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  • buzzyreed
    mf Mezzo-Forte
    • Aug 2004
    • 596
    #1

    Allen MDC Classic 22



    Ok so first off appologies to those of you sick of sitting through another "Buzzyreed International Conference on the Merits of Various Organs.." Really, I'm sorry if I'm becoming, "That" poster.</p>

    </p>

    So I have questions about an MDC Classic 22. I know you guys have mentioned that they were the 'cheap' cheap. But they are small and there is one even closer to me than the Protege (probably the owner of the MDC Class 22 purchased the Protege) and it is only $800, which I could afford. Aside from the really, really ugly speaker fabric and a music desk whose style I really don't like all that much.. what are the pros and cons of this organ. Being the academic I am, I will ask that you list in addition to your cons, at least one Pro. That should make it fun!</p>

    </p>

    buzzzy[8-|]</p>
    Tags: None
    • arie v
      ff Fortissimo
      • Dec 2005
      • 2330
      • Toronto, Canada
      #2
      Re: Allen MDC Classic 22



      Buzzzzzzzzzy,</p>

      The MDC-Classic 22 is Allen's attempt to build a lower cost organ. Remember that the basic quality is going to be quite good. That is the "PRO"</p>

      Now for the "CON". The letters MDC stand for Modified Digital Computer. In other words, the computer is a 1981 simplified version of their regular stuff. The downside of this attempt is a bland sounding organ that was heavily unified. You could call this a boring organ.</p>

      Other negatives I think are 1) the capture is a blind system (or is it just factory preset?) 2) it is equipped with a "princess" set of pedals 3) it is too early to have MIDI. </p>

      Unless it is "really" cheap, I would pass on it.</p>

      AV</p>


      </p>

        Comment

        • radagast
          fff Fortississimo
          • Jul 2004
          • 2835
          #3
          Re: Allen MDC Classic 22

          [quote user="arie v"]


          Buzzzzzzzzzy,</P>


          The MDC-Classic 22 is Allen's attempt to build a lower cost organ. Remember that the basic quality is going to be quite good. That is the "PRO"</P>


          Now for the "CON". The letters MDC stand for Modified Digital Computer. In other words, the computer is a 1981 simplified version of their regular stuff. The downside of this attempt is a bland sounding organ that was heavily unified. You could call this a boring organ.</P>


          Other negatives I think are 1) the capture is a blind system (or is it just factory preset?) 2) it is equipped with a "princess" set of pedals 3) it is too early to have MIDI. </P>


          Unless it is "really" cheap, I would pass on it.</P>


          AV</P>


          [/quote]</P>


          Buzzy,</P>


          In addition to what Arie said, I think the MDC series might not be AGO. But the sound generation is terrible. Although it is digital, the system only creates about three maybe four waveforms. Those waveforms are filtered to produce different stops. The unfiltered basic waves are not as complex as even the Allen MOS waveforms which were at least built on analyzing real pipes.</P>


          It has 12 notes of polyphony like the original Allen MOS organs. HOWEVER, if you want a celeste, the polyphony goes down to 6.</P>


          While I usually hate seeing an organ be tossed in the garbage, an Allen MDC getting trashed wouldn't bother me a bit.</P>


          The MDS organ you mentioned has a sound that is incredibly better than the MDC. I think you would get very tired of the MDC sound in a little while if you bought it.</P>


          Bill</P>

            Comment

            • Guest
              #4
              Re: Allen MDC Classic 22



              THIS WILL BE VERY HELPFUL TO YOU: http://ericmckirdy.com/AllenSpecs.pdf</p>

              It gives a stoplist and other information on a bunch of different older Allen Organ models, including the one you are thinking about. </p>

              If you are looking for a "just for fun" organ, I would say this might be an OK choice. However, if you plan to practice on this instrument, then the answer is no. It does not have an AGO pedalboard, and therefore your muscle memory will get used to incorrect spacing between pedals. </p>

              The stops are pretty good- but the organ is missing a true 8 4 2 principal chorus as well as a mixture. I would look further for an organ. </p>

                Comment

                • buzzyreed
                  mf Mezzo-Forte
                  • Aug 2004
                  • 596
                  #5
                  Re: Allen MDC Classic 22



                  Buhahahahaha! This is marvelous! If I understand my fellowship papers correctly, I **may** be able to afford the AP4, if it is not sold, and if the owner is not a fraud, and if he ever e-mails me more details.. </p>

                  </p>

                  Anywhoo...</p>

                  </p>

                  buzzzzzy[8-|]</p>

                    Comment

                    • jbird604
                      Moderator
                      • Sep 2006
                      • 9742
                      • Greenbelt MD
                      • United States [US]
                      #6
                      Re: Allen MDC Classic 22



                      Yes, the AP4 would be a quantum leap (no Allen pun intended) over the MDC 22 for all the reasons given, if there's any way to stretch your budget for it. You'd probably keep that AP4 for years, maybe decades, unless you get rich and decide to buy yourself a new one or some real pipes. But the little MDC would be a throwaway stopgap. No comparison.</P>


                      But the one "pro" on the MDC is that it is a real Allen, not an imported cheapie, so the key action is good, build quality is good. Yes there are only 3 or 4 distinct tone qualities, but they are parceled out at 16, 8, 4, and 2. The flutes are fluty, the reeds are reedy.And the Great is "greater" than the "swell" (which might be "sweller" -- I can't say). The carillon (which I know you don't care for anyway) is a disaster, and the celeste "effect" uses 2 units of polyphony per key, so it's basically unusuable.</P>


                      Let us know what happens.</P>


                      John</P>
                      <P mce_keep="true"></P>
                      John
                      ----------
                      *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!

                      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Birds...97551893588434

                        Comment

                        • buzzyreed
                          mf Mezzo-Forte
                          • Aug 2004
                          • 596
                          #7
                          Re: Allen MDC Classic 22



                          Well.. I think that 10 years ago you could have said that one could keep an organ like the AP4 for a lifetime. Nowadays, however, I think that the speed of technological improvements will make even this beauty a thing of the past. Why do I say this? Well, one word, HAUPTWERKE. Right now, I would prefer an AP4 or the like because of what I tend to feel is an absolutely cute, beautiful, adorable, first love, type of console. I mean it is perfect for me.. no spaceship Allens for me, please-- that is unless the price and sound are right. I guess when I grow up and have a real house, family, and desposable income, I'll upgrade, but for moving around from degree program to degree program, visiting professorship to visiting professorship, this type of console would be perfect (although if it were within the realm of possibility of the laws of physics, it would be better to have an ultra light weight console that one could move oneself with the durability of craftsman wrench. Just for the record, just because you can dodge a wrench does not nessecarily mean you can dodge an Allen MOS-1 [:O]</p>

                          With sound samples like this:http://www.milanaudio.com/hw2demos/schnitger/fischer-praeludium-octavum-hw2.mp3</p>

                          </p>

                          and this:http://www.milanaudio.com/hw2demos/schnitger/pachelbel-herzlich-tut-mich-verlangen-hw2.mp3</p>

                          </p>

                          And thishttp://www.milanaudio.com/hw2demos/skinner/widor-romane-iv-hw2.mp3</p>

                          </p>

                          http://www.milanaudio.com/hw2demos/s...ndante-hw2.mp3</p>

                          </p>

                          http://www.milanaudio.com/hw2demos/stgeorge/bach-valet-will-ich-dir-geben-hw2.mp3</p>

                          </p>

                          http://www.milanaudio.com/hw2demos/stgeorge/walther-concerto-allegro-I-hw2.mp3</p>

                          I mean, seriously.. if this sort of sound were available in a Allen console, why would you even think of buying anything else?!!! </p>


                          I should mention that I was not paid by Brett Milan to post these samples, though I do know him from grad school, and hope he will not sue me for linking to his page. We're all one big, happy, non litigious organ family, rrriiiigght, Brett??!! Why he choose to record a 'Buzard" organ is completely inscrutable.
                          </p>

                          </p>

                          But really, the only think holding Hauptwerk back is the rather nasty issue of a compatible stop tab solution. No, LCD touch screens are really not acceptable. I suppose that 'real' tracker action in an electronic console (no, not the kind now available) will be one of the last steps. Imagine having an electronic tracker that had the same feel and control as a real tracker -- not possible, but close should be. You could load up a Silberman, or a Schnitger, one of Buxtehude's organs, or a Skinner, yet still have the same basic organ. </p>


                          This is why I'd be worried if I were one of the big three organ makers. Aside from not having to wait for the computer to boot up, for compatiblity issues, and reliabitliy, there soon will be no reason to purchase from one of them.. </p>


                          Well, gotta get to work. Anyone with an AP3 or 4, MDS, or ADC should upload it to youtube, I 'm sure I'm not the only one wondering about this.</p>

                          </p>

                          [8-|]buuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzy</p>


                          </p>

                          </p>


                          </p>

                            Comment

                            • radagast
                              fff Fortississimo
                              • Jul 2004
                              • 2835
                              #8
                              Re: Allen MDC Classic 22

                              [quote user="jbird604"]


                              Yes, the AP4 would be a quantum leap (no Allen pun intended) over the MDC 22 for all the reasons given, if there's any way to stretch your budget for it. You'd probably keep that AP4 for years, maybe decades, unless you get rich and decide to buy yourself a new one or some real pipes. But the little MDC would be a throwaway stopgap. No comparison.</P>


                              But the one "pro" on the MDC is that it is a real Allen, not an imported cheapie, so the key action is good, build quality is good. Yes there are only 3 or 4 distinct tone qualities, but they are parceled out at 16, 8, 4, and 2. The flutes are fluty, the reeds are reedy.And the Great is "greater" than the "swell" (which might be "sweller" -- I can't say). The carillon (which I know you don't care for anyway) is a disaster, and the celeste "effect" uses 2 units of polyphony per key, so it's basically unusuable.</P>


                              Let us know what happens.</P>


                              John</P>
                              <P mce_keep="true"></P>


                              [/quote]</P>


                              IIRC MDC organs did not have mixtures.</P>

                                Comment

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