Hi James, as you see the forum is getting off to a slow start. When we re-launch the site in June, we’ll be putting more effort into getting this going.
That Roland keyboard looks like a great one, with so many sounds, and easy to access. I have not heard one. It’s great to have the 9 sliders…which I assume also work at the 9 drawbars on a real B3. You should be able to work it just like you see in the Organ course on A of R. If you can do a piano/organ split, that’d be great.
As for VST’s for organ, I think the absolute best is “Vintage B3″ that comes with Logic and Mainstage. I use that with an Akai MPK261 controller. It’s got 9 drawbars and the plugin automatically maps the sliders as drawbars, most of them anyway. I think they combine the highest two drawbars into one. Not sure why.
I also use the Hammond organ plug in Kontakt, using Ableton. That is great but in my opinion not a good sounding at the ‘Vintage B3.”
Whether using a hardware keyboard such as your Roland or even a Nord, or Hammond digital (like the SK pro), you MUST use two speakers for amplification. This will make the leslie effect sound much better…be sure to connect them in true stereo. I have two QSC K 8.2’s. 2000 watts and easy to carry. This is for small local performances. Everything sounds better in stereo!
My current set up is a Nord Stage 3, weighted touch, and a Hammond SK pro. I also just got the new Line 6 DL V mk II for effects (reverb slams, etc) that replaced the old classic DL4 which I use in the dub effects One Shots on the A of R sight (the one I pained red and gold to make for a custom red, gold and green theme. (I painted the MKII as well. That makes them sound better…haha!)
There’s my equip two cents for now!