Hammond M Solo: Amazing First Impressions

[@schmiddi_3123]

got my m solo for 2 months or so now and use it as a standalone hammond (much more is not affordable for me) it does the job very well, i just love its sound regarding its variability it’s a very good deal i think

[@renekaaij6236]

Great video! I have my M-solo for six months now and use it mainly in the studio because I don't like to play Hammond with plugins. You can adjust the key click, leakage and virtual multi contacts with the system button, but you probably already know this. Bought it as a Hammond of course, but also use the string ensemble and synth in productions! Everything is so hands-on and that's actually what I love so much about this little instrument! Had an SK1 before this one for 10 years, but not having the virtual multi contacts made me want to sell it and now i'm still really happy with this one! Hope to see some added instruments in the future, probably via a firmware update, which is also very easy to do and without any hassle!

[@Joey_The_Saint]

I also upped the key click and the crosstalk on my M-Solo, as I primarily play in blues bands. I bypass the Leslie simulator and run it through a Vent II with the Acceleration and Fast speed rolled back a bit, and the upper/horn mic backed off to give it more "rumble." I double up the Drive, using both the board and the pedal, and balance them by ear. All in all, it has a heavy, grinding feel which is great for the kind of stuff I play. With the added key noise and leakage, it sounds like a wheezy old B3 that's being pushed to the limit, as if it should have smoke coming out from under the manuals. It's a wonderful instrument.

[@simonsbuddy1806]

VERY nice intro to the M Solo. Great to see and hear someone who really knows his way around the keyboard (and B3) play around with a new keyboard, as we would do if we knew what we were doing!!

[@sandcat-maurice]

Sold my Yamaha keyboard (a simple one) and my M-Audio Keystation to finance this M-Solo. Bought it two weeks ago and I'm very much impressed with the overal quality and love not needing a display. Such an amazing instrument. Very happy! Btw, I also have the red one. It's beautiful in real life. Less "red" than what the video implies. Bit of purple. Anyway, great!. One thing: when connected to an I-device (iPhone, iPad), I get the "device draws too much power". I would expect USB is powered via the M-Solo power supply. Apparently not. Connected to my Mac (Garageband) works flawless.

[@davidrepetnyy825]

Thanks for the great review review. I have had mine for a few months now and I love it. Definitely NOT a toy.

[@nickfoleyuk]

Definitely not a toy!

[@danp.6082]

I’ve had mine for 2 months in USA. Sits atop a Wurlitzer 200a. Perfect. Besides sound, I like the “no menu display” configuration. Makes it more fun playing “live”. Wish list: - regular power cord - small built-in soeaker - Leslie rocker switch accessory option - 11 pin connection option

[@_-_Michael_-_]

7:53 “Onions could”… (plays good sounding Green Oinons intro) … “be Green, I suppose” 😂😂😂😂 love this type of comedy 😂 thanks mate

[@nickfoley7348]

Thanks

[@hapibeli]

Thanks for the introduction. Mine has been ordered to compliment my MP11SE

[@nickfoleyuk]

Great!

[@davidstein606]

The Kawai MP models are great boards too. Very heavy!

[@dalebeaver5073]

Great sounding little Hammond! This could be the next Hammond in my keyboard arsenal! Thanks for the nice demo, Nick!

[@nickfoleyuk]

My pleasure. If you are in the UK then its available from Bonners Pianos (Hammond UK)

[@thomaspick4123]

I hate that the many new models of Hammonds have no music stands.

[@planetdog1641]

Well, everyone is going to want a 61 key version since the successor to the XK-1C (xk-4) skyrocketed in price.

[@troublesomecorsair]

This would have been perfect for a configuration I can't remember anymore. Thanks!

[@johnpaiz6372]

Hey i have a question. I got 1 but came with a different power cable likes its not the original but it still works and everything but i wonder does this affect the sound of the keyboard? What do you think?

[@nickfoleyuk]

Nope. It’s binary. If it works it works

[@johnpaiz6372]

Thankss ! Awesome video btw!

[@ageshero]

The organ for the people, for the people, FOR THE PEOPLE

[@Hammondfreak]

Looks like a good buy, loads of features and very portable. Can the output be routed through a Neo-Vent? Thanks for the demo Nick. By the way how's the Leslie 610 coming along?

[@nickfoleyuk]

Yes you can do that. Its a mono/stereo quarter inch jack so shouldn't be a problem to go into a vent. The 610 IS coming along, it has a friend now (a 710) and I was going to show you that and then we dismantled it pretty sharpish to work on. its getting some wood staining this week but hopefully at a later date I can show you that one as well

[@aronjackson971]

I'll stick with my dexibell combo j7. Thanks for the demo.

[@TorolfJansson]

The old M is called, as you know, the Baby B3. That¨s why they called it M, i think!

[@TomPoop]

Thanks for making this. Does the action feel anything like a proper Hammond (maybe a spinet, what with the diving board keys) or is it more plasticky and less controllable? So far, the closest feel I can find is the Crumar Mojo, which I love but I really like the idea of the multiple key contacts on this, and miss that when I switch from my old L100 to the Mojo. Also, have you tried it through a Leslie? Or a Neo Vent? - It's not passing my 'is it real?' test when I close my eyes using the internal sim. Cheers :)

[@nickfoleyuk]

It doesn't feel like a proper Hammond in that respect but it does not detract. I didn't even notice straight away. Yup more like a Spinet really you are right. I'll try it through the 122

[@TomPoop]

​@@nickfoleyuk Blimey, speedy response thanks! :)

[@nickfoleyuk]

@@TomPoop No problem mate; be sure to like and subscribe ;-)

[@TomPoop]

@@nickfoleyuk Done cheers :)

[@adam62385]

Do the drawbars have that same little dip you talked about in the XK4 video? I imagine it'd be similar to the B3s with ratchet drawbars, that audible - and more important - feel-able click.

[@DanielDeLoach]

Nope, they just slide. No clicks like my Korg CX3 but I still like it. It will be my new gig organ.

[@flgator311]

Thank You

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

Can i connect it with midi keyboard to play with more keys?

[@nickfoleyuk]

Great Question. I think so yes. HammondUK will confirm but I’m pretty certain.

[@YotamPiano]

Very impressive board for sure ! a bit expensive when it comes to value for money IMO but the interface and sounds are definitely inspiring

[@nickfoleyuk]

It’s a nice board it’s true. Little pricy you’re right but you are paying for the development of the whole range I guess?

[@marcusstrymon693]

How does this compare to the yamaha yc61? Especially the fafisa?

[@adamjacksonmedia]

Eveyone rants constantly about the Crumar Mojo... Which is literally power by a $150 VB3 app... you can buy for your ipad!! It's nuts to consider that Jordan Rudess... live with Dream Theater... uses an XK-5, a $3500 radial rack for distortion, and a Neo Vent II... That's $12,000 for Jordans organ rig. Yet when Jordan played live with Deep Purple, he literally used $150 Hammond app on an ipad, to get a similar sound. $12,000 vs $150??

[@garaughty]

Gorgeous tones... excellent demo Nick !

[@nickfoleyuk]

Thank you kindly!

[@thomaspick4123]

How much?

[@PlayKeyswithJP]

Great video! I just wish you demoed it through a Leslie!!

[@nickfoleyuk]

Like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3O2lXx4p7CqpKMsi=HIcewBZXH65V1PuD

[@JimmyCaswell]

Nice one Nick. Sounded much better cranked up.

[@nickfoleyuk]

Always

[@user-om9zl4iu2q]

Thanks for the great job! How high is the actuation point of the key contacts?

[@nickfoleyuk]

A little more sensitive than my XK-5 but not too high

[@_albies]

Not piano sound 😢??

[@nicklisac4667]

The Baby Leslie BT-122 Bluetooth Speaker would be an ideal match for this keyboard in regards to size. Is there a matching mini wooden B3 furniture cabinet or at least wooden end caps❓🤭 It seems to be true... It's not the size that matters it's what you do with it.🤣 Great video as always sir👍 Thankyou

[@nickfoleyuk]

Cheers

[@Nelbokelbo]

This or Yamaha ck61?

[@kevinbeckett2181]

Ck61

[@nickfoleyuk]

This, for me

[@FreshTrooperXBL]

I’d say this, Yamaha’s rotary speaker emulations don’t sound accurate (even on their more expensive boards).

[@JackPonissi]

Great review. I’m no fan it past hamsuz instruments, but this sounds pretty good here. Too bad for the price

[@nickfoleyuk]

Little sharp I guess

[@DrawbarPete]

Truly a tiny BEAST! Thanx:)

[@nickfoleyuk]

Yup

[@genem9725]

I'd love to hear you drive the hell out of that thing. In the style of Lee Michaels.

[@nickfoleyuk]

I can do that …

[@terelldavis]

I still want the beef!! B-3 ❤️🇺🇸

[@OlegLobkov]

reminds me of the ost for enigma casa de salazar

[@jazzplayer59]

From your facial expression you appear to really like it...kudos!

[@nickfoleyuk]

I love it!

[@Ambientnauts]

Yes I was gonna say great Synth face. But in this case great Organ face!@@nickfoleyuk

[@nickfoleyuk]

Lol

[@Tonewheeldude]

Its fantastic

[@nickfoleyuk]

Nice isn’t it?

[@Tonewheeldude]

I have sold some

[@marcoballa]

Interesting... Thanks 👍

[@nickfoleyuk]

Thanks for watching!

[@B3-R]

Sounds great,for about 1000 euros

[@nickfoleyuk]

Agreed

[@qddk9545]

I find it thin and uninteresting sounding. Buy a Crumar Mojo 61 instead, it sounds much better has 5 octaves and is much cheaper, and it even has some Rhodes, Clavinet, Piano ...

[@nickfoleyuk]

Wise words

[@stevec.1802]

@@nickfoleyukindeed.

[@hapibeli]

Much cheaper? Not in Canada. Half again as much. I owned the Mojo 61. Loved it! Bought the second manual too. Gave it to a local high school, knowing the kids would put it to good use. Wanted the Kawai MP11SE, love it too, but missed the Hammond sound. Bought a Ferrofish B4000+ with no room for a bigger keyboard, then a year later, finally figured out the Ferrofish, on the very day my M-Solo arrived!

[@BBSAXX]

Not to mention killer pipe organ which can be tweaked to sound like harpsichord. Crumar is incredible.

[@henrywhenryw812]

Or a viscount legend

[@tonyroyal2958]

No, I didn't like the Hammond spinet and I don't think I want this one. I'm getting a A100&122 Leslie and digital, the SKX &XK-5 w/Leslie studio 12 & the Leslie 3300, and 122H.

[@bobvandervliet2097]

Is it me, or am I the only one who thinks they should have made it Black and White and called it the "Ham Solo"?

[@nickfoleyuk]

They’ve missed a trick there

[@nickfoleyuk]

Or pink and white and called it the “Ham Sandwich”

[@RayyMusik]

Sounds good. But no waterfall keys: nah.

[@nickfoleyuk]

True. It’s to a price I guess

[@alexswydynsky80]

Tony monico has you beat

[@louiscornale5667]

Maybe wooly bully watch it now 😮

[@ryanthepianoman27]

Wow, you’re annoying

[@jbluesb3southside]

Plz there is really better choices then this seriously and like what’s with the red that’s the other guy which is way more respectful in sound I think even the reface Yamaha is better then this trickery

[@moogy77]

CAN'T CHANGE EXPRESSION TO SUSTAIN ?!?!?!? BIG FAIL.

[@--Kwinto--]

What for? Reverb is not enough?

[@Musician-Lee]

Why would you want a sustain on a Hammond clone?

[@ralphchangnoi918]

Why this thing need to be red? While the red things can never touch hammond. On the other hand. Please Hammond dont start to produce Toys. M Solo is a toy just for me. Ok Cheap. A cheap toy.

[@nickfoleyuk]

It’s available in two colours. Red and black.

[@ralphchangnoi918]

@@nickfoleyuk Even in black it is a toy machine. Love the standard of xK 1 c and my full xk 5/xlk 5 Please hammond stay on top line.

[@SilvioMoraisTecladista]

let the toy for those who know how to make music with it. you can play with the big ones