Korg Introduces the CX-3 Tone Wheel Organ

In 1979, Korg introduced an instant keyboard classic the CX-3 Organ. Now 21 years later, members of the original design team and Korgs DSP engineers have used the latest modeling technology to create the new CX-3 Combo Organ. The CX-3 captures all the characteristics and complexities of a classic tone wheel organ, and adds an extensive new feature set.

The 61-note CX-3 Combo Organ features 128 programs (64 regular/64EX mode) that cover a wide range of organ sounds, including pop, rock, jazz, gospel and rhythm & blues. Using its newly-developed Tone Wheel Organ Modeling Generator, Korgs advanced DSP technology accurately recreates the unique sound of a genuine tone wheel organ. Two different tone wheel sounds are provided (Vintage and Clean), and the CX-3 has the ability to add the mechanical noise generated by the tone wheels (Leakage) as well as control the tone wheel overtone levels. Full control is available for keyclick (both down and up) to simulate the much-desired dirty key contact sound of an older instrument. The CX-3 also features a new key scanning method that ensures a much faster response to fingering, allowing glissandi and trills to be played with authenticity.

The CX-3 provides two sets of nine drawbars, with careful attention paid to sonically emulating the proper foldback settings and individual harmonic distortion. With a Split Mode setup, each set of drawbars can be easily assigned to either upper or lower sounds. By plugging in any MIDI keyboard, you can turn the CX-3 into a dual manual organ, for full polyphony across two 61-key manuals. In addition, fully programmable percussion is provided, with control over volume, decay rate and selectable second and third harmonic settings. A new EX mode extends the drawbar and percussion possibilities by linking all 18 drawbars into a full range of 13 tonal harmonics and up to five percussion harmonics at the same time.

Korgs REMS modeling technology is utilized for creating realistic rotary speaker and spatial effects. Three types of amp simulators are provided to reproduce a real rotary speaker, a classic tube amp sound, or pre-amp only signal for connecting to a genuine wood cabinet rotary speaker. All feature a unique, true, dynamic overdrive, with a clean sound that gets dirtier as the volume is increased. The user can control the adjustment time required for rotation to change after the rotor or horn switch speeds (or stop the rotating altogether), as well as a number of micing characteristics. In addition, classic vibrato and chorus settings of a true tone wheel organ are provided, along with three types of reverb with adjustable tone and depth.

The CX3 is housed in a rugged, natural wood case. Keeping true to classic tone wheel organ design, its drawbars, vibrato/chorus, and percussion switches are placed in the same location as on the real instrument, for instant familiarity. The CX3 also adds a large 16-character LCD display for viewing settings/parameters in low-light situations.

"For many years customers, artists and dealers have been asking Korg to reissue the CX-3," stated Jerry Kovarsky, Korg Keyboard and Recording Manger. "After listening to vintage organs, amplifiers and rotary speakers, and evaluating several prototypes, we took the CX-3 to top keyboardists and organists for realistic evaluation. We received input and feedback from legends like Brian Auger, Bill Champlin, Tom Coster, Al Kooper, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Greg Phillinganes and Derek Sherinian, and they all contributed signature sounds as well. We are proud of the result of all our efforts its the closest thing to a real tone wheel organ around, with many benefits that a real organ cant deliver."