Re: PRO-3 bummer

[jjp@mink.mt.att.com]

Tom:

> have a couple of questions.  First, from
> what I can gather from your post, the Pro-3 still does not sound as good as a
> real Leslie; is that right?

Depends on which "real Leslie."  No, not as good as your 122 or a 147.
But better than the solid state Leslie I've been using.  And Mark likes
his PRO-3 better than his Leslie 302.

> I also assume that the Pro-3 doesn't take up as
> much room on stage as a 147 or 122. Is this right?

Much less room.  It's only about 6"x20"x17" and 26 lbs.  You do need
your own amp and speaker for the bass part, though.  If you're like
me and also play amplified piano, you already have this part.

> Finally,  have you
> installed the upgraded software version (I think V 2.0) in your XB-2?  I
> would be interested to know how you like it if you have,or, if not, any thing
> you have heard about the upgrade from other players.

The upgrade is worth every penny.  I can't imagine not having it, if
only for the improved percussion control alone.  Lots of improvements
and new features.  I've attached a feature summary below.

John

FEATURE OR MENU ITEM    UPGRADE INFORMATION                             NEW/ENH-
                                                                        ANCEMENT
PRESETS                 4 banks per preset for a total of 32 presets    N

VIBRATO-SPEED           5 choices: slow, mid, normal, midfast & fast    E

VIBRATO-UPPER           Independent ON and OFF for upper and lower      E
& LOWER MANUAL          manuals when in split mode

TUNE-UPPER &            Bender length independently selectable          N
LOWER MANUAL            +/- 12 half steps

PERCUSSION-TOUCH        Touch & velocity independently selectable       E

PERCUSSION-VOLUME       16 volume levels for percussion                 N

PERCUSSION-DRAWBAR      8th harmonic drawbar silenced when percussion   N
CANCEL                  is active.  Selectable ON or OFF.

PERCUSSION-KEY          Volume of percussion tapers off slightly at     N
TRACKING                top end of keyboard.  Selectable ON or OFF.

FOOT SWITCH FUNCTIONS   Total of 9 functions: Leslie S/F, UMSUS,        E
                        LMSUS, preset forward, midi start/stop, UM
                        damper, LM damper, UL damper.

ATTACK-MENU             Menu has been moved from the EFFECT Menu to     E
(Key Click)             the Drawbar Menu.  5 chioces: slow attack,
                        no click, soft, normal, max.

DRAWBAR-FOLDBACK        Foldback points can be done by direct key       E
                        input or scrolling.

DRAWBAR-VOLUME &        Drawbar volume changes can be sent to a         N
FILTER                  connected sequencer via MIDI OUT.

LESLIE                  The slow & fast speed, rise and fall times      N
                        of the internal leslie effect can be
                        adjusted.

MIDI-VELOCITY           Increased to a total of 6 velocity curves       E

MIDI-IN SPLIT GATE      Incoming MIDI data can be set to not recognize  N
                        keyboard split.

MIDI-CHANNEL            Channel assignments from 1-16 for upper and     N
ASSIGNMENTS             lower manual and MIDI zones 1 & 2.  Also
                        selectable ON & OFF for each for UM, LM & zones.

MIDI-KEYMAPPING         High & low limits for upper and lower manual    E
                        (split) and MIDI zones 1 & 2.  Key assignment
                        can be done by direct key input and scrolling.

MIDI-OCTAVE SELECTION   +/- 4 octaves from MIDI zones 1 & 2.            N

MIDI PROG NO.-          Select the MIDI variation number for each       N
VARIATION NUMBER        zone.  Allows XB-2 to work with Hammond
                        GM-1000 sound module.

MIDI-MAX AND MIN        Set the volume level for each MIDI zone.        N
VOLUME

MIDI-CONTROL NUMBERS    Assignable control numbers for: foot switch,    E
                        mod wheel, expression pedal and leslie fast
                        touch tab.

MIDI-DRAWBAR & SWITCH   Sends the current Cancel Mode setting to a      N
                        sequencer in preparation for playing back
                        a sequence.

DATA DUMP               Total of 5 memory dump options for saving data  E
                        ALL OUT, GLOBAL, CANCEL, PRESET and PATCH.

FOOT SWITCH-POLARITY    "Plus" or "Minus" polarity and alternate/       E
                        momentary mode selection.