Hammond B4 Organ Native Instruments B4

[itsTempleofSound]

great sound, great playing!

[Grosflute]

More like an ego trip of your playing ability than a tutorial.

[HarrysChild]

Hi Grosflute. Thanks for your comment. It was never meant as a tutorial, more of a demo of the prog rock ELP type organ sounds available from NI. Prog rock organ is by its very nature OTT so thats what I played. It wouldnt be prog rock organ if it was "mellow"

Anyway each to his own, and best wishes and greets to you!

HC

[Dutch02051990]

I think the B4 ii is way better than the newer Vintage Organ of Native Instruments

[HarrysChild]

Hi Dutch02051990

Agreed!!!!!

HC

[zepplondon]

What preset are you using?

And btw 100% agree about the petition.

[MrFesali]

Цуко играть не тямит, пошкрябол всюклаву КАША !

[HarrysChild]

@MrFesali

Sorry dont speak Russian, or whatever it is

HC

[MMAJJ94]

u real gud.. do u make beats?

[HarrysChild]

@MMAJJ94

I play in a band now and again.

HC

[Funksploitation]

@HarrysChild - huh??? What's a "band", dewd? ;)

"make beats" - I guess he means "do you make tiny loops and duplicate them over and over until you have a dance floor piece of crap.

[KristosBeatz]

@Funksploitation hey nigga fuck you i make beats and my shit is fire stop hatin on producers fag

[HarrysChild]

Hi KristosBeatz

Much appreciated comments man.Stay cool

HC

[tekkentool]

I am so jealous of your chops man. Truly excellent playing man. 

[HarrysChild]

Hi @tekkentool

Greets to Oz!

Many thanks man...

Best regards, have a good Xmas and NY (in the sun !...)

HC

[cordovastyle3]

no petition necessary NI Organs man

[HarrysChild]

hi @cordovastyle3

Agreed!

NI need a new management team me thinks, a team without accountants...a team with musicians!

Best ~regards

H

[mak3553]

The B4 is the best Organ simulater i know! When you have a real Leslie it sounds quite brilliant! But why do they dicontinue the B4?

[HarrysChild]

Hi @mak3553

I wish I knew ! It is a brilliant bit of kit.

Regards

HC

[gietek]

I'm glad that you have used 2nd percussion. Sounds very Keith Emerson like. I like it.

[HarrysChild]

Hi @gietek

Thanks :-) ...Ill have to have a "stab" at some more music !

Regards

HC

[hapkido4]

it would have been nice if you would of done some leslie changes and different drawbars settings. by now we all know what the jazz drawbar set up sounds like.

[HarrysChild]

Hi @hapkido4 ......agreed, but I like that sound!

Regards

HC

[ontherush77]

Sounds amazing, very Keith Emerson like what presets are you using?

[HarrysChild]

Hi @ontherush77

Thanks :)

Just the first 3 drawbars, 3rd harmonic percusion and some old fashioned spring reverb...and a touch of distortion ...seems to do the job!

Regards

HC

[mindingosafado]

i have 1 keyboard and i set to when i set it to channel to or channel one the manual it operates is unchanged, any ideas?

[HarrysChild]

Hi @mindingosafado

Sorry I dont understand the question...

Regards

HC

[mindingosafado]

@mindingosafado i got it figured out!

[keyvoz]

good, goood!!!

Excellent!!

congratulations!!!

[HarrysChild]

Hi there @keyvoz

Cheers mate !

Regards

HC

[TheVincentPROduction]

wow! great sound and playing. seems like you are born to play the organ ;)

[HarrysChild]

Hi @TheVincentPROduction

Thanks....not "born with a plastic spoon in my mouth"....more born with a C3 and a dagger...quite a thought!

Cheers

HC

[TheVincentPROduction]

@HarrysChild haha, nice one;)

[quantizerx]

so bad it was discontinued...

[LoathTheEighties]

Native Instruments RuleZ!!!!

[Naughtry]

You must be using the B4 . II version 2.

I have version 1 and it doens't sound that good.

I 've been looking for the Version 2 and its not even in the stores anymore even Guitar center.

is there a free download somewhere ?

[ONEyeMarco]

great skills man.

im starting to put some organ in my stuff.

keep it up!!!

[HarrysChild]

Hi ONEyeMarco

Many thanks :)

Post your new stuff with organ in it, and let me know how you get on please.

Cheers

HC

[ONEyeMarco]

kk, its gonna have some lyrics in it. Ill let ya know.

i mostly make electronic pop stuff, but this will be more.. i dunno you'll have to let me know what u think about it.

[xbgyuri]

sounds great! what about the soundcard? which label u use? e-mu or something??? 5*

[ONEyeMarco]

@xbgyuri

hey wouldnt be using,.. a sound card for the midi controll.

oh but you want to know what he plays the sound out of..

[HarrysChild]

Spot on ONEyeMarco !...good guess!

Its is the Emu card, its the best one I have used :)

Thanks for the rating , much appreciated.

Regards

HC

[TheMadMusicMan]

@HarrysChild Hey Harry how low latency does that card get? I use the Fast Track and get 5ms, is the Emu lower? Thanks and nice playing.

[HarrysChild]

Hi @TheMadMusicMan

I get about the same...possibly 4ms not much better !

Regards

HC

[TheMadMusicMan]

@HarrysChild Ah I see. The FastTrack sounds good to me but not loud enough, but then again I'm near deaf these days.

[Erylasia]

your are great keyboard player...:)

[HarrysChild]

Hi Erylasia Thanks! :)

Ive just looked at your video and I must say that is an excellent guitar sound and playing

Keep on rockin !!!! Cool !

Regards

HC

[patmm97]

All of the drawbars, knobs and switches can be assigned on the B4. Many keyboards like the Axiom 61 can auto assign everything using a built in template.

[HarrysChild]

Thanks patmm97

regards

HC

[russhurley]

real Hammond players use the drawbars...

[HarrysChild]

Hi Russhurley

Thats an interesting assertion, could you please explain what you mean. Thanks

HC

[minatorasengan1]

What he means is that there are things on a real Hammond organ called "drawbars." Sorry to insult your intelligence if you already knew that.

What a drawbar does is change the length of the pipes that resonate. Thus, it changes the phase of the wavelength and the timbre.

That's what makes the Hammond have such a "phat" sound as compared to a piano for example. With a piano, they try to make the strings struck as in phase as possible. With a Hammond, you purposely make the phase different.

[HarrysChild]

Hi minatorasengan1

I take your point. Yea, I do know about drawbars, and they are important. However in this short piece, which I wrote, I wanted the same sound throughout. Obviously you dont change the sound just for the sake of it !....drawbars or no drawbars!

Thanks for taking the time to comment

Regards

HC

[kojinesh]

Which are keyboards that you play and how connect to PC?

Have you MIDI controller from NI?

NI not for sale B4 organ ever more - That´s true?

Nice video Thanks

[HarrysChild]

Hi kojinesh

They are just standard midi keyboards UF series...made in China!...best I know.

You can still get NIB4 from NI ...check out their webside

Regards

HC

[HarrysChild]

U P D A T E....C OR R E C T I O N !!!

Kojinesh is correct. For some reason NI have discontinued the NI B4 !!! I cannot believe it! They now have a Hammond plug in for their KORE player. What they are thinking is beyond me ! Comments welcome from all.

Harry

[n2groove]

I have B4II also and I'm always having trouble trying to use it. Especially with a pedal for swell and things...

[patmm97]

If anyone cannot find the B4 II to buy, they might take a look at the VB3 at GSI. It doesn't have quite as many features as B4 but some say it sounds better. Others disagree. It is free to try. They also have the Key Performer plugin which has many great keyboards including the Hammond B3. Sound and video clips of both are at the GSI site.

[danubilo]

Why you use 2 keyboards?

Wouldn't be the same to use the split function of the big one and assing two sounds?

[HarrysChild]

Hola danubilo :) Argentina..cool!

The second keyboard is playing a bass guitar preset via midi from the 3rd keyboard. (Emu Vintage Keys) Its just a matter of my personal taste as Im not a fan of "split keyboards"

I like your instructional videos! Very informative

Cheers! :)

HC

[danubilo]

ok, i understand.

You got nice equipment there.

Keep rocking hard!

[FenderMeddle94]

Great playing, great sound!

[HarrysChild]

Cheers FenderMeddle94...much appreciated :)

HC

[alaincharnier1971]

very cool vid. are you running off a PC or another piece of equipment? I've been using an M-audio keybd with a PC, running NI KORE freebee (this sounds better than the $100 VI ONE software and the ableton live 6)

[HarrysChild]

Greets to ya alaincharnier1971

Im using the PC with the stand alone NI B4 proggy...not tried the Kore freebee...will give it a go

HC

[dmmnola]

I've noticed that in the "setup" mode on the B4 that you can assign a separate controller to the pedal board. What kind of pedal board are you using?

[HarrysChild]

Hi there dmmnola, sorry for the delay in reply, been on hols :-)No pedal board I'm afraid.... just my left hand..!

Regards

HC

[San5a]

awesome piece!! do you think I can get this sound from a cheap midi key?

[binaryfuneral]

not a chance. it will sound kind of like it but it wont fool anyone. if your talking about general midi i mean. just buy a midi controller and native instruments B4 II. It wont cost that much. if thats what you meant then yes. the midi controller wont matter as much as the software does.

[HarrysChild]

Hi binaryfuneral

thanks for the comments...agreed...see my post below...yea?

Regards

HC

[HarrysChild]

Hi San5a....thanks!!!!! :) flattered!

Any midi keyboard ,is only the set of "switches" that play the sound......if you get my drift....The "sound" comes from the software...so if you want "my" (NI) sound you need to buy the NI B4 software. My suggestion is that you download the trial version and try it on your setup...see how it sounds and then if that sounds good....need I say more..:)

Let me know how you get on...

Regards

HC

[HarrysChild]

bocca al lupo !!!!

HC

[San5a]

Crepi il lupo! :)

I think I would say "break a leg" in english. Correct me if I'm wrong..

[HarrysChild]

Hi San5a

You only say "break a leg" to an actor who is about to go on stage to do a play......to wish him good luck

Therefore your correct reply should be "Good luck"

Yes, English can be wierd!

Regards

HC

[San5a]

Ah ok..bad dictionary! :D

[San5a]

Hey Harry! Would you please explain me how can I use this program? I've got NI electrik piano but I just can't use it. I can see only some .bin and .cue files....

I haven't got a midi key actually but I don't think it needs the midi program.

I hope I could use it with my only laptop keyboard.

Thank you

[mysticradio]

given that theory it must have taken PAINFUL amounts of hours do replicate that....... cause those are definate modes.... perhaps keith uses DORIAN...modes etc... but it does take lots of muscle memory. if you cant read

[HarrysChild]

Hi mysticradio

Thinking about it....it all started from doing an A major scale years ago....(yikes..! practicing)...and doing it with a "blues feel"...whatever that is...(which most prob is just being pentatonic about the scale...) and me thinking...hmmmm..a bit KE ....and I just developed it...But I dont "know" what I am doing in terms of notes....just A with a "blues feel".....perhaps that is what a mode is?

Thanks!

HC

[HarrysChild]

No hang on>>>modes , as I understand it, started out life being used by monks...perhaps they liked ELP as well....nothing wrong with a good chant first thing in the morning at 5am....( Head Monk to assembled monks)."And the hymn this morning brothers is KE9(3)....yes, as you all know its the end of the world in a few days...so get those modes correct......what ?you havnt got a dagger?

Tehe...:)

HC

[mysticradio]

wow...... Keith Emerson licks..... ME LIKE...........

is there a trick to those modes? painful to learn?

[HarrysChild]

Hi mysticradio...thanks for that :)

Im not quite sure what is going on with those "modes" its just me trying to play what I hear in my head as a KE run, if I try to analyse what Ive played and play it slow, it comes out all wrong....but its certainly not painful to do......., possibly it was painful to the ear when I first started to try those sort of runs...like a demented cat on speed runnung up the keyboard trying to catch an equally demented mouse ! If you know what I mean! ahem

Regards

HC

[angie4josh]

yep im picking up a Korg CX3 tommorow

im happy as can be!

now i can unleash my organness.

[HarrysChild]

nice one!!!!

HC

[diotriton]

Hi, what do you use for pc to play? (software, audio card, type of pc...)

thanks

[HarrysChild]

Hi diotriton

The set up is very basic. Using an OHM KA 125 amp, with a spring reverb. On the B4, its just the first 3 drawbars 3rd harmonic percussion and a bit of overdrive from a Boss Fuzz pedal...and of course some "key click". The Lesley sound is just the standard B4 sound....nothing so fancy as amp modelling! The amp is set with a fair bit of bass and even more treble. I tend to spend about 5 mins just tweaking the amp before I play.

Regards

HC

[lashknife01]

Is it possible to use the faders on the controller keyboard to control the drawbars in B4?

I wasnt to know as I'm thinking of selling all my keyboards and replacing them with a couple of controller keyboards an a laptop, and organ is central to my sonic palette

[enchentez]

Yes it is, and many controllers have default setups for NI B4

BTW those CME's in the video have a very good feel, the sharps are just a little bit narrower on the top than the Hammond organ sharps, and the action on them just just a hair "stiffer" than the (not-very-stiff-at-all) action of original Hammond keys. The CME's are of course diving-board, rather than waterfall keys.

[HarrysChild]

Hi lashknife01...looks like enchentaz has beaten me to it......( good name BTW..!)

thanks enchentez :)

HC

[lashknife01]

thank you (and enchentez). Very good answer indeed.

Keep playin, you got a good sound!

[Rogreslief]

Sounds like a jazz sound hehe.

[HarrysChild]

Hi Rogreslief ...thanks!

HC

[jmnpinheiro]

Hi!

Is it possible to connect a bass pedal set on these CME keyboards?Usually it's done by a midi through connection type...

Well, the main pupose it's to assemble an HAMMOND CLONE: bass,lower and upper manuals, damper pedal....IS IT POSSIBLE WITH CME MIDI CONTROLLERS??

THANK YOU

[enchentez]

Yes. Upper manual is MIDI Chan 1, lower is MIDI chan 2, pedals are MIDI channel 3. Set your pedals top channel 3, plug 'em into the MIDI signal chain, fire up B4, if they don't kick in right off the bat, go to Preferences -> MIDI, find the pedal controller in the MIDI Input list, and set it to "on". lose out and pump those feets!

[jmnpinheiro]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

[jmnpinheiro]

You once give some nice tips:) THE MAIN ISSUE is that i got a new midi interface where i plug my old midi keyboard(midi in out) and the new one (m audio) that plugs in by USB. Well, the B4 is blending them togheter, even when i change midi ports on the B4 setup (ch1 ch1 both top manual..ch 2 ch2 no sound)it doesn't accept ch1 ch2 or opposite to assign top and lower manual to different keyboards. PLEASE...could be a basic mistake but i can't get it.HELP;)

[HarrysChild]

Hi jmnpinheiro...glad you found the answer.....thanks again enchentez!

HC

[johnnnas]

On your playing the accent is on 2 and 4 not 1 and 3 as you;r playing....anyway cool organ...

[HarrysChild]

Hi johnnas

Thanks for the tip and comments :)

I play by "feel" and 1 and 3 felt right at the time...but I take your point :)

Regards

HC

[thefaker10]

I'm new to virtual instruments, which has better piano, electromechanical, and organ sounds: Reason 4.0 or Native Instruments?

Also, how different is the Hammond XK-3c from a software based virtual instrument? Thanks

[HarrysChild]

Hi thefaker10

I havn't got Reason 4.0 or the Hammond XK-3,and therefore cannot offer any comparison.

Regardless of what people say about products it is a matter of personal taste. If it sounds authentic/good to you...get it.

Regards

HC

[brain96969]

You can download the demo for free of Hammond B3 and the electric piano from Native Instruments website and try it out before buying.

[angie4josh]

ahh yes ELP rocks

[HarrysChild]

Hi angie4josh

Many thanks! :)

Regards

HC

[weaponEX]

Sorry - the playing is great but the organ sound is pretty ghastly! Ouch I can feel those thumbs downs already..

[HarrysChild]

Hi weaponEX...thanks for your comments on the playing :)

No need to apologise for your view on the sound, thats just a matter of personal taste, so I dont it as a negative comment. There are plenty of people here do like the sound of a "snorting hammond"

Best of luck

HC

[weaponEX]

Yea, I guess I'm only touting my own ignorance here - to me, the perfect organ sound is all the drawbars down with so much rotary cabinet that it eliminates all the attack. You've taught me a valuable lesson!

I guess I've played on too many keyboards where this kind of sound is the best organ available..

[LorDBassePL]

Wow !!! Dude this is awesome !!!

[HarrysChild]

What can I say.... :)

Many thanks LorDBassePL.

Regards

HC

[KotoSergio]

this synth is great! the songs of the war of the worlds (jeff wayne) are with this synth!

[HarrysChild]

Way to go KotoSergio !...like your taste in music!

HC

[thiagotecnico]

Thia is the future of the past! thanks!

[HarrysChild]

Hi Thiagotecnico...thank you. I think we need a bit more of the "past" in the future...if you get my drift. I wonder if there is a market for this type of music now? Cheers :)

HC

[nonemorin]

Maestro!!!

[HarrysChild]

Thanks Chris :)

HC

[harryshand]

Sounds great. The B4 is a great bit of kit but your playing makes it sound excellent!

[HarrysChild]

Hi Harry..!

Thanks...you cant beat a bit of old fashioned spring reverb

HC

[osanan]

Nice playing and great tune!

:)

[HarrysChild]

Thanks for the compliment Osanan :)

HC

[Kkeennssuukkeeyy]

Hello :)

Been Practising:) To turn tables and a microphone!

Choi For Now :)

Kensukeyy:)

[deonjo]

you have really elegant fingers

[HarrysChild]

thank you deonjo :)

HC

[instrumentenfreak]

wow - really good playing :)

[HarrysChild]

Hi instrumentfreak

thanks for the comments :)

HC

[Kkeennssuukkeeyy]

Hey Realy Good I Wish I Could Do That Its Amazin! xx

[HarrysChild]

Hi Beck's Minder

Cya!

HC

[drunksingsheep]

Tarkus!

[HarrysChild]

Hi drunksingsheep

Thanks!

HC

[Bagirba]

too bad these keyboards are not in stock anymore :-/

[nickmorgan19457]

You mean the CMEs or the B3? Cause either way, they've got newer ones that are slightly better...Ok, the new B3 isn't really better, but it's just as good...?

[Bagirba]

I meant the CME UF controllers.

[silvercityhighway]

Harry - could you tell me if there is any amp modeling in your setup, and if you have tonebar control? I'm looking at getting a live setup using CME controllers, and VSTI. I basically need to know if i can have lesley simulation (AKA Roland VK7/Hammond XB), and tonebar adjustment. Thanks,

Nick.

[HarrysChild]

Hi Nick

The set up is very basic. Using an OHM KA 125 amp, with a spring reverb. On the B4, its just the first 3 drawbars 3rd harmonic percussion and a bit of overdrive from a Boss Fuzz pedal...and of course some "key click". The Lesley sound is just the standard B4 sound....nothing so fancy as amp modelling! The amp is set with a fair bit of bass and even more treble. I tend to spend about 5 mins just tweaking the amp before I play.

Best of luck

Harry

[Steypustjori]

Do you need special keyboard to use native instruments b4 program?

[HarrysChild]

Hi Steypustjori

Any midi keyboard will do. But get the best you can afford, as a decent action makes all the difference to your playing.

Regards to Iceland!

HC

[Steypustjori]

Thanks a lot :D

do you need some midi cord to connect it or just an usb ??

[chocojoelikesrush]

I believe it depends on the keyboard. My keboard can transfer midi data through a usb cable.

[amartinod]

great job,

which keyboard are you using ?

CME ? which one ?

Thank you

[HarrysChild]

Hi Amartinod

Thanks!

Bottom keyboard UF7

Middle keyboard UF6

Top keyboard Emu Vintage Keys

In my opinion they are the best bang for your buck....they are rock solid in build quality..especially if you are on the road and want something which is reliable....!!!!

Regards

Harry

[mysticradio]

are they hard runs to learn? or is there a bit of a trick to them

[HarrysChild]

I saw Emo on the Oscar Peterson Show,and OP asked Emo who his influences were. Emo quoted Keith Jarret and most importantly Floyd Cramer( Check wikipedia "slip note style") To quote Emo "..he played in a country style in octaves,flicking the top thing" So play an octave, thumb and little finger, and then with middle finger flick the 5th If you look at my vid you will see I am playing in this way:octaves and 5ths Hope this helps,it may not be the way Emo plays, but it is my take on it....!!!

HC

[imperialpod]

Good stuff,nice Emerson runs!

Just got v.2 and some of the reviews on Harmony Central are terrible saying that it is not very accurate.

I have played Tarkus, Thick as a brick, mediteranian tales and hoe down,1st with the original albums on media player and then myself on the b4. The sound is very convincing and sooooo close to the orininals.

Love it! Have fun Harry, I know I will!

[HarrysChild]

Hi Imperialpod

Thanksfor the kind words....impressed you are playing Tarkus....where did you get the sheet music from ?...Ive searched everywhere for it..

Having fun....:)

Harry

[imperialpod]

Ha Ha!

I'm afraid I don't read music,I have a program called 'Van Basco', its free and displays the notes being played by a midi file on its virtual keyboard.

You can take bits out like drums and vocal melody and leave whatever you want, then slow it down, copy whats being played and memorize it. It takes a while but no longer than memorizing it from notation.

For me it is INVALUABLE and you should try it if you can't get the notation!

[mysticradio]

go Keith go ...... (emverson)

[HarrysChild]

Hi Mysticradio....I'm flattered, thank you.

Regards

HC

[danitz56]

how are your keyboards connected to the computer? MIDI?

[HarrysChild]

Hi there....yup...midi and also USB.

HC

[danitz56]

could you explain the interface for connecting a keyboard via midi to the computer?

[HarrysChild]

If you want to use 2 keyboards with the NI B4: go to the midi setup in NI B4 and set keyboard 1 as midi channel 1, and keyboard 2 as midi channel 2......then make sure your keyboards are set to the corresponding channels.

Regards

HC

[50dog]

Good show man i like your sound and the way you roll down the keys.

[HarrysChild]

Hi 50dog. Many thanks for the comments. Good to to hear from Philadelphia !

Regards

HC

[berrybakker]

Woot! Great playing!

What keyboard standard are you using?

[HarrysChild]

Hi Berrybakker.

Please see your You Tube Email.

Regards

HC

[RMJLIFE]

I really like your hookup and playing, my grandchild would say "ko-o-o-l".

[go4idiots]

haha hammond on a CME masterkeyboard. that rocks haha. i have the UF6 as well

[olsolbo]

VERY GOOOOOOOD! i like how you play. love the style

[HarrysChild]

Many thanks Olsolbo :)

HC

[maltcus]

Would you recommend learing to play piano for a book with a cd to come with??

[HarrysChild]

Hi Maltcus

I would recommend first you have a teacher. you cannot learn enough from only a book...even with a CD...Try many teachers until you find one that is on your wavelength....then later you can use books to develope your style...best of luck

Regards

HC

[cpp006]

Hello, how did you set the 2 keyboards to control the native b4? Thank you.

[HarrysChild]

Hi cpp006

The bass is a bass guitar via midi from the third keyboard at the top (an EMU), it is not connected to NI B4.

If you want to use 2 keyboards with the NI B4: go to the midi setup in NI B4 and set keyboard 1 as midi channel 1, and keyboard 2 as midi channel 2......then make sure your keyboards are set to the corresponding channels.

Regards

HC

[RMJLIFE]

Requarding B4

I have windows xp and directsound sound card. Trying to connect Yamaha ditial piano and a Roland PK 5 dynamic foot pedal (as bass). The Yamaha is connected via USB with Yamaha interface driver and the PK 5 with a Turtle Beach In & Out/USB connect interface. Can hear the Yamaha & split the keyboard - no problem here. However, unable to hear or see the bass pedals move when I play. I can't figure the correct way to connect or channels. Can you advise me in anyway? Thank You. Rlife

[HarrysChild]

RMJLIFE Please see your You Tube email.

Regards

HC

[RMJLIFE]

Thank you much for your help. I really like your hookup and playing, my grandchild would say "ko-o-o-l".

[zoot07]

well done man!

wich preset are u using? one of my favorites is "sex bomb"

[HarrysChild]

Hi Zoot07.Many thanks for the kind words. Its the first 3 drawbars,with 2nd harmonic percussion and a touch of old fashioned spring reverb and marshall amp valve distortion. Not fussed on "electronic reverb" or "electronic distortion"

HC

[HarrysChild]

It should read 3rd harmonic percussion, not 2nd.

apologies

HC

[sebazapala]

very nice :)

[HarrysChild]

Thanks Sebazapala, much appreciated.

HC