Best controller keyboard for B4 / B4 II?

Just to inform you that I came across a Fatar-161 Plus Organ.
Been trying it out today, and I'm gona buy this for sure !

After trying out the Novation SL61 and the M-Audio Axion, I'm really impressed
by this one.
The 'Waterfall' effect is actually working very well, and the respons
from the keys when hitting is the fastest of them all.

I'm very happy with this one, and the way its build makes it even better.
10 kilos makes it stable. Steel chassie gives it a solid touch along with the sliders and the rubber-knots that feels tight.

So,
If ur still looking, check this one out.
It might be the one for you as it is for me...
And Its not expensive !

BTW...
Somebody said it was tricky to edit/program.
I found it easier than the M-Audio.
The Novation I didn't look to much into, cause the mapping function
there made it well fit for just starting off.

Cheers
G

 

I want to try the StudioLogic/Fatar VMK-161 Org, but they aren't easy to find. If you look online practically no one sells them. Here's a useful picture of one.. http://www.arbiter.co.uk/mt/events/namm_2007/studiologic_vmk161plus_organ.jpg

I also tried M-Audio's Axiom 61 at Guitar Center, and it looked good, but I didn't like the synthy/plasticy feel. I'm wanting to see how the StudioLogic compares.

 

Yea, I think they're quite hard to find out there.
I bought mine from a shop in Oslo Norway without testing first.
And I'm very happy with it.

I know u can find them in different online shops, but I guess
its a problem if u wanna try first...

Maybe an E-mail to the factory.
Ask them where it can be found for testing...
Just a thought.

Anyway, good luck.

Cheers

G

 

I've been playing the B4 since it was first released. the combination I use: m-audio keystation 88 pro for the drawbars and perc, vib, drive, pedal controls and a hammond XB-1 for the keyboard feel. while it is not a waterfall it is still a lot better than the m-audio keys, which are weighted and which I use for piano patches. the XB-1 would be a pretty good tonewheel clone in its own right, but the B4 is way better and superior in authenticity.

 

So I bought a StudioLogic VMK-161 Org..

Cost $479 from midi classics (no tax or shipping charge), the only place in the USA I could find that sells them. Plays great, which is really the main thing. Waterfall keys are very nice. The VMK doesn't look like the highest quality thing ever produced, but I'm probably biased because I've also used $2,000+ synths as controllers. (I've also owned a M-Audio Keystation 88 Pro, and it's quality appears to be on par with that one. They're in the same price range.) The only thing that bothered me was that the slider controls weren't 100% level. You can probably see this in the close-up pic of the sliders.

Using MIDI outs works great, but I've had trouble so far getting the USB to work with my PC. Driver download? It can power 100% off the USB, but also comes with an adapter. It didn't come with a USB cable, but came with a small sustain pedal that didn't work very well. I don't care though because I had others and I didn't even know it came with one.

IMO it has far more organ vibe than the Axiom 61, which is why I went for it, but most will probably agree less than a Hammond XK or Korg CX-3. Someone said the keys are "yellow," which had me a bit concerned, but they're not. Maybe "off white" is a better description. Honestly, I could barely tell any difference in key color. My vintage Mark I Rhodes' keys are more yellow than the keys on this thing. And at 23lbs, if you're complaining about the weight you better get in the gym! Try hauling a Yamaha CP-300 from gig to gig and the VMK will seem like a feather!

It came with a B4 setting which works very well. My only complaint is that you'll have to program in the sustain and expression pedal, which wasn't too hard to do.. just look in the manual and it'll walk you through it.

Overall, I like it. It's a keeper.

 

Small warning...

The FATAR/Studiologic VMK-161 sure looks great. I have a semiwighted FATAR myself - very playable, but unfortunately a couple of the keys has broken (the weight "rods" acutally) so it is only a backup unit nows. Howevere I just wonder - is it not a bit awkward to have the "drawbars" in the middle of the keys? I like tweaking them while I play and I think I would experience some finger collosions...

--gordon

 

No, actually there's quite a bit of distance between the sliders and the keys. No problem with any collisions of any kind here.

 

Axiom 61 B4 template needed

Can anyone please send me a B4 template for axiom 61?

The one that comes with the Axiom does not really fuction well.

thanks

 

Hi everybody,

I'm considering the purchase of the CME VX6 controller. However, the following review scares me:

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Midi+Keyboard+Controllers/product/CME/VX8/10/1

 

I am new to MIDI,have a M audio Keystation 88es , anyone know how to set up (jazz organ left hand )B4 bass on lower end and split it so can play solos on upper end?

how can we create and save presets?

 

Yes you have to do the upgrade carefully but don't be scared, there's a ton of people how did it succesfully. including me

My VX-7 Rocks with the B4II!

The organist from my Gospel Choir use it whenever a real B3 is not available. If configured properly (Fader lknobs etc...) You just connect the VX USB to the computer and then you forget about the computer. you plug the keyboard's audio out like the sounds actually came from it.
With any expression pedal connected it ALMOST like the Real thing (Ok we all know it will never be like the real thing... )

 

How do you use the pads to change presets?

 

You simply assign them to CC # 158 ( If not, I think it's around CC 155-159 anyways) then you can assign them any Program Change you want. I have the F1-F8 buttons assign the most used presets. an the Drum pads assigned to the Vibrato, Percs tablets. Then the Pads 4 & 9 are for the Cabinets increment/Decrement and the Pads 5 & 10 are for Patch increment/Decrement. Works well...

 

allright, now I got it, I have both the UC33 and the MIDIdrawbar from VOCE, and guess what: the VOCE is amazing, it feels right when grabing those bars.
I highly reccommend something like that.

kind regards
Borntob4

 

Just purchased an M-Audio Axiom 61. The Preset #13 that is suppose to be set up for B4 is STUPID! The Drawbars are reversed. Does anyone have a Logical B4 setup for Axiom that I can get?

 

Controller maps

Hi Joel, you should be aware that the B4II has its own controller maps which you can load and edit on the setup page. Depending on what you have loaded in B4II, you can get different behavior with an external controller. Controller presets like you have found on the Axiom are most useful when one side is fixed in assignment. When both are variable, or assignable like the Axiom and B4II, it might get confusing.

The first thing you should check out is the Enigma software editor for the M-Audio controllers, available for download on the M-Audio website.

My strategy with controllers like the axiom and others is to usually start out by creating a 'midi learn' type template or preset. Since a lot of what I control has midi learn on the software side already, then I really only need one preset on the hardware controller itself - the midi learn preset where all controls are assigned a unique CC in the range 0-127. Funny thing is though, none of the hardware controller companies usually provide this basic scheme for easy midi learning.

With the enigma editor, you could easily create a learn type preset. Then you could create your own B4II controller map using its 'right click' learn ability and customize the mappings to exactly how you want to perform.

As an additional tip, don't forget about the controller option in the B4II setup window called INVERT MIDI DRAWBARS.

Hope this helps,

jonathan adams leonard

 

I will be buying a Hammond M3 this weekend. Should be pretty fun convert into a MIDI controller. I'll report back

 

Template

This forum is really helpful!
I have an Axiom 61, can anyone send me the template for B4II? I think thesoundsmith made it.
Thanks

 

where to find spare parts? (Evolution MK-449c)

Hi I stumbled across this discussion and found users that are fond of their Evolution controllers and wanted to ask if anyone has experienced/knows where I can find spare or replacement parts (I own an MK-449c, one of the numerical entry buttons popped off while moving), sad to say that M-Audio claims that parts are no longer available from them. So I was hoping that perhaps someone here can point me in the right direction of perhaps finding a suitable replacement (fingers crossed)
thnx in advance for your help.