Hammond B-3X

USER MANUAL
Hammond B-3X

Hammond B-3X is a stand-alone application and a 64-bit AudioUnit, VST3 and AAX virtual instrument plug-in.

­­­­­­­­­2
Hammond B-3X

Table of Contents
English1
Contents3
License Agreement7
Chapter 1 – Overview11
1.1 – Introduction11
1.2 – ORGAN tab11
1.2.1 – CONTROLS button12
1.2.2 – ADVANCED button13
1.3 – STOMPS tab14
1.4 – CABS tab15
1.5 – POST FX tab16
1.6 – Master Volume16
1.7 – Panic Button17
1.8 – Settings17
1.9 – Authorization18
1.10 – Features18
Chapter 2 – Getting started19
2.1 – Using Hammond B-3X as a standalone application19
2.1.1 – Audio / MIDI19
2.1.2 – Info20
2.1.3 – Registration Lock20
2.2 – Computer keyboard keys20
2.3 – Using Hammond B-3X as a plug-in21
2.4 – Pitch21
2.4.1 – Master Tune Knob21
2.4.2 – Transpose Knob21
2.4.3 – Pitch Bend21
2.5 – MIDI Channels22
2.5.1 – Upper Manual22
2.5.2 – Lower Manual22
2.5.3 – Pedal22
2.5.4 – Program Change22
2.6 – MIDI Controllers23
2.6.1 – MIDI Learn and Reset Assignments23
2.6.2 – Hammond Profile Selector24
2.6.3 – Latch Controller24
2.6.4 – Invert Controller24
2.7 – Presets25
2.7.1 – Loading Presets25
2.7.2 – Managing Presets25
2.7.3 – Setting the Default State26

­­­­­­­­­3 Contents
Hammond B-3X

Chapter 3 – The Organ Tab27

3.1 – Overview27
3.2 – Drawbars28
3.2.1 – Drawbar Tuning28
3.2.2 – Drawbar Labels and Descriptions28
3.3 – Drawbar Setting Keys30
3.3.1 – Drawbar Settings vs. Presets30
3.3.2 – Previewing Drawbar Settings Before Activating30
3.3.3 – Managing Drawbar Settings31
3.4 – Percussion31
3.4.1 – Percussion On/Off Switch31
3.4.2 – Percussion Volume Switch32
3.4.3 – Percussion Decay Switch32
3.4.4 – Percussion Harmonic Switch32
3.4.5 – Advanced Percussion Controls32
3.5 – Chorus-Vibrato33
3.5.1 – Vibrato Swell Switch33
3.5.2 – Vibrato Great Switch33
3.5.3 – Vibrato and Chorus Selector Knob33
3.5.4 Chorus Advanced Controls34
3.6 – Other Organ Controls34
3.6.1 – Expression Pedal34
3.6.2 – Leslie Speed Switch35
Chapter 4 – The Controls View36
4.1 – Overview36
4.1.1 – Drawbars37
4.1.2 – Drawbar Settings37
4.1.3 – Percussion and Chorus-Vibrato Switches38
4.1.4 – Expression Slider38
4.1.5 – Leslie Half-Moon Switch39
4.1.6 – The MIDI Program Assignments Button39
4.1.7 – MIDI Program Assignments40
Chapter 5 – The Advanced Panel41
5.1 – Overview41
5.2 – The Tonewheels Section42
5.2.1 – Model Selector42
5.2.2 – Tonal Balance42
5.2.3 – Generator Leakage43
5.2.4 – Key Click On43
5.2.5 – Key Click Off43
5.2.6 – Key Click Color43
5.3 – The Percussion Section44
5.3.1 – Percussion Volume Knob44
5.3.2 – Volume Compensation Switch44
5.3.3 – Decay Time Knob44

­­­­­­­­­4 Contents
Hammond B-3X

5.4 – The Chorus Section45

5.4.1 – Presence Boost45
5.4.2 – Chorus Mix45
5.5 – Keyboard Split46
Chapter 6 – The Stomps Tab47
6.1 – Overscream48
6.2 – EQ PG48
6.3 – Chorus C149
6.4 – Wah 50
6.5 – Spring Reverb50
Chapter 7 – The Cabs Tab51
7.1 – Cabs Overview51
7.2 – The Setup Panel52
7.2.1 – Mic Distance Knob52
7.2.2 – Mic Setup Switches52
7.2.3 – Slow Speed, Fast Speed Knobs52
7.2.4 – Leslie Speed Control Switch52
7.2.5 – Acceleration Knob 52
7.2.6 – Deceleration Knob 53
7.3 – The Leslie Amp Panel53
7.3.1 – Amplifier Selector53
7.3.2 – Gain53
7.3.3 – Input HPF53
7.3.4 – Amplifier EQ54
7.3.5 Leslie Volume Knob54
7.4 – Leslie EQ Panel54
7.5 – Guitar Amp Panel55
7.5.1 – Amp Model Selector55
7.5.2 – Guitar Amp EQ Knobs55
7.5.3 – Spring Reverb Knob56
7.5.4 – Guitar Amp Volume Knob56
7.6 – The Mixer Panel56
7.6.1 – Drum L and R Volume Knobs56
7.6.2 – Drum Link Switch56
7.6.3 – Drum Pan Sliders56
7.6.4 – Horn L and R Volume Knobs57
7.6.5 – Horn Link Switch57
7.6.6 – Horn Pan Sliders57
7.6.7 – Leslie Knob57
7.6.8 – Guitar Amp Knob57
7.6.9 – D.I. Knob57
Chapter 8 – The Post FX Tab58
8.1 – Overview58
8.2 – Limiter 7659
8.3 – EQ-8159

­­­­­­­­­5 Contents
Hammond B-3X

8.4 – Reverb60
Chapter 9 – Troubleshooting61
Chapter 10 – Support63
10.1 – User Area63

­­­­­­­­­6 Contents
Hammond B-3X

License Agreement

END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR IK MULTIMEDIA PRODUCT

Please read this document carefully before breaking the seal on the media package. This agreement licenses the
enclosed software to you and contains warranty and liability disclaimers.

By breaking the seal on the media envelope, you are confirming to have taken notice of terms and conditions
of this agreement and you acknowledge your acceptance of the software as well as your acceptance of the
terms of this agreement. If you do not wish to do so, do not break the seal. Instead, promptly return the entire
package, including the unopened media package, to the dealer from whom you have obtained it, for a full
refund.

1) DEFINITIONS

“EULA” means this end user license agreement.

“IK Multimedia Product” means the software program included in the enclosed package, and all related updates
supplied by IK Multimedia.

“IK Multimedia Product” means the software program and hardware (if any) included in the enclosed package,
the related documentation, models, multimedia content (such as animation, sound and graphics) and all related
updates supplied by IK Multimedia.

“Not for resale (NFR) Version” means a version of IK Multimedia Product, so identified, is intended for review and
evaluation purposes, only.

2) LICENSE

The “IK Multimedia Product” is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other
intellectual property laws and treaties. The “IK Multimedia Product” is licensed, not sold. This EULA grants you
the rights as specified here below. All other actions and means of usage are reserved to the written permission
of the right holder IK Multimedia Production Srl:

Applications Software. The “IK Multimedia Product” may be used only by you. You may install and use the “IK
Multimedia Product”, or any prior version thereof for the same operating system, on up to three (3) computers,
provided that (a) each computer is owned by (or leased to) and under the exclusive control of the licensee; (b)
the program(s) shall NOT be used simultaneously on more than one machine, and (c) any computer(s) with
IK Multimedia software installed shall not be sold, rented, leased, loaned or otherwise be removed from the
licensee’s possession without first removing (uninstalling) the licensed software, except as provided in Paragraph
4 (below) pertaining to “Software Transfer”.

­­­­­­­­­7 License Agreement

Hammond B-3X

Storage/Network use. You may also store or install a copy of the “IK Multimedia Product” on a storage device,
such as a network server, used only to install or run the “IK Multimedia Product” on your other computers
over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate a distinct license for each user of the “IK
Multimedia Product” from the storage device. Any given license for the “IK Multimedia Product” may not
be shared or used concurrently or otherwise on different computers or by different developers in a given
organization.

3) AUTHORIZATION CODE

The “IK Multimedia Product” only functions when you have authorized it. The “IK Multimedia Product” will be
authorized upon completing the authorization procedure. Once your product is authorized, you may use it.

You agree to follow the authorization procedure and will provide true, accurate and complete information about
yourself. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not correct or incomplete, or IK Multimedia
has reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not correct or incomplete, IK
Multimedia has the right to suspend or to revoke the license.

The termination of the license shall be without prejudice to any rights, whatsoever, of IK Multimedia.

4) DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You may not reverse engineer,
decompile, or disassemble the “IK Multimedia Product”, except and only to the extent that such activity is
expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation of components. The “IK Multimedia
Product” is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one
computer.

Not for Resale Version. If the “IK Multimedia Product” is labeled “Not for Resale” or “NFR” or “Evaluation
Copy”, then, notwithstanding other sections of this EULA, you may not sell, or otherwise transfer the “IK
Multimedia Product”.

Rental. You may not rent, lease, or lend the “IK Multimedia Product” to any party.

Software Transfer. You may not transfer, license or sublicense your rights as Licensee of the software or any
IK Multimedia product, as licensed to you under this agreement without prior written consent of the rights
owner. The carrier on which the IK Multimedia product has been distributed may be transferred or otherwise
made available to any third party only with the prior written consent of the rights owner and provided that (a) the
original media and license(s) accompany the carrier and (b) the party transferring the media does not retain a
copy of the media.

Online Purchase Withdrawal Right. If you purchase an “IK Multimedia Product” from the IK Multimedia
Production srl Online Shop, you have fourteen (14) days to withdraw your purchase from the date you receive
it. We will give you a full refund within 14 days of you exercising this right of withdrawal. You must however do

­­­­­­­­­8 License Agreement

Hammond B-3X

this within the fourteen (14) day period. The “IK Multimedia Product” must be returned in ‘as new’ condition.
This includes all contents and packaging, which must not be damaged in any way. Once you break the seal,
you lose your right of withdrawal. Right of withdrawal does not apply to IK Multimedia Products purchased as
downloadable versions (Digital Delivery). To exercise the withdrawal right, you must contact IK Multimedia at
www.ikmultimedia.com/contact-us and confirm your wish to a refund within the fourteen (14) day period.

5) UPGRADES

If the “IK Multimedia Product” is labeled or otherwise identified by IK Multimedia as an “upgrade”, you must be
properly licensed to use a product identified by IK Multimedia as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use
the “IK Multimedia Product”.

An “IK Multimedia Product” labeled or otherwise identified by IK Multimedia as an upgrade replaces and/or
supplements the product that formed the basis for your eligibility for such upgrade. You may use the resulting
upgraded product only in accordance with the terms of this EULA. If the “IK Multimedia Product” is an upgrade
of a component of a package of software programs that you licensed as a single product, the “IK Multimedia
Product” may be used and transferred only as part of that single product package and may not be separated for
use on more than one computer.

6) DUAL-MEDIA SOFTWARE

You may receive the “IK Multimedia Product” in more than one medium. You may not loan, rent, lease, or
otherwise transfer the other medium to another user, except as part of the permanent transfer (as provided
above) of the “IK Multimedia Product”.

7) LIMITED WARRANTY

IK Multimedia warrants to the original purchaser of the computer software product, for a period of ninety
(90) days following the date of original purchase, that under normal use, the software program and the user
documentation are free from defects that will materially interfere with the operation of the program as described
in the enclosed user documentation.

8) WARRANTY CLAIMS

To make a warranty claim under the above limited warranty, please return the product to the point of purchase,
accompanied by proof of purchase, your name, your return address and a statement of the defect, or send
the CD(s) to us at the below address within ninety (90) days of purchase. Include a copy of the dated purchase
receipt, your name, your return address and a statement of the defect. IK Multimedia or its authorized dealer will
use reasonable commercial efforts to repair or replace the product and return it to you (postage prepaid) or issue
to you a credit equal to the purchase price, at its option.

­­­­­­­­­9 License Agreement

Hammond B-3X

9) LIMITATIONS ON WARRANTY

IK Multimedia warrants only that the program will perform as described in the user documentation. No other
advertising, description or representation, whether made by a IK Multimedia dealer, distributor, agent or
employee, shall be binding upon IK Multimedia or shall change the terms of this warranty.

EXCEPT AS STATED ABOVE, IK MULTIMEDIA MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR

IMPLIED, REGARDING THIS PRODUCT. IK MULTIMEDIA DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY THAT
THE SOFTWARE IS FIT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO A NINETY (90) DAY DURATION OF THIS LIMITED EXPRESS
WARRANTY AND IS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED. IK MULTIMEDIA
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES, EVEN IF
IK MULTIMEDIA IS ADVISED OF OR AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS MEANS
THAT IK MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION SRL SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR THE LOSS
OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, OR FOR DAMAGES OR COSTS AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF TIME, DATA
OR USE OF THE SOFTWARE, OR FROM ANY OTHER CAUSE EXCEPT THE ACTUAL COST OF THE
PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT SHALL IK MULTIMEDIA LIABILITY EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THIS
PRODUCT.

10) CHOICE OF LAW

You agree that any and all claims, suits or other disputes arising from your use of the software shall be
determined in accordance with the laws of Italy, in the event IK Multimedia, is made a party thereto. You agree to
submit to the jurisdiction of the court in Modena, Italy for all actions, whether in contract or in tort, arising from
your use or purchase of the software.

11) GENERAL

This Agreement contains the complete agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings, whether oral or written. All
questions concerning this Agreement shall be directed to:

IK Multimedia Production Srl

Via dell’Industria 46
41122 Modena
Italy

­­­­­­­­­10 License Agreement

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 1 – Overview

1.1 – Introduction
Hammond B-3X is a virtual instrument that provides the full experience of playing a Hammond organ through a
Leslie speaker and chain of effects. There are four tabs at the top of the Hammond B-3X interface that take you
through the complete signal flow of the instrument. Use these tabs to quickly and easily craft your organ sound
with familiar controls:

1.2 – ORGAN tab

The Organ tab is where it all begins. Here you can see all of the classic panel controls of the legendary
Hammond organ including the drawbars, percussion and chorus-vibrato as well the inverted drawbar preset
keys and the Leslie half-moon speed control switch.
The two “manuals” (keyboards) are also presented here along with the organ pedals. The upper keyboard is
called the “Swell” manual, and the lower keyboard is called the “Great” manual. The keys follow the incoming
MIDI notes, and they can also be clicked with the mouse or triggered by keys on your computer keyboard. The

­­­­­­­­­11 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

expression pedal at the lower right controls the output volume of the organ that is fed to the effects chain and
Leslie speaker.
There are two buttons at the lower left of the Organ tab: Controls and Advanced.

1.2.1 – CONTROLS button

The Controls button zooms the interface to put the emphasis on the drawbars and switches. It hides the
keyboards and pedals. This view is well suited for live use when you want to have the easiest access to the
organ controls and see the state of those controls as large as possible. Here you can also assign Hammond
B-3X presets to MIDI program change numbers for remote recall during live or session use.

­­­­­­­­­12 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

1.2.2 – ADVANCED button

The Advanced button opens a panel where you can fine-tune the inner workings of the organ including the
amount of generator leakage, key click volume and color, percussion volume and decay time and chorus
presence and mix. Here you can also use the Keyboard Split function so you can play combination of the Upper,
Lower and Pedal manuals from a single keyboard. The Advanced panel parameters are saved with the preset.

­­­­­­­­­13 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

1.3 – STOMPS tab

The Stomps tab is next in the signal flow. The output of the organ goes into a stomp box pedal board with
five fixed serial monaural effects: overdrive, graphic equalizer, wah-wah, stomp box chorus-vibrato and spring
reverb control. Each stomp box can of course be enabled or bypassed, and each one has its own set of familiar
controls to shape your organ tone before it goes into the cabinet section.

­­­­­­­­­14 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

1.4 – CABS tab

The Cabs tab is next. The Stomps pedal board feeds a parallel cabinet section where the signal is split to a
Leslie speaker and guitar amp and then mixed back into stereo along with the direct signal. The Leslie has
different amp and cabinet models available that can be mixed-and-matched like our AmpliTube and T-RackS
Leslie plug-ins. Going further in Hammond B-3X, you can even use a guitar amp head as the amp for the Leslie
cabinet. Then there is a separate guitar amp with selectable models, each with its own 4x12 cabinet. Finally,
the mixer section lets you adjust the volume and panning of the four mics on the Leslie cabinet along with the
volume of the parallel guitar amp and direct signal.

­­­­­­­­­15 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

1.5 – POST FX tab

The Post FX section is the final element in the signal chain. After the cabinet section, you can apply traditional
recording studio effects to master your organ sound using three fixed, serial effects: a FET limiter, a console
equalizer and an algorithmic digital reverb.

1.6 – Master Volume

The standalone version of the app has a master volume slider at the top right which also turns red to serve as a
clipping meter when the output of the application is overloaded.

­­­­­­­­­16 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

1.7 – Panic Button

Click the exclamation point icon at the top right to send an all-notes-off message to silence any stuck notes.

1.8 – Settings

Click the gear icon at the top right to open the SETTINGS window where you can select and set your audio and
MIDI interface (standalone only), tune and transpose the instrument, and set the MIDI channels and continuous
controller assignments for the most used parameters. Additional continuous controller assignments are fixed
and cannot be changed (see the MIDI continuous controller assignments appendix).

­­­­­­­­­17 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

1.9 – Authorization
Authorize the software by clicking the lock icon in the top bar. This will open the IK Authorization Manager
where you can enter your serial number to authorize the product. The lock icon disappears once the product is
authorized. Hammond B-3X has a 10-day demo period during which time the instrument is fully functional. After
the demo period has expired, a periodic noise burst will emit from the instrument until it is authorized.

1.10 – Features
• The first official Hammond organ virtual instrument designed in cooperation with the actual Hammond
Organ Company in Chicago
• Official Leslie with 7 amps and 5 cabinets that can be mixed and matched
• Parallel guitar amp section with 2 guitar amp models and 4x12 cabinet
• 5-effect stomp box pedalboard for ultra-flexible tonal shaping
• 3-effect studio post FX section for final polish and mastering
• Advanced organ editing for tonewheel model selection, generator leakage, key click, tonal balance,
percussion and chorus detailed adjustments
• Keyboard Split function lets you play combinations of the Upper, Lower and Pedal manuals from a single
keyboard
• Zoomed-in Controls view for live or session use
• 24 drawbar settings available within each preset
• MIDI program change preset assignments
• Assignable MIDI continuous controllers for use with external controllers
• Works as a multi-platform plug-in and as a Standalone application
• Fully compatible with macOS and Windows
• Supported plug-in formats: AAX, VST 3, and Audio Units

­­­­­­­­­18 1 - Overview
Hammond B-3X

Chapter 2 – Getting started

Hammond B-3X can be used as a standalone application or as a plug-in.

2.1 – Using Hammond B-3X as a standalone application

Launch Hammond B-3X from your applications folder to use it without a host application such as a digital audio
workstation (DAW). This allows Hammond B-3X to have all the functionality and flexibility of the plug-in while in a
self-contained software instrument. For example, you can use Hammond B-3X for live performances when there
is no need for a complex sequencer setup or in a second computer that is dedicated to virtual instruments as
each manual of the organ can be triggered from an individual MIDI input.

When launching Hammond B-3X standalone for the first time, you need to set the audio output and MIDI input.
This is accomplished in the Settings window that can be opened by clicking the gear icon at the top right.
Configure the Audio / MIDI fields to use with your studio or live setup.

2.1.1 – Audio / MIDI

Click the Audio / MIDI tab to set up your audio output and MIDI input. Hammond B-3X is compatible with any

­­­­­­­­­19 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

ASIO or Direct Audio audio interface in Windows and any Core Audio-compatible audio interface in Mac OS X.

Output device
Choose which available audio interface you want to use with Hammond B-3X.

Left channel / Right channel

Set which output from your chosen output device Hammond B-3X will use for its left and right output.

Sample Rate and Buffer Size

The sample rate and buffer sizes drop-down menus let you choose your settings for Hammond B-3X. These
settings are dependent on the audio interface as not all audio interfaces provide the same sample rate or buffer
setting options. For the best performance in Hammond B-3X standalone, set the buffer as low as possible
without hearing clicks and pops. This will provide the lowest amount of latency, the delay between playing a
note and hearing the sound. Higher sample rates such as 96kHz will deliver better sound quality but at the
expense of a higher CPU load.

MIDI Input
This drop-down menu determines which MIDI input of your computer that Hammond B-3X will respond to. Any
MIDI interface supported by computer’s operating system will work with Hammond B-3X.

2.1.2 – Info

Click the Hammond logo at the top right to find the specific software version number of Hammond B-3X along
with additional information about the product.

2.1.3 – Registration Lock

Click the lock to launch the IK Authorization Manager where you can enter your serial number to authorize
Hammond B-3X.

2.2 – Computer keyboard keys

In Standalone mode, you can use your computer keyboard to play MIDI notes to trigger the Instruments in
Hammond B-3X.

­­­­­­­­­20 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

2.3 – Using Hammond B-3X as a plug-in

In addition to a standalone application, Hammond B-3X also works as an Audio Units, AAX or VST plug-in
instrument in major host applications such as Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, Digital Performer and others.
Consult your host application’s user guide for specific instructions on how to use virtual instruments.

2.4 – Pitch

There are three controls to adjust the master pitch of Hammond B-3X:

2.4.1 – Master Tune Knob

This control changes the global pitch +/- 99 cents.

2.4.2 – Transpose Knob

This control changes the incoming MIDI notes to Hammond B-3X in half steps with a range of +/- 12 semitones.

2.4.3 – Pitch Bend

This field sets the pitch bend range in half steps with a range of 0 – 12 semitones. The range is the same for
bending up and down.

­­­­­­­­­21 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

2.5 – MIDI Channels

A single instance of Hammond B-3X can respond to up to four MIDI channels:

2.5.1 – Upper Manual

Set the MIDI channel for the upper manual, the top keyboard.

2.5.2 – Lower Manual

Set the MIDI channel for the lower manual, the bottom keyboard.

2.5.3 – Pedal
Set the MIDI channel for the pedal manual.

2.5.4 – Program Change

Set the MIDI channel on which Hammond B-3X will respond to MIDI Program Change messages. Note that you
must assign some presets to MIDI Program Change numbers on the Controls View in order for Hammond B-3X
to respond to PC messages. For more information, see section 4.1.6 The MIDI Program Assignments Button.

­­­­­­­­­22 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

2.6 – MIDI Controllers

Hammond B-3X responds to MIDI Continuous Controller messages (MIDI CCs) to remotely change its settings.
You can assign a MIDI CC of your choice to the listed parameters by clicking the CC value and either typing a
new one.

2.6.1 – MIDI Learn and Reset Assignments

You can also right-click or control-click the value to open a contextural menu where you can select “Learn…”
Click the “Learn…” option and then move your desired controller to instantly assign it to the parameter. Here
you can also reset the selected parameter to its factory assignment or reset all of the parameters to their factory
assignments.

­­­­­­­­­23 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

2.6.2 – Hammond Profile Selector

Hammond B-3X is designed to work with the current line of Hammond-Suzuki digital organ products. Connect
the MIDI Out of your Hammond-Suzuki product to your computer, and then select the Hammond model series
from the drop-down menu to let Hammond B-3X respond to the panel controls of the Hammond keyboard.
Turn the Hammond Profile On / Off with the switch. Note that the Hammond Profile works alongside the MIDI
Controller assignments in the section above. This allows you to use a Hammond keyboard along with another
controller like an iRig Keys, Keys IO or third party controller.

2.6.3 – Latch Controller

Click the Latch button for any controller to convert a momentary switch – such as a sustain pedal – into a
standard on/off switch. This is particularly useful for using the sustain pedal to change the Leslie Speed. With
Latch on and Leslie Speed set to CC64 (sustain pedal), the Leslie Speed will change when you depress the
sustain pedal and will stay at the new speed when you release the pedal. Then when you depress the pedal a
second time, the speed will change again.

2.6.4 – Invert Controller

Click the “Inv” button for any controller to invert its behavior. This lets you customize Hammond B-3X to work
with any MIDI controller keyboard or other other control surface. This can be especially useful for assigning
typical MIDI controller sliders to the Hammond B-3X drawbars which are “inverted” from traditional faders. The
original Hammond hardware drawbars increase the volume as they move down. Of course, usually a slider
increases the volume when it moves up. So by clicking the Invert button, you can simulate this with a typical
MIDI controller slider so that it is at it maximum value in the fully down position, and at its minimum value in the
fully up position.

­­­­­­­­­24 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

2.7 – Presets

Hammond B-3X has presets that are loaded from the drop-down menu at the center top of all windows. The
Hammond B-3X preset includes all of the settings on Organ, Stomps, Cabs and Post FX tabs including the
Advanced window settings. The preset also includes the drawbar preset settings for each of the 24 inverted
keys on the upper and lower manuals.

2.7.1 – Loading Presets

Click the preset name to view the list, and scroll up or down to browse all the available presets. To load a preset,
simply click a preset name in the list. In the standalone version, you can also use the up/down arrow keys on
your computer keyboard to load presets when the list is open.

2.7.2 – Managing Presets

Click the preset manager icon to the right of the preset name to view preset manager. Here you can Save, Save
As… or Delete presets.

­­­­­­­­­25 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

2.7.3 – Setting the Default State

You can set the current state of the instrument as the default setting so that when you launch a new instance,
it always starts up in that state. To do this, open the preset manager and click “Set As Default.” If you prefer to
revert to the factory default settings, then open the preset manager and click “Restore Factory Defaults.”

­­­­­­­­­26 2 - Getting started

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 3 – The Organ Tab

3.1 – Overview
Think of the Organ tab as the “home page” of Hammond B-3X. Here you see a representation of the virtual
organ with its two manuals and pedals along with a set of drawbars for each manual, inverted drawbar preset
keys, switches for percussion and chorus-vibrato, an expression pedal for the organ output volume and the
classic “half-moon” switch for changing the Leslie speed.
The upper keyboard is called the “Swell” manual, and the lower keyboard is called the “Great” manual. It is
important to understand these historical terms as they pertain to the chorus-vibrato switches.

There are two buttons at the lower left that open different windows for the organ: Controls and Advanced.
The Controls window is a zoomed-in view of just the organ controls without showing the keyboards or pedals,

­­­­­­­­­27 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

and this view also lets you assign Hammond B-3X presets to MIDI program change numbers.
The Advanced window provides detailed adjustments for the inner workings of the organ including tonewheel
model selection, tonal balance, generator leakage, key click volume and color, percussion decay length and
volume, and chorus presence boost and mix amount.
Each of these windows has their own dedicated chapter.

3.2 – Drawbars

The tone of the Hammond organ is set using nine drawbars for the keyboard, each with a range of 0 to 8. The
drawbars determine that volume at which each generator plays based on the note played on the keyboard.
It is a complicated matrix inside the organ that makes this work, and this architecture very much defines the
sound of the Hammond organ. There are three sets of drawbars: one for the upper keyboard, one for the lower
keyboard, and one for the pedals. The upper and lower sets each have nine drawbars; The pedal set has just
two drawbars.

3.2.1 – Drawbar Tuning

The drawbars go from low to high moving from left to right. Each drawbar represents a pipe organ length in feet.
The third drawbar from left is the 8’ drawbar, and this pipe length corresponds to the octaves of a piano. This
means that middle C with the 8’ drawbar is the same frequency as the middle of a piano.

3.2.2 – Drawbar Labels and Descriptions

For each drawbar, here are the pipe length labels, the classical name and musical intervals for the nine drawbars
moving from left to right going from low to high:

16’ Bass.
This the sub-harmonic, one octave below the fundamental.

­­­­­­­­­28 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

5 1/3’ Quint.
This is the 3rd harmonic of the sub-harmonic, an octave and a fifth above the Bass drawbar. Note that this
drawbar is a higher frequency than the fundamental even though the actual drawbar is positioned below the
fundamental. This is because the Quint is related to the Bass (sub-harmonic) and is hence located next to it.

8’ Neutral.
This is the fundamental frequency, the same octave as a piano.

4’ Octave.
This is the second harmonic, one octave above the fundamental.

2 2/3’ Nazard.
This is the 3rd harmonic of the fundamental, an octave and a fifth above the sub-harmonic.

2’ Block Flute.
This is the fourth harmonic, two octaves above the fundamental.

1 3/5’ Tierce.
This is the fifth harmonic, two octaves and a major third above the fundamental.

1 1/3’ Larigot.
This is the sixth harmonic, two octaves and a fifth above the fundamental.

1’ Sifflute.
This is the eighth harmonic, three octaves above the fundamental.

The pedals have just two drawbars since they are intended to create only bass sounds: 16’ and 8’.

Each of the three manuals has its own set of drawbars that is displayed at the top of the window. The drawbars
always show the current state of the tone generator mix. So the drawbar settings you see always represents
the drawbar sound you hear. Since Hammond B-3X is a software instrument, we can take advantage of the
dynamic software interface to always show the current position of the drawbars.
The advantages of a software instrument become apparent when you select a drawbar settings key using the 12
inverted keys at the left of each keyboard. Here is some historical information so you can understand what was
done originally, and what has evolved in Hammond B-3X:
On the hardware Hammond organs, the C# through A keys select a fixed drawbar setting that is independent of
that actual physical drawbars. The A# note selects the first set of drawbars at the left, and the B note selects the
second set of drawbars to the right. The C note cancels the drawbar selection altogether and essentially mutes
the organ.
Hammond B-3X deviates from this classic scheme because we do not have the same limitations as analog

­­­­­­­­­29 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

hardware. Hammond B-3X still has drawbar settings on the inverted keys, but here we take advantage of the
software platform and dynamically move the drawbars to reflect each drawbar preset selected. This would be
impractical on a hardware Hammond organ since this could only be accomplished with mechanically motorized
sliders. This also allows Hammond B-3X to use all 12 inverted keys of each manual for drawbar settings instead
of just 9 of them on the original hardware instruments.

3.3 – Drawbar Setting Keys

Like the hardware Hammond organ, Hammond B-3X has 12 inverted keys at the left of each keyboard which are
nothing more than switches to instantly load drawbar settings. A “drawbar setting” is simply the position of the
nine drawbars for the keyboard. Each inverted key is an individual drawbar setting. To load a drawbar setting,
simply press its inverted key. You do not need to save individual drawbar setting keys – the drawbar settings are
saved when you save the preset. The selected inverted key is automatically updated with the current position
of the drawbars. So if you change a drawbar preset and want to revert to saved version, then reload the regular
preset from the preset drop-down menu at the center top. Each Hammond B-3X preset stores the state of all
24 of the inverted drawbar setting keys. This allows you to set up 24 different drawbar combinations within each
preset.

3.3.1 – Drawbar Settings vs. Presets

It is important to understand the hierarchy here. The “drawbar setting” is a subset of the “preset.” The “preset”
stores all of the information on the Organ, Stomps, Cabs and Post FX windows, and then the “drawbar settings”
are a subset of that preset – each preset contains the 24 different drawbar settings (12 on each keyboard) that
are stored with it. This again deviates a bit from the hardware Hammond organ where the inverted drawbar
setting keys are always the same. This is because there are obviously no “presets” on a hardware Hammond
organ that store the all the settings like the state of the percussion and chorus-vibrato switches, the Leslie speed
and settings, other effects, etc.

3.3.2 – Previewing Drawbar Settings Before Activating

You can preview the drawbar settings by hovering over each inverted key. The settings are displayed as a series
of numbers from 0 to 8 which indicate the position of each of the nine drawbars. For example, 888000000
indicates that the first three drawbars are in their maximum position (8), and the six higher drawbars are in their
minimum position (0).

­­­­­­­­­30 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

When a drawbar setting is at its factory position, the name of the drawbar setting is also displayed. For
example, the factory setting for the inverted G note on the upper keyboard is “005644320 Swell Diapason.”
When a factory drawbar setting is changed, the name disappears and just the nine numbers representing the
drawbar setting are displayed.

3.3.3 – Managing Drawbar Settings

If you would like revert an individual drawbar setting the factory settings, right-click the inverted key for the
desired drawbar setting and click “Restore Factory Setting.” Similarly, you can copy and paste drawbar settings
from one inverted key to another by right-clicking the source and destination keys respectively.

3.4 – Percussion
Hammond B-3X recreates the classic “percussion” sound of the original hardware Hammond B-3 and C-3
organs. The percussion is a decaying element that sounds at either 2nd or 3rd harmonic and is added to main
sustaining organ tone. The original intention was to emulate the crisp attacks of marimba, xylophone and harp.
However, over time, the “Hammond percussion” sound has become known as an identifiable and stylized timbre
all its own. Percussion is only available on the upper keyboard – the swell manual – same as the original B-3 and
C-3 hardware organs.
There are four white rocker switches at the upper right of the organ that control the percussion:

3.4.1 – Percussion On/Off Switch

Set the PERC switch to On or Off to enable or disable the percussion. Note again that percussion is only

­­­­­­­­­31 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

playable from the upper keyboard.

3.4.2 – Percussion Volume Switch

The PERC VOLUME switch sets the level of percussion in relation to the regular sustaining organ tone. Choose
between SOFT and NORMAL.

3.4.3 – Percussion Decay Switch

The PERC DECAY switch sets the decay time of the percussion. Choose between FAST and SLOW.

3.4.4 – Percussion Harmonic Switch

The PERC HARM SEL switch selects at which harmonic the percussion will play. Chose between SECOND and
THIRD. The second harmonic is an octave above the fundamental; The third harmonic is an octave and a fifth
above the fundamental.

3.4.5 – Advanced Percussion Controls

Click the ADVANCED button at the bottom left of the organ window to access additional controls for the
percussion. Here you can fine-tune the overall percussion decay length and the volume. There is also a switch
available called “Volume Compensation” that keeps the regular sustaining organ tone from dropping in volume
when the percussion is enabled. This is a common modification in hardware Hammond B-3 instruments, so the
option is provided here in software as well.

­­­­­­­­­32 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

3.5 – Chorus-Vibrato

Hammond organs offer a chorus-vibrato effect that is generated by a mechanical scanner and electronic delay
lines. “Vibrato” is the effect alone, and “chorus” is a mix of the effect with the dry signal. The speed of the effect
is fixed – it is derived from the generator run motor on the hardware Hammond organs. There are three depths
of vibrato and chorus that can be selected using the “Vibrato and Chorus” knob. The effect can be applied to
the upper and lower keyboards independently. When the chorus is selected, there is a slight high frequency
presence boost applied to the sound.
There are three controls at the upper left of the organ to control the Chorus-Vibrato:

3.5.1 – Vibrato Swell Switch

The VIBRATO SWELL switch enables the chorus-vibrato effect for the Swell manual, the upper keyboard.

3.5.2 – Vibrato Great Switch

The VIBRATO GREAT switch enables the chorus-vibrato effect for the Great manual, the lower keyboard.

3.5.3 – Vibrato and Chorus Selector Knob

The VIBRATO AND CHORUS knob is a rotary switch that selects between three different depths for vibrato and
chorus. V1, V2 and V3 are the three vibrato depths with V1 as the minimum depth and V3 as the maximum. C1,
C2 and C3 are the three chorus depths with C1 as the minimum and C3 as the maximum.

­­­­­­­­­33 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

3.5.4 Chorus Advanced Controls

Click the ADVANCED button at the bottom left of the organ window to access additional controls for the chorus
effect. Here you adjust the mix of the chorus by changing the balance of the effect and dry signal +/- 20%.
Often a straight 50/50 is not desired, so here you have some additional control to customize your sound. You
can also adjust the amount of high frequency presence boost that is applied when the chorus effect is selected.

3.6 – Other Organ Controls

The Organ window also has an Expression pedal and a half-moon switch for Leslie speed.

3.6.1 – Expression Pedal

The Expression pedal at the lower right controls the master output volume of the organ. This the level that feeds
the Stomps, Cabs and Post FX in the same way that the volume knob on a guitar affects the input level of all
effects that come after it. The Expression pedal can be useful to adjust the overdrive gain of the various amps
and effects in real-time since more volume from the organ will drive the amps and effects harder.

­­­­­­­­­34 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

3.6.2 – Leslie Speed Switch

At the lower left of the organ is the famous Leslie half-moon switch that lets you change the speed of the Leslie
horn and drum from fast to slow. There is also a separate button available for the Brake which stops the horn
and drum from rotating. Hammond B-3X presents the Brake as a separate switch from the slow and fast speed
switch so that different MIDI controllers can be used for the speed and the brake. The state of the Leslie speed
is also mirrored on the CABS SETUP panel where you can also fine-tune the rates of both the fast and slow
settings as well as the acceleration and deceleration of the horn and drum when changing between speeds.

­­­­­­­­­35 3 - The Organ Tab

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 4 – The Controls View

4.1 – Overview
From the Organ tab, click the CONTROLS button at the lower left to open the Controls View. The Controls View
zooms in on the organ controls and hides the keyboards. This view is intended for live performance where you
need to see the actual controls of the organ more prominently.

­­­­­­­­­36 4 - The Controls View

Hammond B-3X

4.1.1 – Drawbars

The drawbars for each of the three manuals are larger here and moved to the bottom of the screen so you can
click and slide them more easily. The functionality is the same as on the main Organ tab view.

4.1.2 – Drawbar Settings

Since there are no inverted keys in the Controls View (no keys at all, in fact!), the Drawbar Settings are presented
here as buttons above each set of drawbars. The buttons show a graphic representation of the drawbar levels
for each drawbar setting. Click a Drawbar Setting button here to instantly load it. You can also right-click on
a Drawbar Setting to manage it in the same way as on the main Organ tab view to Copy, Paste or Restore
Drawbar Settings.

­­­­­­­­­37 4 - The Controls View

Hammond B-3X

4.1.3 – Percussion and Chorus-Vibrato Switches

The four percussion switches, the three chorus-vibrato switches and the Vibrato and Chorus selector knob have
the identical functionality as the main Organ tab view. They are just a bit larger here and more spread out for
easier identification and quick access.

4.1.4 – Expression Slider

Here the Expression control is represented as a slider instead of the pedal on the main Organ tab view. The
functionality is identical, and any changes to the slider will be reflected on the Expression pedal when you return
to the main Organ tab view.

­­­­­­­­­38 4 - The Controls View

Hammond B-3X

4.1.5 – Leslie Half-Moon Switch

The functionality is identical to the main Organ tab view. Here you can change the speed of the Leslie from
slow to fast and also use the Brake to stop the horn and drum from spinning. The controls are enlarged here for
easier identification and access.

4.1.6 – The MIDI Program Assignments Button

This is the one element that is unique to the Controls View. Click the list icon at the upper left of the wooden
panel to open the MIDI Program Change Assignments window.

­­­­­­­­­39 4 - The Controls View

Hammond B-3X

4.1.7 – MIDI Program Assignments

Here you will see a list of the MIDI Program Change numbers from 0 to 127 in the left column. The next column
lets you assign any of the Hammond B-3X presets to a MIDI Program Change number so that when the
instrument receives that PC change message, the assigned preset will automatically load. Click a cell in the
second column to view the list of all the available presets, then simply click one of those presets to assign it to
the MIDI Program Change number. To remove the assignment, click the Trash Can icon at the left of the cell.
Note that MIDI Program Change assignments are necessarily stored globally for the instrument and not stored
with the preset.

­­­­­­­­­40 4 - The Controls View

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 5 – The Advanced Panel

5.1 – Overview
Click the ADVANCED button at the lower left of the main Organ tab view to open the Advanced Panel. This
provides several under-the-hood controls to let you fine-tune your organ and customize its sound to suit your
song and production. All settings on the Advanced Panel are stored with the preset. So you can change these
settings for different songs and recall them at will.

­­­­­­­­­41 5 - The Advanced Panel

Hammond B-3X

5.2 – The Tonewheels Section

This section of the panel adjusts the tonewheels, the actual sound generators of the organ. The hardware
Hammond organ uses 91 spinning tonewheels to generate all of the needed pitches in the instrument. The tones
are mixed together in a matrix based on the drawbar positions and the notes played. Here you can control the
tonewheels further.

5.2.1 – Model Selector

We have modeled the tonewheels of several different classic hardware Hammond organs to capture the unique
color and personality of each. Choose a tonewheel set from the drop-down menu. The tonewheel models are
listed by the musical genre that they most closely are affiliated with, then the model of the actual Hammond
organ (B-3, C-3, A-100, etc.), and then the serial number of the specific instrument modeled.

5.2.2 – Tonal Balance

This knob sets the balance of the higher frequency tones to the rest of the tone generators. Positive values give
you a brighter sound, and negative values give you a darker sound. The center position is the natural, authentic
sound of each tonewheel set.

­­­­­­­­­42 5 - The Advanced Panel

Hammond B-3X

5.2.3 – Generator Leakage

The 91 tonewheels are positioned in close proximity to each other, and they are arranged with harmonious
tonewheels next to each other. This is because there is an inherent crosstalk or “leakage” between the
tonewheels. The generator leakage has become a signature aspect of the Hammond organ sound. This control
lets you adjust the amount of leakage or crosstalk between the tonewheel generators. The center position (5.00)
is the natural, authentic sound of each tonewheel set. Values above this increase the generator leakage for a
more “dirty” sound; Values below this decrease the amount of leakage for a more “clean” sound. Note that
extreme values here may make the organ sound unnaturally clean or dirty. Adjust to taste.

5.2.4 – Key Click On

When a key is pressed, it opens a “gate” for the mixed tones to sound. The tonewheels are continuously running
and do not start and stop with each key press and release. Therefore, it is common to catch the combined
tones somewhere in their wave cycle that is not a “zero crossing,” and clicking sound results. Because the
hardware Hammond organ sound generation is wholly analog, the non-zero crossing click is actually a pleasing,
percussive sound and different than the digital clicks that occur with poorly edited samples or audio tracks.
Hammond B-3X has modeled this analog key click sound, and you can adjust the volume of it here. This
controls sets the level of key click when the note is pressed down.

5.2.5 – Key Click Off

The same kind of click occurs when the note is released. But you may want to set the volume of the note
release click to a different level than the note on click, depending on your playing technique. The note release
click can be a prominent percussive sound, so if you don’t release your notes in time with the music, this can
become distracting and unwelcome. Use the Key Click Off knob to set the volume of your note release key click
accordingly.

5.2.6 – Key Click Color

The key click sound is naturally quite bright. You may want to darken the click sound to make it less prominent,
or conversely, you may want to brighten the click sound to make it more dominant for super-rhythmic playing.
Use the Key Click Color knob to adjust the spectrum of the click sound to suit your style and taste.

­­­­­­­­­43 5 - The Advanced Panel

Hammond B-3X

5.3 – The Percussion Section

There are three controls available here to fine-tune the percussion system of your organ.

5.3.1 – Percussion Volume Knob

The percussion is calibrated to match the volume of most classic Hammond organs. However, you may to
emphasize or de-emphasize the percussion for a particular song. This control lets you adjust the overall volume
of the percussion by 20% up or down. This trimming adjustment affects both states of the PERC VOLUME
switch.

5.3.2 – Volume Compensation Switch

The traditional behavior of the hardware Hammond organ is that when the PERC VOLUME is in the NORMAL
position, the volume of the main sustaining organ tone drops. Many organs have been modified to keep the
main sustaining tone at the same volume and just add in the percussion. This switch represents that popular
modification. Turn the Volume Compensation switch on to keep the main sustaining organ tone at the same level
when the percussion is enabled. For stock factory Hammond organ behavior, set this switch to the off position.

5.3.3 – Decay Time Knob

This control trims the overall decay of the percussion for both the fast and slow decay times. The percussion
decay is calibrated to match the time of most classic Hammond organs, but again, you may want to lengthen or
shorten the decay time to suit a particular song.

­­­­­­­­­44 5 - The Advanced Panel

Hammond B-3X

5.4 – The Chorus Section

The chorus effect is created in the organ when the vibrato is mixed in with the dry signal. These controls let you
fine-tune the sound of the chorus effect.

5.4.1 – Presence Boost

The way the chorus effect is created in the Hammond organ results a high frequency presence boost. We have
modeled the authentic presence boost, but you may want to increase this for a specific song. Use this control to
increase the high frequency presence boost when one of the chorus depths is selected.

5.4.2 – Chorus Mix

A perfectly calibrated Hammond organ chorus has the vibrato signal and dry signal mixed together at a 50/50
balance. But over time, this balance can change as components age. Some players prefer a slightly different
balance – either with slightly more vibrato signal or slightly more dry signal. This control lets you change the
balance of the vibrato and dry signal by 20% in either direction.

­­­­­­­­­45 5 - The Advanced Panel

Hammond B-3X

5.5 – Keyboard Split

The Keyboard Split function lets you play combinations of the Upper, Lower and Pedal manual from a single
keyboard. The Keyboard Split is applied to the Upper Manual MIDI channel only. The Upper manual is always
used in the Keyboard Split and plays from the Split Point note and above. You can then choose which manual(s)
play below the Split Point note: The Lower Manual only, the Pedals Manual only or a layer of the Lower and
Pedals Manuals playing together. The Keyboard Split, like all of the Advanced Panel parameters, is stored with
the preset so that you can pre-program different Keyboard Splits per preset.

­­­­­­­­­46 5 - The Advanced Panel

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 6 – The Stomps Tab

The output of the organ goes into a five-effect stomp box pedal board. This lets you add style and color to the
basic organ sound before it goes into the Leslie. The five effects are fixed in a serial mono configuration, and the
settings of all the effects are stored with the preset.

Here are the five stomp box effects:

­­­­­­­­­47 6 - The Stomps Tab

Hammond B-3X

6.1 – Overscream

Based on Ibanez® Tube Screamer.

This is a model of a classic overdrive/distortion pedal which has become the go-to overdrive pedal for some
of the most influential guitar players of all time, and it naturally works great on the Hammond organ as well. Its
basic controls make it easy to dial in the exact sound you want.

6.2 – EQ PG

This classic American studio graphic equalizer was designed as a variation to the standard three and four band
console EQs. It uses an all-discrete signal path and proportional Q design with a ten-band graphic approach

­­­­­­­­­48 6 - The Stomps Tab

Hammond B-3X

instead of the semi-parametric three and four band design of other modules.

6.3 – Chorus C1

Based on Boss® CE-1.

A model of a classic bucket brigade analog Chorus/Vibrato unit. It provides both analog Chorus and analog
Vibrato effects, when in Chorus mode the modulation will be lush and slow, when in Vibrato effect the
modulation will be faster and more noticeable. Note that the Hammond B-3X version is mono only since the
entire stomp box pedal board chain must remain mono to feed the Leslie input.

­­­­­­­­­49 6 - The Stomps Tab

Hammond B-3X

6.4 – Wah

This effect is modeled after the classic wah pedal used often in the 60s and 70s. The filter can be controlled
using the pedal or set the AUTO threshold to automatically open the filter based on the input volume.

6.5 – Spring Reverb

This reverb sounds very close to a real mechanical spring unit featuring their signature warmth with that typical
metallic and resonant vibe. The effect is monaural.

­­­­­­­­­50 6 - The Stomps Tab

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 7 – The Cabs Tab

7.1 – Cabs Overview

The output of the Stomps is split to feed two parallel amps: a Leslie and a guitar amp. The four mics of the
Leslie with the guitar amp are then combined along with the direct signal in a stereo mixer. The Cabs tab has
five buttons at the lower left that load different panels where you can adjust specific settings for the Leslie, the
guitar amp and the mixer.

­­­­­­­­­51 7 - The Cabs Tab

Hammond B-3X

7.2 – The Setup Panel

Click the SETUP button to configure the Leslie cabinet miking and adjust the two speeds of the rotating
speakers including the acceleration and deceleration times when you change between slow and fast.

7.2.1 – Mic Distance Knob

The Leslie cabinet is miked with four microphones: two on the horn and two on the drum. This control moves all
four mics farther away from the cabinet as you it clockwise. For the widest stereo image and most pronounced
rotation effect, set this control to its minimum value for a close-miked sound.

7.2.2 – Mic Setup Switches

Choose between two miking configurations: 90˚ and 180˚. 90˚ is the most common miking configuration with all
microphones on one side of the cabinet. 180˚ is an alternate miking technique that creates a wider soundstage
and more even rotational sound. Let your ears be the judge as to which miking configuration works best for your
song.

7.2.3 – Slow Speed, Fast Speed Knobs

These two knobs adjust the rate of the two speeds of the Leslie +/-20% in either direction. The center position is
the actual measured rate of the rotating speakers for each speed, but you may wish to slightly adjust those rates
to suit your song.

7.2.4 – Leslie Speed Control Switch

This is the same control as the half-moon switch on the Organ tab view. It is included here as a simple slider
switch for convenience so you can quickly switch between the slow and fast speeds when dialing in any rate
changes for the rotating speakers.

7.2.5 – Acceleration Knob

This knob lets you change the rate of the acceleration when you switch from the slow speed to the fast speed.
The range is 0.25X to 4X the actual calibrated rate of the rotating speakers.

­­­­­­­­­52 7 - The Cabs Tab

Hammond B-3X

7.2.6 – Deceleration Knob

This knob lets you change the rate of the deceleration when you switch from the fast speed to the slow speed.
The range is 0.25X to 4X the actual calibrated rate of the rotating speakers.

7.3 – The Leslie Amp Panel

Click the LESLIE AMP button to independently select the amplifier model and the cabinet model, adjust the gain
of the amp, set the input high pass filter frequency, adjust the amp’s 3-band equalizer and set the Leslie output
volume.

7.3.1 – Amplifier Selector

Choose the amplifier for the Leslie. Like our AmpliTube and T-RackS Leslie plug-ins, you can mix-and-match
different amplifiers with different cabinets to custom-configure your Leslie exactly the way you want. Choose
between the model 147, classic 122, modern 122A, 3300W and G37 / Studio 12 Leslie amps or two tube guitar
amps, the British Lead, based on the Marshall® Plexi S100, and the HiAmp, based on the Hiwatt® Custom 100
DR 103. You can also choose “No Amp” to remove any amplifier coloration from the sound and just use the
rotating speaker element on its own.

7.3.2 – Gain
Set the gain of the Leslie amplifier. Higher values will generally provide overdrive and distortion unless the output
of the organ is extremely low. Note that the setting of the effects on the Stomps tab will affect the gain of the
Leslie amplifier.

7.3.3 – Input HPF

This is a high-pass filter on the input of the Leslie amplifier. Turn the control clockwise to cut unwanted low
frequencies. This can be especially useful with higher gain settings where the low frequencies can drive the
distortion more than you may want. Note that the Input HPF is not available on all of the amp models.

­­­­­­­­­53 7 - The Cabs Tab

Hammond B-3X

7.3.4 – Amplifier EQ
This is a typical 3-band equalizer like those that appear on guitar amplifiers. Use this EQ to sculpt the basic tone
of the Leslie with 12dB of boost or cut before the rotating speaker effect.

7.3.5 Leslie Volume Knob

This controls the output volume of the Leslie. This is the same control as the “Leslie” knob that appears in the
Mixer Panel. It is provided in both locations for convenience.

7.4 – Leslie EQ Panel

Click the Leslie EQ button to view the Leslie Equalizer. This is a stereo processor that EQs the microphones. It
has a high and low shelf band with adjustable corner frequency and a true parametric midrange with Q control.
All bands have a range of +/- 15dB. Note that this is a separate EQ from the Leslie Amp EQ on the Leslie Amp
Panel. Between these two equalizers, you have access to tremendous tonal sculpting power to get your Leslie
cabinet sounding exactly the way you imagine it.

­­­­­­­­­54 7 - The Cabs Tab

Hammond B-3X

7.5 – Guitar Amp Panel

Hammond B-3X has a dedicated guitar amp that runs in parallel with the Leslie.

7.5.1 – Amp Model Selector

Select the model of guitar amp to use between British Lead (based on the Marshall Plexi S100) and HiAmp
(based on the Hiwatt Custom 100 DR103).

7.5.2 – Guitar Amp EQ Knobs

Use the Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence knobs to sculpt the tone of the guitar amp. Note that the British
Lead and HiAmp models have different amplifier topologies, so the EQ settings affect the gain of each amp
model differently. The guitar amp EQ can also be extremely useful when blending in the guitar amp with the
Leslie.

­­­­­­­­­55 7 - The Cabs Tab

Hammond B-3X

7.5.3 – Spring Reverb Knob

This controls the volume of the spring reverb effect in the guitar amp. Note that this is a separate spring reverb
from the Spring stomp box pedal on the Stomps tab and the Digital Reverb on the Post FX tab. If you find that
your sound is too reverberant, check the levels of the Spring on the Stomps tab, the Spring Reverb in the guitar
amp and the Digital Reverb on the Post FX tab.

7.5.4 – Guitar Amp Volume Knob

This is the master output level of the guitar amp. It is the same control as the “Guitar Amp” knob in the Mixer
Panel. It is provided in both locations for convenience.

7.6 – The Mixer Panel

The last button on the Cabs tab opens the Mixer Panel. Here you can set the volume and pan position of the
four microphones on the Leslie cabinet, adjust the combined volume of those four Leslie mics, and also set the
volume of the guitar amp and the direct signal.

7.6.1 – Drum L and R Volume Knobs

These knobs set the level of the left and right microphones on the Leslie drum, the bass speaker of the cabinet.

7.6.2 – Drum Link Switch

This switch links the volume of the left and right microphones on the Leslie drum so that when you move one
knob, the other automatically moves with it.

7.6.3 – Drum Pan Sliders

The sliders above Drum L and Drum R knobs set the pan position of the left and right microphones on the Leslie
low frequency drum. They are panned out wide left and right by default, but you can change the panning here to
suit your song.

­­­­­­­­­56 7 - The Cabs Tab

Hammond B-3X

7.6.4 – Horn L and R Volume Knobs

These knobs set the level of the left and right microphones on the Leslie horn, the high frequency speaker of the
cabinet.

7.6.5 – Horn Link Switch

This switch links the volume of the left and right microphones on the Leslie horn so that when you move one
knob, the other automatically moves with it.

7.6.6 – Horn Pan Sliders

The sliders above Horn L and Horn R knobs set the pan position of the left and right microphones on the Leslie
high frequency horn. They are panned out wide left and right by default, but you can change the panning here to
suit your song.

7.6.7 – Leslie Knob

This controls the master volume of the Leslie. It is the mix of all four microphones. Note that this is the same
control as the “Volume” knob on the Leslie Amp Panel.

7.6.8 – Guitar Amp Knob

This controls the master volume of the guitar amp. It is the same control as the “Volume” knob on the Guitar
Amp Panel.

7.6.9 – D.I. Knob

This controls the volume of the direct signal before the Leslie and Guitar Amp. The direct signal is the output of
the Stomps tab, the signal that then is fed into the Leslie and Guitar Amp. It is often useful to mix in the direct
signal with the cabinets for increased clarity.

­­­­­­­­­57 7 - The Cabs Tab

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 8 – The Post FX Tab

8.1 – Overview
After the Leslie, guitar amp and direct signal are mixed together, the stereo signal goes through a “Post FX”
section of studio processors. This lets you master your organ sound with studio-quality effects for final polish.

The Post FX tab includes three fixed stereo processors in series:

­­­­­­­­­58 8 - The Post FX Tab

Hammond B-3X

8.2 – Limiter 76

Based on the UREI® 1176 Limiting Amplifier

The Limiter 76 is modeled after what is probably the most used, most known, most wanted, and most
universally recognized compressor / limiter in the audio industry. There are probably no professionally created
records without tracks using this unit. This FET-based compressor is a true legend and a piece of history with a
unique sound largely thanks to its input transformer and class A output stage.

8.3 – EQ-81

Based on the Neve® 1081 channel strip

The EQ-81 delivers that legendary British warmth and tone with a few twists. The key here is in the versatility
of the EQ section sporting four independent bands rounded out by high and low pass filters. This effect is
particularly useful when a more precise intervention on a track is needed, still maintaining tone and organic,
analog warmth in the signal path.

­­­­­­­­­59 8 - The Post FX Tab

Hammond B-3X

8.4 – Reverb

This classic algorithmic digital reverberation effect simulates the sound of rooms and other spaces. Note that
this is separate effect from the Spring and Spring Reverb effects on the Stomps and Cab tabs. If you find that
your sound is too reverberant, check the levels of all three reverb units in Hammond B-3X.

­­­­­­­­­60 8 - The Post FX Tab

Hammond B-3X

Chapter 9 – Troubleshooting

Where can I find my IK product Serial Number?

The Serial Number is written on the Registration Card (included with your IK product) or in the email you
received from DigitalDelivery@ikmultimedia.com (if you purchased the product as ‘Downloadable only version’).

IMPORTANT: the number zero can easily be identified in your Serial Number because it is crossed by a line.

Why is the Authorization Manager rejecting my Serial Number?

Probably because of a typo, here are some common errors:
• Typing a 0 (“zero” number) instead of an O (“o” letter).
• Typing 1 (“one” number) instead of an I (“i” letter).
• Typing 2 (“two” number) instead of a Z (“z” letter).
• Typing 5 (“five” number) instead of an S (“s” letter).
• Typing 8 (“eight” number) instead of a B (“b” letter).
• Typing a “.” (point) instead of a “-” (minus).

Suggestions:
• If possible, please copy and paste the information.
• Cut off all the leading and trailing spaces.
• Please type all codes in UPPERCASE during the installation and registration process.
• Check that the Serial Number that you are entering is in correlation with the product installed.

How can I authorize my product on another computer?

To authorize your product on another computer just follow these instructions:
• Install the product and the Authorization Manager on that computer
• Run the Authorization Manager

I need to log in into the User Area but I forgot my User Name and Password. What should I do?
You can retrieve your User Area login details in two different ways:
• Run the Authorization Manager and follow the steps until you reach the login page. Here you just have to
click on the ‘Forgot password?’ button and submit your email address. Your login details will be sent to
your email account. In case you have checked the ‘Remember me’ checkbox before and are not able to
access the login page, just click on the LOGOUT button.
• Go to www.ikmultimedia.com, click on ‘I forgot my username and/or password’ and submit your email
address. Your login details will be sent to your email account.

­­­­­­­­­61 9 - Troubleshooting
Hammond B-3X

I just bought an IK Multimedia software. What should I do to register and authorize my new product?
Just run the Authorization Manager and follow the instructions.
In case you don’t have the Authorization Manager, you can download it for free from the Products page of our
website at:
www.ikmultimedia.com/am

­­­­­­­­­62 9 - Troubleshooting
Hammond B-3X

Chapter 10 – Support

For any questions you may have, please refer to the FAQ webpage at: www.ikmultimedia.com/faq
Here you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions.

To submit a Technical Support Form, go to: www.ikmultimedia.com/support

For other requests such as Product, Sales, or Web info, please go to: www.ikmultimedia.com/contact-us

10.1 – User Area

The User Area is a special section of our website specifically designed for our users.
Here you can easily edit your personal data, manage your product authorizations and licenses, and download
the latest IK products updates.

Access your User Area to be able to:

• Edit your Personal data.
• View and download the latest product updates, free content, and Sound Libraries.
• Access any current Promotions.
• View exclusive offers and pricing.
• Manage your earned JamPoints.
• View your Orders.
• Download firmware and hardware drivers.
• Access the IK Forum and more.

To access the User Area go to:

www.ikmultimedia.com/userarea

To access your User Area, please login with your User Name and Password created upon registration and
emailed to your registered email address. If you need to update your Password, you may do so at the User Area
login.

­­­­­­­­­63 10 - Support
IK Multimedia Production Srl IK Multimedia US, LLC IK Multimedia Asia
Via dell’Industria, 46, 590 Sawgrass Corporate Pkwy. TB Tamachi Bldg. 1F, MBE #709
41122 Modena Sunrise, FL 33325 4-11-1 Shiba
Italy USA Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014
Japan

www.ikmultimedia.com

Hammond, B-3 and Leslie are trademarks property of Hammond Organ/Leslie, wholly-owned brand subsidiaries of Suzuki Musical
Instruments Mfg., Ltd. of Hamamatsu, Japan, used under license. All other product names and images, trademarks and artists names are
the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with IK Multimedia. Product names are used solely for
the purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during IK Multimedia’s sound model development and for describing
certain types of tones produced with IK Multimedia’s digital modeling technology. Use of these names does not imply any cooperation or
endorsement.
Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows and the Windows
logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The Audio Units logo
is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

All specifications are subject to change without further notice.

Document Version: 1.2 - Rev. 1

Latest revision: 2020/02/13

© 2019 - 2020 IK Multimedia. All rights reserved.