Allen Ensemble MIDI Expander - Change global volume

[bernterode]

This is my first post on my first day. I have an Allen Ensemble MIDI Expander with an Allen Historique i organ. I would like to raise the volume of the MIDI voices a little loader. There is a volume knob on the MIDI box that does change the volume of the MIDI voices, but even when turned to maximum, I would still like it to be yet higher. Is there a way to do this, even if it becomes a permanent setting?

[you795a]

Welcome to the forum. The MIDI Expander should have enough volume with just the volume control of the Expamder. Which model of the Historique do you have? Are both of the audio plugs plugged into the Expander and are they plugged into the left and right channels? Also, is sound coming out of both channels or just one channel. You may have to kneel in front of the organ to verify this.

[myorgan]

I have an Allen Ensemble MIDI Expander with an Allen Historique i organ. I would like to raise the volume of the MIDI voices a little loader. There is a volume knob on the MIDI box that does change the volume of the MIDI voices, but even when turned to maximum, I would still like it to be yet higher. Is there a way to do this, even if it becomes a permanent setting?

Bernterode,

Welcome to the Forum! I hope you continue to participate here for years to come.

My first question is whether the MIDI Expander is in the console or separate from the console. I played a concert on that generation organ, and eventually I gave up on the onboard MIDI voices, because even after following the instructions in the manual, they were still barely audible, if at all. I was attempting to program a Fanfare Trumpet and a 32' Pedal Reed, but both were too wimpy to use. I suspect the organist (90+ years old) had issues with trouble with the MIDI voices, so they just turned them down permanently.

In either situation, I suspect the MIDI voices are on their own amplifier, and that could be adjusted. Even then, there are instruction in the owner's manual for adjusting the volume of the Expander-either permanently or temporarily.

Meanwhile, wait for our techs who have worked on Allen organs, and they can give a much better answer than I. Thank you for being part of the Forum!

Michael

[you795a]

With the Historique models, the MIDI audio goes into either the CEN2 or REN25 cage depending on what model it is. The Historique must have a top model Expander as it doesn't have an apron to mount anything to it.

[jbird604]

Since the expander is sitting up on top of the organ, it should be easy to make sure both audio outputs are connected to the appropriate jacks. Then look inside the console to be sure the other ends of the cables are connected as well. Unfortunately, you need the DOVE software to directly adjust the maximum volume of the expander channels. But if the organ amplifier volume controls have simply been turned down, you can turn them up with a mini screwdriver after locating the small pots that adjust them. After you do that, if you find that the volume of the organ stops themselves is now too high, you will have yet another problem. You'll have to use the console controller to adjust those, and that is something that end users don't normally have access to.

Alternatively, you might connect your expander's audio outputs to a different sound system, such as the AUX inputs of a home stereo, and then you might be able to play them louder that you are getting through the organ's speakers. The expander sounds will still be expressed by the organ's expression pedals, even if the sound is routed to an external audio system, since the expression is sent to the module on MIDI.

[you795a]

Check the connectors like John and I said, but also check to make sure the cable that goes from the Expander to the cage doesn't have a broken wire. Also, check to make sure that one of the crimp type pins didn't come out from the 6 place white connector that goes from the Expander to the cage (cage end).