Changes in Vox Continental modelling

[NeFerreira]

I agree with you, but the purpose of electro models is to recreate the electromechanical instruments, and from 4 to 6 we had a downgrade in a lot of aspects. Also, I think the organs, electric pianos clavinets, and harpsichord engine need a complete rework. I could explain them if you're interested to hear.

It's not that I'm not interested, it's that whatever you'll say will most likely stay here and it won't reach Nord's desk. But yes, I'm interested to hear, why not?

Sorry for the late reply. I will say what I would like to see changed on E7, but a lot of them works for all keyboard models.

Let's start with organ section.
Vox Continental: I've already shared my opinion.
Farfisa: it's good but is still missing some aspects that the original organ have.
Hammond: I think we should have more organ models and leslie options, also, some details like 1' drawbar don't have sound when percussion is on on the upper manual should be added to give a realistic feel.
Pipe 1 and 2: I think it's better to have only one pipe organ option but with configurable stops, I will explain it better. With menu diving you could assign for example, to the 8' drawbar a principal 8' stop, and to the 4' drawbar a Diapason 8'. There should be possible to have diferent stops per manual (lower and upper) and per program.
In the interface the percussion decay and volume switch's should be separated, and independent leslie effect.
Piano section.
Here, I think we deserve an update especialy on Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinets, Clavinets.

Synth section.
Well, if I ask for a synth we're converting the Electro in to a Stage, so at least we should have the possibility to play two sample at the same time.

Effect section.
It would be good to have dedicated effect per section. For exemple, we should be able to use drive on organ and eletric piano at the same time and reverb should be independent.

To finish my "wish list" it should be added the option to connect organ pedals, that way we could play organ with pedals (obviously) and string lines with our feet for example.

[Hlaalu]

Sorry for the late reply. I will say what I would like to see changed on E7, but a lot of them works for all keyboard models.

Let's start with organ section.
Vox Continental: I've already shared my opinion.
Farfisa: it's good but is still missing some aspects that the original organ have.
Hammond: I think we should have more organ models and leslie options, also, some details like 1' drawbar don't have sound when percussion is on on the upper manual should be added to give a realistic feel.

I agree with all of this, but as we said, Nord doesn't seem to be focusing that much on their organ implementation in recent years. I think if you are looking for all that stuff (Leslie options, more organ models, etc.) your best bets are with other manufacturers. Consider that now the few settings you have for the organ can't even be saved per-program. They are global only. This is to say that Nord is yet far away from the kind of sophistication that you seem to be wishing.

Pipe 1 and 2: I think it's better to have only one pipe organ option but with configurable stops, I will explain it better. With menu diving you could assign for example, to the 8' drawbar a principal 8' stop, and to the 4' drawbar a Diapason 8'.

Pipe 1 is interesting, isn't it? It's called "pipe" but sounds like a Hammond that tries to sound like a pipe, which was what it was intended to do anyway. I kind of like it, but I would have named it differently.

As for the "true" pipe organ, given Nord's minimalist approach even to the Hammond, which is the most used, expecting to be able to select things like different pipe ranks is bordering on science-fiction. Again, if you are passionate about organs (pipe and electronic), your best bets are with other manufacturers (Viscount for example). Now given what the C2D was, I'll grant you there was a hope that some of the things you mentioned would be implemented in a hypothetical C3D, but as we know that's not the direction the company seems to have taken.

There should be possible to have diferent stops per manual (lower and upper) and per program.

This is possible with the Stage, but pedals aren't supported anyway. The only way to play pedals with two manuals is to use the synth section.

In the interface the percussion decay and volume switch's should be separated, and independent leslie effect.

This I'm not sure what you mean...

[NeFerreira]

I really like nord because it haves all in the interface without menu diving, and I wish they focus on the eletromechanical instruments since we have had Nord Wave 2 and Stage 4 that the main upgrade was the synth section.

In the interface the percussion decay and volume switch's should be separated, and independent leslie effect.

This I'm not sure what you mean...[/quote]

If you look to S4 we have one button to control decay and other for volume, and in E7 we have one button for both. For the leslie is the same thing, we have in S4 a leslie button in the organ section and on E7 the leslie is on effect section, and that is a problem because you can't use B-3 with leslie + Rhodes with drive.

[Hlaalu]

If you look to S4 we have one button to control decay and other for volume, and in E7 we have one button for both.

I had never noticed this about the Electro series, but it seems that they've always had one less control for percussion. I wouldn't say they have one button "for both", but that it simply lacks the volume control, at least hands-on.

But even more puzzling than that, is the displacement of the buttons. The Yamaha YC series also has them reversed with respect to the Hammond layout. Why do this?? Usually one gets used to the buttons and automatically reaches for them without thinking. This is especially confusing if someone switches back and forth between different organs. The Stage series has them "right", so it's not some copyright issue. I hope they'll fix this in the Electro 7.

This definitely seems the kind of things that they could easily fix even if they haven't put much development in the organ lately.

[soulof70]

Hi,
Does the percussion feature work on the Vox Organ sound as on the grey top Super II models? I can't seem to get it to switch on.

[maxpiano]

Hi,
Does the percussion feature work on the Vox Organ sound as on the grey top Super II models? I can't seem to get it to switch on.

If you check Vox emulation chapter on NE6 Manual you will see that it talks about "Original Vox" and percussion is not mentioned = not supported.

[Gambold]

Gotta say it - I'm not sure why anyone would even want to use the Vox, for anything. I know nostalgia dies hard, but there is a reason the Continental is not made anymore and no-one is using it at a professional level - on stage or in the studio (here come "examples" to prove me wrong).

Two nights ago my band gigged at a pool hall and I decided to use the Vox emulation on my Electro 6 for our cover of Somebody to Love, by Jefferson Airplane. Admittedly this kind of tune is not totally in our wheelhouse - it requires everyone to be pretty loose and 60s-ish and my fellow bandmates are not that. Since I actually lived in the 60s, unlike any of them, I can roughly approximate it. BUT - the Vox sounded terrible. Like a toy instrument, thin and icky. After about 16 measures I scurried back to the B3.

I agree that something got lost with the Electro B3 between the Electro 4 and Electro 6, although I'm not a skilled enough organ player to say exactly what. But regardless...it blew away the Vox. I would say just dump the Vox and Farfisa for the next model and sink all the money into improving the B3. I know, heresy...but trust me, you won't miss them, especially if they are replaced with better Hammond options.

[dansnord]

I'm no organ aficionado--piano is more my thing. That said, I have been learning more and more about playing the B3, and am really liking it. But I have to sympathize with Gambold's point. Every time I force myself to try out the Vox, I find it unsatisfying and just go right back the B3. I don't want to offend anyone who uses it, and enjoys it, but I too feel like it sounds like "a toy instrument, thin and icky". But to each their own!

[Normski]

I know what Gambold and Dan are saying, But I for one need the Vox,
I fly across europe in a name band and the Vox in the right song is a killer.
I just could not work without it. I also use the B3, but the Vox is a must have for me.
Norm

[dansnord]

I know what Gambold and Dan are saying, But I for one need the Vox,
I fly across europe in a name band and the Vox in the right song is a killer.
I just could not work without it. I also use the B3, but the Vox is a must have for me.
Norm

Totally makes sense. If you need it, you need it. And of course there are famous songs with it. It's just for me, when I'm sitting at the keyboard playing for fun, and I try using the Vox, it just doesn't do anything for me! But what you're saying is 100% legit. And I'd never suggest they remove the Vox engine.