Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

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Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

Post by trunkdog »

Would some kind soul offer advice on proper dynamics and EQ for the Hammond B3 / Leslie setup in both a recording and live setting? I can find a good deal on mic technique but nothing on dynamics and EQ.

When doing my research I thought I'd be inundated with advise given the iconic stature of the Hammond B3 / Leslie.

A search at the Keyboards & Synthesis forum turned up no mention of "Hammond"; can that be real?

I have difficulty, particularly in EQ'ing as the droning of the rotor works against my natural instincts.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions or experiences.
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Re: Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

Post by Hugh Robjohns »

It shouldn't need EQ -- the drawbars are the EQ, really -- and I've never needed much in the way of dynamics processing either -- that's what the right foot is for on the expression pedal.

But if your player is not that great, then I'd look at a gentle leveller -- an optical compressor maybe with slowish attack and release times, and a moderate ratio of maybe 3:1 or less.
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Re: Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

Post by The Red Bladder »

A droning of the Leslie should not be easily audible. Perhaps you are recording it too quietly? Hammonds like to be noisy!
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Re: Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

Post by James Perrett »

The Red Bladder wrote:Perhaps you are recording it too quietly?

Or applying too much compression?
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Re: Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

Post by AlecSp »

The Red Bladder wrote:A droning of the Leslie should not be easily audible. Perhaps you are recording it too quietly? Hammonds like to be noisy!

I've yet to hear a quiet one!
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Re: Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

Post by Nazard »

Apart from the first few seconds of 'warm up', and turn off, the practice Johannus organ I play, with Leslie type speakers, makes no discernible 'Leslie' noise.
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Re: Dynamics and EQ on the Hammond B3 / Leslie Setup

Post by Dave B »

Hugh Robjohns wrote:It shouldn't need EQ -- the drawbars are the EQ, really

I've never done the real thing, but I do find that a gentle low cut can tame the bottom end a bit when mixing with a band. My modern Hammond (sk2) can push out a fair bit of bass end, so I permanently have the low end shelved rather than boom over the bass.
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