Rodgers EC VI Echo Adapter?

[rjsilva]

I came across an older Rodgers analog organ which has an Echo Adapter VI. The speakers are connected to this unit and not the outputs specified in the organ’s technical manual.

This echo adapter has 8 channels and currently 6 of them are in use for the stops. Not all of the stops are assigned to just one channel but rather some appear to come out from multiple channels at different gain levels.

Does anyone know anything about these units? I’d really like to know how to configure it. To start, I’d like to reduce the channels from 6 to 5 (or less), but further configuration may be desirable. Additionally, there are 8 variable resistors which appear to be to set the volume for each channel—is this a feasible way of reducing the volume for in-home use when it was previously set for a church? It seems quicker than reducing all of the levels according to the tech manual.

Thanks!

[toodles]

Here is the schematic for the EC-VI adapter.

It appears that the normal way to use this is for the regular output panel connections to go to this before going onto the external amps & speakers. This device can then turn on and off the main output channels as well as the echo output channels.

The potentiometers on this module do not affect the main outputs--they are used to sum the various channels into a single monophonic echo channel which can drive two separate outputs and speakers. So you can't use them to adjust the overall volume of the individual channels for the main speakers. They just adjust the volume of the individual outputs into the echo channel.

This adapter does not seem to do what you are looking to do. There might be channel mixing switches on the main output preamps. Many Rodgers models provide this, but a few do not.

What is the model number of your organ?

[rjsilva]

Thanks toodles, that makes sense. So having no experience looking at Rodgers analog organs and all of the panels, where would I look for the main output preamps? Perhaps I could just follow the cables coming from the echo unit? I’m asking these questions on behalf of someone I know who recently acquired a 330.

[toodles]

If you send me a private message and include your email address I can email a copy of the service manual to you.

[rjsilva]

You actually sent the service manual to me not too long ago :)

[toodles]

Well if you have the manual, look at the photos of the racks to find out where stuff is!

Page 18 of the schematics (the page number in big numerals) shows mixing switches for the Great and Swell; the great diapason and great flute can be mixed; the swell flute, swell diapason, and swell reed can be mixed using those switches. These will be on the PREAMPS section on the outer rack.

That would bring you down to 3 channels: combined great (on the great flute/mixed channel), combined swell (on the swell flute/mixed channel), and pedal.

[rjsilva]

Thanks toodles, that’s helpful!

[toodles]

Also, according to the first part of the tech manual, you can run the 330 on two channels.