Well hello there ......
You may have already heard that I am opening a brand new concept called Hammond Laboratory or as I like to call it HamLab.
This is a brand new concept and a total resource for Playing - Learning - Trying - Using and Owning Hammond Organs and Leslie Speakers.
HamLab is equipped to a very high level and some of the equipment installed in the Lab is as follows... New B-3 Pro portable - Hammond Pro XK System on the new wooden B-3 style stand - Hammond XK-3c - Hammond XK-1 Leslie 2101 mk2 - Leslie 3300 and normally the classic Leslie 122 + an assortment of back-line and PA including a Roland KC500 combo and a bi-amped CROWN powered 4 x cabinet PA. So ... you can hear any of the Hammond's though every scenario from Leslie Speakers to straight amps or a combination of both. Cool eh ???
There is also a full APPLE MAC powered DAW recording / production system running the very latest version of LOGIC Pro + 1000's of software instrument and effects plug ins. If that is not enough there is also normally a high end workstation like a KORG M-3 or similar available !
So.....what can you achieve by visiting HamLab ... er well .... just about everything !
You can come along and just try the gear or you can book an appointment for Hammond Player Lessons, book a product knowledge session and get to know your XK keyboard or organ in depth. Ever fancied learning to play a B-3 ? well we have one here. If you want to get more into using your Hammond with other MIDI equipment, keyboards, computers and the like HamLab can help here as well. I'll show you how to use you Hammond as part of a mix in an band or MIDI ensemble and you can even burn then session to CD and take it home with you.
If you have an auto arranger keyboard or MIDI piano let us show you how blend your Hammond into this fantastic way of making music with a Hammond Connections Session. You wont believe your ears when you experience a Hammond Keyboard configured correctly to an auto arranger. This is a field I know very very well and as some of may know I have worked as a promoter demonstrator for Farfisa, Ketron, Korg, GEM, and of course the mighty Hammond of the years so I have a vast knowledge base of using this kind of set up. I have also worked extensively in R&D for certain manufacturers designing and programming keyboards. May I even say (blush, blush) .... after a major product launch in New York I was described by the press as the Worlds Ultimate Arranger Keyboard Player (-:
Even as I type this blog, there is a brand new KORG PA arranger workstation waiting to be installed in the Lab. More on this in a late edition
Couple this with 40 years experience of professional playing, demonstrating and using Hammond Organs and other keyboards all over the world with extensive tours of the USA, Far East and of course Europe and the UK circuit, I am sure I have something to offer all players no matter what age group or style of music is involved.
HamLab is open for business Friday 31st July and Sunday 1st August as 'Open Days' so you can have a look at what we have to offer.
Visits to HamLab are strictly by appointment only so if you intend to come along, please call or email me to arrange a time. The actual studio room is not that large so I need to make sure that no one is kept waiting.
mailto:info@malcdeakin.co.uk or call 07702 446618
There will be another BLOG very soon outlining some of the events taking place very soon at the Lab.
Don't forget to subscribe to the mail list to be informed of any events or special offers at the Lab
Thats all for now ..
Hopeful will see you at the Lab in the near future.
Cheers
Malc
visit the HamLab Web Site
Sean Barry Keyboard Player uses XK-3c with DUFFY
SEAN BARRY
here is a nice note from one of our pro players .........
Hey Malc, long time no speak! Hope you guys are all well there? Sorry I haven't been in touch for some time but things have been thankfully very busy.....
Just thought i'd email you a few pics and let you know that my XK3c is currently all around Europe at major festivals with Duffy.
We had a nightmare in Athens recently in as much that the heavens opened once our gear had been setup and completely drenched the stage (and all the equipment) in water! Thankfully it would seem that the XK3c is built to survive such rigors of the road and worked perfectly at the next show despite other bits of my kit suffering the consequences :(
Kind regards, Sean ;)
Sean is currently on tour with ..Duffy, & recently worked with Natalie Imbruglia, Alesha Dixon, Jamie Scott & the Town, Jason Mraz, The Bodyrockers, Jason Donovan & Ruby Turner to name a fewcheck out his web site: http://www.myspace.com/seanbarrymusic
Barrie’s Blog
July 2009
2009 marks the 5th year of the new Hammond UK and of course it also celebrates the 75th year of the Hammond Organ.
Having been personally involved with the Hammond business for over 40 years it continues to amaze me how this fundamental ‘pipe organ substitute’ invention, has stood the test of time and continues, almost in it’s original style, to form the basis of most of the musical genres we hear today.
The’ New Generation’ Hammond instruments are a tribute to the dedication of the Suzuki Development team in Japan, who have worked tirelessly and with a focused dedication for over 20 years to ‘get it right’ and without doubt they have certainly achieved that.
We are now seeing the introduction of a second wave of these instruments, due mainly to the changes in EU design regulations especially in the lead content ‘RoHS’ Regulations. This has meant the need to virtually re design the complete range with the discontinuation of some lines and the improvement of others. Fortunately this procedure is now finished and our product range is again complete, from the iconic ‘new B3’ through the amazing XK3c and associated system, to the Xk1 and XM2 module. Also on the Leslie Speaker front we now have the full line available from the compact 2101 the incredible 3300 to the vintage 122.
The success of the range has been underwritten by the increasing endorsement of the highest profile of professional performers. We have been privileged to work with some of the UK’s leading artists and bands eager to include new generation Hammond instruments in their line up.
My greatest pleasure has come from the increasing amount of home players who are returning to their 60s roots and enjoying Hammond performance as a major hobby.
Also from our extensive promotional activities of regional workshops and master classes we see a major increase of interest in Hammond Playing from a much younger customer age group.
It has been obvious, and coincidentally one of my personal interests, that a sharing of knowledge through some form of education program has become an essential part of our marketing program. Malc has worked tirelessly on this front and not only helping with product development and producing and managing all our i.t activity, he has been instrumental in our education program by fronting the Hammond Player activity. The Hammond Player DVD is now up for its first reprint having been distributed all over the world and has become the major resource for budding Hammond performers.
HAMMOND LAB @ HAMMOND ORGAN CENTRE UK
We now are embarking on a totally new program of education, product demonstration, and personal performance development, with the launch of the very first Hammond Laboratory. Or ‘Ham Lab’
This project is being pioneered buy Malc at Hammond Centre UK and opens later this month. I am confident this operation will develop with a number of Ham Labs opening up across the country to provide a specialist centre to help novice keyboardists become complete Hammond Players.
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Our recent new retail strategy has resulted in an updated countrywide family of UK Hammond stockists who have been personally selected to offer the highest level of support to regional Hammond customers. You can find your nearest outlet and their current stock availability on the web site under UK Stockists. We will endeavour to profile each of these companies in more detail on the site.
Despite the current economic climate Hammond is currently doing very well, with sales across Europe developing nicely, unlike many other keyboard brands.
I am convinced we are only just touching on the true potential of Hammond sales in the UK and even in these difficult times we will enjoy a successful year
Barrie
