B3X iPad Blues

Now that I've had a few days to adjust some parameters in this app I thought another video would help illustrate how well IK Multimedia nailed the essence of a Hammond tonewheel organ in an iPad app. I'm using the same keyboards as the earlier video, but now I'm using a USB powered hub to integrate everything plus keep the iPad from draining it's charge. I've also inserted an expression pedal for more realism. The sound went direct into the Zoom Q2n to enable the crosstalk and key click features to be more pronounced.
Enjoy.
Jake

[@soureel]

just an amazing sound. I was determined not to spend that much for an app, but for a serious keyboard player looking for an authentic IOS Hammond sound to gig with, this is THE BOMB!

[@Shaky_Jake]

It is truly a portable Hammond. I have a small 37 note controller and with decent headphones I can wail anywhere and not bother anyone. I get odd looks at the dentist's office. But that's their loss......

[@stephenlennartz3466]

@@Shaky_Jake Whoa! Are you playing the keyboard while the dentist is working on you? That paints a picture! I can just see you rockin out in the chair jamming your keyboard while dentist and assistant can barely contain themselves with happy feet! Add laughing gas ... and you have a party! Thanks for posting. Sounds great!

[@Shaky_Jake]

@@stephenlennartz3466 I haven’t taken it that far yet, but I did play their Christmas Party last year, so it’s a start. Thanks for commenting!

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Dancing in my recliner with cup of hot coffee ... OUCH! Well worth the burn. Sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing.

[@Shaky_Jake]

Thanks, Chris. I simply can’t believe this comes out of an iPad. If IK could add the smell of generator oil and hot vacuum tubes it would be perfect. Jake

[@holotape]

Bought this on sale the other day. Amazing sounding app!

[@Shaky_Jake]

I’m glad you’re not disappointed. Having hauled the real deal around some 50 years ago this still allows me to gig without getting a hernia…….

[@Joenix22]

B3 Love 🥰🥰🥰🥰 Great Performance man

[@Shaky_Jake]

Thank you. Nothing beats the sound of a real Hammond, especially one that you can carry in one hand.......

[@oscarwebb2961]

Great chops Jake!!!

[@Shaky_Jake]

Thanks. The sound of B3X is a great motivator.

[@SallySparks]

It’s impressive. Great demo

[@Shaky_Jake]

Sally, this app is the real deal. Of course the feel, smell, and presence aren't duplicated, but the SOUND - magnificent. I'm sure IK will update some small issues in the future, but out of the box this is really something that any Hammond player can appreciate and tailor to their own specs. Jake

[@SallySparks]

Jake Kulik Yes, indeed. Well, I bought it last week, and played in a rehearsal today for the first time. Sounded awesome and the band was grinning and shaking their heads what it was an ipad. I need to find a better MIDI controller for it, though. It was ok on an Arturia 49 but I really wanted 61.

[@Shaky_Jake]

Sally Sparks I’m glad you’ve joined the fold. Experiencing this live is second only to the real thing. You’ve just spoiled your bandmates, since you can sell your dollies, get rid of the van, and walk to your next gig. ;) they’ll never help you load up again........ Congratulations, Jake

[@colinguy1]

Fantastic ! - all that's missing is some tube crunch and that's a personal thing ! great playing.

[@Shaky_Jake]

colinguy1 Thanks! This app is so good that regardless of what controller keyboards you use you actually are playing a Hammond/Leslie combo. I can’t stop smiling whenever I’m using it. Jake

[@SamSoundProductions]

That Was AWESOME...WOW!!!

[@Shaky_Jake]

SamSoundProductions Thank you. The dream of a 1 lb. Truly portable Hammond had been realized. Easily worth the 100.00 USD they are asking for it. Best app ever! Jake

[@lucianoiacoletti5725]

Great performance

[@Shaky_Jake]

Thank you. This app inspires me.

[@KevinMajka]

Sounds great - saw this from the Native forum! Thanks for sharing.

[@Shaky_Jake]

Thanks for watching. It's really unbelievable how close they came to the real deal. Jake

[@KevinMajka]

@@Shaky_Jake Honestly due to the B3X app, now it really makes sense for me to just commit to IOS and a midi rig vs buying sounds in keyboards.... It's really great!

[@TheIvoryman]

Kevin Majka I quit throwing money away on updating to new keyboards, years ago. Used a laptop for 5 or so years. Have been strictly using an iPad as my total sound source for live performance for about 4 years now. You end up with a completely custom keyboard setup, not being tied to any one particular brand of keyboard. And the sound palette capabilities have me completely spoiled.

[@TheReubenKincaid]

Lots of complaints about the cost in other videos. It’s 100 bucks...and it’s worth it. Been waiting for this. I know there is another decent app out there but this is great as you can hear. Isn’t all this technology awesome!!,,

[@Shaky_Jake]

I giggled my B-3 for years....back in the day it WAS portable compared to anything contemporary. 50 years later I really don’t care what it looks like, I just have to have this sound. This app delivers big time. Technology can be a crutch or a tool, depending on the user. I’m really trying to do justice to this app, and I’m glad folks are still passionate about this sound. The Harley-Davidson of musical instruments! Jake

[@ScoreMovie]

Great video! Question: How do you connect the two keyboards? All my keys (Yamaha P105, Korg TRITON and Korg microKEY have USB ports. I have a 6th Generation iPad. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@Shaky_Jake]

I run a simple powered USB hub which all the keys and expression pedal plug into. The Apple powered Camera Connector Kit goes into the iPad, and I use the audio jack with an adapter to 1/4" direct to an amp. Hope this helps.

[@robertlogiebaird]

Thanks Jake for the confirming video for me! Your playing and passion for the B3 is fantastic. I have an iPad and am just trying to work out what two keyboard controllers to invest in. Being able to map and control all settings physically and or by maybe Bluetooth control via pedals perhaps is a game changer....and also so portable. Do you think 49 note as opposed to 61 note boards will work ok with your lifetime knowledge on the real deal?

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Gav Weedon-- Which keyboard controller did you go with? I'm in the same boat... iPad and will soon have this app. Kindly advise and thanks so much!

[@robertlogiebaird]

@@stephenlennartz3466 Hi Stephen, yet to get the app or midi controller. But I have decided I’ll go for one if not two 61 note boards so what they are I’m not yet sure. From what I’m hearing the b3x app has game changed how to access that Hammond sound, in the process what you play it on can be many options. I’ll continue the search and let you know what I end up with. Good luck with yours.

[@stephenlennartz3466]

@@robertlogiebaird Many thanks! To you as well.

[@Shaky_Jake]

Can’t believe I missed replying to this from a year ago. Sorry. Of course two 61’s are the way to go, but you could do a 49 for the lower if need be.

[@tyronecrawford7245]

Is there a way to split the lower level with pedal. I love using vibrator great which is only on the lower manual.

[@Shaky_Jake]

In a word, no. Pedal and Lower on the lower side of the split against Upper on the high side. Even on a real tonewheel for vibrato/chorus purposes the Great tablet also includes the Pedal rank. When IK wanted this to be as close as possible to the real thing they modeled it precisely. Sorry. Jake

[@1234gab4]

Awesome! I’m looking for a 61 key for my iPad so I can use this app. Do you recommend that Carbon 61 keyboard? If so how does it connect to the iPad, is it as simple as an iRig keys with a cable and that’s it (and does it come with that cable?) thanks!

[@Shaky_Jake]

I’m using the M-Audio Oxygen 61 for a controller because I can use the 9 faders to control the 9 drawbars in B3X. I enjoy the physical controllers rather than trying to swipe the iPad display, plus the Oxygen has assignable pots and buttons for percussion, chorus select and volume. I hook it up with a powered USB hub since I also use a USB expression device. The hub also provides power to the iPad through the camera connector kit. Hope this helps. Jake

[@1234gab4]

Jake Kulik thanks that helps. The physical controllers sound cool!

[@MrCerddoriaeth]

Hi Jake, great playing! What is the buffer setting that you have your iPad set to? I know with some apps latency can be a bit of an issue, so I would like to know the setting if possible. Cheers.

[@Shaky_Jake]

MrCerddoriaeth I started out at 1024, but once I refined it it now holds well at 256. My mini 4 is decent at 1024, not fantastic, but playable. I’m only running this app in airplane mode . BTW, my sample rate is 44100. Thanks for the compliment. Jake

[@MrCerddoriaeth]

Jake Kulik Thanks Jake, much appreciated.

[@wollewolfgang6496]

Super👍👍👍👍

[@Shaky_Jake]

Thanks! I’ve had tonewheel fever all my life, and this makes portability easier than ever. It’s all good., especially the sound.

[@soureel]

How is the key action for the Carbon 61? I'm looking for a controller with a light touch for organ and synth work. I purchased a Nektar gx49 but the key action is too stiff. Looking for a 49 key version....

[@Shaky_Jake]

It's light enough for organ and synth. I like the feel, just don't get carried away with palm glissandos......

[@GospelMusic4Life]

I had the carbon 49. Keys felt good but the notes did not sound out always on black keys when I tried to play quietly at night with headphones.

[@Shaky_Jake]

@@GospelMusic4Life I’m sorry you experienced that issue. Mine has been good in that regard.

[@danieldion8825]

Thanks for the video, can you tell me which iPad version/model you have ? Regards

[@Shaky_Jake]

A 2019 iPad Mini 5 w/256 GB memory.

[@danieldion8825]

I bought it yesterday for my iPad Pro 9.7 2016 128gb. I’m amazed by the sounds. Could you tell me which powered USB you bought. Regards Dan

[@Shaky_Jake]

Dan, I’ve used this thing so much the label is unreadable. However it is made by Belkin if that helps.

[@Shaky_Jake]

Glad you are enjoying it. I’m totally impressed with the sonic power this app contains.

[@klaus7174]

it's so realistic!!👍 i'm so sad, because my i pad air only has 32 GB..... need this App!!

[@thomasrichterfernandez8639]

Hey man that’s really cool do you have a video/tutorial on your channel so you can teach me how to use two midi controllers at the same time in the app? a bass and a lead organ kind of thing like you did here? Thanks for your attention :)

[@Shaky_Jake]

There’s no need for this now. Since V1.2 B3X accommodates splits in the keyboard, so I have moved on to using a single M-Audio Oxygen 61 which has 9 sliders and enough buttons and rotaries to simulate a real tone wheel console. To add an additional keyboard I used a powered USB hub which also gives me an expression pedal input. Thanks for your interest. It’s a great app.

[@anthonycraig5918]

Great vid, i was wondering can you split the sound across just 1 keyboard,

[@Shaky_Jake]

Anthony, The only way you can split the keyboard is if your controller can provide two or more zones. I bought the Graphite 49 because of this ability, but so far no joy. I can bring up 4 zones, but they all use zone 1 controls, so I haven’t figured out a way to get lower drawbar control on zone 2........yet. Jake

[@Shaky_Jake]

Anthony, Good News. IK just updated B3X to V 1.2.0 and single keyboard split is now available in the program itself as of 2/14/20.

[@rolux4853]

Jake Kulik Does that mean I can use my M-Audio Keystation 88 Split in half? Left for lower and right for upper drawbar settings? Can I transpose them individually?

[@Shaky_Jake]

Ro Lux Yes, you can now split one keyboard into lower/upper, pedal-lower/ upper, pedal/ upper, or no split. Unless your keyboard can transpose splits into two different keys, that is still global and not an option in B3X. Jake

[@dancarter5517]

How is the Carbon 61keybed for organ? Interested in the feel, ease of gliss's up and down. I read you went with an m-audio for the slider on board but is the actual keybed an improvement?

[@Shaky_Jake]

In this price range keybed feel is highly subjective. Having said that no portable feels like a Hammond, however the Oxygen 61 and Carbon are quite similar. I would give the Carbon a sleight edge for playability, but I gig the M-Audio for the physical controls , which I find preferable to the iPad touch screen. Both will do the job, but again the Carbon feels a bit more “Solid”, for what that’s worth.

[@dancarter5517]

@@Shaky_Jake Thanks Jake. I currently use an old Roland A30 and a 1st generation korg nanokontrol. I actually built a controller using an upper keybed from a 1937/38 BC with a set of E series drawbars with MidiGadgetsBoutique circuit boards. It's very nice to play on but very bulky and heavy with all the steel Hammond used and not that great for piano and other keys...no velocity, just off/on like an organ is supposed to be. The A30 is pretty big as well being 76 keys. Just looking at lighter and smaller options.

[@Shaky_Jake]

@@dancarter5517 Dan, I agree. Lighter is the way to go.

[@jaakkojokela-bergstrom8018]

Where do you hook up the expression pedal?

[@Shaky_Jake]

My primary controller only accepts sustain pedals and cannot change the port to expression. I bought an adapter to accommodate my FC7 and it works perfectly. Look up Audiofront - Midi Expression in Google and you will find a variety of pedal adapters for almost any situation. They aren’t cheap, but they do work as advertised. I run everything through a simple powered USB hub to keep things organized and keep the iPad powered while in use.

[@guidohlizzi06]

Hi Jake. One question here: how small are the keys on the Korg Microkey? I mean, do they feel uncomfortable to play, or could you just play the same on one or the other?

[@Shaky_Jake]

Guido Lizzi sorry I missed this Q when you asked. I’ve spent a lot of time on the Yamaha Reface YC and CS which both have mini keys. I’ve adapted to them over the years so the Microkey falls right into place. I bought the reface for my grandsons, but until they get a little bit older and more mature they’re staying under my roof. Jake

[@guidohlizzi06]

Jake Kulik Thank you for your answer Jake. How do these keys compare to the Yamaha mini keys?

[@Shaky_Jake]

Guido Lizzi They are about the same sizewise. Yamaha made playability a top priority with the reface line, and they are indeed the best playing mini keyboards in my experience. Having said that the Microkey action is a bit less satisfying on feel, but still easily playable. I’m actually anticipating buying a 61 note version wired into my iPad (there is a bit of latency when using Bluetooth) and sending out to a Bluetooth speaker to share or annoy my neighbors this summer, depending on their appreciation level of my efforts....... Jake

[@guidohlizzi06]

Jake Kulik LOL That’s good, Jake. I owned a CP and a YC till not long ago. I sold them cuz I didn’t like the 37 mini-key deal. I was hoping the keys would be a bit wider on the MicroKey. How does it feel when doing glissandos? I read somewhere on the Korg website that these were “waterfall-like” keys. That’s a bit confusing, cuz I saw the pics and those are not waterfall keys. But maybe they feel close enough? I don’t know what they meant by that. Overall, how does it feel playing organ on those keys only? Cuz I’m thinking of getting a 61 version. I wanna hear from an organist who actually tried them.

[@Shaky_Jake]

Guido Lizzi The only experience i have is my 37 note. I think they’re playable enough for a jazz jam or a cocktail hour, but i wouldn’t want to do a 4 hour gig on them. Due to my age arthritis in the hands actually feels better with the minikeys, but nothing feels as good as my B-3. Since the Korgs aren’t weighted glissandos shouldn’t present a problem even if you fingertip them. Palm method might actually shift the physical keyboard if you are heavy handed, but again, feel is subjective and highly personal. I’m buying the 61 note simply for ease of moving, and as a vacation or holiday backup, but I’ll stick to my Samsons for actual gigging. Hope this helps. Jake

[@chrisstrobel3439]

🎹👍

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

You really need two keyboards to take advantage of this, don't you? I have a 61 key midi controller, and splitting the keyboard seems a little limited.

[@Shaky_Jake]

I started gigging back in the 60’s when keyboards didn’t split. When that option appeared I jumped on it since I played mostly trios and could now get by without a bass player. I’ve adapted to the space limitations and really haven’t missed more keys , but I could understand your point of view. If a club has a tiny stage I can make a single keyboard work, but for redundancy I usually bring two boards on a gig. It’s just great to have options.

[@MrKeys57]

Sounds good Jake, but i dont want to mix instruments with computers anymore, so i went and bought me this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ2piJiZedZrgpI Really pleased with it! ;) gtreetings Levi (though there is an Ipad in the picture, it has nothing to do with the Numa2 organ in this clip)

[@Shaky_Jake]

Good for you, Levi. A new year, new inspiration. That's a great board. Jake