Organ:
Hammond B3 Spring Reverb (Past2Future)
– TLDR Notes:
Impulse collection consisting of Hammond B3 Spring reverbs to tape.
– Review:
An often overlooked part of getting a great organ sound in the box is an authentic organ reverb, and the reverbs that come with a lot of organ libraries are just generic reverbs that feel like they lack something.
This convolution reverb from Past2Future, Hammond B3 Spring, really gives the right vibe.
Past2Future is a company that specializes in “hardware in the box”, and although they have a variety of interesting offerings including some hit-and-miss virtual instruments, they are most known for their reverb impulses, which like this pack have been captured while running through analog tape.
In the above image the impulse is loaded via the great convolution reverb plugin Convology XT that lets you load impulses and comes with a free set of terrific reverb impulses:
https://impulserecord.com/cvxt-download/
PSP B-Scanner (PSPaudioware)
– TLDR Notes:
Adds vibe to organ sounds. Insert after the organ plugin of choice.
– Review:
Even good virtual Hammond B-3 emulations can struggle with those classic vibrato and chorus effects.
PSP decided to solve this problem by making the PSP B-Scanner, a flexible emulation of the analog scanner-based effect from popular vintage Hammond tonewheel organs like the B-3 and the C-3.
It does more than that, with features such as Drive and the ability to control the speed of the action as well.
It’s import to point out that this is not a Leslie speaker emulation. It’s an emulation of the scanner that provides the vibrato and chorus on the tonewheel organs.
If you want a Leslie speaker emulation, PSPaudioware also has the PSP L’otary2 plugin, which has carefully crafted modelled versions of the Leslie 122 and the Leslie 147.
DB-33 FX (AIR Music Technology)
– TLDR Notes:
The Organ VSTi DB-33, lightweight organ that sits easily in a mix, comes with a useful separate Leslie rotary speaker/effect plugin called ‘DB-33 FX.’
– Review:
This is not just an effect, but a virtual instrument as well.
You get what was originally exclusively a Protools Standard organ instrument but has since become available to all; the DB-33 organ emulation for some pretty nice B-3 tones with onboard scanner vibrato, the option to dial in the ‘click’ amount you need or you can browse through the 122 presets if you have that kind of time.
It’s an affordable all-in-one little organ package that packs a punch. It usually sits well in a mix, and yes, comes with its own well-done Leslie style rotary speaker plugin via the included ‘DB-33 FX’.
As the DB-33 FX is a separate VST you can use this effect plugin on its own after any virtual organ instrument in your collection.
However, the FX plugin is more that just a rotary speaker emulation.
It’s a preamp with a tone-shaping feature (the ‘Character’-dial), a handy Drive feature for the classic overdriven organ sound, and a High-cut dial.
Another dial labeled “Drum/Horn” found in the “Mic” section lets you ‘move the mic’ around.
You can position the mic close to the rotating cylinder known as the “drum” at the bottom or close to the rotating horn at the top and anywhere in between. This control is a convenient way hit the right balance between mellow and aggressive tone.
It also has a stereo spread knob labeled “Spread”, and last but not least the Leslie speed controls.
All of that makes it excellent value, and you can often find this one on sale.