The Hammond XK-5 Organ is designed to set a new standard in the world of organs, faithfully recreating the iconic sound and feel of the original Hammond B-3. By emulating the subtle “slop” and nuanced attacks of classic models, the XK-5 brings an almost tangible “chewy” and soulful character to every note, one that seasoned Hammond players will recognize and appreciate.

This organ offers three mechanical contacts per key, with each contact triggering virtual connections. This design allows each drawbar frequency to activate independently, mirroring the multi-contact key action of vintage Hammonds. The result is an authentic connection between fingers and music, delivering the rich, layered sound of the B-3, but without the bulk and cost. The time spread between these contacts is programmable, enabling players to control the order and timing of harmonics. Plus, the XK-5 captures all these nuances via MIDI, making it compatible with DAWs through direct USB connection.

Hammond has also integrated new proprietary technology to replicate the original tone wheel generator’s sound with unmatched accuracy. This process combines modeling and sampling to recreate the unique pitch characteristics of all 91 tone wheels, as well as other distinctive sounds, like key click and harmonic percussion. Additionally, players can adjust the tonal qualities to replicate various organ conditions, from pristine showroom quality to well-worn, “road-abused” character. The XK-5 also offers presets modeled on famous organs used by musicians like Dr. Lonnie Smith, Chuck Leavell, and Gregg Rolie.

A distinctive quality of the Hammond sound, known as “breathing,” is recreated here through an innovative approach to modeling the matching transformer’s response to signal levels. In the original organs, this transformer contributed a subtle “volume robbing” effect and added character through a phenomenon called hysteresis. In the XK-5, players can adjust this transformer’s saturation and hysteresis for a precise or exaggerated “breathing” quality, enhancing the overall realism and musicality of the instrument.