B3 soft synth

I have the NI B4II. Like it alot. Very good control like the real thing. Fully editable. Never heard/played the GSI. HTH, Shep

NI B4 is the best software emulation I've heard.

(Wanna hear some pretty alright Hammond fakery? Check out this Deep Purple cover ("Lazy") that I collaborated on with Mark Wessels, Randy Prier and Jon Buoy: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8515950. No, it's not the B4 soft synth, but it's not a real B3, either. It's a hardware keyboard, the Hammond XK-1.)

you can try tearing my B4 from my cold dead hands
It's a real shame that NI have discontinued it.

bitflipper


NI B4 is the best software emulation I've heard.

(Wanna hear some pretty alright Hammond fakery? Check out this Deep Purple cover ("Lazy") that I collaborated on with Mark Wessels, Randy Prier and Jon Buoy: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8515950 No, it's not the B4 soft synth, but it's not a real B3, either. It's a hardware keyboard, the Hammond XK-1.)

 
+1 for NI B4
Bitflipper - that organ on Lazy is incredible...  I saw that keyboard in Sweetwater's catalogue and wondered how it sounded - now I know!

Tom riggs:

where did you find it?

+1 for NI B4 II

I bought it from Woodwinds and Brass  in Indiana, USA for $79...Love it!!

Thanks for all the suggestions. Seems like B4 is/was the standard, but 200 simoleons for a discontinued plugin seems unwise.

I just downloaded the GSI ORGANised Trio and demo of the VB3. If VB3 is as good some of you say, it's a bargain at 69.25USD

DaneStewart


B4 is it.

SOMEONE must have the older versions available somewhere.

Digital Villiage in the UK were selling it but now say there is no more stock.
 
Big online UK retailers Milleium Music and Dawsons both indicate they only have one left. If you want one you will have to act fast.
 
NI licenses are transferable so second hand may be an option.

B4II

I recommend the AZR-3 by Rumpelrausch...it's a free vst that emulates vintage drawbar organs, including distortion and rotating speakers...could get some kind of sounds like what you are after.

http://zr-3.sourceforge.net/

I've had the B4-I since shortly after it came out, and do use it all the time.

I never upgraded and might not do it specially since it's discontinued, and the B4-I is OK so far.

I do have a demo of the B4-II which plays for 20 minutes, long enough to know most about it. It is more flexible, has some broader sound options, and would get if I did not have the B4-I already.

One thing to mention is that both B4 are actually THREE music machines in one, pretty much independent, and for the purpose: The UpperManual, The Lower Manual, and the Pedals. If such trio is needed, I'd check if other softwares do the same. So I use 3 MIDI channels. Two keyboards and one MIDI-Pedal set, plus it is very responsive to the Swell Pedal (Expression Pedal), a must for me. It also allows for controll of all the levers of both manuals independently. Pretty much what is a B3, if all that matters, then it may need to be considered.

yorolpal


B4 II is waaay better than version I.  Plus it's got more organs and cabs and options.  Upgrade! :-)
 
A big +1

+1 B4 II.  I did not know it was discontinued!!  Why discontinue an industry standard that needs no more R&D??

VB3 by the developer of Organized Trio was only mentioned once.  In my opinion it's a very solid instrument, offers great sound, lots of controls, plenty of presets, MIDI learn and more.  If you'd prefer to pay 1/3 the price of B4II then VB3 is it.

Regards, lightninrick

I like the VB3 emulation more than B4II as well... VB3 is a little lighter on the CPU too, IIRC...