What organ did Rick Wakeman use on Roundabout?

Rick Wakeman used a Hammond C-3 organ on 'Roundabout.' This was paired with a Leslie 122 speaker cabinet to create the distinctive swirling modulation effect heard throughout the song.

How to get Rick Wakeman's Roundabout organ tone?

Start with a Hammond-style organ using bright drawbar settings that emphasize higher frequencies. The key is using a Leslie speaker or quality Leslie simulation with variable rotor speeds. The swirling effect comes from the rotating horns and bass rotor in the Leslie cabinet.

What are the drawbar settings for Roundabout organ sound?

While the exact drawbar settings haven't been definitively documented, the tone emphasizes higher frequencies for brightness and percussive attack. Typical prog rock Hammond settings would pull out the higher drawbars while keeping some fundamental for fullness.

Can you get Roundabout organ sound without a Leslie speaker?

While a real Leslie 122 provides the most authentic sound, modern Leslie simulator plugins and chorus/rotary pedals can create convincing approximations. The key is finding modulation that varies in both amplitude and pitch like a true rotating speaker.

What studio was Roundabout recorded at?

'Roundabout' was recorded at Advision Studios in London with Eddie Offord serving as both producer and engineer. The studio's acoustics and Offord's engineering contributed to the rich, spacious sound of Wakeman's organ parts.

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Tone Profile

The organ sound is a bright, swirling Hammond with a pronounced Leslie speaker effect, providing a complex and rhythmic texture. It's both percussive and sustained, filling a wide frequency range.

Shop This Rig

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Hammond C-3(instrument)
Leslie 122(amp)

The Story

Rick Wakeman's Hammond C-3 organ on 'Roundabout' was recorded at Advision Studios in London with producer/engineer Eddie Offord. The distinctive swirling effect comes from a Leslie 122 speaker cabinet, which uses rotating horns and a bass rotor to create the characteristic modulation. The organ was likely recorded with multiple microphones positioned around the Leslie cabinet to capture both the rotating elements and room ambience.

Production Credits

Producer: Eddie Offord

Engineer: Eddie Offord

Recorded at: Advision Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Hammond C-3Shop on Reverb

Amp: Leslie 122Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a clean Hammond organ sound using drawbar settings that emphasize the higher frequencies.
Use a Leslie speaker simulator plugin with adjustable rotor speeds to match the swirling effect in the original recording. Experiment with the plugin's drive and microphone placement settings.
Add a touch of chorus or phasing to further enhance the swirling effect.
Use EQ to boost the high frequencies and cut any muddiness in the low-mids.
Apply a subtle compressor to even out the dynamics and add punch.

Original Gear

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Hammond C-3Shop on Reverb(keyboard)
Leslie 122Shop on Reverb(amp)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Hammond XK-5 Drawbar OrganShop on Reverb$2800-$3200

Alternative to: Hammond C-3 organ

Features authentic Hammond tonewheel emulation with the same drawbar configuration as the C-3, providing the foundational tone for Roundabout's bright, percussive organ sound

Native Instruments Vintage Organs pluginPlugin Boutique$99-$149

Alternative to: Leslie 122 speaker cabinet

Includes detailed Hammond and Leslie modeling with adjustable rotor speeds and microphone positioning to recreate the swirling modulation effect

IK Multimedia Hammond B-3X pluginPlugin Boutique$199-$299

Alternative to: Hammond C-3 with Leslie 122

Offers authentic tonewheel modeling plus multiple Leslie cabinet simulations with detailed rotor control for the characteristic Yes organ sound

TC Electronic June-60 Chorus PedalShop on Reverb$149-$179

Alternative to: Leslie 122 speaker cabinet

While not a true Leslie replacement, provides vintage chorus modulation that can approximate the swirling effect when used with any Hammond-style organ

Nord Electro 6DShop on Reverb$2200-$2600