Re amping an organ

[nate_dennis]

I am planning my next session. I don't have a leslie, but I have an old hammond (L103) If I were to record the organs speaker with a mic, could I/should I run that signal through my AC15 to get a decent tremelo? I record to tape if that affects your thoughts? I wish there was a way to access just the trem circuit, but I don't know how or if that's possible. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[oretez]

if you like the sound of it, which can be auditioned simply by running organ through amp, tracking and listening to it.

You should be able to track parallel tracks, not through amp + amp, slightly easier, with gear you might already have, rather then 're-amping' which typically requires a device like this (standard disclaimer: no affiliation with retailer simply the first one to pop up on google)

now if you are asking whether an electric or electronically produced tremelo (AC30) is in any way similar to or a substitute for mechanically rotating speakers, e.g. Leslie, then answer is no . . . pretty much no substitute. Emulations all have pretty glaring limitations. The Motion Sound Pro-3X is a relatively portable box with a speaker in it @ about $750. Most of the pedal emulations are designed for guitars and run $3-400. An entry level Leslie 2101 MKII can be found for about $1600.

So all kinds of prices for all different kinds of sound, just depends on what you want

 

[nate_dennis]

Thanks for the response. I'm not so much looking to replace a leslie, just to utilize what I have. I figured if I can use my ac15 and utilize it's trem. I can "ramp it up" (and down) as needed to create a similar effect without spending the money.

I guess I'm not sure what you meant by recording it in parrallel. Can you please explain? Thanks.

 

[miroslav]

I have an L103 too...I use it a lot.

Here's my patented "trick"...and you don't need no stinkin' guitar amp tremolo!

Set your Hammond sliders-n-tabs to whatever sound you want...add some of the onboard Vibrato & Chorus (light or full)...record with one mic between the speakers and about a foot or two back. I know that might be difficult since the speakers are underneath and the bench and your feet can be in the way, so do as best as you can with mic placement.

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Aside:
I bought a spare set of identical Hammond speakers from an L-Series on eBay...and then I got a Lopo 212 cab, dropped the spare set into it and then I disconnected the onboard speakers and ran a new/longer speaker wire to the external speakers. That allows me to easily mic the Hammond without fiddling underneath the bench with a mic. Also...it minimizes the keyboard finger noise, as the whole Hammond console is rather resonant, and your finger tapping gets easily picked up by the mic when it's right underneath the keyboard.
***If you do this...make sure you ALWAYS have that external cab connected to the Hammond before powering it up...otherwise you will kill the tube amp inside!***
I put a label next the Hammond's power switch "CONNECT SPEAKERS" as a reminder to always check before throwing the power switch.
---------

Now...once you have that one track recorded, simply copy it in your DAW so you have two identical tracks one above the other. Zoom in so you can actually see the up/down vibrato of the sound waves. Take one of the two tracks and slide it slightly to the right so that the center of it's UP wave cycle is directly lined up with the center of the DOWN cycle of the other track.
You want to only slide it to the right for half of one cycle...not more...though you can, but the further you slide to more smeared it can get on the leading attacks of the chord/note changes. Try it, you'll see what I mean.

TRACK 1: UP DN UP DN UP DN
TRACK 2:.....UP DN UP DN UP

(If you’re not getting what I mean…I can upload an image from my DAW of my Hammond tracks.)

Then pan Track 1 hard left and Track 2 hard right. Sit back and dig the nice L<--->R tremolo action.
(It makes no difference which goes L or R...but the tremolo will come from that "leading" track on the chord/note attacks.)

If you want to apply some reverb or other/additional processing to the tracks...knock yourself out...but they sound good as-is without cluttering up your mix.

 

[Supercreep]

I use a motion sound 1x12 cab, designed for guitar, but reamp all kinds of things through it, including vocals, cymbals, and white noise.

If it broke, i'd replace it in a heartbeat. I picked it up used on CL for $200.

 

[oretez]

...and you don't need no stinkin' guitar amp tremolo!

basically in agreement . . . but everybodies tastes differ . . . except for very specific Fx I think I find using a guitar amp tremelo on a Hammond to be something of a waste . . . in fact, generally, I think I'd find it to be a waste on a Wurly or farfasia

but you never can tell what might work

parallel recording: micing organ speakers, separate mic on tremelo amp, 2 discrete tracks, blend to taste

 

[nate_dennis]

parallel recording: micing organ speakers, separate mic on tremelo amp, 2 discrete tracks, blend to taste

Thanks for the explanation.



Thanks guys. So far I'm digging the motion sound idea. I appreciate all the help. You all rock.