KEYBOARDPARTNER Hammond XB2 User manual

User Manual
Hammond XB2 with HX3
(preliminary version, as of firmware version 5.710, November 2021)
keyboardpartner.com

2 XB2 Kit
Please read this manual carefully before using the HX3/XB2.
Designed for indoor use only. Do not use in moist places. Do not spill
liquids or solvents into unit.
No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer to qualified technician or service
representative if problems occur.
Only clean with damp soft cloth. Using detergents or solvents may
deteriorate finish and lettering.
Keep packaging in case of service shipment.
EU conformity declaration
The producer/distributor
KEYBOARDPARTNER UG
Entwicklung elektronischer Musikinstrumente
Carsten Meyer
Ithweg 37, D-30851 Langenhagen
[e-mail]
hereby declares, that the product
HX3.5 XB2 Retrofit Kit
has been designed, produced and examined in compliance with the DIN VDE 0580 standard and in
accordance with the EU Low Voltage Directive.
Following directives, standards and guidelines have been used:
EMV-Richtlinie 2014/30/EU
Niederspannungsrichtlinie 2014/35 EU
RoHS-Richtlinie 2011/65/EU
Langenhagen, May 2021
____________________________
Carsten Meyer / Geschäftsführer

XB2 Kit 3
Inhalt
HX3 Retrofit Kit for Hammond XB2..................................................................................................4
Features.......................................................................................................................................4
HX3 Apps and Tools........................................................................................................................5
HX3.5 Manager............................................................................................................................5
TouchOSC for HX3.5 ...................................................................................................................5
Connectors and pots at the rear side...............................................................................................6
Button functions...............................................................................................................................7
Potentiometers.................................................................................................................................9
Volume/Expression Control..........................................................................................................9
Menu Panel....................................................................................................................................10
Menu Overview ..........................................................................................................................11
Presets....................................................................................................................................11
Upper Voice............................................................................................................................12
Lower Voice............................................................................................................................13
Pedal Voice.............................................................................................................................14
Audio Setup............................................................................................................................15
Rotary Setup...........................................................................................................................16
Percussion Setup....................................................................................................................16
Vibrato Setup..........................................................................................................................17
Phasing Mode.........................................................................................................................17
Reverb Levels.........................................................................................................................18
Generator Setup.....................................................................................................................18
Keyboard/MIDI........................................................................................................................20
MIDI Control...................................................................................................................................22
Panic button ...............................................................................................................................22
How To …?....................................................................................................................................23
Serial numbers and licenses..........................................................................................................24

4 XB2 Kit
HX3 Retrofit Kit for Hammond XB2
With the HX3 Retrofit Kit, the Hammond XB2 finally sounds like the real thing. If MUSE or DRB
chip have died, HX3 revives your XB2 with a new soul.
HX3 is a tonewheel emulator with all the features of a classic electromagnetic organ. The HX3
sound engine offers unlimited polyphony and 100 presets, 3 x 15 drawbar presets and CaM rotor
simulation with rotary speaker, scanner vibrato and amp 122. General MIDI sounds like piano and
strings are also available.
Optionally (with Extended License) the HX3.5 RealOrgan sound generator is capable of recreating
all electromagnetic organs, including the famous H100, plus combo organs and concert organs of
the 70s and 80s like Böhm Orchestra and Wersi Helios.
This manual covers the rebuilt Hammond XB2 with basic retrofit kit consisting of HX3.5 mainboard
and two interface boards, which allow to continue using all existing controls of the Hammond XB2,
as well as the optional additions HX3.5 extension board, menu control unit and WiFi interface.
Features
Authentic reproduction of the tone generator. Key contacts, percussion, rotary effect, scanner
vibrato and TubeAmp realized using physical modeling in pure hardware.
Extremely low internal latency of 50 microseconds Key-to-Audio.
Natural key click due to 9 (B3 mode) or 12 (H100 mode) contacts closing separately
Authentic ‘CaM Rotor’ simulation with 122 amp
General MIDI (GM) Synth, 54x polyphonic
Transposable in semitone steps, tunable in range of A = 433 through 447 Hz
Effects DSP providing 3 reverb programs, level adjustable
MIDI IN for separate keyboard or bass pedal, 2x MIDI OUT with selectable CC sets
Swell (expression) pedal and footswitch jacks
Connector for 11-pin Leslie® Speakers
Wirelessly operable via TouchOSC (iOS, Android) if the optional WiFi interface is installed
Made in Germany
Trademarks Hammond®, B3® and Leslie® belong to Hammond Suzuki Corporation (Japan). Trademark NI B4
belongs to Native Instruments GmbH, Germany. Product and company names used in this document apply for
illustration and example purposes only. Keyboardpartner is not related to these trade marks in any way.

XB2 Kit 5
HX3 Apps and Tools
If the optional control unit is installed, you can control the HX3/XB2 completely via the menu panel
(see section Menu Panel). However, there are other, more convenient options: Use the Panel in
the HX3.5 Manager for operation via PC or notebook. Use TouchOSC for operation via tablet or
smartphone.
HX3.5 Manager
The HX3.5 Manager supports the use of your HX3 device
with a variety of functions:
The Panel contains switches and drawbars for your HX3
device. In the panel window you can adjust sounds and
effects, create, name and save presets. When the panel is
open, you can recall presets live using the function keys on
your PC keyboard.
The Preset Mover makes it easy to manage presets. It lets
you try out, move, and rename presets. You can transfer
presets from a file to the HX3 device or save them to a file.
The Editor lets you set up the HX3.5 for all conceivable
hardware configurations, gives you access to all available
parameters, and lets you fine-tune sounds and effects.
With the CC Set Editor you can edit the MIDI CC Sets of
the HX3, create CC Sets or load them from a file from your
PC. This allows you to get the most out of your keyboard
controller, even if none of the included CC Sets fit right
away.
The Updater updates the operating software of your HX3
device completely in an automatic process or individual
selected parts. Use the Updater also to activate an
Extended License or to change the username.
TouchOSC for HX3.5
Control your HX3 device via tablet or smartphone with the TouchOSC app from Hexler, which you
can get for a few euros in the Apple App Store or Google Play. For wireless connection of iOS or
Android mobile devices we offer a WLAN interface. iOS devices can also communicate with
TouchOSC via MIDI over USB.

6 XB2 Kit
Connectors and pots at the rear side
Left to right:
LESLIE Standard 11-pin Leslie® speaker connector for newer Hammond Suzuki loudspeaker
cabinets. Not suitable for 9-pin Leslie® speakers with passive adaptor due to different polarity of
switching voltages. We recommend using a Leslie® preamp for 6-pin and 9-pin Leslie® speakers.
Of course, this output only works if the optional HX3.5 Extension Board is installed.
USB USB B-type connector for MIDI over USB, for updates and configuration by HX3.5 Manager
application.
Headphone ¼” stereo jack. Headphone amplifier output.
Audio L ¼” mono jack. Audio output left channel (line level).
Audio R ¼” mono jack. Audio output right channel (line level).
Swell ¼” stereo jack. Expression pedal input is compatible with Yamaha FC-7 and similar
expression pedals (direct connection preferred for speed/accuracy, but may also be remote
controlled by MIDI control change, controller 11). Plug connection: Sleeve = ground /
potentiometer start, ring = potentiometer tap, tip = potentiometer end.
Footswitch ¼” stereo jack. Single or double foot switch controls simulated rotary speed as well as
external rotary cabinet speed: SLOW/FAST on plug tip, RUN/STOP on plug ring. Please use
latching foot switches; momentary (button type) switches are not supported. If single foot switch is
used, Rotary is always on RUN (no plug ring, input grounded by plug sleeve). The switch affects
both the internal simulation and an externally connected Leslie®.
Potentiometers Bass, Treble Equalizer settings.
FOOT SWITCH socket is not used.
WiFi antenna (optional).
MIDI OUT1, MIDI OUT2 MIDI outputs for connecting external devices or DAW. The HX3/XB2
generates MIDI signals with a velocity component, which can also be used to control piano
expanders, for example.
MIDI IN Input for MIDI signals from any MIDI-capable keyboard or pedal.
The CC Sets for MIDI input and outputs are selectable and can be edited with the CC Set Editor.

XB2 Kit 7
Button functions
Almost all buttons are double assigned. After
switching on, the organ is in standard mode. The
buttons are assigned to the functions marked in white
letters.
Press the Edit button on the front panel to access the
other functions, which are printed in cyan.
The display shows the accessed HX3 functions -
useful especially for the unlit buttons.
The HX3 sound engine is designed for a fully equipped organ with upper manual, lower manual
and bass pedal. You can connect another manual or pedal via MIDI (see chapter MIDI control).
You can split the XB2 manual and play either the lower manual or bass with the left hand.
Split functions: In Edit mode, press the Keyb Split button to split the keyboard into two zones.
There are the following options:
oPedal to Lower: Press a single key on lower manual key while switching SPLIT on to obtain a
custom split point.
oLower Add Pedal: Press a two keys on lower manual key while switching SPLIT to link the
pedal to lower manual up to the split point.
oLower to Upper: Press a single key on upper manual while switching SPLIT on to map lower
to upper manual up to this key.
oPedal to Upper: Press two keys simultaneously on upper manual while switching SPLIT on to
map pedal to upper manual up to highest of both keys pressed (useful for playing pedal bass
lines on single manual keyboards without bass pedal).
oLower to Upper +1: Press three keys simultaneously on upper manual while switching SPLIT
on to map lower to upper manual up to highest of all keys pressed. Lower notes range is
transposed one octave up (useful for left-hand 8’ accompaniment chords on single manual
keyboards).
oLower to Upper +2: Press four keys simultaneously on upper manual while switching SPLIT
on to map lower to upper manual up to highest of all keys pressed. Lower notes range is
transposed two octaves up (useful for left-hand 16’ accompaniment chords on single manual
keyboards).
With the Drawbars U | L | P button you assign the drawbars cyclically to the manuals or the pedal.
Press the button once, the LED lights steadily, drawbars now affect the lower manual. Press
again, the LED flashes, drawbars now act on the pedal. Press next time, LED turns off, drawbars
act on upper manual again. When switching to pedal, the first two drawbars are assigned to 16'
and 8' harmonics, with the third you can set the pedal decay ("sustain"). The other drawbars have
no function.
Drawbar settings only become effective when the drawbars are actuated.

8 XB2 Kit
Percussion Second or Third switch the percussion effect of the upper manual on or off at the 4'
or 2 2/3' foot position respectively. When percussion is on, the 1' drawbar is turned off, as with the
real thing (optional, can be changed in the editor). The percussion does not sound every time a
key is pressed, but only if all keys have been released beforehand. The level can be set in the
Percussion Setup submenu or in the Editor.
The Soft and Fast percussion settings are
located on the rightmost buttons on the front
panel in Edit mode. Drawbar volume is
damped in the normal position to emphasize
the percussion. Soft decreases the damping
and thus the strength of the percussion
effect. Fast shortens the decay time of the
effect from about one second to 0.2 seconds.
Vibrato ON switches vibrato on/off. Synchronously with the drawbar assignment, vibrato is
switched to the lower manual when the LED in the Drawbars U | L | P button is lit.
In Edit mode, use the Vibrato button group on the front panel to select the vibrato intensity from 1
to 3 and toggle the Chorus effect on/off.
Rotary FAST switches the rotary speed between SLOW and FAST. The built-in LED flashes with
the frequency of the rotor rotation. The Rtry STOP function is on the first button on the left of the
front panel. Even with the motors stopped, the amp and speaker modeling is maintained; so this is
not a bypass function. Press the button in Edit mode for Rotary Bypass.
Pitch-Wheel and Mod-Wheel can optionally be used for rotary control as well. With the Mod-
Wheel you switch the simulated motors on and off, with the Pitch-Wheel you switch between
SLOW and FAST.
Transpose: In Edit mode, press the -1 button or the +1 button to decrease or increase the pitch in
semitone steps, respectively. Press both buttons at the same time > 0 < to cancel transposition.
If you press PedRtryByp in Edit mode, the pedal sound will bypass the rotary simulation.
Equalizer Bypass in Edit mode switches off the equalizer. In the default setting, the EQ emulates
a typical Leslie frequency response. If the organ is used with a Leslie, a linear frequency response
is preferable. When operating with a tube Leslie, Rotary Bypass may also be advisable.
The Reverb button group selects one of the reverb programs 1, 2, or 3 (1+2) in Edit mode.
The buttons marked with the white numbers 0to 8are used to quickly access presets. Preset 0 is
the live preset, which takes over the current drawbar settings.
The assignment of the buttons in edit mode can be changed in the editor of the HX3.5 manager by
means of the Switch Remap parameters as desired.

XB2 Kit 9
Potentiometers
The knob formerly labeled REVERB has been
assigned Gain (overdrive). The Volume knob adjusts
the volume of the audio outputs and the headphone
output.
The two pots on the back next to the footswitch jack
retain their functions as level controls for bass and
treble. They thus override the EQ settings in the HX3
menu, which can be made with the optional control unit.
The assignment of the pots can be changed as desired in the editor of the HX3.5 Manager using
the Analog Remap parameters. For example, you can assign the Reverb Level and Percussion
Level functions to them.
Volume/Expression Control
Output level of all output channels is controlled by Volume rotary knob or MIDI CC #7 “Volume”,
whichever occurs last.
Organ's expression pedal position is controlled by a pedal or MIDI CC #11 “Expression”,
whichever occurs last. The loudness curve is similar to the swell pedal of a classic tonewheel
organ, so expression volume will not reach zero. We recommend connecting an expression pedal
Yamaha FC-7 or similar (1/4" jack, 10k to 47k total resistance). Swell control is faster and more
accurate when connected directly than via MIDI.
MIDI CC #11 and #7 may be altered via menu to any valid MIDI CC Number.

10 XB2 Kit
Menu Panel
The menu actions described in this chapter can only be performed with the optional control unit.
But even without the control unit, the display is fully functional and provides information about the
states of the non-illuminated buttons.
With the HX3/XB2 in factory setting, some of the menu items listed below are omitted since
physical controls exist. These menu items can be added to the menu by means of the editor with
the parameters of the Menu Enables group.
On power on, the Preset/Drawbar menu is present. Pressing the
rotary knob twice briefly will let you return to the home position from
any other menu position.
Turn the rotary knob to scroll through the menu. A hatched arrow indicates the menu position.
Press the rotary knob once to edit a parameter value. A white arrow indicates the selected
entry that may be altered. Turn the rotary knob to change that value. Press the rotary know once
again to continue scrolling through the menu.
In the preset/drawbar menu the rotary knob selects the Presets 0 …99. Presets consist of
drawbar settings and optionally tab switch settings (percussion, vibrato etc., including rotary
Run/Fast/Slow), volume and 122 tube amp gain as well as all other effects. Use the Panel in the
HX3.5 Manager, Presets page, to select which parameters are to be recalled with the presets.
Scroll downwards (= turn the rotary knob clockwise) to the drawbar
presets (Voices) for Upper manual, Lower manual, and Pedal. The
top display line shows the drawbar positions as numbers from 0 –8.
A star appears at the bottom right of the display, if a parameter value
has been changed and differs from the stored preset. To store
values as Preset, keep the encoder knob pressed until the prompt
“Save to Preset #XX” appears on the display. (“XX” representing the current preset number). Alter
the number as desired and press the knob once again to have all settings stored.
Parameter values tagged by the letter Care part of a single preset. Values tagged by Dapply to
all presets and are stored as defaults. The assignment can be changed in the editor of the HX3.5
manager with parameter #1498 or on the Panel’s Presets page.
Values tagged by U, L, or Pare part of the current voice for Upper, Lower, or Pedal. These are
saved as Voice (drawbar settings only) if you save them while one of these markers is displayed.