Items Included
- Ferrofish B4000+ – Authentic Organ Sound Module
- External Power Supply
- USB Cable
- Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Key Features
- Supports 3 Manuals – Upper, Lower, Pedal
- 9 Drawbars, 6 Dials
- Tonewheel Emulation
- Key Click, Key Contact Delay Simulation
- Percussion
- Rotating Speaker Emulation
- Tube Amplifier with Overdrive Simulation
- Effects with External Audio Throughput
- 128 Factory Presets
- 2 x MIDI In, USB MIDI
The B4000+ from Ferrofish is an external sound module that authentically models the original Hammond B3 drawbar organ. The modeled features include ninety-one tonewheels, full polyphony, key clicks and percussion, scanner vibrato, overdrive, rotating Leslie speaker, and much more.
The module includes nine real drawbars, high resolution endless potentiometers and a TFT display. Processing is handled by a Sharc DSP from Analog Devices and a Cortex 3 ARM processor.
- Three full polyphony manuals supported
- Nine drawbars
- Six high resolution metal dials
- Percussion including harmonic, attack and decay
- Tonewheel emulation including leakage and condition
- Mechanical emulation including key click and key contact delay simulation
- Physical circuit modeling
- Rotating speaker emulation
- Tube amplifier emulation (with overdrive)
- FX section with chorus/vibrato, reverb and compressor
- External stereo audio input for routing through the effects section
- Global tuning
- Envelope attack and decay
- MIDI key split and velocity
- TFT color display
- USB interface
- Two MIDI inputs
- Stereo analog output and headphone out
- Supports expression pedal and sustain switch (pedals not included)
- ARM Cortex M3 and Sharc DSP processors
Rob V. –
The Ferrofish B4000+ is a fantastic little unit. First of all it is built like a tank. It’s solid steel construction bodes well for many years of use in all kinds of environments. I purchased this module to use with my Yamaha 105. The Yamaha has excellent weighted 88 key, action and great piano samples all in a 25 pound package. I wanted to get authentic B3 sound without loosing the benefits of the Yamaha 105. The only thing out there right now that incorporates weighted piano action with a fantastic B3 simulator is the Nord Stage Piano 2 which will set you back about $. Since I don’t need the synth aspects of the Nord, and also since I do not want to part with that amount of money, I sought out the solution which was found with the Ferrofish B4000+.The sounds of the B4000+ are very realistic. In addition to a rich variety of presets, you also have complete control over sculpting authentic B3 sound with all of the authentic B3 parameters that are laid out in a friendly and logical fashion (What would you expect with German engineering).The only down side is that while you do have real time control over your drawbars in any particular setting, it is virtually impossible to adjust other parameters such as overdrive or tremolo options while playing. Even with the very well lit view screen there are too many knobs and menus to address address in real time. However, you do have the opportunity to create your own presets. Rotary speaker on and off can be addressed with the use of a foot switch.One huge issue with the Yamaha 105 is the midi interface. The big problem is to make the USB midi on the Yamaha interface with the traditional barrel style midi interface on the B4000+. After much research I finally found a product that handles this dilemma, the Kenton Midi USB Host. It is rather expensive for a little box that should cost no more than $ . But it is the only one of its kind and even with the exorbitant price it still makes the overall package for a light weight, portable B3 very inexpensive. I also run the B4000+ sound out through a volume pedal which allows me to literally turn the sound on or off while I play though the Yamaha Keyboard. The downside to using this interface is that you have some additional cables to tend with during your set up and break down. I you are using the B4000+ with a simple keyboard controller with a barrel style midi interface, this thing will work out of the box without a problem. It will also work great in recording and DAW applications. Overall, for the money, this is an excellent buy.
Rob V. –
Groovus –
One has to consider the fact that there aren’t too many B3 Midi Organ modules out there anymore. If you want to get that sound with all the controls of a real Leslie, and if you don’t want to buy a dedicated organ keyboard made by Hammond, Roland, Korg, etc., then this is the one too get. I would have been happier if it were a bit less expensive, but after looking for organ midi modules on , @ and @ and other sources, it simply could not be found. Actually, I did find a few, but they were older, with limited features, and no guarantee, and fairly expensive for vintage technology. I thought if I’m going to put that much money out, may as well go for the gold. The number of presets is overwhelming compared to other units, the hands-on drawbars is welcome, and the precisely controllable parameters, especially the Leslie settings, the distortion, is wonderful. Not to mention, the thing is built like a tank, all metal construction with the appropriate plastic knobs and switches. It has a hefty weight to it as well exuding quality construction. I didn’t need another keyboard, but was not willing to buy a full fledged organ keyboard as noted, so this is the BEST next thing. And, of course, thee sound. Using the modulation wheel, expression pedal, or a simple latching foot switch, the Leslie can be engaged/disengaged from fast to slow. And it gets that authentic effect. The thing sounds like a Hammond! Navigating around the controls gets more intuitive as you use it. In summary, GET IT! If you’re looking for a module of this type, they are rare, but luckily you can still get this one. Highly recommended.
Groovus –
D.S. –
I had the unenviable choice of running ‘B4’ with a laptop, with too much hookup, audio interface, no physical drawbars, and risking on stage crashes, etc, or … saving up for a hammond SK1 for $2-3k. Neither one was working for me. The Ferrofish fixes my problem. Without going broke, I have an authentic sounding B3 clone, with tactile drawbars and built like s tank, minimal setup, and great sounds and Leslie sim! Most keyboardists like me already have too many keyboard controllers lying around, so why pay for another when you can get this module and use one you already own? No brainier for me. Only slight criticism: no idea why there isn’t a ‘usb in’ for a usb keyboard, but no matter. A good old midi cable works just fine. Great product! D.S.
D.S. –
Myran –
I found the B4000+ easy to setup. It sounds great going through a Leslie speaker. It gave me the B3 sounds that I was looking for, without having to purchase a whole keyboard organ. I found the control of the different parameters easy to use. It does not take up a lot of space. I use this with a MOTU Ultra lite midi interface to be controlled from different keyboard controllers. Using a volume pedal works well with this unit. I also like the display.
Myran –
Lefty Martin –
Out of the box, this thing is rock solid. Easy to set up, user friendly. I can get the B3 sound that I was looking for. Would not be afraid to gig with it.
Lefty Martin –