Hammond SK1

The Hammond SK1 is a "Stage Keyboard" keyboard with a waterfall type 61 keys. Touch is very nice, I even found above the keyboard equipping the Nord Electro. The rest of the instrument is made of sheet with sides made of plastic that does not inspire confidence at all in terms of strength ... it's the first thing I'm going to change, and replace these sides by models with solid oak - and it will become 500 g heavier, but it will always be very very light!

The push buttons are very nice, the plastic knobs are in order, although I prefer the buttons in North or on some Yamaha synths. But for now, everything works flawlessly, so I'm not going to criticize this aspect.

The SK1 has an LCD screen amber, very readable day or on stage. A big advantage over the NE3 or NE4D which has a tiny LED display 3 digits. Editing is still easier on the Hammond. Most settings are accessible by long pressing the dedicated button, which directly accesses the detailed parameter settings - very convenient and fast.

The zippers are not stopped, more sliders that let manipulate without any trouble. But they remain accurate. Note that it is not really like a drawbar XK3C, they are like the NE4D, linear knobs, except that the Hammond you can still read the value displayed on the back.

In terms of connections, the SK1 is still provided. It has a stereo output, headphone output, Leslie output as a DIN 8 pin. Then come the connections for sustain pedal, expression pedal and foot switch. Then the trio for MIDI and a USB connection so you can plug in a USB stick. Unlike the NE4D, food is not included, there is always a transformer to lug around with either. It's not really worthy of a pro instrument, but ... we made it. The SK1 is perhaps not thought for professionals users, I do not know.

SK1, unlike NE3 or multi-timbral NE4D is, which means that you can play two sounds at once. Whether on the stereo output, or only the organ sounds on the 8 pin Leslie output and other sounds on the stereo output. That's one big advantage of this keyboard ... no problem to have an organ sound on the lower half of the keyboard and sound Rhodes on the top of the keyboard. In addition, both parties have their own practical effects engine! Or there is also the ability to stack two sounds across the range. But beware ... only an organ sound and sound the EXP library. So there is no opportunity to sound Rhodes and acoustic piano sound at the same time.
For fans of sounds "Piano + Pad", there are many presets offered by Hammond - but not editable.

At the pedals, it's always better to use the pedals proposed by Hammond. They are heavy and expensive, but they are those who are more progressive and allow better expression. A BOSS EV5 is not really usable, the race is far too short. The EV7 Yamaha model is much improved.

UTILIZATION

As with any new keyboard, it takes time to adapt, but in general, usage is very simple. The edition is very detailed, parameters for each entry. There can store up to 10 simulations of Leslie speakers, through the Leslie 122, 145, 760, 925, PR40, short ... many equipped with tube amps or transistors models. Everything is configurable at the Horn and drum. The response of the speaker (flat, medium, etc ...), to the distance of the microphones, the angle of the latter, speed, acceleration, deceleration, the stop, the type of amp, etc ... North can get dressed on this point.

Ditto for tonewheels where everything can be configured in detail. And I promise you it is worth to dive! Because the differences are really audible. I will not bother me either to say that the presets do not break three-legged duck. But by changing some parameters, one quickly reaches impressive results.

There are 10 buttons fast memories, very practical live use when you want to store some sounds all cooked to a certain program. The effects can be switched on or triggered in a very direct way (like the North).

In short, the possibilities much more thorough than the Nord Electro, and use relatively simple sum ... not bad at all!

SOUNDS

Hammond Organs: I will not go through four paths is greater than North. No doubt about it. Sounds in North Hammond always that grain "North", the famous compression when Leslie simulation is that the sound is a little distorted it clicks. In Hammond, it just sounds like it should, full, round, that growl, that swing, a feast for the ears and fingers. Leslie simulation (when properly configured) is also much higher than in the North, including the NE4D. I also made a comparison with the Ventilator. It's very very close ... on the other hand, I much prefer the overdrive of the Ventilator downright low simulation SK1 ... especially in extreme settings that remind me of the Korg CX3 more than anything else.
In short, apart from the overdrive, it's practically flawless for SK1.

Farfisa and Vox organs: I use these sounds relatively little (except on a piece ...). Whether for SK1 or North transistor organs are usable, provided you have not left have removed Leslie simulation ... zippers are handy for changing the registers.

Pipe organs: the big surprise on the SK1. This certainly are not the sounds we use very often, but then the sound quality on the SK1 is just incredible. Unlike in Northern offers only frozen samples, the SK1 there is the possibility to modify the records available. On a good sound system, it really is .... a class test is required.

Acoustic pianos: There is no photo, North is FAR ahead. The sounds in the SK1 troubleshoot when there is no other digital and acoustic pianos available, but no more than that. No sympathetic string resonance, too few velocity layers ... here. Nice to have, but not more.

Rhodes, Wurli: again, North is much better. Especially in terms of velocity layers. But I'd still like to add that the integrated SK1 effects can save a bit average quality of these sounds. In the end, it's still useful to have a sound of Rhodes (there are two samples, a Rhodes a little "barky" and a second, "tiny." But again, I prefer North.

Clavinet: Amazing ... less adjustable than in the North, but it sounds better than the red Swedish! Here again is a nice little surprise on the SK1. With effects, they even become more useful.

Other sounds: accordions (sampled accordion Suzuki) are not bad at all. Nothing from the accordion at Nord. There is a sound of Solina still nice, but ... when you know the original, all simulations are bland ... For the rest, nothing terrible. Some sounds non-editable synths, which troubleshoot but nothing more.

Note that there is the ability to download new sounds on the site of Hammond. The amount is much lower than that proposed North. As for quality, it is very random. Some samples are much better to see than in the North, others are much worse.

OVERALL OPINION

Hammond SK1 plays its role perfectly complement a Nord Stage 2 with a heavy touch. Where Northern fish a little (sounds Hammond, medium Leslie, Clavinet not terrible, hit heavy ...), I can engage the SK1 in a targeted and precise. Having such a small keyboard with a nice light touch, multi-timbral, is really an asset of SK1.

The build quality does not equal by against Swedish side tank.

If I had not yet North in my set-up, I think I would have opted for the Nord Electro 4D because it offers much better acoustic piano, Rhodes and Wurli the SK1. And organ sounds are still more qu'utilisables on NE4D.

For cons, the seeker of Hammond organ sounds of the highest order, it will not go off buying a Hammond ...

I will not repeat everything that was said, but still: It's what's really impressive and super nice. It is incredibly rich. It vibrates, it moves the gut, it inspires, it makes you want to play ...
It is compact (barely wider than my master 49 key keyboard).
It is really beautiful, warm colors. It seems to call me ... The keyboard ivory, heavy and precise keys ... What happiness.

UTILIZATION

Okay, but now some info that I have not seen elsewhere that can be used:

It is primarily an organ. So using the keyboard with two different sounds (or a second keyboard) does not have two sound bank's additional ("extra voices"), it is mandatory that an organ (to choose between tone wheel organs, transistors or tubes). A shame is not it? (But the sounds are mostly beautiful too)

The screen is small and inconvenient, you never know where it is a glance (eg it says "stereo piano" but when we play ... is an organ sound because the "upper" key "extra voice" is not pressed ...).
Also, as the knobs are not motorized (or endless rounds), if you touch one of them, it changes the value directly but you can easily know what value it was before touching (except for zippers, whose values ​​are displayed on the screen at all times, as numbers or bar more or less solid)
This is a bit of a gas plant and the manual is pretty lousy. Fortunately there is a French version of the site anyway.
Too bad there is only one button to adjust the additional effects of "extra voices" (other instruments), the other must not go menus ... (More from the world of synthesis, I would have appreciated at least two other buttons to be able to assign the LFO speed automatic Wah-Wah for example, or play live with the phaser, delay, or that I know again ...). There are, however, four knobs for to equalize ...
Another small detail, the choice of mono or stereo output: not automatically recognized as if a jack or two is connected to the output must go through a menu ...
Fortunately there are 100 user patches for storing our settings.
That said, if you're a purist setting organ sound, it seems that all the parameters (but really everyone) changed via the menus.

There is an external transformer, and no power via USB or batteries (pfff. ..)

The USB is only used to insert a key to: Update System - play songs (in ms or wav) - Add sound libraries (download from the website of Hammond) - save all settings.

So no midi via usb (provide the correct cables / adapters)

Contrary to what one said Hammond guys on a video, there may be large swings in volume between different instruments (eg, the patch "glory pipes" will blow your speakers and your ears if you bind directly after the acoustic pianos without manually lower the volume, for example)
Also I find that the volume dedicated to "extra voices" not quite up over organ sounds (it takes blow down pulls the organ in question instead of just being able to adjust the volume by one relative to each other).

SOUNDS

... specific net aaarghhh, powerful, smooth, captivating ...
(Well not really understand the "strings" and stuff like "sax" ...)
Too bad there is no time for style moog sound (good bass brutal style analog synth. Because it can be seen in what he gives to the organ!)

OVERALL OPINION

Well, if I think of other things I would change that opinion.
Again though still I am very happy with my purchase and it is a joy to have this little beast home.

This organ synth is designed, conceived as a Hammond organ with some synth sounds plus some of whom are very successful (the harpsichord is stunning, the arcordeon is nice, the piano seems to me well). Setting options and adaptation of the game are impressive organ.
On very compact chassis is however reduced the metal. It's sturdy and the build quality is very good.


A small bemol: The zippers are not as they seem true (unlike the viscount) is in fact linear knobs (same mixer) button just a kind of horizontal extension can display the value as a zipper. This is the only thing that makes chip on this machine, in my opinion they should have to go through things and put diodes in place with a rotary knob to change the value as on the north 3. This would have allowed easier to visualize the value of zippers presets. Oh also side are molded plastic, damage two pieces of wood would have more class.

UTILIZATION

Some points of ergonomics are not intuitive, read the doc, short and very dense in American. By reading we measure the power of setting the party organ.
Something very interesting is that there are 100 preset sounds and can memorize 100 sounds personal, but happiness.

SOUNDS

The organ sounds are great, they can carve the infinite, I'm tired
The leslie is very successful, additional effects are also very successful including Flanger, gender Electric Mistress worse, it can go up sounds delirants.Les sounds "extra voices" are successful for my taste (the harpsichord is bluffing, the arcordeon is nice, the piano seems to me well) but it is especially organ sounds that interest me.

OVERALL OPINION

Tired of running after organ sounds disappointing or frustrating always on ssynthés, I fell for it real Hammond in a very reduced space. I am overwhelmed by this organ and the multiple sounds (there are 6 basic organ sounds have 3 hammond, a vox, a Farfisa and pipes).

I'm not going back on what others said before me. It's true! ! !
I also have an A 102 of 1965 (my 4th Hamm ') is a B3 plus two integrated amps, reverb and a string bass. All connected to two Leslies 147 and 145. Suffice to say that I will be demanding.
First point: it is a Hammond B3! Indeed, all musicians know, a clone must exaggerate a little the characteristic points of an (old) instrument. Here is the case in aurally: truer than true including amplification.
In terms of controls and interface, everything is there, however I would have preferred a standard approach where the commands of Roland A: B3: C3 are found.
But apart from that: there are other non-Hammond, and there hat! This is a real Swiss Army knife! liturgical organ sounds are giants (sometimes I play on a Cavaille-Coll), the grand piano on top, the Rhodes not bad, although the harpsichord, the strings a bit soft but beautiful.
Finally, to answer the questionnaire, the programming is very well done, but hey, like all things sophisticated, it must be endured.
The 150-page manual (yes!) speaks volumes about the functions available, yet it could be even bigger ... to question someone who has traveled, wait a few years.

Note: a USB MP3 player ... that's awesome!

UTILIZATION

It is COMPLETE! hardue a little at first, but we made it so the possibilities are immense.
the manual? 150 pages written tight, English only. Good, normal. For abnormal, they can download the French version on the net. Plan a good printer

I do not like the easy words that rhyme with limited ... This is COMPLETE!

split the two keyboards is that of happiness: Hamm sounds perceived with right hand only, liturgical sounds with the funds left over right, great!
and the split button that provides a quick change to the times "big games" include the classics.

SOUNDS

I have tried many. I have the originals (Hamm and classical) and I confirm:

I have NEVER found a better, even with expander modules.

OVERALL OPINION

Since January 2012. It was purchased in September 2011. I spent the firmware, 1.2 (necessary) I tried everything essayable, and I was right: when I came across it secondhand, I knew what I was doing.

In retrospect, what I want: the same two keyboards! the SK2, I would have liked two games of zippers, a self-powered entry for twelve o'clock pedal (like Roland), more programmable keys (10) it is sufficient to have a duplicate key (see Roland again) and was 20 memories!
The half-moon is less expensive, and the pedal.

The SK1 (so 2) a zero button to easily cancel programs (one is floundering at the beginning!), A rotary chorus as a B3, a switch to toggle the Phonic wheel pulls to pipes or FARF. without scrolling the dial which is tedious.

Finally, and here I stress (I have written) a separate Lower keyboard for sale! as before on the XC3, and why not walk a stylish even if it is resin?

last point: stereo amp required (for Leslie) I use Roland.