BX3 Dual Manual Organ

The Real Thing

For years, if you wanted the sound of a real tone-wheel organ, there was only one instrument that could deliver-”until the Korg CX-3 was introduced in 2000. The CX-3 single manual Combo Organ so accurately and faithfully re-created the classic sound that demand for a dual-manual grew. Now, 2 years later, Korg introduces the BX-3 dual manual Combo Organ.

The original Korg CX-3 organ first went on sale in 1979, followed by its dual-manual sibling, the BX-3 organ. Both went on to become favorites in their own right and are still widely used. Now, using advanced DSP technology and painstaking attention to sound, touch, and style, they have been reborn and vastly improved upon.

Meticulous re-creation of the tone-wheel system

Korg's state-of-the-art DSP technology has made it possible to precisely re-create the unique sound that, until now, could only be produced by the real thing. 2 different tone-wheel sounds are provided: VINTAGE and CLEAN. The BX-3's amazing realism even extends to such details as allowing you to add the leakage noise generated by the tone-wheels and the ability to adjust their overtone levels.

Drawbars”the backbone of the organ sound

The Korg BX-3 organ features 2 sets of nine drawbars that duplicate the sonic characteristics of the originals”including the proper foldback settings and harmonic distortion. And you can easily select between the presets and these 2 sets of live drawbars while performing for that real organ-playing experience. The Korg BX-3 also provide an EX mode in which all 18 drawbars can be used as one extended palette. The resulting new harmonics and percussion timbres can be used to create organ sounds never before heard.

Percussion / key-click effects add character

One of the unique characteristics of a genuine tone-wheel organ is the percussive effect that adds a readily identifiable sound to a note's attack. The BX-3 organ re-creates that beautifully. The volume, decay rate, and harmonic pitch (2nd, 3rd) of the percussion can be adjusted”and the percussion has the proper multi-triggered-yet-monophonic characteristic for authentic organ performance. You can even control the amount of key-click heard when you press or release a key, simulating the dirty contacts often found on older instruments.

Classic sounds and more

With 128 programs, the Korg organ is ready to cover a wide range of musical styles including pop, hard rock, jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues. Detailed drawbar and parameter settings are displayed and can be easily edited and stored. Thanks to the involvement of leading organ players such as Brian Auger, Bill Champlin, Tom Coster, Al Kooper, Greg Phillinganes, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Derek Sherinian, the BX-3 provides a number of these artists' signature sounds, plus new voicings that take full advantage of this finely crafted organ.

Realistic rotary speaker and spatial effects

Korg's proprietary REMS modeling technology is applied to create effects that add further authenticity to the organ sound. The rotary speaker effect, so important to the organ experience, is re-created here with total realism. You can even adjust the time required for the rotor and horn to speed up or slow down when switching speeds or stop the rotation altogether. 3 types of amp simulation are provided: a traditional rotary speaker sound, a blend of rotary and tube amp sounds, or a preamp-only signal. The amp simulations are dynamic, so your sound naturally evolves from a warm and fat sound to a natural overdrive as your volume increases. In addition, the classic vibrato and chorus settings are provided along with 3 types of reverb, featuring adjustable time and depth.

Ultrafast response

Careful attention has been paid to the long-neglected aspect of keyboard response speed. The key scanning method used on the Korg BX-3 starts the sound at the first key contact, ensuring a much faster response to your playing. Notes speak more crisply, allowing glissandi, trills, and smears to be played with total authenticity.

Extensive MIDI features

Not limited to a vintage re-creation, the Korg organ is equipped with many advanced MIDI features. Every drawbar, switch, and control can be transmitted as MIDI data so your complete performance can be perfectly captured by a sequencer. The BX-3 keyboard can be set to transmit key dynamics via MIDI to an external device that can even be layered with the onboard organ sound.

Korg BX-3 adds more

The BX-3 provides all these features in a dual manual organ. Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels for improved MIDI control, additional voice parameters for even more authentic sound reproduction, and a newly designed waterfall keybed for absolutely authentic look and feel have all been added. Different sets of drawbars and Chorus/Vibrato On/Off can be assigned independently to the BX-3's UPPER and LOWER manuals, just like using a real tone-wheel organ.

Timeless aura and inimitable presence

Drawbars, vibrato/chorus, and percussion switches are placed in the same location as on the classic tone-wheel organs, demonstrating a total commitment to tradition and playability. The sturdy wood cabinet gives the instruments the proper vintage look, and the Korg BX-3's wooden stand pays homage to the original.