Released in 2023, this is the second version of GSi's most famous product: VB3-II Tonewheel Organ emulator. This marks 20 years of research and development of this instrument. Here follows the timeline:

• 2003: First experiments - a free plugin was released under the name ORGANized trio;
  
• 2006: After important developments, the name was changed to VB3 (Virtual B3) and a first version was released as a shareware;
  
• 2007: The first major update of VB3 version 1 introduced some new features such as the virtual 9-key contacts and the Ambience and Cabinet parameters that gave a boost of realism to the rotary amp simulation;
  
• 2008: VB3 was adapted to be preinstalled on a hardware organ called Hamichord;
  
• 2009: A stripped-down version of VB3 was included in GSi's plugin Key Performer, specifically made for the V-Machine;
  
• 2010: That same version was adapted as a dedicated software for the 3rd version of the Hamichord called VB3 Hamichord Edition;
  
• 2011: The VB3 Hamichord Edition was released with a new editor interface with loads of new innovative parameters, including several tonewheel generators to choose from, the Drawbar Trims, and features such as the percussion Paradise Mod and the rotary effect Memphis Style;
  
• 2011: The whole VB3 HE was rewritten from the ground up with new detailed leakage and crosstalk algorithms, new rotary effect, new features such as Resistor Wires, rotary Front Stop, and so on... and was renamed to VB3 Crumar Edition 2
  
• 2014: VB3 became officially VB3-II but was only dedicated to hardware DSP-based Crumar and GSi instruments such as the GSi Gemini and the new Crumar Mojo line;
  
• 2017: VB3-II received major improvements such as a new overdrive, new parameters for the rotary effect, and a complex crosstalk algorithm;
  
• 2018: The same VB3-II that powered our hardware instruments was finally released as a plugin for Windows and Mac computers;
  
• 2019: VB3-II resulted as one of the most cracked plugins... This let us down a little bit, so we decided to take a pause from it and dedicate ourselves to new projects;
  
• 2020: VB3-II had its first 1:1 hardware counterpart, the Crumar Mojo Desktop;
  
• 2023: We've been quite busy with other projects but in the end we got to refresh the whole plugin, totally rebuilt once again from the ground up.

Features already present in the 2018 edition:

• Full polyphony (61 upper + 61 lower + 25 pedals = 147 notes)
• 91 modeled tonewheels with accurate phase synchronization
• Adjustable leakage noise and cross modulation between tonewheels
• A total of 22 different tonewheel generators to choose from
• Generator shaping for a total of 154 generator combinations
• Adjustable global tuning from 430 to 450 Hz
• Foldback on 16" deactivatable
• Complex wheels
• Resistor wiring with multiple options
• Realistic "run" motor wow and flutter
• Busbars and 9 key contact simulation
• Two separate sets of drawbars per manual
• Full "inverted octave" presets
• String Bass with adjustable release time
• Loudness "robbing" effect
• Single triggered percussion with natural capacitor discharge/recharge
• Adjustable Percussion Level and Decay
• Vibrato/Chorus virtual scanner
• Adjustable Vibrato Scanner depth and mix
• Separated Upper and Lower V/C tablets with smooth switching
• Dynamic tube overdrive simulation
• Spring Reverb (pre) and Digital stereo reverb (post)
• Rotary speaker simulation with virtual microphone positioning, tube overdrive, tube feedback
• Rotors "Front Stop" brake position with adjustable preferred position
• Very low CPU consumption
• Advanced MIDI Learn function with import/export of custom mappings
• Upper and Lower manuals SPLIT with adjustable split point
• Supports pedal sustain
• Custom programmer with import/export of Programs and Banks

New VB3-II 2023 edition features

• Added both the tonewheel engine and the rotary simulator from VB3 v.1.4
• The V1 rotary simulator features 3 variations, for a total of 4 different amplifiers
• Added 1 new tonewheel generator
• Added Ring Modulator and Delay effects (pre)
• Added FET Limiter (post)
• Session Recorder: silently records everything is played and imports/exports standard Midi Files and renders to WAV files
• Built-in Audio Player plays the most common audio formats to add a backing track to your music
• Octave transposers for upper and lower separately
• New Program browser shows full list with move, swap, delete functions along with import/export of banks and single Programs
• Built-in function to import/export from/to VB3-II 2018 (and Crumar Mojo Desktop) Program and Bank formats
• New Midi Map with reverse, latch and lock functions for each parameter
• New advanced Midi Javascript processor for custom event transformations (supports SysEx and RPN/NRPN)
• Multiple outputs (Main + Organ Only)
• Separate plugin for remote Audio and Midi input - includes the exclusive VoMidiCoder
• New bigger touch-friendly interface
• Four different drawbar view styles
• On-screen keyboards with two different viewing styles
• Random program generator
• Added rotary effect speed control from Channel Aftertouch
• Supports Midi Output, can send whole "snapshots" when loading and when changing Programs
• Supports different curves for the Swell Pedal
• Built-in Midi Monitor for monitoring incoming Midi messages
• Free Cloud service for sharing Programs, Midi Maps and Midi Processor Scripts with other users

Click image to view the Gallery

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
VB3-II is available in the following formats:
– for Windows: VST2 x64, VST3 x64, Standalone x64
– for macOS: VST2 x64, VST3 x64, Audio Unit x64, Standalone x64

Windows:
– any Windows computer running Windows 10 x64 or newer
– ASIO compatible audio device for low latency performance

OSX:
– macOS version 10.13 or newer

iOS:
- iPadOS version 11.00 or newer

Please note: VB3-II is only available for the iPad. For iPhone please have a look at VB3m.


Of course you need a MIDI controller keyboard to play VB3-II, and if you want to enjoy the experience of a real dual manual console organ, we advice you to check out GSi DMC-122, the perfect companion for VB3-II.



If all you need is a quick and easy 9-Drawbar controller, we have it too! It's the D9U, an open source do-it-yourself project based on Arduino, with Class-Compliant USB-MIDI and UART Midi output on mini-jack. And if you need something more, check the D9X. Click HERE to learn more.
Click HERE to download all the project files (mounting instructions PDF, Arduino sketch, Eagle PCB projects).
Order online at MyRigShop.com, the official Crumar & GSi Factory Outlet.


A review / walkthrough by Simeon Amburgey from PraiseTracks.com