Several decades ago, Hammond led the march into the digital era, crafting simulations of their iconic tonewheel organs paired with the swirl of Leslie speakers. Yes, the ‘92 sound of the Hammond XB‑2 captured our hearts, but it was just the start of a symphony soaring towards digital tonewheel excellence.
Over the years, many imitations have been introduced, including Roland VKs, Korg CXs and BXs, Oberheim’s OBs, and Nord emulations. Hammonds SKX Pro is among the latest, and it’s a showstopper.
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Introducing the Hammond SKX Pro
In the realm of keyboards, the Hammond SKX Pro Dual 61-key Stage Keyboard stands out as a masterpiece of design and functionality, especially for live performance. Its dual manuals offer unparalleled versatility, enabling complex layering and nuanced play that can’t be achieved with a single keyboard. The SKX Pro’s Hammond emulation is the pinnacle of authenticity, capturing the soulful essence of the original Hammond organs. Beyond that, its transistor and pipe organ sounds add a diverse range of tones, suitable for various musical genres.
The SKX Pro is 47.2 inches wide and weighs 51.2 pounds. The real show is in the middle—the command center with a colorful 320 x 240‑pixel display that marks a leap forward in organ technology. No, it’s not the largest out there, but with an abundance of controls and a full set of drawbars for the upper and pedal parts, who’s to complain about screen size?
Hammond SKX Keyboard
The keys? We’re talking a 61‑note keyboard, semi-weighted and velocity-sensitive to capture the nuance in every note, although aftertouch didn’t make the guest list. But hey, shouldn’t an instrument of this caliber be a hands-on affair anyway? If multitasking melodies and harmonies are your jam, cleverly assign those pedals and keep the music flowing!
SKX Sections
Powering this beast are three sound generators serenading you through four sections—get ready for an organ section with nostalgic emulations of Hammond to Vox, AceTone, and even pipe organs, a sample-based polysynth for your piano tunes, and a virtual analog monosynth for that solo spotlight. The virtual analogue mono synth, which is surprisingly robust in sound, adds a modern twist to the classic keyboard setup.
The keyboard’s piano and ensemble sounds are remarkably flexible, surpassing expectations in both quality and usability. One of the most significant advantages of the SKX Pro is its all-in-one approach, offering a comprehensive solution that’s more convenient and portable than carrying multiple instruments.
But the cherry on top? The Hammond emulation itself is the very heart of the SKX Pro.
Organ Section
Powered by the MTW1 system — the same engine behind the exquisite Hammond XK5 — this instrument is a marvel for keyboardists seeking authentic organ experiences.
With a 61-note polyphony, the SKX Pro offers you a variety of organ voicings, including the classic B3, C3, and A100, as well as X5/B3000 options that cater to your every creative whim. A Virtual Tonewheel Set gives you command over each tonewheel. This set lets you sculpt the tone, control the leakage, and fine-tune the impact of drawbar positions, crafting the exact organ sound your ears yearn for.
Each tonewheel’s whisper or roar flows through a virtual Matching Transformer, blending pitches like a painter mixes colors, then onto an emulation of the iconic scanner chorus/vibrato. From there, your creations are polished with a multi-effects section, enriched by an overdrive, and refined further with a second sweep of multi-effects. All before hitting the tone control and sliding through the EQ and onto the legendary Leslie speaker simulation — for those moments when you seek that immersive, spinning sound — culminating with a reverb touch that can add just the right amount of space to your auditory masterpiece.
But for players who treasure the clear, undistorted tones of a bass pedal section, the SKX Pro offers a direct line bypassing the chorus/vibrato entirely. It goes straight to the effects, through the tone control and EQ, and onto either the Leslie simulation or a ‘clean’ output, ensuring your low-end notes are felt just as you’ve intended.
The SKX Pro facilitates splendid customization. From setting up the key click and percussion to deciding the degree of compression as you swell a chord, you have a lot of control to shape the organ sound. And using Virtual Multi Contact technology, you can evoke nuanced timbres of a classic organ, mimicking the unique soundscapes of a B3, C3, or A100.
A set of Tonewheel Brake parameters allows you to bend pitch and fluctuate volume, paying homage to the vintage practice of turning off valve-based Hammonds and back on again for dramatic effect, replicable within this modern machine.
The Leslie effect allows for a choice of cabinet and the ability to adjust horn and rotor speeds, set up in your preferred virtual space. And if it moves you, add a non-rotating sub-bass to your blend. You can even position the rotary effect post-reverb, a detail long requested by enthusiasts.
Pipe Organ Profile
Venture beyond with the SKX Pro’s pipe organ profiles — from humble chapel organs to powerful ensembles adorned with brass and bold mixtures. Customize 46 ranks for each drawbar, shaping sounds, spatial arrangement, brightness, and more. While it may not replace an extensive Hauptwerk setup, it offers a delightful array of options that could satisfy the discerning ear of a dedicated organist.
Vox, Farfisa, and AceTone — these historic names are resurrected through immaculate modeling. Engage in the warm tones of the Vox Continental, the distinct voices of various AceTone models, and the charm of the Farfisa. True to their origins yet modern in feel, this trio invites you to invoke their soul and even edge into their rebellious natures with considered use of overdrive and EQ.
The SKX Pro retains room for nostalgia, particularly with the Farfisa model. Some might yearn for the original Compact Duo’s features, and while the present emulation may leave a few desiring more, what is offered still resonates with the essence of its inspiration.
Piano and Ensemble Sounds
With two rich and robust polysynths drawn from a treasure trove of samples, this instrument invites you to blur the lines between the enchanting tones of piano and the vibrant timbres of an ensemble.
The onboard library boasts an awe-inspiring array of sounds, from the soulful acoustic and electric pianos to the spirited strums of guitars and the lush hug of strings and pads. With 163 multi-samples spanning 16 waveform categories, your palette for sonic exploration just got bigger. While the SKX Pro has carved its unique identity with a slightly different selection than its predecessor, the overlap ensures familiarity infused with innovation.
Within these polysynths lies the heart of power, echoing the legendary engines of Roland’s JV and XP series. Each Component is a self-contained universe comprising waveform generators, resonant filters, amplifiers, and dedicated contour generators responding dynamically to your touch!
But that’s not all—two global LFOs per section wave their wands, adding magical modulation and fade-in effects, weaving each note into an intricate tapestry of sound. Whether layering, splitting, or setting velocity layers, the sky’s the limit with an accommodating polyphony that keeps your creative momentum unencumbered.
In this instrument, you may find the acoustic pianos a quaint companion along your creative pathways—not the centerpiece in a world of high-fidelity alternatives but a charming cohort for mixes. Aware of their sample volume and brightness inconsistencies, they beckon as a starting point for enchanting expeditions, not the final destination.
Monosynth Section
The Hammond SKX Pro offers an explorative monosynth with a dual-oscillator virtual analog experience. Imagine a synth that defies expectations, offering a palette of six oscillator models to paint the most vibrant audio landscapes.
In Duo mode, channel your inner avant-garde by blending sawtooth, square waves, and their mighty hybrid. Unison mode, on the other hand, beckons with up to seven harmonically intertwined instances, while letting you orchestrate the level of detune to create a symphony that’s uniquely yours.
And we’re just warming up! Experience Pulse mode, where a single pulse wave with PWM waits to be sculpted by the LFO or the pitch contour, adding layers of complexity to your sonic creations. Sync mode turns the tables on conventional, bringing detune and a trio of modulation sources into your compositional toolkit. Further, the 2-op FM mode is no minor feature—it’s a nod to the legendary engine that powered the Yamaha GS1, brewing up power and vitality with every note.
Now, enter the multi-color noise generator, a sonic time-machine capable of whisking you away to the halcyon days of 1950s sci-fi, or evoking the serene susurrus of wind and rain. Each choice routes through a resonant filter—choose from high-pass or low-pass modes, each with 12dB/oct and 24dB/oct settings—and culminates in a crescendo via the monosynth’s exclusive effects sections.
Three diligent modulation sources take your expression further. The multi-waveform LFO, with its contour generator, brings life to the oscillators, filter, and amplifier. Don’t forget the pitch/filter contour and the zealous loudness contour, both velocity-sensitive for dynamic expression—though watch for those linear transitions that might need a soft touch.
With its quartet of key-priority modes, dual portamento nuances, and the classic pitch-bend and modulation wheels, the Hammond SKX Pro reveals itself as an expressive soloing virtuoso. Whether replicating iconic lead synths, intricately emulating orchestral hues, or laying down deep bass grooves, this instrument journeys far beyond the moniker of ‘simple synth.’
Using the Hammond SKX Pro
The Hammond SKX Pro is a performative powerhouse stage keyboard. Beyond its tactile drawbars and robust polyphonic capabilities is a world of boundless flexibility through its control panel.
At every turn, the SKX Pro reveals more than you’d expect, compelling you to push its capabilities into uncharted territories. Whether you’re embodying the essence of a vintage Hammond or venturing through various twin-keyboard landscapes on stage, this is where your creative odyssey gains momentum.
Start simple by pairing a classical organ with a grand piano, or challenge the norm by splitting the manuals and mixing an organ with a synth, or piano with strings, each shift in octave carving out your unique piece of the musical wild.
Then, the true adventure unfolds – blending up to 12 distinct sounds, each ushering in their unique effects, is like unveiling hidden pathways in an enchanted forest. Dance with multiple monosynths, each obedient to your touch, offering five key priorities and two portamento styles. With just the twist of a knob and careful curation, the SKX Pro isn’t just an instrument; it’s a trusted companion for the explorers of the musical expanse.
Yet, even the most seasoned explorers encounter challenges. The absence of aftertouch and the acoustic grand’s authenticity are notable mentions, but they don’t dim the shine of your expedition. While some may desire a sturdier feel to the drawbars and a speedy numeric keypad for navigation, the SKX Pro’s extensive control blueprint suggests that an editor/librarian update is not only a possibility but a worthy horizon to venture towards.
Hammond SKX Pro Review – Closing Thoughts
The larger digital cousin of the Hammond SKX sits in my studio – the Hammond XK5. The latter is the most faithful recreation of the legendary Hammond organ in the digital realm. However, that instrument mostly sits in my studio as I need an extra hand to get it out of my studio and into the van for gigs. Adding the Hammond SKX is a no-brainer if I performed more with an organ rig. This smaller keyboard packs the same sounds and many capabilities as the XK5, though in a much easier-to-transport configuration.
In essence, the Hammond SKX Pro is not just an instrument; it’s a comprehensive musical product that combines the best of the traditional and the modern, making it an invaluable asset for live performers seeking depth, authenticity, and flexibility in their sound.
Thanks for reading. Happy music making!
Arthur Dobrucki
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Listen to the Hammond SKX Pro on YouTube
