Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

[Guest]

I have an opportunity to purchase a used Rodgers C-445 organ, which was installed new in a church around 1992/93. The church is located in my area (which is rare) so getting it moved shouldn't pose a problem or risk. It is also small enough to fit into my basement studio.

I would be planning to use it primarily for playing Hauptwerk 2. How do I determine how suitable it would be for this purpose? I would like to use the stop tabs, expression pedals (the C-445 has two expression pedals - one for Swell and one for Great), and pistons.

I'd hate to get the organ and then discover that I couldn't get the stop tabs to work with Hauptwerk 2, for example.

There are MIDI tabs on the organ. It was Rodgers first digital organ.

I have also posted this at the Hauptwerk forum, but realize that there are people here who have expertise that don't frequent the Hauptwerk forum.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Lawrence

[Digi]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

If it was new in 1992 then what confidence have you that spares are still available? Was that a Rodgers Global Series organ built in Italy, with rubbish key contacts and pedal sticks, etc.?

Whilst there are elements of this organ in your favour - available in your location, go through your entrance, etc. - if it was Rodgers first digital organ, then it is appreciated that the concern is what is the MIDI like, because MIDI features on organs are not necessarily standardised. I almost bought an Allen organ which I found out in the nick of time had only part MIDI - not full MIDI. I liked the organ - BUT - church people are business people and if there is also a dealer involved "Let The Buyer Beware!"

Have you been convinced about the real reason why they are selling this organ? Is it because they want to utilise Hauptwerk 2 and the MIDI won't support it? Costing them too much in service calls and purchasing spares? The list of cautions goes on and on!

I, too, would be interested to know what the criteria is for determining the compatability of Hauptwerk 2 and organ MIDI?

Digi.

[M1994]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

I play on a C-440 at church, and while I'm not sure about the complete MIDI capabilities, I know each manual goes to a different channel. I don't believe the stops do a thing however. I may be wrong. It has only 3 different levels of touch sensitivity, and as mentioned, the key contacts are junk, the pedalboard felts wear, and clank, and stick, the springs on the pedalboard need tightening semi-annually (at least) it's cheap and rather uncomfortable, BUT it's still a MIDI console. I can try to find out the whole MIDI shebang on Sunday (it'd probably be the same for those 2 organs) but no guarantees.

[arie v]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

Lawrence,

It is anybody's guess as to whether it will work.

The way to find out, is to physically try the Rodgers out, hook a computer up to it, and record the MIDI message (if any) that is transmitted both when the stop is turned on, and also turned off. Also you have to know what is transmitted when a piston is pressed. Only then will you know whether that can be translated into something the Hauptwerk program can understand.

This organ the C-445 is a first generation digital Rodgers. Built from about 1991 to 1993. To give you an idea of what kind of an organ it is - Rodgers marketed it as a Classic Keyboard, not an organ. The organ is not voiceable, has wood-grained vinyl case and very much a Roland synth kind of feel to it. The basic instrument according to the Canadian 1992 price list cost $9,995.00. Generally it was sold for between $7,000 and $8,000.

This model and others (like the C-440, 441, 505 550) were pre-cursors to the Global series of organs. Probably better built than the Global series instruments.

The real saving grace to this instrument is the MIDI capability. Typically Rodgers in this regard.

Arie V.

[M1994]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

The c-440 is probably equal to the 445 in build quality. Never seen one, but seen pictures, and they look awful similar. The C-440 is not very well built, and is also marketed as a "classic keyboard". As I said, if it works, and you're fine with anything that works, then excellent. But there are much better consoles out there for this purpose. It really depends on how good a deal it is.

[Guest]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?



[quote user="Digi"]Have you been convinced about the real reason why they are selling this organ? [/quote]</P>


It is located in a church that is no longer using the organ. It sat for the last year, and was never opened. The console has been moved to a storage cupboard. They would like to get some money out of it, to put towards other projects. Another Praise Band casuality.</P>


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</P>

[Guest]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?



[quote user="M1994"]I play on a C-440 at church, and while I'm not sure about the complete MIDI capabilities, I know each manual goes to a different channel. I don't believe the stops do a thing however. I may be wrong. It has only 3 different levels of touch sensitivity, and as mentioned, the key contacts are junk, the pedalboard felts wear, and clank, and stick, the springs on the pedalboard need tightening semi-annually (at least) it's cheap and rather uncomfortable, BUT it's still a MIDI console. I can try to find out the whole MIDI shebang on Sunday (it'd probably be the same for those 2 organs) but no guarantees.[/quote]</P>


Did you manage to discover anything on Sunday?</P>


Thanks,</P>


Lawrence</P>


</P>

[Guest]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?



[quote user="arie v"]Lawrence,


The basic instrument according to the Canadian 1992 price list cost $9,995.00. Generally it was sold for between $7,000 and $8,000.

This model and others (like the C-440, 441, 505 550) were pre-cursors to the Global series of organs. Probably better built than the Global series instruments.

Arie V.[/quote]</P>


Are instruments built in Italy like the current Insignia organs Global series?</P>


Regarding price, they are asking $8,500 but are open to offers.The organ and speakers (2 FR5 and 2 FR1.7)was around the $13,000 mark when they bought it new. When theydecided to sell it theycontacted Rodgers to see what they would suggest would be an average price to sell it for. They told themthe organ would be up to $8,000 and another $1,000 for the speakers. That is how I they came up with $8,500 figure.</P>


I think that about 1/2 the asking price would be more appropriate.</P>


Lawrence</P>


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</P>

[M1994]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

I've been busy, so no, I had no time to hook up the keyboard on Sunday.
Sorry. But I think personally even half that amount is a lot to ask.
They are really sub-par consoles.

[Guest]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?



I'll plan to wait for a good while, and then see if they will be open to substantially reducing the price. Right now they think they are sitting on a gold mine!</P>


Lawrence</P>


</P>

[arie v]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

Lawrence,



Quote Shakespeare to them.............."all that glisters is not gold".........



av

[Guest]

Off-topic : Rodgers connector



Any idea which wire (coloured) goes into which slot (numbered) on the clip-style connector that joins the top and bottom parts of the C-445. We've had a "moving mishap" at my church where the wires were all pulled out of the connector.</P>

[twinsdad]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?

Since it has been a 1 1/2 year span since this post, do you have a
resolution to this situation. I have a Rodgers 441 with Hauptwerk, and
may be able to help.

[dhm]

Re: Rodgers C-445 suitable as controller for Hauptwerk 2?



Be advised HW version THREE was launched last week.</P>


Probably wouldn't cause any compatibility problems, but you just need to be aware.</P>