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About my organ

Cabinet

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I started with a Baldwin Organ from the 1960's. After stripping all electronics, keyboards, and speakers, I created a design to mimic the original organ (top image). This could accommodate switches above the keyboards.

 

I decided to modify it to allow any Hauptwerk sample set to be implemented. The final design (bottom image) features a black interior while maintaining the original wood stain for the outside. I kept the original mounting shelves and added shelves to accommodate the keyboards..

Keyboards

I use 2 Alesis Q61 Midi Controllers for the Swell and Great keyboards. They connect directly to Hauptwerk via USB. I modified them to add an expression pedal input using Roland EV-5 Expression Pedals. The Pitch and Modulation Wheels are not used for Hauptwerk (the Channel setting is used).

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Expression

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I added 2 expression pedals (the original organ had only one)

Pedalboard

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I used the Baldwin pedalboard and installed reed Switches. I found strong magnets that attached to the metal tabs and activated the Reed Switches very reliably. The midi interface was from Roman Sowa. It connects to a USB interface at the computer.

Amplifier

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My amplifier is a Pyle PFA400U 100 Watt Class-T Stereo Amplifier. My organ is in a small room and this amplifier provides plenty of power with very little heat.

Computer

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My computer is a 17" MacBook Pro with 16 GB Memory and 500 GB SSD currently running Mac OS Sierra (10.13). I connect the audio jack either to a wireless headphone or the amplifier/speaker built into the organ. I have had no performance problems with any of the Hauptwerk sample sets I own.

Speakers

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My speakers are 2 Bose Bookshelf speakers. The subwoofer is a powered Yamaha. All are mounted in the cabinet. In my small room this combination provides plenty of volume with good frequency response.

Headphones

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Being in an Apartment, my wife complains if I use the speakers. I find the JVC RF (900 MHz) wireless headphones provide plenty of range without having a cord dangle from my computer. The latency issue associated with using a Bluetooth headphone does not exist.

Touchscreen

MIDI Designer
MIDI Designer on iPad
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Luna Display on iPad

Unfortunately, touchscreen monitors for Mac computers have been generally unavailable. However, there are several Apps that can add a touchscreen interface using an iPad.

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MIDI Designer Pro for iPad provides a convenient way to create and program buttons and controls. It provides a MIDI send and receive interface to your Mac computer. Designs can be developed for different organs. St. Anne's Moseley is shown in the image above left. I also created a design for the Schantz Chapel Organ and the Friesach using 2 iPads, Left Jamb and Right Jamb.

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Luna Display transforms an iPad into a touchscreen display that mirrors the Mac display. The major limitation is the small screen of the iPad. The Schantz Chapel organ is shown on the iPad in the image above right.

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