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Organs

The organ is the instrument that has captivated me since childhood, and especially the liturgical organ. I am charmed by its mystery, its power, its ability to evoke a celestial beyond! But lugging a church organ in the trunk of a car is not easy! So I first looked towards the king of 70s keyboards, namely the Hammond organ.

Of course, at the beginning of the 80s, the purchase of such an instrument was completely out of reach for me, and I looked at the following “emulations” (the “digital” liturgical organ came later, but that’s another story…):

Organs

Hammond Suzuki XB2

It quickly became my main instrument, and it found its best place on Esprit d’Amor, where it was recorded with a real Leslie cabin, and believe me, that makes all the difference! It also features prominently on the video Les Mondes de …, and Atlas (but without the cabin, too bad …). I sold it during the VITAL DUO period, being in search of very different liturgical sounds (but that’s another story …).

In 1992, still looking for a good imitation of a tonewheel organ, after an unsuccessful attempt with a failed expander (the VOCE, used on La Source), I became enthusiastic about the first of the series of new digital Hammond organs (the brand having just been bought by Suzuki): the XB2. It has the well-known look already adopted by the CX3 Korg, and it’s true that it sounds very good, probably the best emulation of the time. In addition, it is fully programmable (with, however, a questionable management logic due to its complexity), with a Leslie effect of course, but also saturation, and several reverbs.

Numeric tone wheels

Thierry Payssan et le XB2 — Under a MX1000 master keyboard, the XB2

Organs

Hammond Suzuki XM2

At the time of reforming MINIMUM VITAL with Jean-Luc and Eric, I am interested in the latest generation of digital tone wheels, based on the so-called VASE III technology. I therefore expect, as the years have passed, to see dazzling progress bringing us ever closer to the B3 legend… As, since VITAL DUO, I have definitively opted for controlling all my devices by master keyboard (a Roland A90), I choose a state-of-the-art expander from Hammond Suzuki, the XM2.

Now, after a few years of use, I can say that, yes, it has a very good sound, but it is not truly superior to the XB2. No matter, for some time now, I have offered it a superb Leslie emulation (the “Ventilator” from Neo Instrument), and now, it sounds like never before! The XM2 is therefore destined to remain a faithful companion…

Organs

Viscount OP3

My first wish was to acquire a Korg CX3. This was a famous and very successful analog imitation of the tonewheel organ. But it was still worth around 7,500 francs in 1984, which was still beyond my financial means. So I opted for its Italian copy, the OP3 from Viscount Intercontinental, for 3,000 francs less!

The instrument has the same harmonic drawbars, the same 5-octave keyboard, the same controls (click, saturation, electronic Leslie), and the same pleasant wood finish. The sound is different, less glossy than the CX3, but nevertheless warm and with a strong analog character.

Only one flaw: it breaks down every 4 mornings! Too bad, because I really liked its particular color. I had to part with it because of excessive repair costs… Used from Envol Triangles to Sarabandes, but not always correctly registered.

The italien cousin

Thierry Payssan avec l'OP3 et le DX21 — Thierry with the OP3 and the DX21