HAMMOND XB-2 KEYBOARD
(Scroll down or click for item information)
Based upon the “King” of all Hammond
Organs, the B-3!
The Hammond B-3 is considered the “King” of all Hammond organs due to it’s
extensive use by professional and church organists worldwide throughout its production
from 1955 to 1974. Today, over twenty years after the last Tonewheel Generator B-3 was
produced at the Hammond Organ factory in Chicago, IL., the B-3 is still played by many
touring and local performing professional and church organists. Along with the
tube-amplifier equipped Leslie Speaker Model 122, the 400 pound Hammond B-3 has rightfully
earned a place in music history. The size and weight problem has always been a factor for
many musicians who desired an alternative to moving and storing a B-3.
A new member of the Hammond Portable Organ and
Keyboard family
Since the late 1960’s, several Hammond portable organs and keyboards were developed as
light-weight alternatives to the B-3, such as the Porta-B (really an L-100 in a portable
case), X-2, X-5, and B-200. These Hammond models offered Hammond players several options
to carrying the B-3 or other full size spinet and console organs. Each successive model
offered the latest in available technology and narrowed the tonal differences between the
B-3 and themselves.
Recently, Hammond developed the XB-2 keyboard which features a 61-Note keyboard
equipped with Drawbars, Percussion, Reverb, Chorus / Vibrato and full MIDI implementation,
plus direct plug-in to 11-pin Leslie Models including the classic 122XB, and other Leslie
models with appropriate connector kits. The Hammond XB-2 is the first choice of
professionals worldwide who absolutely require the classic Hammond sound, but in a full
feature keyboard. Many touring professionals use custom XB-2 Touring Packages, available
from GOFF Professional.
Designed in Conjunction with Hammond Organ and
Hammond Keyboard Players
Working in conjunction with professional Hammond organists, keyboard players, church
and home organists representing every style of music, Hammond engineers designed the
latest latest member of the long family of quality Hammond portables – the XB-2. Utilizing
Hammond’s own new state-of-the-art DRH sampling technology, the classic sound and tonal
qualities of the original B-3 were carefully incorporated into the new XB-2.
Recreating the Original Sound
All previous attempts by other manufacturers at “sampling a B-3” and adding
Drawbars were simply not good enough to satisfy Hammond portable and keyboard owners
interested in a replacement for their aging Hammonds. The new Hammond XB-2 includes all of
the idiosyncrasies of the electro-mechanical Tonewheel Generator which formed the basis
for the classic Hammond sound. These tonal nuances were successfully captured in a
digitally based keyboard, the Hammond XB-2.
Back to Basics
The XB-2 digitally generates the pure harmonic sound of the classic B-3, including
nuance characteristics of crosstalk, tonewheel bleed, etc., and other important features
such as the Drawbar foldbacks at the top and bottom octaves, key click, and adjustable
overdrive. User adjustable presets, percussion (adjustable), chorus and vibrato, and other
B-3 options were designed into the XB-2.
Some very early Hammond organ models lacked “foldback” found in the B-3 and
similar models. These models had keyboards which were wired internally different with
extra bass tones normally found only on the pedals of B-3 and other organ models with
foldback. Other later Hammond organ models had additional tones above the highest
frequency tone found in a B-3. The XB-2 can easily be configured to recreate these earlier
or later organs to suit the organist’s playing needs.
The XB-2 has earned solid acceptance from touring professional and church organists,
home and studio players worldwide by delivering the classic Hammond sound and performance.
The original B-3 weighed approximately 400 pounds. The new XB-2 weighs just 30 pounds and
is the best choice for players requiring top keyboard performance at very reasonable cost.
New Features
In addition to the original features of the B-3 such as percussion, vibrato / chorus,
etc., the new XB-2 has incorporated many new features at the request of portable organ and
keyboard owners:
- Full MIDI Implementation
- The Hammond XB-2 can perform in virtually any MIDI environment. SEND and RECEIVE
channels are programmable. LOCAL keyboard control can be turned ON or OFF, and the
keyboard can be split into two MIDI ZONES with separate SEND channels, program numbers,
and high and low limits for each ZONE.
- The XB-2 will also transmit MIDI velocity information and outboard MIDI modules or
devices can be silenced with the ORGAN SOLO control. A SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE
DATA OUT feature allows the user to send complete Preset and Patch information in
batch form to external MIDI devices.
- The XB-2 can be used as a master controller for the Hammond GM-1000 MIDI Sound Module or
any other standard MIDI device, or can be used as a slave and controlled from the Hammond
HA Series 88-Note, Weighted-key Digital Pianos or any other standard MIDI keyboard, module
or controller.
- On-Board Hammond Drawbar Patch Library
- The Hammond XB-2 contains a built-in library of 128 Hammond drawbar patches. Twenty-four
are factory preset and represent the most commonly used B-3 drawbar settings in Blues,
Jazz, Gospel, Country, Rock and other music styles. The remaining patches can be
user-defined custom patches and saved either as patches or as one of eight presets
controlled individually from the front panel.
- Bass, Treble, Overdrive, Overall Volume, Reverb
Controls
- Bass and Treble, Overdrive, Overall Volume and Digital Reverb controls are adjustable
through controls mounted on the front and rear of the XB-2. These controls allow the user
to tailor the sound from the early “mellow” Blues and Jazz, or a later Hammond
“bright” to the Hammond “growl” of Rock.
- GOFF Professional recommends that the optional XB-2 factory Volume Pedal be purchased
for foot control of the keyboard volume. The factory Volume Pedal is NOT a standard
1/4″ volume pedal device which directly attenuates the audio and can cause hum,
frequency roll-off and poor performance, but is a specially designed Volume Pedal which
controls actual drive voltages within the keyboard. It plugs into the rear of the XB-2
through a special jack similar to a MIDI DIN jack. Our custom XB-2 Touring Packages
include the volume pedal, a footswitch and a road case, and some include various Leslie
speaker models.
- Factory Equipped for Direct Leslie Plug-in
- The XB-2 was designed to accept direct plug-in of any 11-pin Leslie, or it
can be used with most earlier Leslie models with appropriate Leslie connector kits. The
current Leslie models of choice among XB-2 professional owners are the 122XB, original 122
or 147 or later 122A / 147A series (with connector kits), or the new 771 solid-state full
size high-power Leslie. Leslie motor speed-switching
can be handled either from a control on the keyboard, with the optional footswitch, which
plugs in to a 1/4″ footswitch control jack on the rear of the keyboard, or through
MIDI.
- Also Equipped with Leslie Simulator and 1/4″
Stereo / Mono Line-OutA specially designed internal Leslie simulator allows
the user to utilize the XB-2’s 1/4″ Line Out jack and a standard amplifier /
speakers, mixing or PA equipment. When an 11-pin Leslie is connected to the XB-2, the
on-board simulator is automatically disconnected. If the 1/4″ Line Out jack is used
with a Combo Pedal Preamp and Leslie, or another rotary horn device, it is very
important to turn the on-board Leslie simulator OFF through the control panel.
Although the simulator is excellent, if possible, for the best classic Hammond sound, a
Leslie is required. Please ask us about our XB-2 and Leslie model recommendations, or for
information on what a particular band uses on tour.
Hammond XB-2 Software Upgrades; XB-2 Repairs
The
latest XB-2 Keyboards are equipped with Version 2.0 software, which greatly improves the
performance of XB-2 keyboards with earlier software versions. All early Hammond XB-2
Keyboards with Version 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2 software can be upgraded to the latest Version 2.0
Software. New ROM chips will be supplied to the user for installation in the keyboard. It
is a simple procedure, user installable, so please call or email us for details.
- We offer mail-order repair, upgrade and realignment of all Hammond XB-2 Keyboards regardless
where purchased, and Warranty Service if applicable. Please Email us with any
questions or problems.
-
Custom GOFF Professional
Hammond XB-2
Touring Packages
Custom Hammond XB-2 Touring Packages are available from GOFF Professional,
including the XB-2 Keyboard, Volume Pedal, Footswitch, Tour Case and an assortment of
available Leslie tube amplifier and solid-state amplifier equipped models. Please contact
us with your specific needs and to discuss options.
XB-2
Footswitch Pictured
NOTE: Leslie Connector Kits are available which allow the use of the XB-2 Keyboard with
many early model tube and solid-state Leslie models. Depending upon specific Leslie
models, channel mixing may or may not be available.
If an XB-2 is used in conjunction with a Pedal Preamp and a multi-channel Leslie, no
provision is made for separate channel mixing.
Some Leslie models are especially suited for certain Hammond Organ models. Some early
model Leslie’s cannot be easily connected to Hammond organs or other manufacturers organs
or keyboards. Email or call GOFF Professional with your specific needs.
SPECIFICATIONS – XB-2 KEYBOARD
PLAYING MANUAL (Keyboard)
61-notes – C1 to C6
HARMONIC DRAWBARS
9 Harmonic Pitches
(16′, 5 1/3′, 8′, 4′, 2 2/3′, 2′, 1 3/5′, 1 1/3′, 1′)
DRAWBAR OPTIONS (Selected in Software)
B-Type, Mellow, Brite
Slow Attack – On / Off
Sustain – On / Off
Foldback – Adjustable Foldback Points
TOUCH RESPONSE PERCUSSION
Percussion Volume Adjustable
Second Harmonic, Third Harmonic
Decay-Fast / Slow
Velocity – Adjustable and On / Off
VIBRATO and CHORUS
V1, V2, V3, C1, C2, C3
On / Off
Adjustable Speed – Slow, Normal, Midfast, Fast
KEY CLICK
None, Soft, Normal
OVERDRIVE
On/ Off
Depth – Mod Wheel
PRESETS
8 Presets and Cancel (User Programmable)
Patch Library with 128 Patches
TUNING
Continuously variable in 1 Hz Steps
430 – 450 Hz
TRANSPOSER
12 Halfsteps + / – 6 Semitones
PITCHBEND
1-12 Semitone steps (Up or Down)
KEY SPLIT
On / Off
Adjustable Split Point Assignment
Split Drawbar Set
Octave Shift – Normal / Up
Lower Cancel – On / Off
LCD DISPLAY
16 Digits, 2 Lines
LESLIE
Leslie Slow (Chorale) / Fast (Tremolo)
Built-in Leslie Simulator (Adjustable)
11-Pin Leslie Connector
DIGITAL REVERB
Continuously Variable
4 Programs – Room, Live, Hall, Church
REAR PANEL CONNECTION DETAILS
LESLIE CONNECTOR
Standard 11-pin
1/4″ LINE OUT JACKS
Mono / Left / Right
EFFECTS LOOP – SEND / RETURN
BASS & TREBLE CONTROLS
HEADPHONE JACK (STEREO)
EXPRESSION
Internal / External
Volume Pedal (optional)
MIDI
IN / OUT / THRU
Function Programmable
FOOT SWITCH
Programmable
For 1/4″ Foot Switch – Leslie Motor Speed Control
OPERATING VOLTAGE
Selectable – 100 / 120 v
220 / 240 v
HAMMOND XB-2 DIMENSIONS
H 4 3/8″ W 45 3/4″ D 12 1/4″
Weight 30 lb. (keyboard alone)
MANUFACTURED BY:
Authorized Dealer:
GOFF Professional
175 Costello Rd.
Newington, CT 06111 U.S.A.
(860) 667-2358 Phone
(860) 667-3523 FAX
E-Mail for information:
[email protected]
GOFF Professional reserves the right to
change prices, specifications, designs,
models, equipment and to discontinue products and services without notice and without
liability. The information contained herein is strictly for general information only. No
guarantee of accuracy is expressed, nor does anything contained herein constitute any
promise or contractual obligation.
HAMMOND Organ and Leslie are trademarks of
HAMMOND-SUZUKI.
REV.6.4.01