Korg CX-3

Korg CX-3

Korg CX-3, 1980 model
Manufacturer Korg
Dates 1979 – 1991
2001 – 2011
Price $1,340 (1979)
$2,595 (2001)
Technical specifications
Polyphony Full
Synthesis type Additive
Hardware Siemens SM304 key encoder
Input/output
Keyboard 61 note manual (CX-3)
2 x 61 note manuals (BX-3)
External control Drawbars

The Korg CX-3 is a clonewheel organ that simulates the sound of an electromechanical Hammond organ, first introduced in 1979.[1][2]

History

There had been a market for a lightweight clone of the Hammond organ, due to the instrument's weight. In the 1970s Combo organs attempted to emulate the sound, but many were poorly received, though the Italian Crumar organs could sound reasonable in a mix with a Leslie speaker.[2] The CX-3 gave a convincing enough emulation of a tonewheel Hammond's sound to be used in professional live performances, particularly when played through a real Leslie.[3] An expanded version of the instrument, the BX-3, had two manuals.[2]

The instrument struggled to compete with digital synthesizers in the 1980s, particularly the Yamaha DX7, and sales fell.[3] Production eventually ceased due to the Siemens SM304 chip used in the instruments becoming obsolete.[1] By the end of the 1990s, instruments were being sold second-hand for a similar amount as spinet Hammond organs such as the L100 or M100.[2]

A digital remake of the CX-3 was launched in 2001,[2] which included two sets of drawbars, expression and overdrive controls, and a built-in reverb unit and Leslie simulator.[3] It was retired in 2011 after the introduction of the Korg Kronos.[4]

Notable users

Manfred Mann was an early adopter of the CX-3, using it when touring with Manfred Mann's Earth Band since 1980.[5] Marillion's Mark Kelly used a CX-3 for live performances and recording in the early 1980s. Although he wanted a Hammond C-3 organ, it was impractical for touring.[6] Adam Wakeman has used a CX-3 when touring with Ozzy Osbourne.[7] Derek Sherinian used a CX-3 when touring with Dream Theater, and also contributed to development of the second version of the instrument.

References

  1. 1 2 Vail, Mark (2002). The Hammond Organ: Beauty in the B. Backbeat Books. p. 291. ISBN 978-0-87930-705-9.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Korg CX3 Modelling Tonewheel Organ". Sound on Sound. January 2001. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Wahler, Bruce (11 March 2002). "Review: Korg CX-3". Ashby Solutions. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Fortner, Stephen (16 November 2011). "Korg Kronos". Keyboard Magazine. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  5. ↑ http://www.vintagekeys.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6135. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ Kelly, Mark (May 2005). "Taking VST instruments on stage" (PDF). Sound on Sound: 12. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Adam Wakeman". Korg UK. 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.