MIDI Modules--How Much is Too Much?

[myorgan]

Hello,</P>


Wondering if some of the experts on this topic could weigh in. I was wondering how much is too much to spend on a particular MIDI module for organ? I just recently saw an Ahlborn 201/202 (combination) go for nearly $2,000 on eBay.</P>


Ahlborn</P>
<UL>
<LI>Classic</LI>
<LI>Romantic</LI>
<LI>201</LI>
<LI>202</LI>[/list]


Allen Ensemble</P>


Others?</P>


Thanks in advance for your help.</P>


Michael</P>

[jbird604]

Re: MIDI Modules--How Much is Too Much?



Michael,</P>


You'd think those modules would be getting cheaper, but maybe that last one was indicative of the supply drying up, people willing to pay more. It wasn't that many years ago that a dealer sold me an Ahlborn module for about $1700 brand new. I think he just wanted his cost out of it.I sold it to a church as part of an organ expansion project.</P>


You might cast about for one of the old original Allen MDS Expanders. They only had 64 stops built in and may be going rather cheap these days. I'd think one of those could be bought for maybe $500 or even less. Not sure whether it had a 32' reed, though.</P>


If you're seriously only needing a 32' pedal reed for a single performance,you might be able to create such a stop with a stock model keyboard, even a cheapy such as a Casio or Yamaha. Select a patch such as a trombone or tuba that already sounds at 16' pitch. Then use the keyboard's transpose function to move it down an octave. Almost all MIDI keyboards can transposer down at least that far. Some can transpose down 2 octaves or even more.</P>


You couldhave that stop play through its own amp and speaker for a really neat solo effect. Would have to be unexpressed, of course. (But your ADC Allen won't send expression data anyway, so whatever you use will be unexpressed.)</P>


I'll keep my eyes and ears open here in AR for you. Too bad there isn't a 32' reed for the Alterable Voice!</P>


John</P>
<P mce_keep="true"></P>

[MarkS]

Re: MIDI Modules--How Much is Too Much?



The earliest version of the Allen MDS expander does not have a 32'. (Just played one yesterday morning.)</p>

It would be more useful if it had a Principal 4, Mixture, String, Oboe, and Krummhorn, too. They could have skipped all those Baroque reeds.</p>

[arie v]

Re: MIDI Modules--How Much is Too Much?



Hi Michael,</p>

I am quite familiar with what was/is out there in terms of expander boxes/MIDI modules.</p>

If you have a late model organ you may want to think about a MIDI module (GM/GS Midi), as to get these to work you need the organ to send program changes. The latest Allen, Rodgers and Johannus modules work this way. Being GS Midi modules, means that organ stops behave just like every other sound these boxes produce, which means little to no voicing, small memory samples, very few samples etc. At one point I hooked up a Rodgers MX-200 to an A-G organ, and the A-G sounds were noticeably more authentic.</p>

If you are looking for a stop box type expander, and looking used, pretty much what is out there is Ahlborn Archive. If you are looking for 32' stops, the Ahlborn Romantic, 202, and Classic modules have them, and they sound very good with the proper audio hooked up to them. Most folks though run them through existing audio and speaker systems, and wonder why the 32' stops don't move enough air. You will need a bass speaker that actually goes down to 16 hz, without falling off more than 3db at bottom C. For a 32' reed, 16 hz is not so critical, but it should still go down flat to below 30 hz. </p>

Any of the 3 aforementioned boxes, have fine 32' stops, and if all you want it for is 32' stops, I wouldn't be that critical which one you get.</p>

The Viscount CM-100 also has a collection of 32' stops. I Wouldn't say those sounds are better than the Ahlborn. Chances of finding one used, or a new one at a really low price is remote indeed.</p>

I know a fellow who is getting rid of some, and the price is well below $2,000.</p>

PM me if you want to know more. </p>

And no, it is not me who is selling them. Nor my best friend.</p>

AV
</p>

</p>

[myorgan]

Re: MIDI Modules--How Much is Too Much?



Arie,</p>

Please check my PM.  I'm looking to make a decision by Wednesday.</p>

Michael </p>

[myorgan]

Re: MIDI Modules--How Much is Too Much?



[quote user="jbird604"] Too bad there isn't a 32' reed for the Alterable Voice![/quote]</P>


Amen to that!!!</P>


While it is a bit more in price (nearly $800), I think I'll end up going with the Allen Expander. I've heard of some issues with others concerning reliability. I know Allen backs all its products. I think what helped me make the decision is that it has some ensemble organ settings, whereas the others do not, and only have a very limited number (collection--if you will) of stops available.</P>


Thanks, all for the advice.</P>


Michael</P>