Johannus Opus 7, anyone played one

[RayE]

Has anyone played the Johannus Opus 7. It looks like a decent home practice instrument that would also for the price make a good Midi controller for a virtual organ program. I am curious about two things:
1) I know it's a 30 note pedal board, and I think I can live without the upper two pedals for a home practice instrument quite easily, but how close is the spacing of those 30 pedals to an AGO pedal board (I don't want to end up with another MDC-20 pedal board where the pedals are closer together than an AGO pedal board, but I'm guessing that's why they chose to omit two of the pedals).

2) How does the organ sound? I'm putting this in a small room, so I don't need a lot of volume, just clear organ tone and fairly realistic sounding stops.

I've got to get the organ down a narrow hall and through a 28 in door so getting a full size console into this room might be a little tricky (which was one of the reasons I went with the MDC 20 was the slightly smaller console) so please don't suggest I move up to the next model up, I would but space is an issue I live in a small cape cod style house.

[thevanderploegs]

I've played the Opus 17 which is a decent digital sampled organ for the price. I would imagine that the Opus 7 would be scaled down in disposition and accessories, with (for example) the 8' Principle on the Great sounding the same as on an Opus 17. However, I have no direct experience with the Opus 7 so, this is just educated speculation.

The internal speakers of the Opus 17 are more than adequate for home practice, so I assume that the Opus 7 would be fine for your application.

[baldwinc630]

I have played and serviced the Johannus Opus 7 organ. The 30 note pedalboard will take a little getting used to, but the overall sound for that particular model is great. They make a good practice organ or for use in a small chapel.

[RayE]

Thanks Baldwinc,
A home practice organ at a reasonable price is what I'm looking for, other than the missing two notes what is different about the 30 note board?

[baldwinc630]

The difference would be on some organs the spacing of the pedals. I didn't notice too much difference in the Opus7. It's been a while since I played one, but I believe the pedal arrangement is almost AGO standard. (other than the 2 missing notes) It's a good practice organ, and it is a well built organ.

[RayE]

baldwinc630 thanks for the valuable input, It seems like this will be a good option for me to replace my less than desirable Allen MDC Classic 20. After I get some holiday bills paid off I think I'm going to go for it.

[Guest]

Johannus Opus 7

I don't know if it helps but I have a Johannus Opus 7 and I have done a couple of recordings on YouTube .

If you're interested they are at the following links :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fKc9xv7Bt4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MOGro0ewvE and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTI_cKeoCGg

Overall, I have found it a good instrument. The sound is good through the built in speakers but sounds even better when taken out of the Auxiliary port and piped to an external amplifier/speakers or for recording. The pedals are easy to access and the build quality is very nice.

The MIDI set-up is also easy to use. I've used it with the GrandOrgue open source software and an Edirol UA-1EX asio sound card with good results using the sample sets provided by Soni Musicae for organs and harpsichords and also the Prudhoe Methodist Organ (all freeware).

I hope this is useful.

Regards
Mark B

[RayE]

Mark thanks for posting the videos, they really help!! Your execution is flawless by the way, very well played!!

[Clarion]

I don't know if it helps but I have a Johannus Opus 7 and I have done a couple of recordings on YouTube .

Thanks Mark, for some excellent performances!

But there was something that really bugged me, and that was the tuning of the instrument. It was most noticeable in the 565 intro; sort of a gratuitous out-of-tune offering that was so conspicuously so far out of tune, as to grate me as being just a tad unpleasant.

Have you noticed this?

What has your experience been in playing standard SATB stuff? Are you pleased with the tuning implemented in the Opus 7??

[Guest]

Thank you for the comments RayE and Clarion.

I'm no expert on tuning at all but could the issue you are referring to be due to Werckmeister III tuning which I think I selected for the Bach ?

On the other hand I do find it the sound a little jarring when all the stops are selected, particularly with the swell on full. The reed sounds especially are quite harsh. Maybe this could be the reason.

I was quite amused the other day to find my Bach BWV 565 T&F video used on a USA organ seller's site for the Opus 7 http://www.johannuspa.com/Johannus_O...PA/Opus_7.html . It would have been nice of them to ask me !

Best regards
Mark

[thevanderploegs]

I was quite amused the other day to find my Bach BWV 565 T&F video used on a USA organ seller's site for the Opus 7 http://www.johannuspa.com/Johannus_O...PA/Opus_7.html . It would have been nice of them to ask me !

Maybe a 'Cease and Desist' email is in order ;)

[Guest]

Maybe a 'Cease and Desist' email is in order

I thought about that but I won't stand to gain anything by doing it. If I was a professional then I would definitely object to it being used but as I'm an amateur, and the video is publicly available on YouTube, then I'll leave it for now.

[Snowbandit]

I thought about that but I won't stand to gain anything by doing it. If I was a professional then I would definitely object to it being used but as I'm an amateur, and the video is publicly available on YouTube, then I'll leave it for now.

Obviously you impressed someone down there enough they used your you-tube video. Might want to make sure they have your personal contact information in case they want to sponsor a concert or get you involved in demonstrating their organs in some venue. You're certainly good enough and it might be worth a few bucks.

[RayE]

I agree with Snowbandit it could be an opportunity for you. Do they at least give you credit for the playing on the website? I would ask them if they use the video to put a link to your site, or list your e-mail address, etc.

[Victor Jules]

I see there's a Johannus Op. 17 SE --

http://www.johannus.com/en-us/collec...pus-se-series/

Anybody played one? Is it the same as the Op. 17 showing in Youtube? Could find no mention here -- must be real new.