Electro-Harmonix B9 Organ Machine

The first in their line of keyboard emulators, the B9 allows you to sound like one of any of 9 different organs. It can actually be fairly convincing especially with the click option to mimic the percussive organ sound. Since it is not best suited for single note instruments, its applications are limited, but it sure is a really cool pedal.

External Control: None
Cost: $$

HornFX Review

Review EHX B9 Organ Machine

Interface: 3/5
Although the pedal is surprisingly well laid out pedal, the organ selector knob can be confusing and incredibly hard to manipulate accurately on a dark stage.

Versatility: 2/5
Within its style of pedal, this is a versatile machine. But it is important to remain aware that this thing only does organ sounds. That being said, how could 9 choices of organ sounds not be enough?

Live application: 1/5
In any situation where you need to make your horn sound like an organ, this is the pedal for you. However, there are a few issues with tracking speed, as this pedal is more suited to chordal playing than lines.

Clarity of Effect: 5/5
There is no doubt of this pedal’s effect when the organ knob is turned all the way up. The effect rings through clearly, and in some settings, quite convincingly.

Interface	Versatility	Clarity of Effect	Live Application	Total Score
3/5	2/5	1/5	5/5	11/20

Product Information

With 9 presets that were finely tuned to emulate the most legendary organs from the ‘60s and beyond, the B9 Organ Machine will transform your guitar or keyboard. Control the instrument’s signature percussive click and sweet modulation. Blend your dry signal to create lush layers. Enough tonewheel and combo organ inspiration to light your fire and cook up some green onions!

Here are some tips on getting optimum performance from the B9 Organ Machine.

1. The B9 is best as the first pedal in an effects chain.
Place modulation delay and reverb effects after the B9.
The unit will not perform well if placed in the effects loop of a guitar amp.

2. The unit performs best using the bridge pickup of a guitar.
If a guitars pickup has a weak output, performance can be improved by putting a clean boost or a compressor in front of the B9.
It is not advised to place a distortion or overdrive in front of the B9.
This will muddy up the input signal and cause the tracking to be unstable.
If overdrive or distortion is desired it’s best to place it after the B9.

3. Some guitar amplifiers have a uneven peaky frequency response that may cause some sounds to be over accentuated.
A compressor in front or after the B9 can help smooth this out. This helps for a guitar player who’s playing is less than desirable in the dynamics department.

4. The B9 was designed to be used with a guitar.
The unit can be used with a bass guitar BUT the range the bass player can play will be limited.
The unit tracks best above the C note, third fret on the A string.
Below that performance is compromised and not recommended.

5. The top range using a guitar in standard tuning is the 23rd fret.
Above that the organ sound will not be heard.

6. Garbage in Garbage out.
The B9 tracks great and will follow what ever you play, but it is not a talent booster.
Sloppy guitar playing will sound like a sloppy organ player.
The B9 will bend notes just a regular guitar does.
Organs do not bend, so for a more authentic organ sound limit bending.

Transform the tone of a guitar or keyboard into that of a convincing full body, electric organ
- 9 presets that were finely tuned to emulate some of the most popular and classic electric organ tones
- Control over percussive attack level, modulation speed, organ and dry volume
- Rugged and easy to use
- Use together with the C9 for dual keyboard possibilities!
- EHX 9.6DC-200 PSU included
- Dimensions in inches: 4.0 (w) x 4.75 (l) x 2.25 (h)
- Dimensions in mm: 102 (w) x 121 (l) x 89 (h)

Product info taken from the EHX website.