The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

>     I have a possibly old memory of the organ sounding about the 
same intensity if you barely touch a key as if you mash down on them. 
Is that memory right? 

Yes and no. I though I would add to Bruce's excellent post with a 
perspective of my own. The Hammonds B3s (the most often emulated) did 
not have a designed-in velocity sensitivity. However there was a 
slight velocity sensitivity associated with it due to the following.

Each of the 9 drawbars in the hammond have an associated contact 
within the key. I travel you hand down slowly, you hear the electric 
contact noise and each of the drawbars will come in at slightly 
different presures (manufacturing tolerance and wear). So if you play 
rapidly some of the drawbars don't have time to speak. Which is why a 
number of players used staccato to great effect. With varying degrees 
of staccato, the sound would change as some harmonics would be 
sounded or not. Thats one of the reasons for the "fiery" staccato 
technique. It was unintenionally velocity sensitive.

Regards,

Jerry