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468 Chapter 26 EVB3
Filter Age
The high frequency output signals of the B3’s tone wheel generators are filtered by
bandpass filters. The center frequency of these filters varies as the capacitors age. Filter
Age allows you to alter the center frequencies of the filters. This colors the sound of the
jitter applied by Random FM and the background noise resulting from Leakage. (See
“Leakage” on page 467 and “Random FM” on page 467.) This parameter also influences
the intonation of the organ, if you use the pitch bender.
Click
The key contacts of electro-mechanical tonewheel organs tend to “saw” a little on the
busbar, introducing a short click sound. If any corrosion occurs to the key contacts or
busbar, this will increase the length, and level, of this click. This aspect of the B3’s
design causes irregular scratching noises (commonly referred to as “keyclick”), when
striking and releasing keys. Hammond fans like these clicking noises, as they introduce
a transient, percussive quality to the note. The EVB3 allows you to adjust the volume
and sound of the key click. The click sound is altered randomly, and independently,
from the click on and click off (release) volume settings.
Click On/Click Off
These two knobs independently control the click volume for the beginning (Click On),
and release, of the note (Click Off). The click off is quieter, even if both controls are set
to the same position.
Click Min/Click Max
Not only are the tone color, and volume, of clicks altered randomly, but also their
duration. Click duration can vary between a short “tick” and a longer “scratch”. Minimum
duration is defined by Click Min, and maximum duration with Click Max. The duration is
displayed in milliseconds, as you move the sliders.
Note: Even if both parameters have identical values, there is still a random variation in
sound. This variation makes some clicks seem shorter than the value set with Click Min.
Click Color
Set the tone color of the click here. Despite its random variation, you can define its
treble portion globally.