Johannus Opus 370 #1

[Melos Antropon]

I received yesterday my new Johannus Opus 370, and had it voiced. I will make several posts over a period of days to share with the group my impressions. This post is my "First Impressions" of the instrument.

No matter how big an instrument may look to you on a web page, it's bigger in person! It fits well in the room (I paid close attention to the measurements) but it is still a "big" presence.
This instrument has simulated tracker touch manuals, my first experience with them. They felt odd to me, but the voicer said "You will adapt to those and prefer them very shortly". After 24 hours, I am getting used to the feeling. Their best thing so far? They greatly facilitate rapid passage work. I am fascinated by the surface of the naturals. They are a polymer plastic, of course, but they have a satiny, almost matte "feel" to them. Not slick and shiny at all. I do like that.

The voices - in all four of the styles - are the best samples I have ever heard. Especially excellent are the American Classic and Baroque samples. Many, if not most of the AC samples are from Aeolian-Skinner instruments, and the string celeste is truly exceptional!

Technically, you could say that this is a "custom" organ, because I wanted one stop in the Choir division swapped out. I had them remove the 8' Salicional, and replace it with an 8' Erzhaler Celeste II. That cost me $640, and it was worth every penny!

Just a matter of minutes before the seller called me today to see if I was happy with the instrument, I noticed that the low "C" pedal, which was fine yesterday, had to be pressed down very firmly to sound today. He explained it as typical of an organ just "settling in", and he explained the adjustment procedure to me (took 60 seconds). All is well now.

I will post again soon after I become more relaxed with the instrument. Stay tuned!

Tony

[jjcricket1958]

Can you post a few pics as well? Sound samples?

[Melos Antropon]

Can you post a few pics as well? Sound samples?

I can see how to post a pic if it is on a server somewhere,but I can't figure out how to do it if it's a pic from my own computer. Sound samples are 'way beyond my capabilities, but the YouTube vids for the Opus 270 (same instrument, minus one manual and some stopwork) are quite good.

Tony

[samibe]

Maybe this might be helpful.
https://www.organforum.com/forums/sh...l=1#post469310

Inserting a video requires uploading a video to youtube (or another video hosting site) and linking to it in your post (using the filmstrip icon next to the picture icon).

[Casavant Fan]

Tony,

congratulations on receiving your new organ.

how would you assess the fit and finish of the console? Did you purchase the roll-top cover? They want $800 for that option.

[Melos Antropon]

Tony,

congratulations on receiving your new organ.

how would you assess the fit and finish of the console? Did you purchase the roll-top cover? They want $800 for that option.

Hi CVF:

The fit and finish of the console is excellent - same goes for the bench and the pedalboard. Every visible surface is covered with white oak veneer (excellent quality veneer), except for the keyboard cheeks. They are also the only part of the organ that is darker wood tone. I did not need or want the roll top, no. I also, just out of curiosity, asked the seller what the cost of the adjustable bench was, and he said "Oh, way huge". I later found out it's $1,000. No, the only "extra" on mine was the Erzhaler Celeste, as I mentioned in the original post.

Tony

[jbird604]

Congratulations! Sounds like a dream instrument. My limited experience with the latest Johannus organs left me very impressed with the sound, with the quality of the console and keys, and with the range of voicing adjustment through the Intonat program. A fine instrument to own, and you're lucky to have one at home.

I read in the brochure that it is only 28.5" deep without pedals, making it one of the slenderest consoles around. I'd assume that makes it very easy to bring in through almost any door that would be found on a residence. I also see that it has four main audio channels, two of which are "surround sound," plus a bass channel, a total of seven speakers. Are the speakers mounted all around the console, including on the sides and rear? Do the speakers produce a very broad soundfield that seems to envelope you as you sit on the bench?

BTW, what are the four styles? Does it also have the three separate intonations for each style (I think on earlier models they called these "trio" "solo" and "ensemble" or something like that, each one having a piston to call it up.)

[Melos Antropon]

Congratulations! Sounds like a dream instrument. My limited experience with the latest Johannus organs left me very impressed with the sound, with the quality of the console and keys, and with the range of voicing adjustment through the Intonat program. A fine instrument to own, and you're lucky to have one at home.

I read in the brochure that it is only 28.5" deep without pedals, making it one of the slenderest consoles around. I'd assume that makes it very easy to bring in through almost any door that would be found on a residence. I also see that it has four main audio channels, two of which are "surround sound," plus a bass channel, a total of seven speakers. Are the speakers mounted all around the console, including on the sides and rear? Do the speakers produce a very broad soundfield that seems to envelope you as you sit on the bench?

BTW, what are the four styles? Does it also have the three separate intonations for each style (I think on earlier models they called these "trio" "solo" and "ensemble" or something like that, each one having a piston to call it up.)

Thanks for your good wishes, John. Yes, the console is 28.5 inches deep, and that greatly facilitated bringing it into the house. The exterior door was no problem, but it also had to go through two passageway doors that were only 30" wide. I thought I might have to remove the jamb strips, but no - the skillful movers from the company rolled it through with no problem. It is anything but flimsy, case-wise - it weighs 375 pounds! You surmised correctly on the channels, and five speakers fire forward, one more each to the side. The soundfield thing is tough to answer - it is in my "man cave" which is 12' X 13', but the sound is not "one directional" at all. And the sound through my headphones is glorious - extremely natural. The four intonations are American Classic (mostly Aeolian-Skinner organs, I am told), Symphonic (a la Caville-Coll), Baroque and "historic". As I mentioned in an earlier post, all the samples are very good, but the AC and the Baroque are especially good. Each different set also gives you "Solo" and "Trio" variants, the former boosting the level of the reeds about 5%, and the latter boosting the level of the mutations about 5% - yes, those are both separate pistons.

Tony

[Guest]

I've been looking at the 370 on the Johannus website. it seems perfect for what I want. I do have a few questions though. If I wanted to make mine a "custom" in the same way you did, but a little more intensive reworking of the pedal, how much do you estimate it would cost? One change I would definitely have done to the pedal, is what you mentioned in a later post. replace the Double trumpet 16, with something more powerful, like a Posaune, or even a Bombarde. THAT change, for me, no questions asked, would happen. The 2 other changes that are debatable, I need your input on 2 things. 1) Is there room on the pedal stop rail to add two additional stops? And 2) Based on your experience with the sound of your organ, would you say the speaker(s), as they come default, are strong enough to produce pitch down to 32 foot levels? If that is the case, do you have any idea how much that would add onto the original price tag? Thanks!

[janvds]

Hi kennypierson and others,

While I realize your question is directed to Melos Antropon I hope you don't mind my chiming in here.

The Johannus organs are actually more flexible and versatile than most people realize and I can speak from personal experience.

The different stops, or voices of any Johannus organ are adjustable by the dealer's voicing software. Some of the parameters include:
pitch (in relationship to other stops).
volume (general volume as well as individual key volumes)
windpressure fluctuation
pitch sensitivity
bass (a more appropriate term would be scaling)
treble (a more appropriate term would be presence or brilliance)

The organ, by default, as four different organs or sample banks. American, Symphonic, Baroque, and Historic. Depending on the version of the voicing software, it is possible to choose which stop or sample is actually used. For example, if you find the American 16' Double Trumpet cannot be adjusted to your liking, the dealer can make the Symphonic 16' Double Trumpet available on the American stoplist.

I guess in a nutshell, changing a stop simply because you want something more powerful or robust is certainly possible, but may not actually be necessary.

As far as 32' stops on an Opus model. The best way i can answer the question is, a 32' string or reed would be manageable with the internal speakers, but a 32' Diapason or Bourdon would require an appropriate subwoofer. Quite frankly, I don't find 32' stops to be all that successful in any organ with self-contained speakers anyways.

Whether or not there is room on the stop rail (or more importantly, in the organ's hardware and software) for additional stops depends on the model. Your local dealer would be able to advise on cost of such customizations upon consultation with the Johannus factory.

[Dutchy]

The different stops, or voices of any Johannus organ are adjustable by the dealer's voicing software.

In the EU this software is also available for customers, it is called "Intonat" and is costs only €150. If its also available in the US it is very advisable if you want to voice and customise your organ yourself, a friend of mine has it and is fully satisfied by it. It works on any laptop and the GUI is easy to grasp.

For the rest, I fully agree with janvds. And, nearly EVERYTHING is possible by Johannus, but....it will cost an appropriate amount of money.

Regards, Dutchy.

[Casavant Fan]

The JohannusOpus 370 is a fine organ. I seriously considered buying one. The price is $10k less than what Rodgers is quoting me for the Inspire 233, a 2 manual organ.

The main reasons I chose the 233 was first my personal preference for the sound. Second, it has 183 voices,including 18 orchestral. There are three basic sample sets: American Classic; German Baroque; and French Romantic. There is a fourth variant library, plus the 18 orchestral. These voices are interchangeable, so you can create your own stoplists. The 370 also has several organs sets, but I don’t think you can swap stops. Also, the 370 has no orchestral voices, such as chimes, handbells, strings, etc. that may not be important to you, but it was to me.

i would suggest you try both and see which one suits you. FYI, the Inspire 227 hasfewerstops and features than the 233, but has the exact same sound generator. It sells for a outthecost of theJ370.