Has anyone tried the Trek 1/4 tap off kit on a M3 or M100

[Juan]

I have been thinking about using the trek 1/4 " tap off coupled with a Dr Fishsticks Leslie connector/controller rig to run my M101 into my 145. I like the idea of a 1/4 out from the M101. I also like the Dr Fishsticks rig because I can use it to run other instruments into the Leslie.
Has anyone tried this stuff? Problems, comments, suggestion?

[bourniplus]

Just a thought, but if you happen to find a good deal on a Leslie combo preamp pedal, you could modify it by adding a switchable input that goes directly to the Leslie (with a load resistor). That's what I use when I want to hook one of my M's to a Leslie. You can still use it to run other instruments to your Leslie.

[Juan]

I'm confused?? Don't I still need the 1/4 out from the organ to use the combo preamp pedal (or the Dr Fishsticks)? This is why I have been looking at the 1/4" tap off box. If I'm confused straighten me out. Thanks

[jimmywilliams]

If you modify the combo pre-amp to make a passive input, which I think is what boriniplus is suggesting, then you just need to run a 1/4" cable/plug from the speaker terminals (you would have to roll your own). This will send a speaker-level signal to the combo pre-amp, and with the bypass modification suggested above, the speaker signal will go directly to the Leslie. If I understand the Trek 1/4" tap-off product correctly (and someone please correct me if I am mistaken), it also takes signal from the speaker outputs but then attenuates it down to a line-level signal.

If you want to use the Fishsticks controller (which I do recommend) you will need a speaker level signal from your M3/M100 - unless the Trek 1/4" tap-off will allow for a "hotter" signal than normal line-level - and I am not sure if it does. Remember that the 145 has no pre-amp stage, so a "normal" line-level signal (usually about 0.7VAC) will probably not be hot enough to drive it.

My recommendation if you are interested in the TrekII tap-off is to contact the manufacturer and find out the maximum voltage that is produced at the output, and then ask if it is strong enough to drive the 145 amp directly.

[bourniplus]

If you modify the combo pre-amp to make a passive input, which I think is what boriniplus is suggesting, then you just need to run a 1/4" cable/plug from the speaker terminals (you would have to roll your own). This will send a speaker-level signal to the combo pre-amp, and with the bypass modification suggested above, the speaker signal will go directly to the Leslie.

Yes this is what I meant.

[Juan]

I must be dense!! I can't seem to figure out exactly what I need. I guess my question is : Do I need the Trek II box or can I go 1/4 straight from the organ to the Fishsticks box? Even if I can go straight from the organ, would it still be better to use the Trek box?
With the Dr Fishsticks Leslie connect box and switch control (plus preamp), I can connect my Roland 300 1/4" out to the 145. It seemed logical to also set up the M100 for 1/4 " out to Fishsticks box to 145 so as to avoid buying the standard console connect box and 1/2 moon switches.
I copied the following from the Trek II web site to aid in our discussion.
OBL-2 LINE OUTPUT BOX
The OBL-2 allows standard Hammond consoles to be connected via a 1/4" output jack to an external amplification system. The box is made from heavy gauge anodized aluminum and easily mounts under the generator shelf or other convenient location. The unit has both an overall output and one that is low pass filtered. The low pass output is useful when using a bass amp to reinforce the organ low end. A level control is provided to allow the output signal to be adjusted to match the amplifier input requirements.

[jimmywilliams]

Do I need the Trek II box or can I go 1/4 straight from the organ to the Fishsticks box?

You can go straight into the fishsticks box.

Even if I can go straight from the organ, would it still be better to use the Trek box?

It depends on whether you have a pre-amp or not. A line-level signal is not hot enough to drive the Leslie so you would need a pre-amp before going into the fishsticks box.

With the Dr Fishsticks Leslie connect box and switch control (plus preamp), I can connect my Roland 300 1/4" out to the 145. It seemed logical to also set up the M100 for 1/4 " out to Fishsticks box to 145 so as to avoid buying the standard console connect box and 1/2 moon switches.

So you are planning on getting a pre-amp and using the Leslie for other instruments. If that is the case you might as well get the 1/4" tap off kit and use the pre-amp.

I copied the following from the Trek II web site to aid in our discussion.
OBL-2 LINE OUTPUT BOX
The OBL-2 allows standard Hammond consoles to be connected via a 1/4" output jack to an external amplification system.

"External Amplification System" probably means a standard musical instrument/PA amplifier, which has a pre-amp stage. So the box probably produces a standard line-level signal.

A level control is provided to allow the output signal to be adjusted to match the amplifier input requirements.

"Matching the amplifier input requirements" means providing the amplifier a signal that is the correct "strength". That is why I asked you to contact Trek to ask what the maximum voltage of signal their box can produce - in other words if you turn the level control all the way up, how many volts AC would the signal read? I was trying to find out whether it was strong enough to drive the 125 power amp without using a preamp.

You already have the Fishsticks interface/motor control sorted out. So I think your main question was what type of 1/4" output do you need to take from the organ to run into the Fishsticks interface? Without a pre-amp, you need a direct tap off the speaker. With a pre-amp, you can use the Trek-II line-out box. But just remember this may color the signal more than just running a speaker line directly to the fishsticks box (since the speaker level signal will first be cut down to line level, and then pre-amped before going to the Leslie).

Since I hope it is now clear that you don't need the Trek tap-off product just to get signal from the organ to the Leslie, you may want to think of instances where you would want a line-level signal from the organ - for instance if you wanted to run it into a mixer along with your Roland, to a preamp, to the Fishsticks box so both the Hammond and Roland can use the Leslie at the same time. That is an instance where the full speaker level would not be appropriate, and you would need a line-level signal instead.

I hope this clarifies what your options are.

[Juan]

Hey JW, Wow! I really appreciate the detailed information. I love this forum. The people are fantastic. The Following is information I received from Dr Fishstick:
The standard 147 controller, with a pedal, and a
preamp should do everything you need. You'll
need to get a 1/4 inch off the organ, but these
Leslie are made to run off the output of the
transformer (the console resistor), so it should
sound good and be safe for the organ's amp. For
the Roland a preamp will be needed. I mini mixer
or any other high gain preamp, I recommended the
ART tube MP. The controller, switch and preamp
from me is $159.
If you have a 147 (6W) you can hook the
speaker output up directly to the Leslie (or
controller) without the trek box, because that's
the way Leslie intended. If you find the signal
is HOT going to the speaker, you can remove one of
the 6V6 power tubes and this will cut the output
in half, or run the M3 with the soft switch on.
If your using a Leslie without a console resistor,
or a non Leslie amp, then the trek box would be
needed.
The whole bit about pulling a 6V6 or using the soft switch is what started me down this line of questions in the first place.