IK Multimedia has introduced Hammond B-3X, a tonewheel organ virtual instrument for iPad.
The app, created in collaboration with Hammond USA and Suzuki Music Corp. of Japan, offers the same features as their desktop version. The iPad version is designed for performing musicians wanting a simple stage rig, MIDI controller support and the classic Hammond sound.
Features:
- Designed in cooperation with Hammond Organ Company
- Edit tonewheel model, leakage, key click, percussion & chorus controls
- 24 custom drawbar settings available per preset
- Official Leslie speaker emulation, with 7 amps and 5 cabinets
- Parallel guitar amp with 2 amp models and 4×12 cabinet
- 5-effect stompbox pedalboard for ultra-flexible tonal shaping
- 3-effect studio post FX section for final polish
- Controls-only view for live or session use
- MIDI program change preset assignments
- Assignable MIDI for use with external controllers
- AUv3 compatibility for use inside recording apps
Overview:
Pricing and Availability:
Hammond B-3X for iPad is available now, with an intro price of $99.99, through March 2020.
Wow at that intro price
Yes that price is insane. It’s the end of 2019 and all iPads are still a joke when it comes to serious music production. Sure it’s possible but is it really easier or better than working on a laptop or physical instrument.
It’s not that crazy at all, if you consider the desktop version costs circa 350€: same engine, same interface (actually, the iOS version seems to have an even higher GUI resolution), same functions. Tablets are not meant to replace a full fledged pc DAW, but are, at the very least, excellent sound modules.
Indeed. The most important part of a studio is the person in the room. Not the equipment.
it is crazy though when you can get the yonac Galileo Organ 2 for $14 unless you get it on sale like I did for .99) and sounds great
NOOOOO!!!!!!!!! The price is plenty fine. I’m not an organ guy, so this particular app is not my thing (trust me, you don’t want me playing organ). But we need big boy prices for iPad apps, because fear of undercutting the desktop versions is what has made a lot of VST companies ignore mobile. I have sworn an oath to the Almighty to never buy another laptop. Just. No. Champ, please support us iPad guys by not shading on companies that charge more that you’re willing to pay.
What’s an example of an app I’d pay the full price for, on the iPad? MOK Waverazor.
ALSO THIS! Companies can charge MORE THAN DESKTOP for iPad apps, because we get it, Apple is taking a massive cut. When I get my car fixed, I pay with a check, even though I hate the things, because credit card companies charge sellers a lot. I’m willing to pay a premium to get it on my iPad. I believe many (I know, Champ, not you, but many) just can’t stand the laptop experience (I could point out how much my wrists appreciate me switching to iPad, or that I use handwriting input, or how apps don’t complain if you shut them down whenever you please, unlike desktop apps which are stuck in the 80’s paradigm of “remember to save”, and many other reasons, but you don’t have to agree, Champ, it’s just that I’m gone from the laptop world).
Price is still crazy, regardless of heritage/PC versions etc. When you can get an incredibly accurate iVCS3, an app that’s been perfected over the past 8 years, for $15, or even Caustic 3 for $10, makes this seem overly extortionate.Good luck with sales,Hammond.
Even though I’m no fan if IK, and it is a high asking price relative to other similar apps, I don’t think it is crazy or even unfair.
For general sound and use, Yonac’s Galileo 2 provides versatile, high-quality organ tones & functions for a reasonable price. For the general masses, this is more than good enough.
For serious professional organ players, paying $100 (i.e., $200 less than the desktop version) is a perfectly reasonable price for this level tool that does what it promises. And what it promises is incredibly ambitious. I’m sure they invested significant development resources into this software. They have to decide– sell a higher number at a lower price, or a lower number at a higher price– and find the sweet spot. There’s also the issue of support resources– fewer amateur users means having to devote fewer expensive resources answering thousands of emails from people who can’t be bothered to read a manual.
Two downsides of that admittedly high price is that if a buyer doesn’t like the instrument, they are stuck. Also, there is a slight possibly that your $100 investment can get hosed with the next iOS update, and there is an continuously increasing possibility as time marches on.
The graphics of the UI look really nice. The skeuomorphic elements seem like a respectful homage to the emulated gear.
I should qualify my statement, it may be a higher “level” of tool, but I have no idea if it delivers on its promises.
You can get AppStore refunds within 2 weeks if you are not pleased with the app at $100. Apple will do a full refund.
Your point about iOS updates is a good one as IK historically isn’t the best at consistent updates. I would be fairly dubious and weary of that.
For me, Galileo 2 does organ emulation just fine and Yonac is a high quality developer and trusted. That said this does sound really good in the demos I’ve heard. And a big surprise is an IK app has gone AUv3.
To the poster above saying you can’t do pro music production on an iPad, you are flat out incorrect. A few respected techno producers out of Europe have made full albums using just an iPad (see Vargs Nordic Flora series) and MadLib made all the beats for one of his recent albums on an iPad. I personally have executed professional commercial work using strictly an iPad running AUM and NanoStudio 2. Fabfilter, ToneBoosters have ported a lot of their software and it sounds fantastic.
I’m sure there is a certain vigorous group that’s as happy as hell to have a serious Hammond-approved emulation. Carting even a clonewheel around still takes sweat. Some purists would never go here, but its similar to synth players using iPads for things like MiniMoogs. There are players who will see that good a sound from a couple of iPads and 2 controllers as a science-fiction wet dream. Let’s see, two iPads or an organ the size (and weight) of two dishwashers…?
Great freakin’ playing by that dude!