Cherry Audio Blue3 Tonewheel Organ is a meticulously modeled virtual instrument that replicates the iconic sounds of classic tonewheel organs like the B-3, C-3, A-100, L-100, CV, and M-3 models. This plugin stands out for its attention to detail, accurately capturing the nuances and imperfections that give vintage organs their distinctive character. Blue3 features 31 tonewheel sets based on various vintage instruments, along with 91 modeled tonewheels with precise phase synchronization. The plugin’s interface is divided into four main sections: Main, Edit, Cabinet, and Perform, providing users with comprehensive control over their organ sound. Cherry Audio has enhanced the original GG Audio version with a redesigned, resizable user interface, improved drawbar utilities, and new effects including tape echo delay, reverb, and a 7-band graphic EQ. The plugin offers full polyphony for upper, lower, and pedal manuals, as well as a customizable keyboard split function. Blue3’s sound engine faithfully reproduces the warmth, richness, and soulful tones associated with nearly a century of blues, gospel, rock, and jazz music.
Pros:
• Meticulously modeled, not sampled, for authentic vintage organ sounds
• Comprehensive control over tonewheel sets, drawbars, and organ characteristics
• Newly designed, intuitive user interface with resizable windows and focus zoom feature
• Includes high-quality effects like tape echo, reverb, and graphic EQ
• Affordable price point compared to similar plugins
Cons:
• May require significant CPU resources, especially at higher oversampling settings
Blue3 Tonewheel Organ boasts an impressive array of features that cater to both vintage organ enthusiasts and modern producers. At its core, the plugin utilizes 31 tonewheel sets that accurately capture the variations between different vintage instruments. These sets comprise 91 modeled tonewheels with phase synchronization, ensuring a rich and authentic sound. The authentically emulated scanner vibrato/chorus further enhances the realism of the organ emulation.
The plugin’s user interface is divided into four main sections: Main, Edit, Cabinet, and Perform. The Main page provides access to the essential controls, including drawbars for upper and lower manuals and pedals. Cherry Audio has improved the drawbar utilities, adding copy, swap, reset, and randomize options for both upper and lower drawbars. This allows for quick experimentation and sound design.
In the Edit section, users can fine-tune the organ’s characteristics. Settings for condition, key click, percussion, and overdrive allow for precise shaping of the instrument’s tone and behavior. The percussion controls offer adjustable volume, decay, and harmonic selection for the upper manual, providing the iconic percussive attack associated with classic organ sounds.
The Cabinet page is where Blue3 truly shines in terms of speaker and microphone simulation. It offers six speaker options, including classic 122, 147, RA-200, and 4×12 guitar amp simulations, as well as custom rotary speaker options. Users can adjust rotary speeds with realistic acceleration and deceleration. The microphone simulation is particularly impressive, featuring spread and distance controls, four microphone types (both dynamic and condenser), and a click-and-drag placement interface with updated graphics.
Cherry Audio has expanded the plugin’s sonic palette by adding three studio-quality stompbox-style effects: Tape Echo Delay, Reverb (with spring, plate, and hall options), and a Seven-Band Graphic EQ. These additions allow users to create more modern and diverse organ sounds beyond traditional tones.
Blue3 offers full polyphony for upper, lower, and pedal manuals, as well as a customizable keyboard split function. This flexibility is crucial for replicating complex organ performances and adapting to various playing styles. The plugin also includes complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all parameters, with an easy-to-use MIDI learn and mapping system.
With over 200 presets spanning classic to modern tones, Blue3 provides an excellent starting point for users of all experience levels. The preset library showcases the plugin’s versatility across various musical genres.
Cherry Audio has implemented their popular Focus zoom-in feature, allowing users to get a closer look at specific controls. The plugin also supports standard UI zoom and resize via drag, enhancing usability across different screen sizes and resolutions.
Performance-wise, Blue3 features highly optimized DSP for efficient operation. However, to cater to different system capabilities, Cherry Audio has included a user-adjustable oversampling quality control. This allows users to balance sound quality and CPU usage based on their hardware limitations.
When compared to other tonewheel organ emulations on the market, Cherry Audio’s Blue3 holds its own in terms of sound quality and features. Its closest competitors include Native Instruments’ B4 II, IK Multimedia’s Hammond B-3X, and Arturia’s B-3 V. Blue3 stands out for its meticulous modeling approach, which captures the nuances and imperfections of vintage organs without relying on samples. This results in a more dynamic and responsive instrument compared to sample-based alternatives. The inclusion of 31 tonewheel sets is particularly impressive, offering more variety than many competitors. In terms of user interface, Blue3’s redesigned GUI strikes a balance between authenticity and modern usability. While some plugins like the Hammond B-3X opt for a more photorealistic approach, Blue3’s interface is clean and intuitive without sacrificing visual appeal.
The addition of high-quality effects sets Blue3 apart from some of its competitors. While plugins like Arturia’s B-3 V also offer built-in effects, Blue3’s tape echo, reverb, and graphic EQ are particularly well-implemented and add significant value to the package. However, some users may prefer the more extensive modulation options found in plugins like Arturia’s B-3 V or the deeper customization capabilities of Native Instruments’ B4 II. Nonetheless, Blue3 offers a compelling balance of features, sound quality, and affordability that makes it a strong contender in the tonewheel organ plugin market.
This plugin is best for:
• Musicians and producers seeking authentic vintage organ sounds
• Blues, jazz, rock, and gospel artists looking for classic tonewheel organ tones
• Studio engineers wanting a versatile and affordable organ emulation
• Live performers needing a reliable and customizable organ plugin
• Sound designers exploring unique timbres through organ modeling and effects
Blue3 Tonewheel Organ plugin is a remarkable achievement in virtual instrument design. It successfully captures the essence of classic tonewheel organs while offering modern features and an intuitive user interface. The plugin’s meticulous modeling approach results in rich, authentic sounds that respond dynamically to player input. The inclusion of 31 tonewheel sets and 91 modeled tonewheels provides a level of detail and variety that sets Blue3 apart from many competitors. The redesigned user interface strikes a balance between vintage aesthetics and modern usability, with the added benefit of resizability and a focus zoom feature. The new effects section, including tape echo, reverb, and graphic EQ, expands the plugin’s sonic possibilities beyond traditional organ tones. While it may demand significant CPU resources at higher quality settings, the user-adjustable oversampling control allows for flexibility across different system configurations. At its price point, Blue3 offers exceptional value, making it an attractive option for both hobbyists and professional producers. Whether used for classic blues and jazz or modern rock and electronic music, Cherry Audio’s Blue3 Tonewheel Organ proves to be a versatile and capable instrument that honors the legacy of vintage organs while embracing contemporary music production needs.