Allen 603-D Organ

[Paula Anna]

Hello All,

I am asking for some help. Recently acquired an Allen Organ. It did come with 6 channels(speakers), but I can only have no more then 2 channels(speakers) plus the amplifier. How does one connect all the wires to the channels so it all still works? I don’t have the slightest clue. Figured maybe some of you can help. Also the random motion generator is loose and no idea where it goes. Thanks for all your help!

[myorgan]

Hello All,

I am asking for some help. Recently acquired an Allen Organ. It did come with 6 channels, but I can only have no more then 2 channels plus the amplifier. How does one connect all the wires to the channels so it all still works? I don’t have the slightest clue. Figured maybe some of you can help. Also the random motion generator is loose and no idea where it goes. Thanks for all your help!

Paula Anna,

Feel free to search the Forum for information on mixing down 6 channels to two. If I recall, you can use Y-splitters to mix the channels down, but isn't the 603 organ only 2 or 4 channels anyway? I can't vouch for that, but I don't seem to remember Allen using more than 4 channels until after the MOS era—unless it was a custom organ.

All that said, I seem to remember some talk recently about having to add resistors in the audio chain for certain organs, but I don't remember if that was the MOS organs or another variety. The experts will weigh in soon enough.

Welcome to the Forum, and I hope you continue to participate after your questions are answered.

Michael

[rjsilva]

Is it possible there are two channels with 3 speakers used per channel?

[Admin]

MOS I and MOS 2 Allens have two channels per computer. So my MOS 2 Allen 965 had six channels (3 computers), plus an additional two channels for reverb. If I'm not mistaken, the 603 had two computers for a doubled organ configuration. That would account for 4 channels, and if equipped with a reverb unit, 6.

Due to impedence matching issues on MOS 1 instruments and their expression implementation, reducing the number of channels by mixing might not be so straight forward. I'm sure jbird will have some helpful advice.

[John Vanderlee]

I can't help wit the random motion generator, but can share this: We just installed a 603 a few months ago. It has 2 computers and 4 channels out which drive four amps in a rack and thus 4 speakers. You could get a cheap stereo audio mixer and take the outputs that normally go into the amps and put them into the mixer: 2 channels into Left and 2 in to Right. The output of the mixer could then go to any 2 channel sound system.
If you don't get enough gain you may have to use the Mic inputs on the mixer and adjust the trim controls to keep from overdriving the mixer. Also good results have been had with the impedance adapters, from Harrison Labs out in Colorado, between the organ audio and the mixer.
Anyone feel free to correct me on any of this.