Organ Volume ??

[cwgolden99]

I need a little help.  How can I get more volume from my organ.  I have a CV and a leslie 47.  The leslie is Turned all the way up to 10 and the volume pedal on the organ is all the up.  But when playing along w/ the rest of the band that is going through the main system the we can barely hear the organ.  How can I get more volume?

[BimmerFan99]

Your plight is far from uncommon.

First, the most common Leslie models 122 and 147 have 40-watt amplifiers in them.  This makes it difficult enough to compete with 100-watt or more bass amplifiers, keyboard amps and drums, and if they're piped through the sound system, you have difficultly even hearing yourself let alone the audience!

Secondly, the model 47 Leslie has a 30-watt amplifier, which is even weaker than the 122 or 147.  I know how you feel because my church has a 21H, which also has a 30-watt amp in it.

The best solution that comes to mind is to get that Leslie miked.  A typical setup will have one microphone on the horn and one on the bass rotor anywhere from 8-12 inches away.  You'll have to play with the distance so that you get good sound but avoid the wind noise of the horn and rotor.  If you are playing with a bassist, then you don't really need a mic for the bass rotor, so one on the horn will do.

Also, make sure the Leslie is as close to you as possible so you can at least hear yourself.  If possible make sure there's a monitor near the band as well to reinforce your sound for the band.

[cwgolden99]

Thanks Bimmerfan, that makes sense.  So the best solution for me is to mic the leslie.  Do they make any of amplifier to boost the wattage of the leslie or is there a way for me to put a quarter in plug in on there so i can also run through the sound board?

[BimmerFan99]

Now, you can have that model 47 converted into a 147 or 122.  The only thing about that is cost.  You'll have to talk with an experienced tech about doing that.  Even then, though, you're only going to get 40 watts out of it.

Making a 1/4" output jack from the Leslie or the organ defeats one of the main purposes of the Leslie - the rotating horn.

Here are your options the way I see it:
1) Mike the Leslie and work with your sound people to make sure monitoring for the band and the house feed is good.
2) Convert your model 47 into a 147 or 122.  Check with a local, experienced Hammond tech for a quote.
3) Sell the 47 and purchase one of the following:
a. Leslie 122, 142, 147 or 145 - 40 watts of standard Leslie power
b. Leslie 771 - 150 watts of Leslie power to show your band mates that the organ shall not be drowned out or ignored!
c. Leslie 971 - 300 watts of pure, unadulterated nastiness to not only send your band mates scrambling for new equipment but also to literally blow the church walls down (Hammond-Suzuki will not be held responsible for damage to church walls or Sista Jones' hearing aids)

[cwgolden99]

c. Leslie 971 - 300 watts of pure, unadulterated nastiness to not only send your band mates scrambling for new equipment but also to literally blow the church walls down (Hammond-Suzuki will not be held responsible for damage to church walls or Sista Jones' hearing aids)

Lol.  Thanks for putting that disclaimer out there.  We just finished our church remodel and when pastor asks me why the walls fell I can tell him its your fault   

[TheReturn]

YEAH. THE MOST LOGICAL THINGS JUST SEEMS TO BE TO MIC THE LESLIE. THIS WAY EVERY INSTRUMENTS VOLUME CAN BE CONTROLED.

SHURE SM57 ON THE TOP
AND A AUDIX D-6 SUBKICK MIC. WITH A YAMAHA SUB KICK ENHANCER MIC.

(serious bass)



HOLLA
CATRON/TheReturn

[docjohn]

hey cw,i've seen some recommendations to use 2 mikes on the top,pan one hard rt,the other hard lt to enhance the "stereo" effect.i also unplug the lower fast rotor which enhances the lower frequency and midrange_the memphis sound.also,does your cv have chorus? on a b3,the chorus doubles the sound adding a detuned level at several different values whih thickens the sound hope that helps,let me know when you get one of those 150+ watt leslies.btw,look @ bborgan or btproductions,they have a high power leslie amp that may fit in your cabinet after you upgrade driver,horns etc. be blessed,praise the LORD

[cwgolden99]

I finally figured out what was wrong w/ my volume.  The church we bought the organ from didn't put the right tubes in the leslie.  They had just thrown any kind of tubes in there to make it work.  Two of the tubes they had in there were just sitting on top of the connection not even plugged in.  The schematics called for 2 6550's.  I don't know what kind of tubes they were but they weren't 6550's.  I went to a couple music stores found the tubes and now it works just fine.  thanks for the help

[BimmerFan99]

Wow!  Well, I didn't know it was the volume was that low!  Good thing you figured this one out.

In any case, I would still mic the Leslie if nothing else but for a little sound reinforcement through the system.  It helps even out and spread sound.

[cwgolden99]

Wow!  Well, I didn't know it was the volume was that low!  Good thing you figured this one out.

In any case, I would still mic the Leslie if nothing else but for a little sound reinforcement through the system.  It helps even out and spread sound.

Yeah, right now its not being played, the other musician is out of town till Janauary, so i really wont be able to tell how loud it really is till he and the bass player get back and we can all play together