thanks Jim looking forward to it...I think it’s the Ex Zone Template...Hoping to use it this week
I own an XK3c which i gig with every week, I bought an XK5 pro last year which gives a way better sound and playing experience however after watching this video it's opened a whole new chapter in setting up and playing. The organ was used when i bought it and did come with a manual but... Reading the manual is well an admission of defeat and doesn't quite explain things in the way Jim does in this video
The owner's manual kind of sux lol.
Hi Jim, thanks so much for this great and deep insight into more than the XK5. It also gives me great pleasure to hear and see you play the organ. As I am no pro and do the Hammond-ing just as a hobby, it's sometimes hard to learn new things and dig deeper. Your video really helped me to understand more about it.
I bought my XK5 in 2018 and instantly fell in love with Betty (that's how I call her). I run a Santana tribute band called "Jingo-Lo-Ba" ( www.jingoloba.band/ , sorry, it's all in the German language) and am a great admirer of Gregg Rolie's early B3 organ work, especially on "Caravanserai".
I have a very special question that could be interesting to other people, too: Is it possible to set a Hammond pedal (EXP50J) so, that it only controls the volume (really only the volume, nothing else)? I would like to use the volume pedal (in addition to the Expression Pedal EXP100F) as a second pedal with the left foot to adjust the volume while playing with both hands. I have tried a lot but not succeeded yet.
Many thanks in advance for your answer and thanks again for the incredibly helpful video. I hope you play a concert in Germany in the Munich area so I can hear you playing live.
A compressor does not make the soft parts louder while making the loud parts quieter. It makes everything quieter.
TimmyP1955 a compressor reduces dynamic range. You can use it to bring softer parts up in volume compared to the louder parts. Then you use the gain to compensate for the loss in overall volume.
@@JimAlfredson At any moment that the signal is over the threshold, the compressor turns down everything in the signal. The trick is to set the threshold so that the compressor does not turn down those moments that you don't want turned down. If the operator turns up the makeup gain, everything then gets louder - both what's below the threshold and what's above it.
Hey Jim. Awesome...
Just a quick question. What's the first tune that plays behind the intro?
It's an original of mine called GG. It will be on the upcoming Dirty Fingers record.
@@JimAlfredson Good Game :)
@@JimAlfredson It's sick! Can you do a mini tutorial of just that bit? I tried to shazam it cause i wanted to learn it 😂
Please, play the song, " SUNNY ".
Super, mais hélas étant français, je ne comprends pas un mot, et les tutos en français n’existent pas
Have video in Spanish?
Lol one of these comments says 1 month ago when this video was uploaded yesterday....🤔🤔
Patreon?
I uploaded the video months ago but it was set to 'unlisted' and I only shared it with a few select people to get their feedback.
@@JimAlfredson Well, I'm certainly glad you listed it. The video is a great tutorial on the XK-5.
Hablas mucho y no muestras lo mas importante que es el sonido
I stumbled on to this. Are you serious ???? You used to have to be nothing but a musician to play organ. Now you have to be a space shuttle pilot. Key clicks? Routing parameters?? Jimmy Smith didn't need all that garbage. Just give me the talented musician and the pure keyboard..
You don't have to change any of these parameters if you don't want to. Just play. Some people like to tweak things, though. So this video is for them. And many of the original jazz organists did modify their Hammonds. Both Jimmy McGriff and Jack McDuff did percussion mods and Groove Holmes did modifications to the bass pedal overtones. You can do all that in the XK5 if you want and you don't even need a soldering iron!
@@JimAlfredson Ok. I appreciate your response and information. I hear organists change to a brighter mode for soloing and less for comping. And also the full church mode for color and emphasis. Those manipulations make sense to me. What you were getting into seemed pretty advanced. I probably needed to be more informed before I made my comment here. I didn't know pro organists modified their instruments as you pointed out. Thanks for educating me. I have two questions..... One of my fav videos of yours is "Lets stay together" in MI I believe. Cool version of that song. Were you using any special tweaks in that performance? Also...were you fan at all of Joey Defrancesco? No worries if not. Just asking.
@@blue81blue81 Joey D was a dear friend. He was very kind to me and encouraged me when I was just learning the instrument. I used to rent my B3 to a club in Ann Arbor MI for him whenever he came to town. He showed me quite a few things. A beautiful human being. I miss him.
Regarding the "Let's Stay Together" video, thanks for the kind words. That's a Hammond SK2 in that video, which I did tweak pretty extensively. I edited all the virtual tonewheels to sound as close to my 1954 Hammond C2 that I could. When Dr Lonnie Smith heard those tweaks at the Hammond booth at NAMM in 2012, which a friend of mine surreptitiously put on the SK2 there, he turned to the then president of Hammond USA and asked "What did you do?!?" He loved the sound so much and could tell right away that something was different. After that, they started inviting me to NAMM and using me to test drive their instruments. :)
@@JimAlfredson Wow. Amazing story about Joey D and his impact on your life. Hammond and NAMM as well. Thanks for sharing that. You left handed bass players always impressed me. I was a drummer so familiar with idea of hands and feet doing completlely different things. If you have never seen it check out a Joey D video with Bobby Hutcherson playing "I thought about you". Slow and easy tempo yet very powerful and tasty. Are there anymore tunes/videos from your "Lets stay toether" gig ?