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Hi,
It was either May or June of 1971, that Allen began producing the Allen Digital Computer organ.
Can you believe that............40 years ago.
I'm not sure I would consider the first MOS-1 organs a step up from the Allen analog organs, but it was a revolutionary step forward in terms of technology. It was different, and it sounded different. The tone was harmonically more accurate, although it sounded more machine-like. Early ones had the gyrophonic projector speakers to try to produce some motion to the sound. In terms of building them, the MOS-1 tone computer board, was entirely different than anything else in the music business. One large circuit board, with surface mount ICs. Labour costs would have gone way down, but that circuit board would have cost a fortune at the time to produce.
Anyways, no one can deny that Allen was a pioneer in the field. They were not the inventors of the technology or the system, but they ran with it, and were very successful with it. For many years from the mid 70s onwards, Allen was the dominant manufacturer of classical/church and theatre organs. I don't think they are at the top of the heap anymore, but the Allen name is still recognized by churches and organists simply because there are so many of them out there.
So, let us raise a glass and toast Allen for leading the digital revolution, so we folks can enjoy the fine digital products which are available today.
AV
It was either May or June of 1971, that Allen began producing the Allen Digital Computer organ.
Can you believe that............40 years ago.
I'm not sure I would consider the first MOS-1 organs a step up from the Allen analog organs, but it was a revolutionary step forward in terms of technology. It was different, and it sounded different. The tone was harmonically more accurate, although it sounded more machine-like. Early ones had the gyrophonic projector speakers to try to produce some motion to the sound. In terms of building them, the MOS-1 tone computer board, was entirely different than anything else in the music business. One large circuit board, with surface mount ICs. Labour costs would have gone way down, but that circuit board would have cost a fortune at the time to produce.
Anyways, no one can deny that Allen was a pioneer in the field. They were not the inventors of the technology or the system, but they ran with it, and were very successful with it. For many years from the mid 70s onwards, Allen was the dominant manufacturer of classical/church and theatre organs. I don't think they are at the top of the heap anymore, but the Allen name is still recognized by churches and organists simply because there are so many of them out there.
So, let us raise a glass and toast Allen for leading the digital revolution, so we folks can enjoy the fine digital products which are available today.
AV
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