Hammond XM-1 (mid-1990s)

What survives comes mostly from contemporary UK retailer ads and a single review in Sound on Sound. The XM-1 was a drawbar organ module, often listed alongside the XB1 in price comparison ads from 1996-1998.

The Sound on Sound review (May 1997, p.157) noted that real-time controls were limited to two rotary pots—one for volume, one for reverb amount—and a yellow backlit LCD display. A companion unit, the XMc-1, added physical drawbars and more hands-on control. The reviewer also described the percussion sound as having an attack click that could become “painfully intrusive” when the level was set high, especially if thirds were added to chords (May 1997, p.158). An additional attack-softening parameter was mentioned, though not detailed.

Here are the known specs, pieced together from ads and the review:

Type: Drawbar organ module (presumably tonewheel modeling)
Controls: Volume pot, reverb pot, power switch, yellow backlit display
Expandability: XMc-1 remote controller with physical drawbars
Original UK price (1997): £783 for the XM-1; £299 for the XMc-1
Percussion: Adjustable level with attack-click characteristics; additional softening parameter available

Surviving information on this model is thin. Beyond the Sound on Sound coverage and retailer listings, almost nothing is recorded about the XM-1's internal architecture, polyphony, or production lifespan.