Driving External Leslie Rotors with Nord Keyboard Buttons?

[Les Lee]

Hi. I am new here and am looking at buying a Nord Stage 3 compact.

I have a Hammond SK1 73 with a Leslie 3300. The Hammond has a Leslie emulator (with slow, stop, fast button on the keyboard), but i prefer the real thing.

So, when i connect the Leslie to the Hammond using an eight pin cable, it automatically over-rides the emulator and the buttons on the keyboard then control the external Leslie. In other words, no need for foot switch or half moon (although you can use these if you want). http://www.b3guys.com/images/product_imgs/469.jpg

The stop, slow, fast buttons on the Hammond panel now control the external Leslie, not the internal emulator. This is great because i prefer to use my hands not my feet to control the Leslie and i don't want any additional switches. I want the same thing on the Nord.

Questions: Can i connect the Leslie 3300 to the Nord and use the buttons on the Nord keyboard to drive the external Leslie rotors, overriding the emulator? Or is the only way to drive the external Leslie vie a foot switch or half moon switch connected directly to the Leslie? I realise the Nord doesn't have an eight pin input, so can i connect the Leslie to the Nord using standard 1/4 inch and drive the rotors this way?

Thanks in advance.

[MartinJ2EX]

Since the Nord doesn't offer any options to send Leslie commands via the audio cable (like to 11 or 8pin on the Hammond), you'll have to use a foot switch connected to your Leslie cab

Only the C2D (and predecessors) is capable of doing that, because they have an 11-pin connector


Why don't you want to use a pedal? Sure, it would be nice to have a choice (I use a pedal AND the knobs for the internal leslie on my NS2EX), but the Nord Stage 3 is such a nice board, you'll forget about the only "limitation"

Get a Stage 3

[Les Lee]

Thanks for the reply. I thought that might be the answer. I guess i am just familiar with using the buttons on my Hammond instead of a half-moon or foot switch, but i could change if the Nord is that good!

[Quai34]

You know what? Buy a Stage 3 AND a C2D....Just kidding...I'm still I mpressed by people who haul a real Leslie, worst time in my life was when I had to carry my Hammond L100 and my Leslie 147....Ok, not for the sound but for the weight....I was 15, no car, etc...I Don't even remember how I was doing it? Whoo, I'm getting old....But I digress, sorry....Congrats on your Leslie 3300, it should sound awesome...

[Falcon2e]

Yep, having and using a 'real Leslie' was wonderful. I was lucky enough to have had several over the years, but I found it's not always practical to drag one around anymore. Unless you have 'people' to help you load in, and out, plus a sound guy that really knows how to mic one, it's a lot of WORK. Don't get me wrong, if Santa left one under the tree, I'd use it somewhere on special occasions.

[Murphy]

I have a Hammond SK1 that I used to use with a Leslie 145, which is similar to the 3300 (in weight and dimensions). I've always loved the 145 and it really helped the SK1 out a lot. I used an organ-to-leslie adapter instead of plugging it into the back of the SK1, so it was no issue for me to move to my current Nord keyboards. However, I have never felt the need to use my 145 because the Leslie emulation on my Nords work great, and because I'm almost always plugged into a backline when I play. The few times I play in a room where I can't plug into the house equipment I have a pair of QSC K8.2s that handle my keyboards. I love my 145 and keep thinking of using it, but laziness on my part and the quality of the Hammond sound with my Nords keeps me from moving it around. I always used my 145 with my SK1. However, my twin QSC speakers make the Doppler effect realistic enough that I just don't feel the need. I plan to use my 145 again, but I'm not in any hurry. There will never be anything like a real physical Doppler effect (a.k.a Leslie -- for the most part), but in the meantime I'm real happy with my stock Nords.

[friendben]

I use an old Motion Sound R3-147. Enclosed real top rotor and simulated low with 4 built in mics. You can control it with MIDI, which opens up all kinds of possibilities.

[Les Lee]

Thanks for the feedback. I have now bought a Nord Stage 3 compact! It's going well, but steep learning curve.

Another Leslie 3300 question: When i power it on, the default position is slow rotation (orange LED is on). I want to change this so that when it is powered on, the default starting position is no rotation (red LED is on). Does anyone know how to do this? Thanks

[Gospelkeys]

You can do this using the midi solutions midi relay ( or multiple relays depending on if the device requires TRS connection ), although since the Nord Stage only sends 3.3 volt over midi you will also need the midi solutions power adapter.

I haven't done this with the 3300 but I have done it with my studio 12+ and KBR-3D and vent. This will allow you to switch speeds with the onboard switch as long as the device can be controlled with a single footswitch. Just map the relay open / close to the appropriate midi commands.

[friendben]

I also use the Motion Sound R3-147 and control it via aftertouch with a MIDI Solutions Event Processor. But you should be able to control the Leslie with a MIDI Solutions Relay. Just program whatever MIDI CC you want to use for control.