Anyone else unhappy with Electro 5 rotary noise and bass?

[michael_C1]

I really want the Electro 5 to be a winner, but right now it's not, IMO. Organ is such a big part of the Electro experience, and The Electro 5 rotary is noisy and has limited bass response. This has been noted by others and it's a fact. In the hopes of Clavia listening to comments and improving the Electro 5's rotary sim, I'm hoping that other owners, or previous owners (such as myself) will post and express their opinions.

My experience was that I bought an Electro 5 online and was very dissatisfied with the rotary sim although I loved everything else about it. I was unable to find one to try it out in my area beforehand, and I mistakenly assumed that everything would be an improvement, or at least as good as previous Electro versions. I was very surprised to find myself wrong, and so I ended up selling my E5.

What's your opinion and experience?

[shirley]

Again, michael_C1, I don't like the organ of my NE5D because of it's bass - that is too loud vs the top end. I've already described it in an earlier post. The earlier NE keyboards had a better Hammond organ simulation.

I only wish my 5D had a 'limited bass response' compared to the top end.

This is starting to sound like two blind guys describing an elephant. Pablo?

[shirley]

A mastodon is basically a dreadlocked elephant. I'm not sure if you chose that metaphor just for me? Or? Just don't call me surely.

I find it especially interesting that you complain that the organ sound is bottom-heavy, but most of the feedback I have gotten across the past 1-1/2 years or so has been that it is top-heavy when compared to previous models. Folks whose styles rely on left hand organ bass prefer the older Electros; those who are looking for screaming lead sounds seem to love the newer more.

In the interest of not cross-posting, please note my recent post in the other currently ongoing thread on this general topic.

Bless, Pablo

[michael_C1]

ROFLMAO

[shirley]

I'm getting way off topic here, but.....

Yes, Pablo. Yes, I'm serious.


And as far as, describing the bass volume or lack there of...
I don't know why we hear two different bass sounds.

That's what made me remember this - the blind men describing the elephant. One of my favorites.
http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story25.htm

I do not play bass when I play organ. No left hand action. When I play with my band, I leave the bass to the bass player. I'm complaining about the too heavy bass side when I'm playing chords with (only) my right hand.

[Rusty Mike]

I do not play bass when I play organ. No left hand action. When I play with my band, I leave the bass to the bass player. I'm complaining about the too heavy bass side when I'm playing chords with (only) my right hand.

Push the lower drawbars in a bit. That will thin out your sound. Or use the EQ to take out out some of the bass and lower midrange.

[shirley]

Thanks for the advice Rusty. But, really... I've been playing keyboards for over 40 years. You have not suggested anything new to try - that I don't already know.

I've tried pushing in the lower drawbars. This is not the answer. It only weakens the (already soft) output of my NE5D. And yes, I've tried to use the EQ of my preamp to take out the lows. Again, the output of the NE5D just gets weaker and weaker when I do this. The problem is with the huge peaks and valleys in the Leslie sim's Wah-Wah-Wah effect.

Like I said, when I use my NE5D with a real Leslie cabinet, it sounds great. It's the Leslie sim that is the problem.

[ozio01]

Just to say that... I exchanged my old NE3-73 with the NE5D more than one year ago and... I start believing it has not been a good idea. Now I experience much more difficulties in finding the "right" sound for gigging around than before. Please, do not start talking about "what does it mean right sound etc." ; it is absolutely subjective, of course. But with my NE3 the right sound came out straightforwardly; the same does not happen with the NE5D. To me, this is somehow objective.

[Rusty Mike]

Thanks for the advice Rusty. But, really... I've been playing keyboards for over 40 years. You have not suggested anything new to try - that I don't already know.

I've tried pushing in the lower drawbars. This is not the answer. It only weakens the (already soft) output of my NE5D. And yes, I've tried to use the EQ of my preamp to take out the lows. Again, the output of the NE5D just gets weaker and weaker when I do this. The problem is with the huge peaks and valleys in the Leslie sim's Wah-Wah-Wah effect.

Like I said, when I use my NE5D with a real Leslie cabinet, it sounds great. It's the Leslie sim that is the problem.

Shirley, no offense was intended.

I own an E3 and an E4, but not the 5. Have you tried comparing the "122" amp model to the "122Close" model? From what I understand, the "122" sim is closer to what is in the E3, in that it's a more distant microphone placement. This might help fend off some of the extreme volume differences.

The "122" model is the default I believe, and if you never messed with the settings, you're probably using it already, so this point is moot.

There are other outboard options to try that still weigh less than a Leslie. You can go through a mixer, which will help the output issue. If you pick a digital mixer, you get a lot of flexibility. For example, the Behringer X and XR series feature multi band compression. This allows you to pick a frequency range (such as the lows you describe) and compress them down so the loud part of it is not so pronounced, while keeping the overall bass volume at a level comfortable for you. Multiband compression effects only the frequencies you select, so the rest of the sound profile will not change. Think of it as a dynamic EQ.

Just a thought.

Mike

[shirley]

Thanks again, Mike.

I finally realized last night, when I was lying in my bed - trying to get to sleep, that my issue is not about the bass tone. My issue is that the Leslie sim in the new Electro 5D is just another "On -Off" Leslie rotor effect. LIke the Motion Pro Leslie sim - which I never liked. It's not a pulse tone, like my real Leslie cab.

Pushing in the lower drawbars or trying to EQ my preamp, or toying around with the (limited) 5D Leslie presets is not going to fix the problem.

I'm ready to sell my 5D and forget about it. And good riddance.