Hammond's XK-4 combines tradition and cutting-edge technology to bring the coveted sound of a B3 within reach in a compact format. Thanks to the newly developed Modelled Tone Wheel 2 (MTW2) sound generation, a detailed digital recreation of the 91-tone wheels that form the heart of all old Hammond organs has been achieved. Details of the imperfections that characterize the old Hammonds such as eg. Pitch variations due to the play of the tone wheels and volume variations due to decentering are taken into account. Another highlight in the XK-4 is the digital Leslie, eight discrete Leslie cabinets like eg. 122, 145, and 147 including some variations that allow detailed adjustment options like microphone position, slow/fast rotation or volume for every sound nuance. The velocity-sensitive 61-key Waterfall keyboard provides the pleasant playing feel typical of Hammond. The design of the XK-4 is based on historical models and scores with elegant side panels made of real beech wood.
Proven features and good handling
The central control element of the XK-4 is the nine drawbars for the upper, lower and pedal parts. With vibrato and Chorus effects as well as a charismatic simulated tube overdrive, the organ sounds can be adjusted to personal taste. Dedicated knobs for the equalizer, the effects section and two freely assignable controls allow easy access to all functions along with the easy-to-understand user interface. To the left of the keyboard are the tried-and-tested handwheels for Pitchbend and modulation and the control buttons for an external Leslie cabinet, which can be connected via the 11-pin socket on the rear. The large colour display contributes to the good overview, which informs about all settings and additional functions in every situation. The complete data management in the instrument also takes place in this area, along with the handling the favourite sounds and the 200 memory locations for your own sounds.
Professional connections
On the connection side, the XK-4 offers everything stage keyboardists and studio musicians could wish for. The integrated switching power supply automatically adjusts to the local voltage. The USB ports allow the connection of a USB stick for data backup and to the computer and MIDI to exchange data with a DAW. Inputs and outputs for MIDI are a welcome standard. Three pedals can be connected at once, and the Leslie Switch input is for the separately sold CU-1 Halfmoon Switch. The 3.5mm stereo jack audio input with volume control is ideal for a tablet or smartphone as a playback source. Audio outputs are adequately covered with stereo output, headphone jack, and pedal and rotary outputs. An external Leslie cabinet like the 3300WP can be connected to the 11-pin jack.
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