Voce V5

This is the first time I've ever been compelled to write a review on HC, but I just HAD to defend the V5 from the absurd review below!!

The V5 couldn't be easier to use. If you've ever played a real B and plugged in a midi cable, you'll figure out how to use the V5 in about three seconds...

The polyphony is unlimited - you can play every key within the B3's range simultaneously. The chorus/vibrato effects are right on the money. The distortion is definitely usable, but not remarkable. Key click and leakage are nice in small quantities. I subtracted 1 point for the percussion - it sounds great but could be just a bit louder...

In the world of B3 clones, this is where we separate the men from the boys... I've been a professional/semi-professional musician for the past 22 years. Anyone that's worked with me over the years will testify that I'm incredibly difficult to please when it comes to tone quality, especially with piano and B3 sounds. Simply put, the V5 has NO competition in the B3 clone market, and believe me - I've tried them all (except for the Nord, but I've heard demos). It has a wonderful, rich, full sound that is impossible to describe with words. It's a real living, breathing kind of sound unlike the sterile "digital" sounding clones offerred by the "big" synth manufacturers. I play it through a real rotating horn called a "Rotophaser", which is about 30 years old. The sound is simply incredible - I still can't believe that a digital tone generator can sound so fat and warm!! It's my favorite piece of gear in my entire live rig.

No major problems, but every once in a while I get a strange midi glitch that locks the V5 up. A hard reset always fixes the problem. The fact that I'm using an original DX7 to trigger it probably has something to do with it. The DX7 is notorious for having a very unstable midi implementation and causing glitches in modules.

Never had to deal with the company for support...

If it were lost or stolen, I would have a new one by the weekend - period!!

Felt I had to write this in defense of the V5 and VOCE.

If you know your way around a real organ no problem. The little buttons could be a bit bigger, but you easily get used to it.

Midi could be a bit easier to deal with but if you are using it as a dedicated one manual clonewheel/module it's fine.

I'm surprised by the previous review- Even though I know these forums can often be a testimony to make you feel better about why you bought something. I have used my V5 for almost 2years. At the risk of sounding like a pompous snob, I'm a proffesional musician. I own a real 1960 B3. I'm often able to request a real B3 in our band's production rider. I've played just about every B3 wanna-B out there. I think through a Leslie or Motion Sound the V5 sounds great in a no compromise way. Whenever I can't get a real B, which is about 90% of the time, I'll use the V5 and try to at least secure a leslie. I personally feel the V5 has a certain organic qaulity about it, more- so than the CX3. Which I've really tried to like. I was all set to upgrade to the new CX (I still own the 1979 model!!) because I was tired of the midi thing with the V5- but there is something about the CX3 that doesn't work for me live. On a recent gig I asked for one, and spent a couple of hours tweaking a few of the amp/setups and I still was never really happy with it once I did the gig. As said many times before the V5 has balls -period.

The V5 distortion is a little brittle, but I find it useful at lower settings when I don't want to push the Leslie or Motion Sound rig so hard.

I've found it to be very dependable.

Never tried to contact Dave, I know he's busy with Bomb Factory anyway. I've talked to him and his wife at NAMM shows a few times, and I thought they were very appreciative and friendly. DR Music was great when I needed to order a back up power supply. The price you pay for a boutique thing like this is that one guy can only do so much. In his defense, honestly folks were you sending an email just to bitch or was it an actual legitmate question?

I'd buy another in a heartbeat. Like others have commented I too wish the 1" drawbar was a tad louder, and the percussion was as well. But I'm happy. Besides my vintage stuff it's the only thing that feels like a real musical instrument. I've tried the Nord and I thought it was excellent too. The Roland stuff to me is too clinical sounding. The hammond is cold to me as well. And I've already commented on the CX3.

Best advice try to rent/borrow this anything else and try it ON A GIG. That's always the true test of how it's going to work, not in the store. BTW in the studio, through a real leslie, you can fool anybody.

Very skimpy manual.........buttons are too close together on the module.

Mono output only. VERY difficult to set up for multi-keyboard and pedal use..........no expansion nor upgrade potential.

The presets are wimpy. A hamster has bigger BALLS than this module.

Absolutely the worst..........mine has crashed after easy, occasional gigging.

This REALLY bites it........only 1 authorized repair center. PERIOD. CAE Sound in California. Apparently they can ONLY get parts from Dave Amels himself, who is spotty (at best) at returning emails and making parts available to CAE. So you may or may not be able to get your Voce (V5 or any other Voce product) repaired in a timely manner, if at all!!!!!!

My V5 failed after mild use within a fairly short period of time (after the warranty ran out, though, of course).........only 1 shop in the entire planet to turn to for repair help.......parts and repairs may or may not be available in a timely manner (if at all)...reclusive designer doesn't seem to give a shit once you trusted all the hype and plunked your hard-earned cash down (READ: he got HIS, snot puppies for YOU)........I'll never buy another voce product again.

Having owned a Hammond C3 and Leslie, and nearly every portable organ intent on replicating the B3/C3 sound, I ended up with the Voce V5 and Motion Sound Pro3=T and Lo Pro. I run the V5 through a small Yamaha R100 reverb unit (V5 has on built-in reverb). Anyone with any B3 knowledge will quickly master the user interface, and total novices will get it 2 minutes later. There is a manual (very short one, also on the Voce web site), and it is sufficient.

No keyboard, (it's a module). I love the color (orange) and the layout, drawbars, etc. I would have been nice to have a midi merge function built in (or 2 midi ins). Also would have been nice to have
tone controls and reverb. If it were re-designed or updated, I would vote for a dual-concentric knob for treble and bass (in place of the totally worthless and horrible sounding Overdrive knob). Also nice would be a dual-concentric knob with key on and key off click (in place of the existing key click knob (but the key click as it exists isvery good).

I think the V5 has an organic, thick, beefy sound that the other B3 wannabes are lacking. Most of the others (Vk's, CX3, BX3, OB3, XK2, Emu B3) have a gentler more processed sound. I haven't gotten my hands on the Clavia Nord Electro yet, but am very intersted in hearing it. Roland's 60's-70's expansion card for the JV series synthesizers has very good B3 sounds, but the percussion is multi-triggered (bad for legato playing), and the scanner chorus effect is missing.

The percussion is good, but you need to lower the drawbar levels considerably in your presets when using percussion (if you want to have a loud percussion effect).

The Chorus/Vibrato is decent but understated. C1, C2, V1 and V2 are nearly inaudible. An update to intensify the Chorus/Vibrato would be at the top of my wish list. Still, it's usable, only the XK2 has a better one (in my opinion). I also wish the 1' drawbar had more volume (intensity). It's the weakest of the nine. Again, another welcome update would be to scale the output somewhat so that the higher up your keyboard you go, the treble and volume are somewhat increased (scream factor).

So far (2 years), no problems (except I had to order another power cord with transformer). The wire frayed on mine, could have been my fault.

I've tried contacting Dave Amels (V5 designer) with no success. Dr Music (distributor) is good about returning emails. I'd love to get a schematic - does anyone have one? Know where to get one?

Would love to see someone (Voce?) make a very similar module to replicate a Vox Continental, Farfisa Combo Compact or Gibson G101
combo organ.

I find this module very easy to use. The 7 presets can be changed or rest to the factory settings. There are 3 or 4 that I use most and make subtle adjustments using the real time knobs or the 9 drawbgaars.

This is where the Voce stands out. The sound has a wonderfully rich full and organic sound. Nothing about it hints that's it's some kind of smoke and mirrors attempt at a Hammond Organ. After playing it for a while, I have alos found my confidence has grown when I play it because I expect nothing but a very lush sound from the Voce. I receive more compliments from this module than any other. If you wnat to step into a class all it's own. Get the V5.

Seems reliable. No problems.

No opinion. They are a very small company. So not sure about this.

I love the overall sound and use it for Rock and Blues where it really shines. I think the only negative comment i have is the percussion is not as good as other organs I play like the Hammond XK-2 or the Roland VK-7. That's the only area the could be improved.

Drawbars, what fun! All other controls are a knob or button; not
really any deep menus or anything, it's all one-touch. The big issue
is the serious lack of information in the "manual" -- really about
a ten-page pamphlet. It's not a complex unit, so it doesn't need
a huge book, but it's really skimpy.

No features beyond your basic Hammond ops, but that's a good thing --
it's not like you're going to be sequencing on it. You get a lot of
control over the amount of vibrato, as well as instrument-specific
effects like key click and overdrive. Supposedly there's a way to
use two different MIDI keyboards for dual-manual operation, but I've
never tried it.

Wow, this is why you buy the V5. I've never owned a real Hammond,
but I have played them, and everyone knows what they're supposed
to sound like anyway. And this is it. Absolutely fantastic.

No significant problems here. The only nit I have is that my
vibrato selector button sticks, but it's always been that way.
I gig with it on a regular basis, no issues with that.

When I bought it, tried to contact customer support to find out more
about the presets. Never heard back. Their website was very little
help to boot.

I've had the V5 & Spin-II for about six months now, and they are a
dream machine. The only other Hammond simulator I've ever heard
that sounds any good at all is the Korg CX-3, which has a dedicated
keyboard (a plus or minus, depending on your perspective). If it
were lost or stolen, I'd buy one of them again in a heartbeat.
The sound, the sound, the sound -- if you're looking for a Hammond
simulator, especially a module instead of an entire unit, you gotta
check this out.

Before I start with my review I should have never owned a Hammond B3, C3, or A100. I have owned a Hammond M111 but I never played it through a Leslie. I have heard plenty of Hammonds live and before buying the V5 I scrutinized every possible clone. The V5 takes the cake. In terms of ease of use, it took me little while to understand all the ins and outs of the V5. The manual did not answer some of my questions (however customer support for the Voce products is very helpful). I must admet that this is my first MIDI instrument so it probably took me longer than others to understand all of the V5's features. As many have said before, the sounds is incredible. Right now I am playing the V5 through a Motion Sound Pro-3t and the bass through the cabinet of my Rhodes Suitcase 88. The sound is extremely warm and aurthentic to my ears.

I currently run the V5 through two separate Studio Logic Sl-161 keyboards. A number of people have complained that it is difficult to access the lower manual drawbars for the V5 without a separate drawbar controller. I made a couple of discoveries. Yes, it is impossible to change drawbar settings in realtime for the lower manual, however there is a way to program two separate lowere manual settings. I found that the 7th preset is used as the default lower manual preset. But, if you program the 7th preset with percussion, the lower manual will play the 7th preset without percussion. So, it is possible to have a 7th preset work sperately for both upper and lower manuals. I also discovered that the 6th preset also works in a similar fashion. When you first power up the V5, the lower manual is set to the 6th preset (again without percussion). Once you switch presets, the lower manual will switch to the 7th preset. Whenever you switch presets the lower manual will always change to the default 7th preset but it is possible to switch to the 6th preset for the lower manual by pressing the SPLIT button twice. So in my case I have found that this works well enough. I have two main lower manual settings that I like. I set the default 7th preset to the first 3 drawbars pulled out with 2nd Percussion (again the percussion only works when I am using the preset for the upper manual). I have the 6th preset set to the first and third drawbars pulled out (with percussion). I hope this helps anyone who may be wondering how to access the lower manual presets.

Again, the sound is great. You can sculpt your sound in any way you desire. I think it is quite close to the sound of the real thing. I don't care much for the distortion or the leakage. I ussually use the settings on the PRO-3T to add some grit to the sound. The keyclick is a nice added touch in small quantities.

I have never gigged with the V5. My only worries are with the drawbars hanging out. Also, the V5 tends to get pretty warm when it has been on for sometime. I have not had anytrouble with it so far. I have had it for 6 months now.

I contacted customer support once regarding some questions about presets. They were very helpful and easy to deal with.

I would definitely replace my V5 if something were to happen to it. I have been playing piano/keyboard for 21 years. My only other keyboard is a Rhodes Suitcase 88. When it comes to instruments I tend to be a purist. I am not a fan of MIDI instruments but due to the cost and space required by a real Hammond I decided on the V5. Before deciding on the V5 I spent a lot of time researching it and reading reviews. The latest B3 Clone Shootout was very useful since it also contains sound clips along with a written review. Along with trying the V5 I tried the Hammond Suzuki XK2, and the Roland VK-7 and VK-77 (which in my opinion is too expensive) The V5 was way ahead of the others. I also agree with the previous reviewer that Voce did a good thing by not adding a Leslie simulator. Unless you have a real spinning horn it is impossible to simulate a Leslie. I only wish that
there were a two manual keyboard controller (with no sounds) out there.

There is nothing more intuitive or as enjoyable as grabbing a handful of drawbars and pulling them out while the leslie climbs up to tremelo speed. The Voce V5 is a virtual Hammond tonewheel organ, based off its predecesor the V3, the V5 carries the torch even further. I have never owned a Hammond B3 or another similar console model but I have played several. I have also played a lot of clones looking for that special sound, these range from the Hammond XB2 to an old transistorized Roland VK09. I've done the whole Yamaha DX7 simulation through a leslie bit, and I've tried sampling and patch editing. Nothing can touch this little orange box. The moment I plugged it into my Motion Sound PRO3T it was no harder than using a real Hammond organ. The unit arrived with a set of 7 preset sounds which I really like but wouldn't mind overwriting anyway as they can be easily reinitialized. The 7 preset area is made up of 4 buttons and I applauded Voce for saving money by making you hit two at once to get to presets 5,6,and 7. The buttons themselved are really light to the touch and I worry that I might smash one by accident. They are also labeled with small text but once you get the hang of where you placed the unit you really don't look, you just reach and push. The set of drawbars feel like the real deal on a Hammond but have no support under them, they hang in open air unless you put it on a flat surface. Finding a good place on my Alesis QS6 to mount the velcro that keeps the unit secure was a chore, so choose a keyboard controller with a nice open flat area. My Yamaha DX7 had more open realestate for the mounting velcro. I don't use the manual but I have read through it online before I purchased the unit. I do this with most of the equipment I buy to see what I'm really getting.

Fully polyphony, across 2 manuals and pedals. All I can say, it is about damn time too. The V5 uses 91 realtime virtual tonewheels so it is not sampled. Besides the usual percussion and keyclick the V5 includes the classic Hammond Vibrato Chorus Scanner effect. This is one of the major reasons why I bought this unit. I love the Hammond scanner effect on C-3 and it adds a lot of shimmer to the dry sound. Also included is overdrive and leakage. I don't use the overdrive but I love the leakage. I've never had this on a sim before so its a cool treat that adds to the overall sound. The leakage sound is nice at low levels but abnoxious when turned all the way up. Though it sounds cool though a fast leslie full blast, like one of those creepy 70's TV sound effects. Missing is the usual leslie simulator but good riddin's since I use a Motion PRO3T unit. Most digital simulators are good but nothing compares to sitting next to the real deal and playing a deep chord; feel the earth shake baby! Aside from the missing Leslie sim it is a complete, compact, and authentic Hammond organ package. I want to applaude Voce on not including the leslie sim like on the V3 unit, plus it adds to the realism (maybe) because you had to buy the Leslie cabinet seperatly from the Hammond anyway. It leaves you options open to add you own effects before a leslie. The unit is pretty capable as a MIDI device, and can handle 2 keyboards and a set of pedals. There aren't any other extra special effects on the unit such a verb, but once again I note that this is a pure Hammond simulation not a synth. As a Hammond semi-purist, two thumbs up and toe for keeping the unit as pure as the dry rich Hammond tone as possible.

Fat, Balsy, and Round just like the console model Hammonds I've played before. Not all Hammonds sound alike nor does this unit sound exactly like any of the Hammonds I've played. If all organs sounded alike then the world would be like the 50's and 60's; plastic. I would compare the overall sound to a well maintained unit that might have had its internals tweaked by a Hammond tech at least once. You can adjust key click and leakage to taste if you so desire. The overdrive is okay but I prefer to use the natural distorted tube sound of my Motion Sound PRO3T. I like a little key click and just a little leakage to add a background hash noise effect to the PRO3T rotary speaker which the V5 is fed into. I have to agree with Keyboard Magazine on this one. The Voce V5 deserves every award it has earned! It sounds really authentic and I get nothing but wow's from fellow musicians who have play Hammond's and even comments from my drummer and guitarist. I can only give a 9 since not even a real Hammond could get a 10 in this category. There is no God-like Hammond out there in the world, just a lot of individually unique sounding ones.

The Voce V5 comes in a solid stell orange box but I still cringe at the idea of bending one of the drawbars but accident if I swipe at the unit really quick. This problem is quickly solved by mounting the unit on a flat sturdy surface as to have something under the drawbars when their fully extended. Seems rugged and built like a tank but don't drop it or stomp on it. Treat it like the little god it is buy it a case if you gig or travel with it. It does make me wonder how solid Voce's Spin II module is since it is made of the same orange steel case. Anyway it is a great studio and gig piece, just treat it with respect.

I've never had to call Voce but I hear they are nice to talk and very informative as to custom modifications to as most small specialized equipment companies are, such as Motion Sound. Never had to call them so I can't really comment.

Overall this unit does deserve a 10 but nothing is perfect, not even the real organ. I wish Voce still made the drawbar controller for the V3 so I could use it as a second set for the lower manual setting. Sounds like a dream through a real rotary speaker.

I have never owned a Hammond B-3, but have tried to emulate the sound for over 30 years with good Leslies and portable keyboards. The Voce V5 is the only one I have ever played that actually does the job. Be careful when mounting the unit to the keyboard. Pull all the drawbars out and make sure they don't extend over any part of the keys. Since I have one keyboard devoted to Hammond B-3 sounds, I chose the Fatar Sl-161 for the organ touch. I found using a Quick Lock 641 2 tier stand, and probably most 2 tier stands, you can use a stiff instrument cable from the audio out on the back to help support the unit. I was able to use 1 velcro strip under the front of the V5, and use the audio out cable as a second support by using black gaffer tape, securing the cable to the left brace for the second tier. This let me move the V5 back on the keyboard so the drawbars don't get in the way.
The presets are very good, but are easily changed. I don't see how the V5 could be easier to use.

The V5 offers all the features of the B-3, plus controll over distortion, key click, and leakage. The V5 does not have a leslie simulator or reverb. I use an Alesis Nano-Verb just to add a little reverb. Since I already own a Leslie, the V5 was a good buy.

The Voce V5 sounds better than some B-3's I played. From Gospel to Clasic Rock, the V-5 sounds awsome. But, it can only sound as good as the Leslie or Leslie Simulator you use. If you can, use a real Leslie with tubes. I bought a rebuilt Leslie 145 with a super stock amp and original reconed speakers in a flight case from Keyboard Specialties in Fl. This Leslie Screams with the V5. The V5 and the 145 Leslie let me get the Hammond sound you hear or gold records. It's full from top to bottom, fat, and can go from church organ clean to "Deep Purple" dirty. Don't forget to check out how the mod wheel on the controller changes or layers the sound. It lives, it breathes, it screams! I played a Roland VK-7 in a music store about a week after I purchased my V5. The COSM Leslie simulator was very weak, and the organ sound didn't impress me.

I have had no problems with the V5 since I bought it new about 2 months ago. I have used it over 100 hrs.

I have never had to use Voce Customer Support so I don't know. I understand they are a small company and I had to search the net to find a V5 in stock.

Overall, the V5 sound as good or better than a Hammond B-3, In fact it sounds like a B-3 that a teck has modified for a major recording studio or tour. I would replace it tomorrow if it were lost or stolen.

The Voce V5 Tonewheel Organ module does one job simulates the sound and features of a Vintage Tonewheel (Hammond) Organ. It's simple to use. Plug and play. Controls are the same as those found on the original. real time controls for Volume, Distorsion, Key Click and Leakage; buttons for percussion and Vibrato and Chorus as well as 9 Drawbars and 7 Preset Buttons. The module has very simular controls as a vintage organ. What could be easier. Additional features are well documented in the manual.

The module has all the features that make it a great module. As others have stated, no effects other than those listed above. Does not include reverb or Leslie effects. I would not recommend it without some kind of Leslie effect. It has 7 presets that are user assignable. Not near as many as some of the compition but it seems most of my sounds can be modeled in the seven presets. One feature that is not a standard organ implementation is the modulation wheel on my XK-2 can be used to increase or decreas all the drawbar setting. It's as if all the drawbars are pulled in and out at the same time. It's not a fine level of control.. but if you want to quickly add or subtract a bit from the sound it's very quick. The Manual is available on the Voce website. It describes all the features. http://www.voceinc.com/ It also supports three consecutive MIDI chanenls. These can control two organ manuals and bass pedals. It also supports a split keyboard. The Manual is available on the Voce website. It describes all the features. http://www.voceinc.com/
Also see Keyboard Magazine "B-3 Shootout" and read the opinions of seasoned B-3 Players. http://www.keyboardmag.com/ Go to Archives and then Features for the article. It also seems that is has a nice hot signal and is very quiet. One thing I am curious about is why is it Orange? Sure can't loose it in a dimly lit club or studio.

The sound is very real alive and full from the lowest to the highest note. It has a nice hard edge that produces a great sound when played through a Leslie or Leslie simulator. I have tried it in a Leslie (Model 770 9 - Pin) and also a Motion Sound Pro-3. To add some warmth I a "Blue Tube" between the V5 and the Leslie. It sounds very nice. For a controller I am using a Hammond XK-2 which has very nice organ like key action. For my ear, the V5, seems especially strong in the middle of the note range with most or all of the drawbars pulled out. The voicing of the drawbars is very complete. I also like the percussion and key click. The leakage seems to obvious to me when it is set higher than 1/3rd. I also with the chorus was a bit stronger. It seems to get lost when the Leslie is set to Tremulo (fast speed). the same seems true with key click. These two features I like better on the XK-2. The overdive also seems strong but I suspect that's a result of the "Blue Tube" I am using.

This seems to be weel built in an all metal case with metal drawbars. I carry a backup keyboard to gigs. I feel more comfortable with a backup.

Have only had it a few days. No comment at this point.

If it were lost or stolen I would buy it again. As far as value, it's not cheep but it sounds great. I have only been playing since December of 1999 so I am very new. In my mind the three contenders are the Hammond XK-2, Roland VK-7 and the Voce V5. Each has strengths and weaknesses. But much of this is taste and brand name image. Others have covered this topic very well. One thing I can say Voce is not relying on a well defined brand name... As others have indicated.. this module.. has a great sound... it's very fat .. thick.. and strong... Add a keyboard and Leslie and you will have a sound that will work well in many settings Night Club - Concert Hall -Gospel Church. Every so often a great product come along from a company no one ever heard of. Voce you have taken on the big boys.. and in my opinion.. finished in first place ! If you have a MIDI keyboard it saves having to buy the key bed again.