external channels on Allen AP-17 E Protege series

[hybridlover]

Dear Friends,

Was wondering if anyone can speak as to how many discrete, external channels are available on the Allen AP17-e. I have a copy of the owner's manual, which does not indicate that information, and it is currently being used with just the internals. I recall reading somewhere that the "e" designation after the number indicated externals could be added, but not sure if that means 2 or 4 discrete channels. Any help or additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

[toodles]

An "E" in the model number would typically indicate that it was built for external speakers ONLY--you probably have an I version. I believe the AP17 is a 4-channel organ.

If you have tabs labelled "Console Speakers Off" and "External Speakers Off", then you have the I version. If you have "Main Organ Off" and "Antiphonal Organ On", then you have the E version.

[jbird604]

The AP-17e comes with four audio channels and four Allen HC-15 speaker cabinets. These are four discrete channels, with two assigned to swell stops (with logical divisions, such as the viola in one channel and the viola celeste in the other), and two assigned to the great and pedal stops (again with meaningful divisions, such as the 8' principal in one channel and the 4' octave in the other, etc.).

Optionally, this model can have a fifth channel, but it is not a discrete channel. It is a low-bass extension channel for giving some boost to the 32' pedal stop primarily, and would feed a B-20 speaker cabinet.

I'm curious though about your AP-17 having internal speakers. The AP-17e does not have any internal speakers. If you have internal speakers, I believe you have the AP-17i, and that model has all the stops mixed down (within the cage) to just two channels.

Using the DOVE software, it should be possible to re-configure the channel mixing to give your organ four discrete outputs just like the AP-17e. But I'm not certain of that and have never tried doing that. You would also need a four-channel audio connector and two additional amplifiers, and of course some speakers. It would be well worth doing if the organ is being used in a space that needs more audio power than the simple self-contained system it now has.