New VEM Engine:
While Laurens Hammond’s 1934 design was responsible for a revolutionary new sound, there were certain flaws he could never overcome, such as the characteristic electrical noise present along with the musical tones. Remarkably, those flaws were accepted by musicians as part of the vintage Hammond’s charm. With the newly developed Virtual Electro Mechanical (VEM) sound engine, the new XK-7D and XK- 7 models capture every detail of those endearing imperfections, by the exact digital replication of the original tone generator chain via Physical Modeling.
CUSTOMIZATION
The VEM sound engine can reproduce the exact tonal character of vintage organs in any condition, including variations due to individual differences or production periods.
Tonewheels
• Pitch fluctuation (wow & flutter) caused by tonewheel rotational play (backlash) can be set individually for each tonewheel.
• Amplitude variation due to tonewheel eccentricity can be set individually for each tonewheel.
• Volume of each note (matrix level) can be set for each keyboard and each drawbar.
• Volume of each wheel included in leakage sound can be set for each keyboard and each drawbar.
• By including foldback parameters in the custom tonewheel parameters, even models without foldback, such as the 44-key L-112, can be supported.
• Independent total levels for UPPER/LOWER/PEDAL parts are added to the custom tonewheel parameters, making it easy to adjust the balance to your preference.
• Impedance reduction can be set per drawbar for each keyboard.
New Multi-Contact Keyboard:
The XK-7D and XK-7’s “6L Keyboard” faithfully reproduces the unique playing feel of classic Hammond multi-contact keys, achieving the closest response yet to that of a vintage HAMMOND organ. The 6L’s keys are longer than on previous models, closer to the dimension of the original 1934 design. Completing the spec are 6 physical contacts below each key, providing the elusive “classic” Hammond feel. This can be demonstrated by slowly depressing a key and hearing each harmonic play. The touch and response of vintage keyboards engendered a creation of techniques, styles, and “tricks” that became a language used by musicians of every genre from the 1930’s to the present day. The new “Series 7” keyboards provide the necessary tactile feedback essential to those techniques.
Keyclick and Leakage:
On classic Hammonds, the Tone Generator and Keyboard designs exhibited two flaws which have become beloved components of the “Hammond Sound”. The close proximity of the mechanical generator wheels created an audible “crosstalk” or “leakage” sound; while the 9-contact classic keyboard created a “click” with each note played. These electrical quirks are intentionally recreated as part of the XK-7D/XK-7’s “character”. Dedicated knobs to adjust these effects are now included on the XK-7D, also allowing the removal of these two effects. On the XK-7 you can assign these settings to the “user-assigned” control knobs
New Preamp Modeling:
The vintage B-3’s “AO-28/AO-29” tube preamp has been accurately recreated using advanced modeling technology, delivering the warm and powerful sound of a vintage organ. By increasing the drive gain, you can add tonal colors ranging from gentle warmth to distortion, creating the personal sound your music requires. The CLIP indicator lights up in response to the amount of distortion. There is a dedicated PREAMP control on the top panel.
Leslie™ Cabinet Control and Digital Leslie™:
The speed of a Leslie Speaker Cabinet connected via the 11-pin jack on the rear of the XK-7D/XK-7 can be controlled by the Leslie switches on the lower left. It can also be controlled with the optional CU-1 “Half Moon” switch, or by the optional FS-1 foot switch. When a Leslie Cabinet is not present, the Leslie effect can be added via the Digital Leslie onboard the XK-7D/XK-7. The Leslie switches control the Digital Leslie in the same fashion as a Leslie Cabinet. The XK-7D/XK-7’s updated Digital Leslie models the sound reflections inside the virtual cabinet with greater accuracy, delivering an even more realistic sound.
New Pedalboard
The new (optional) XPK-250Wmk3 pedalboard features a physical 3-contact system, allowing the player’s expression to match the performance of a classic Hammond’s depth, strength, and velocity.
HAMMOND’S exclusive H-BUS system and connectors make connecting the 25-note pedalboard (and optional CU-1 “Half-Moon” Leslie switch) easy, while keeping the organ’s appearance neat and tidy.
Discrete BASS out:
The XK-7D / XK-7 has an individual “BASS OUT” 1/4″ jack allowing either the Pedal voices or User-adjustable low frequencies to be output. This signal can then be sent to a separate Bass Amplifier, Sub-Woofer, or sound reinforcement channel to supplement the tonal profile of the Organ.
Color Display:
The color display improves visibility, allowing you to quickly check settings and perform intuitive operations and edits with ease. The top panel is equipped with assignable controls for both the built-in sound engine and external devices, as well as a master equalizer for venue-specific adjustments. With the control knobs, you can instantly adapt to any performance environment.
DFX: Delay/Reverb/Wah
Delay, the popular “echo” effect, is ideal for dub, reggae, and more. On the XK-7D/XK-7, delay is provided as a standalone effect. Both delay time and depth can be controlled in real time using dedicated knobs. The XK-7D/XK-7’s digital reverberation is provided as a standalone effect. Both reverb time and depth can be controlled in real time using dedicated knobs. The popular “Wah-Wah” effect can be added in a number of different ways, including using an attached (optional) Expression Pedal in the traditional manner, or as “Auto Wah” where the effect is applied automatically. It can also be controlled by LFO or manually adjusted. You can control the effect in real time right from the panel.
Transistor Combo Organ Models:
The XK-7D / XK-7 has three accurate models of 60’s-era Combo Organs, which can be authentically registered via the drawbars. Included are: The Italian “Farf”, The British/American “Vx”, and the Japanese “Ace” Organs.
Pipe Organ Voices:
The XK-7D / XK-7 has 41 virtual ranks of Pipe Organ voices, spread between Classical/Church and Theatre Organ timbres. These voices are user-scalable and registered via the Drawbars. A pair of 32′ Pedal voices are included in the specification.
