My favorite topic...

[buzzyreed]

So we're back to my favorite topic, sound comparisons of various newer digital organs. I have mentioned that I know the sound of the cheaper Rodgers 525, 530, 535, and some larger, real ones which were acutally made in the US. I also know the sound of some Allens. So how does each sound in comparison to each other. Ogletree, Walker people, relax, there is no way I'd be able to afford one of those and I'm not slaming you guys by not mentioning them. How about the Baldwins we've heard (viscounts). How do their stops compare? Use descritive words. Make it sound like you are writing a recipie book.</p>

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Here's my take on the Rodgers 525. The stops when heard individualy acutally sound like some fashion of a real organ. Unlike Allen, the reed stops are an imitation of acutal organ reeds. I think that some of the 16 footer sound a lot better than the 8 and 4 foot reeds, but they acutalyl sound like real organ stops. The diapason acutally has a 'ping' unlike many Allen's I've heard. The ensemble, as has been mentioned is not so great, though I have heard a lot worse, a lllllllooooooot worse. </p>

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The console, though not as attractive as the Allen Protege, is decent. The 525 and 535 seem to hold up just fine. The 530, if that is indeed what it was (it's been about 10 years since I played that one I think) didn't hold up so well, but that may be because it was a 'refurbished' unit I think and acutally wasn't all that bad, I've seen pianos that have fallen apart more quickly. It was mainly the silly lighted tab stops that burned out and some occasinal pedal problems. I alwasy felt that the expression pedals were going to bend when I used them because they just seemed to be made cheaply, though I never remember them having any real problem. </p>

The Sound system on the 525 was just fine for the size of church it was in. We had a larger Rodgers, a 'real' one in the other larger church and if, for some reason over 50% of the church memebers showed up for any one particular service, I didn't have enough sound because they sang so strongly and their body mass took up precious sonic space. </p>

I think I liked the celeste on the 530, but I think the 525 wasn't as good, but they probably were exactly the same thing. </p>

Well I have to prepare for class, but I just wondered what all of you thought. There seemed to be a lot of expression of frustration about these particular Rodgers models, but I still contend that they sound better than any Allen I've ever played (mind you that is nothing above a Protege).</p>


Well, if you have videos that is even better!</p>

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the buuuuzzzzzzzzzzz[8-|]


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[arie v]

Re: My favorite topic...



Hey Buuuuuuzzzzzz,</p>

I'm not sure how many on this forum share your immense interest in low end digital organs. I think you have a case of ADIDAO (all day I dream about organs). I suggest you re-read past posts on this subject, otherwise discussion will just go around in circles.</p>

I have said this before, and I'm sure John the organ tech. will back me up on this, most of the low priced digital organs are more product than music. In other words, low price is most important, not musical ability or quality. </p>

With the Rodgers stuff (the Italian made models), generally quality on the 520/530 or the 525/535 was mediocre at best. To boot, there was hardly anything in them. The tone generator was probably a re-vamped Roland sound canvas board, designed to play organ sounds. The samples were extremely short, and few. And because there was sharing and blending between stops it could never build up much of an ensemble. The internal audio system was designed to make noise, not much else. They sounded somewhat better through external speakers. The organs were not voiceable.</p>

The Allen Protege is much better built, and sounds better, at least the ensemble. The individual voices are at best decent. They can be adjusted as well. I installed one in a church with external speakers, and it sounded better than I would have expected. In fact I thought it sounded better than a 3 manual Renassance organ I played recently.</p>

When it comes to Baldwin (Viscount), you will have to give a model #, as there were so many models and iterations of models as to be bewildering. Some would sound better than the aformentioned Rodgers, some worse.</p>

You mention a "real" Rodgers. Well, what you describe is not all that uncommon. Many electronic organs just cannot lead well a congregation of singers. It is a combination of insufficient or poor quality audio(possibly poorly installed) combined with poor voicing. Most electronic organs I have come across are sold and installed by folks who know little about what an organ should sound like.</p>

Best thing for you to do is go around and actually hear some of these instruments. Just trying to describe these instruments using aural memory is not a great idea unless you are of a critical and analytical mind (which I am).</p>

AV</p>

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[clumber]

Re: My favorite topic...



&gt;&gt; Ogletree, Walker people, relax, there is no way I'd be able to afford one of those and I'm not slaming you guys by not mentioning them.</p>

So what's the price range that is affordable, just so we all are working in the same field of dreams?</p>

Andy
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[jbird604]

Re: My favorite topic...

[quote user="arie v"]


I think you have a case of ADIDAO (all day I dream about organs).AV</P>
<P mce_keep="true">[/quote]</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Arie,</P>
<P mce_keep="true">So that's what's the matter with me! I have been seeking a diagnosis (as has my wife) but this is the first time I've seen the syndrome in print.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Guess I'm about as bad as Buzzzzzzzzz. Even though I have stacks of unread mail and lots of work to do around the house, it seems I'm just thinking "organ" all the time. If I didn't have to make a living, I'd just drive around playing organs everywhere I can get in the door.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Like that TV commercial where someone is "thinking Arby's" . . . </P>
<P mce_keep="true">Yes, you know my assessment of low-end Rodgers (anda lot of other stufffrom Italy). But as Buzzy says, there are some really interesting individual stop sounds. They just don't amount to much when you mix them all together.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">John</P>
<P mce_keep="true"></P>