The Viscount Legend Soul 261 represents a new line of premium digital organs developed in collaboration with renowned jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco. This sophisticated instrument utilizes advanced Tonewheel Modeling Technology (TMT) to authentically recreate the classic tonewheel organ sound, while incorporating Viscount's patented keybed design that reproduces the iconic nine-contact mechanical keyboard feel.

Design & Build Quality

The Legend Soul 261 is an elegantly crafted instrument with a wooden chassis that exudes premium quality and aesthetic appeal. Its well-proportioned design sits comfortably alongside acoustic pianos, though its substantial depth and size require consideration for transport and placement. The instrument features excellent build quality with a thoughtfully laid-out control panel that offers intuitive access to essential functions, making the transition from traditional Hammond organs relatively seamless.

Keyboard & Playing Experience

The organ features two 61-key waterfall keyboards equipped with Viscount's multi-contact action, which faithfully simulates the feel of vintage mechanical keyboards. While not quite as deep as an authentic Hammond, the keybed provides a satisfying and responsive playing experience that closely approximates the original. The improved key pressure simulation accurately reproduces the nuances of nine drawbar contact behavior, contributing to the instrument's authentic tonewheel character.

Each manual is equipped with its own complete set of nine drawbars, totaling four sets across the instrument. These drawbars are solidly constructed without wobble, though they feature smooth action rather than the ratcheted feel some players prefer. The control panel also includes preset buttons that are clicky and responsive, with only minor ergonomic compromises such as the pitch wheel occasionally interfering with the Upper Preset A# button.

Sound Engine & Tonal Character

The Legend Soul 261's TMT sound engine delivers impressive tonal authenticity that surpasses many competitors in its class. The drawbar voices, percussion, chorus/vibrato, and key click all exhibit convincing character that captures the essence of vintage tonewheel organs. The instrument accurately reproduces key noise for added realism and provides transpose functions ranging from -6 to +5 semitones, along with fine-tuning capabilities between A427.5 and A452.9Hz.

While the core tonewheel sounds are excellent, the output can initially sound somewhat clean or digital. This characteristic can be effectively addressed using the built-in overdrive effect (particularly Algorithm 6 with specific drive and tone settings), though some users may prefer to add external processing through the effects loop for additional warmth. Studio applications benefit from subtle tape saturation or similar processing.

The instrument also features pipe organ sounds powered by the Physis Plus engine from the Viscount Cantorum Plus, which deliver majestic and convincing pipe organ tones. However, registration and settings for these sounds are deliberately limited. Unfortunately, the transistor organ models appear to be an afterthought, with disappointing quality and minimal customization options.

Bass Sounds & Left Hand Bass Function

One of the Legend Soul 261's standout features is its comprehensive bass section, offering over 15 bass sounds playable from the pedalboard. The non-tonewheel bass options are particularly impressive, with highlights including Organ Bass, Picked Bass, and Synth Bass 2. The Left Hand Bass function allows the bottom two octaves of the lower keyboard to be routed independently, opening up creative performance possibilities.

The instrument provides both internal and external separate bass outputs, which is a game-changing feature for live performance and recording. The bass signal can remain unaffected by organ effects, be layered with other sounds, or split between the lower manual and pedalboard. The only limitation is that bass sounds cannot be decoupled from the swell pedal control.

Effects & Sound Processing

The Legend Soul 261 includes an extensive array of built-in effects that can be tailored to suit various musical styles. The rotary speaker simulation offers multiple speaker and amplifier models, with Rotary B particularly praised for its sound quality. While the Leslie simulation requires some adjustment to achieve optimal results, it provides impressive flexibility with numerous parameters available for tweaking.

The improved vibrato/chorus effect delivers various modes based on different electromechanical organ models, accurately capturing these classic modulation characteristics. Additional effects include multiple reverb types, a three-band master EQ, overdrive, ring modulator, flanger, phaser, wah, tremolo, and delay. An auxiliary input allows the instrument's effects to be applied to external audio sources, while send and return connections enable integration with external effects processors.

Pedalboard & Expression Control

The optional Pedalboard 18 is a surprisingly light and well-proportioned unit that feels comfortable to play. Its dimensions provide proper foot placement areas, and the pedal action is generally responsive, though occasional double-striking can occur depending on playing technique. The pedalboard connects via a dedicated MIDI input and features its own audio output.

The swell pedal integrates with the pedalboard at an ergonomic angle and provides an authentic feel reminiscent of vintage Hammond organs, superior to generic expression pedals. The toe tab, while constructed from plastic rather than metal, is actually easier to engage than traditional chunky Hammond designs. Additional pedal inputs accommodate two footswitches, an expression pedal, and a dedicated rotary speed control pedal.

Connectivity & Control

The Legend Soul 261 offers comprehensive connectivity for both studio and live applications. Stereo audio outputs are provided via quarter-inch TRS connectors, with an 11-pin connector ensuring compatibility with genuine Leslie rotary cabinets. The dedicated bass output, auxiliary inputs, and effects send/return connections provide exceptional routing flexibility.

MIDI implementation includes traditional five-pin DIN sockets for MIDI In and Out, plus a separate MIDI output specifically for the pedalboard. USB connectivity enables MIDI communication with computers and integration with Viscount's software editing application. While the app provides access to advanced settings that can profoundly affect the instrument's tone, some users find it inconvenient that these parameters aren't accessible through an onboard advanced menu, requiring a USB connection for adjustment.

Practical Considerations

The instrument displays information on a 128 x 64 pixel OLED screen, which provides adequate visibility for navigation and parameter editing. Power is supplied via a standard IEC mains connector to an internal power supply unit.

At 19.5 kg (approximately 43 lbs), the Legend Soul 261 is manageable but substantial, with its 1010 x 180 x 590 mm (39.8" x 7.1" x 23.2") dimensions making it somewhat awkward to transport single-handedly. The depth is particularly notable, requiring a suitably large keyboard stand or the optional but rather chunky dedicated stand. The available gig bag is basic, lacking wheels and offering minimal padding.

Users should be aware of a concerning bug with the Auto-Power Off function that prevents the organ from turning back on without unplugging it from mains power for several minutes. This issue can be avoided by disabling the auto-power-off feature entirely, though a firmware fix would be welcome.

Overall Assessment

The Viscount Legend Soul 261 is a highly satisfying instrument that successfully captures the essence of classic tonewheel organs while offering modern conveniences and flexibility. Its authentic feel and sound quality make it an excellent choice for players seeking a genuine organ experience without the maintenance challenges of vintage electromechanical instruments. The separate bass output capability, quality pedalboard, and comprehensive effects section provide creative possibilities that extend beyond traditional organ setups. While it has minor quirks and the auto-power-off bug is troubling, the instrument's strengths far outweigh its limitations, making it a compelling option for professional organists and serious enthusiasts alike.

Technical Specifications

General

• Configuration: Two-manual digital organ
• Sound Generation: TMT (Tonewheel Modeling Technology)
• Developed in collaboration with: Joey DeFrancesco

Keyboards

• Number of Manuals: 2
• Keys per Manual: 61 waterfall keys
• Keybed Type: Viscount patented multi-contact action
• Contact Simulation: 9-contact mechanical keyboard design with improved key pressure simulation

Drawbars & Controls

• Drawbar Sets: 4 complete sets (2 per manual)
• Drawbars per Set: 9
• Drawbar Action: Smooth (non-ratcheted)
• Display: OLED 128 x 64 pixels
• Control Panel: Preset buttons, clicky and responsive switches

Sound Capabilities

• Tonewheel Organ Sounds: Full vintage tonewheel modeling with percussion, chorus/vibrato, key click, and key noise
• Pipe Organ Sounds: Physis Plus engine (from Viscount Cantorum Plus)
• Transistor Organ Sounds: Included (limited settings)
• Bass Sounds: Over 15 sounds available for pedalboard
• Notable Bass Sounds: Organ Bass, Picked Bass, Synth Bass 2
• Left Hand Bass Function: Bottom two octaves of lower manual can be routed separately
• Transpose Range: -6 to +5 semitones
• Fine Tuning Range: A427.5Hz to A452.9Hz

Effects

• Rotary Speaker Simulation: Multiple speaker and amplifier models with extensive parameters
• Vibrato/Chorus: Improved algorithm with multiple modes based on various electromechanical organ models
• Reverb: Multiple types
• Master EQ: 3-band
• Additional Effects: Overdrive, ring modulator, flanger, phaser, wah, tremolo, delay
• Effects Routing: Send and return connections for external processors
• External Processing: Input for processing external sources through internal effects

Audio Connections

• Main Outputs: 2x quarter-inch (6.3mm) TRS stereo line outputs
• Leslie Output: 11-pin connector for Leslie rotary cabinet compatibility
• Bass Output: Dedicated audio output for pedalboard (separate from main outputs)
• Auxiliary Inputs: 2x quarter-inch (6.3mm) jack
• Line Input: 3.5mm mini-jack stereo
• Effects Send/Return: Quarter-inch (6.3mm) jacks
• Headphone Output: Quarter-inch (6.3mm) stereo jack

MIDI Connections

• MIDI In: 5-pin DIN
• MIDI Out: 5-pin DIN
• MIDI Pedalboard Input: 5-pin DIN (dedicated pedalboard MIDI)
• USB-to-Host: MIDI and software editor communication
• USB-to-Device: Available

Pedal & Controller Inputs

• Expression Pedal Input: Quarter-inch (6.3mm) jack
• Foot Controller Input: Quarter-inch (6.3mm) jack
• Footswitch Inputs: 2x quarter-inch (6.3mm) jack
• Rotary Foot Controller Input: Quarter-inch (6.3mm) jack (dedicated rotary speed control)

Power

• Power Connection: IEC mains connector (standard)
• Power Supply: Internal PSU
• Auto-Power Off: Available (note: known bug - disable recommended)

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 1010 x 180 x 590 mm (39.8" x 7.1" x 23.2")
• Weight: 19.5 kg (43 lbs)
• Construction: Wooden chassis
• Finish: Premium wood finish

Optional Accessories

• Pedalboard 18: Lightweight, comfortable proportions, connects via MIDI pedalboard input
• Swell Pedal: Integrates with pedalboard, authentic Hammond-style feel, plastic toe tab
• Dedicated Stand: Available (noted as chunky/substantial)
• Gig Bag: Available (basic design, no wheels)

Software

• Editing Application: USB-connected software for advanced settings and parameters
• Advanced Settings: Deep tonal and functional parameters accessible via software

Known Issues

• Auto-Power Off Bug: Organ will not turn back on after auto-power-off without unplugging from mains for several minutes (workaround: disable auto-power-off)
• Pedalboard: Occasional double-striking possible depending on technique

Comparison Notes

• Also Available: Legend Soul 273 (adds 12 reversed keys per manual, totaling 73 keys per keyboard)
• Sound Sets: Identical between 261 and 273 models