What organ did Jon Lord use on Child in Time?

Jon Lord used a Hammond C-3 organ on 'Child in Time.' The C-3 was part of Hammond's classic tonewheel series and provided the characteristic overdriven organ sound that became Lord's signature.

What Leslie speaker was used on Deep Purple Child in Time?

The recording used a Leslie 147 rotary speaker cabinet. This model was popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s and provided the swirling, rotating effect that's so prominent on the track.

How to get Jon Lord's organ tone from Child in Time?

You need a Hammond tonewheel organ sound fed into a Leslie rotary speaker effect. The key is the combination of Hammond's natural overdrive when pushed hard and the Leslie's rotating horn and drum effects at varying speeds.

Where was Deep Purple Child in Time recorded?

The song was recorded at IBC Studios in London with engineer Martin Birch. The studio environment and live recording approach contributed to the raw, dynamic quality of the organ sound.

Best plugin to recreate Jon Lord's Hammond sound?

IK Multimedia's Hammond B-3X paired with their Leslie Collection provides the most authentic recreation. The B-3X accurately models the C-3's tonewheel characteristics while the Leslie Collection specifically includes the 147 model used on the recording.

organ from "child in time" by deep purple

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Tone Profile

The organ sound is characterized by its raw, overdriven tone with a prominent rotary speaker effect, creating a swirling, intense, and somewhat chaotic vibe. It's a powerful sound that fills the mix and adds to the song's dramatic tension.

Shop This Rig

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Hammond C-3(instrument)
Leslie 147(amp)
Neumann U67(microphone)

The Story

Jon Lord's organ sound on 'Child in Time' was recorded using a Hammond C-3 organ fed into a Leslie 147 rotary speaker, likely captured with a Neumann U67 microphone at IBC Studios in London with engineer Martin Birch. The track was performed live in the studio, giving the organ its dynamic, raw quality with the characteristic Hammond overdrive and swirling Leslie effect that became integral to the song's dramatic intensity.

Production Credits

Producer: Deep Purple

Engineer: Martin Birch

Recorded at: IBC Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Hammond C-3Shop on Reverb

Amp: Leslie 147Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Hammond organ VST or physical instrument, aiming for a C-3 model if possible.
Route the organ signal through a rotary speaker simulator or, ideally, a real Leslie speaker.
Experiment with overdrive or distortion plugins to achieve a raw and slightly gritty tone.
Use a microphone plugin to add some character to the recording.
Adjust the speed and intensity of the rotary effect to match the original recording.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

IK Multimedia Hammond B-3XPlugin Boutique$100-150

Alternative to: Hammond C-3 organ

Accurately models vintage Hammond tonewheel organs including the C-3, with authentic drawbar response and harmonic distortion

IK Multimedia Leslie CollectionPlugin Boutique$100-200

Alternative to: Leslie 147 rotary speaker

Models the Leslie 147 specifically, capturing the rotary horn and drum effects with variable speed control

Hammond XK-5 with built-in LeslieShop on Reverb$2500-3000

Alternative to: Hammond C-3 + Leslie 147

Modern Hammond with authentic tonewheel simulation and built-in digital Leslie effects, closest hardware recreation

Neo VentilatorShop on Reverb$200-250

Alternative to: Leslie 147 rotary speaker

Hardware rotary speaker simulator that can be used with any Hammond VST or keyboard for authentic Leslie motion

Arturia VOX Continental VPlugin Boutique$50-100

Alternative to: Hammond C-3

Budget option that includes Hammond organ models with good overdrive characteristics for achieving that raw Deep Purple organ tone

Sources

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organ from “child in time” by deep purple | ToneDB