Adding reverb to 6-channel MOS Allen organ

[Guest]

Hi all:

I've recently acquired a large Allen 903 model - 3 manual, about 75 stops. I believe it has 3 computers with 6 channels and a bunch of other gizmos I have yet to figure out. It came with a single TC Electronics M350 reverb and effects processor that the previous owner added on two of the channels which sounds fabulous, but the other four channels don't have anything, so only some of the stops are 'reverbing'.

I also have access to two Allen MOS 301's that would benefit from what the TC M350 has to offer.

My question is this: should I just be buying more TC M350's or is there a multi-channel equivalent that would be better and/or more economical for my Allen 903 (if so, I'll just hand-down the existing TC M350 processor to one of the Allen 301's). I've seen TC-M350's for as little as $200 plus shipping, but I don't know what else is out there or if it's any good.

Your advice is appreciated!

JamesT

[Admin]

You don't really need to add more reverb processors. Just obtain an inexpensive 6 input mixer and combine the channels down to two and send the two channels to the M350. Feed the output of M350 into an amplifier and speakers dedicated to providing the reverb.

There are some impedence matching issues with MOS 1 Allen's but I'm assuming that if you're currently able to feed the M350 you should have no difficulty feeding the 6 channels to a mixer provided that you are pulling the signals from the same circuitry you currently are for the two.

If you don't want to add additional amp and speaker channels, then you'll have to additional reverb processors.

[cantornikolaos]

I personally would try to preserve the 6 separate channels because you will have better sound. Still, the reverb will be better than no reverb. I'd like to hear a 301 with reverb. Can the TC M350 be connected to an MDS?

[cantornikolaos]

Since I brought it up, Would it be easy to add a Lexicon MX200 to an MDS? I bet that would make an MDS sound very good even in a dry room or with a less than ideal speaker setup.

[Admin]

I'm not suggesting to mix the organ down to two channels, just the reverb What I'm suggesting is adding two channels dedicated to creating the reverberent field. If you think about it this makes perfect since in an acoustic setting, the reverberation doesn't eminate from the source, but rather from the walls enclosing the space.

[myorgan]

Since I brought it up, Would it be easy to add a Lexicon MX200 to an MDS? I bet that would make an MDS sound very good even in a dry room or with a less than ideal speaker setup.

Color me confused!!! I thought the original post was about an Allen MoS instrument, not an Allen MdS organ? Am I missing something, or am I half-a-bubble off plumb again? I'm interested in this thread because I have an MOS2 organ, and have thought about adding reverb to it. Please clarify.

Sorry if I butted in where I didn't belong.

Michael

[myorgan]

I'm not suggesting to mix the organ down to two channels, just the reverb What I'm suggesting is adding two channels dedicated to creating the reverberent field. If you think about it this makes perfect since in an acoustic setting, the reverberation doesn't eminate from the source, but rather from the walls enclosing the space.

In this case, would you add the reverb to two of the Pedal channels, or choose one of the manuals to add reverb? Does reverb help the sound travel, and therefore you'd want to add it to one of the manuals so there would be greater off-axis carrying power in the high frequencies?

[toodles]

What you need is made by a company called Alto, and the product name is Link. I bought mine here: http://www.directproaudio.com/produc...directid=13521

The Link handles up to 8-channels, and mixes them down to 2, but keeps the original 8 channels separate. Perfect for mixing multi-channel organs down to 2 channels for headphones or for a reverb unit! You'll then need separate amps and speakers for the reverb channels, but, in my opinion, you should do this anyway. Reverb reflections do not come from the same location as the sound source. I got mine to reverb a 603D, but now don't have the organ. It should work just fine on an MDS or a MOS organ.

The Link can also be configured in a different fashion (to mix 2 channels into 8 other channels), but that wouldn't apply to your use.

It's worth a go. Incidentally, I think very highly of the TC Electronics reverb unit--it's very clean, and easy to use.

Toodles.

[cantornikolaos]

Are there any convolution reverb units available? IT would be awesome to "upgrade" the sound of an older Allen (or any other electronic organ) with convolution! I am willing to bet it would make a huge difference in the sound!

[John Vanderlee]

I said something similar in anther thread... Behringer makes a Micromix MX400 around $30. 4 inputs to one output. Most digital reverb units I saw are stereo (2 channels) so feed each with a Behringer unit: 2 x 4 = 8 channels.

John

[cantornikolaos]

When it's all said and done, play some creepy music and post a recording on youtube!

[cantornikolaos]

Play this

http://ichigos.com/res/getfile.php?id=1057&type=pdf

[cantornikolaos]

Here's another good one.

http://ichigos.com/res/getfile.php?id=1058&type=pdf

These were transcribed for Piano, but just play the bass below the 8' octave in the pedal with a 16' Soubass. for this piece, I think it would kick ass to use an 8' flute and 2 2/3 or 1 1/3 mutation.

For the first piece I linked. you should use a principal chorus and mixture. In the pedal, couple the great registration down and add a 16' principal or whatever is available.

[circa1949]

Cantor is correct with the MX200 suggestion, except he should have said MX400 LOL. It does 4 channels (i.e., 2 stereo) of great reverb. They are cheap on ebay.
DO NOT use surround mode. Likewise, DO NOT follow Admin's advice. You want to avoid electronic mixing of the organ tones as much as possible. Believe me, I experimented with a reverb "aux send" configuration, which is what Admin is describing. Using 3 stereo reverb chains for the 6 total channels of my ADC-1140 sounded much, much better. Granted I have picky ears, YMMV. All organs sound best in an acoustical environment where reverb is not required, including pipe organs! (There's a huge four manual pipe organ in Northern Virginia at a church with carpeted floors and padded pews, and the poor thing sounds dead)

[robmcginn]

Hi
If you have reverb on 2 channels then 4 are without .Lexicon makes a 4 channel digital effects processor aka reverb unit.
I just ordered one purchased on ebay .I will take line feeds from my Allen to the unit and then to 2 stereo amps with their own speakers. This will be in addition to console speakers and 4 external speakers I already have in place. The organ room is tiny so I do need something!!!!