My Virtual Organ Project

[Aduragbemi]

UPDATE
I later made some modifications on the keystack, in order to get the vertical spacing and the key overhang right.

I also removed two keys before the first C and two keys after the last C to give way for the partitioning pieces. I was left with 69 keys (23 on each manual) for the stops.

When I installed the keybeds, I found that the partitions held them in place, so there was no need to screw them to the platforms.

I drilled 16mm holes on the panels that cover the "stop" sections, each hole aligning with each key. Then I cut up "dowels" from drumsticks and inserted them in the holes to "push on, push off" the stops.

Very often, some dowels shifted out of alignment (especially those on the black keys) and got stuck, or pressed the wrong or two keys simultaneously. I solved this by inserting cylindrical plastic tubes, which had been cut to just rest on the keys. They kept the dowel in place on their respective keys.

[gtc]

That project is coming along nicely.

Do you intend to install LEDs above the stop 'rods'?

[Aduragbemi]

Thank you very much. Yes I intend to install the LEDs.

[Aduragbemi]

The pictures

[Aduragbemi]

I made a stand for the stack, keeping in mind the space for the pedalboard. I also made a music stand. That gulped up another 8ft by 4ft prefinished 15mm thick plywood. My friend helped me tocut with circular saw, and I just screwed up the pieces.

[gtc]

I guess prefinished means that it's varnished/lacquered? Will you be finishing the bare cut edges with some material?

[Aduragbemi]

I used the term "prefinished" to mean that the surfaces can be left "as it is". My friend, the furniture maker, actually said clear lacquer can be applied at the end to enhance the finishing and it's waterproof properties.

The cut edges will be covered with a PVC tape that has same (or different) colour as the plywood surface. Note the rolls of such tape to the left of the music stand, above the "stop panel", in the picture above.

[Aduragbemi]

Correction: "to the left of the music stand" should read "to the right... ". The PVC tapes are obviously to the right in the picture (smiles). It's the sound system remote control that is to the left.

[Aduragbemi]

It was not possible to screw the circuit boards directly inside the stack; the vertical space under the keybeds too narrow to work with a screwdriver, and the flat cables from the keys will not reach the boards if mounted too far out. So,I mounted the circuit boards on a L-shaped platform, and then screwed the platform inside the stack behind the keybeds.

The boards for manuals 1 and 2 mounted flat and that for manual 3 mounted upright.

[Aduragbemi]

I bought a screen to monitor the stops.

[Aduragbemi]

Here I have the completed manual (though there's room for improvements; I learnt that VPOs are usually a continuously on-going project). It's not the most beautiful one, but I'm proud of it (smiles).

[Aduragbemi]

Future improvement will include:

1. Trim the square plates at the front end of the natural keys, to make the thumb piston rail more accessible. (Lars did it early in his project but I decided to leave it to the very end).

2. Instal some thumb pistons... that's when I have learnt more about the pistons. For now, the unused stops will be programmed for the functions.

3. Attach LED to the stops to indicate their on/off status. Also work out replaceable labels for the stops (I've seen some ideas elsewhere here). With that the monitor can be relocated or completely removed.

4. A dedicated desktop computer for the VPO.., for now the laptop is doing very well.

5. A proper organ bench.

6. Of course... The PEDALBOARD.

[Aduragbemi]

I could not wait to do a video! Here is one.

https://youtu.be/StynHRdf43Y

My play is rusty a bit... I've not been playing for a very long time. Also the audio/video synchronization is not perfect (it will look like I'm not the one playing) But the organ functionality is well displayed.

[gtc]

Sounds fine to me. 👍

[Aduragbemi]

Thank you gtc 😊😊

[Larason2]

Good work so far! I've been thinking about your pedalboard. There are many ways to cut it to the right thickness, but no matter how you cut it, you're going to dull the tools you use. If it's not seasoned, you should season it for at least a year to make sure you don't get any surprises in the future. But once it's seasoned, probably the best is to plane it to thickness. If you can find someone with a jointer or planer (or both!) that would be the best. Using a hand plane would work, but you also dull the blade, and in my experience it's not that easy to develop the skill. I just bought an electric hand plane, which looks to be just the ticket for you if you can't find anyone with a jointer/planer - either buy one or find someone who has one to help you plane the boards to thickness.

[Aduragbemi]

Great idea. Thank you Larason2. 👏👏👏

[myorgan]

@Larason2,

If it's not seasoned, you should season it for at least a year to make sure you don't get any surprises in the future. But once it's seasoned, probably the best is to plane it to thickness. If you can find someone with a jointer or planer (or both!) that would be the best.

I wish I had thought of that! ;-) https://organforum.com/forums/forum/...718#post791718

Michael

[Larason2]

Haha, I see where I got the idea from now! I guess I should give credit where it is due!

[Aduragbemi]

My tools😃😃

[Aduragbemi]

For some days, I have been thinking about the monitor placement. Personally I prefer it at the centre. I can remove its stand and fix it above the manual, though the music stand above it might be too high. I can fix it on the wall above the music stand. I can also embed it in the music stand; switch it off when it's not needed, or even use it to display the sheets.

Any thought??😊😊

[SchnarrHorn]

IMO, at the side would be best. If it must be in the center, I definitely would not put the music rack above it. Presumably, more time is spent looking at music vs. looking at the Hauptwerk screen. Having the music rack that high would kill my neck!

George

[Aduragbemi]

Thank you all for the comments. I have found out that the screen is best placed by the side. If it was a smaller size, say 8 inches wide, I'd embed it in the top left (or right) corner of the music stand, where music sheet will interfere less. Nothing on the shoulders or top! I'm planning to install facade pipes there at the end of the project. Indeed I've caught the "VPO-bug-itis" 😅😅

[Aduragbemi]

Thank you all for the comments. I have found out that the screen is best placed by the side. R

[Redman]

I've been keeping an eye on this project since I joined, excellent work! The design gives the organ real character, nicely done

[Aduragbemi]

Oh thanks a lot!! I really appreciate the warmth and support in this forum, and I'm sure that will be your experience as well.

[Aduragbemi]

UPDATE: Dedicated VPO PC

Over the last 3 weeks, my VPO got a boost with a reconfigured HP EliteDesk 800 G1 SFF.
Processor Core i5 - 4570 CPU @ 3.20GHz, 4 cores.
20GB DDR3 RAM @ 1600MHz (2 x 8GB dual mode + 4GB single mode).
120GB SSD hard disk.
10 USB ports.

Operating system is Windows 10.
Onboard graphic card - Intel HD graphics 4600
Onboard sound card - Realtek HD audio, stereo output.

Only GrandOrgue is installed. No other app.
Samplesets:
3M+P
1. Friesach
2. Cracow
2M+P
3. Giubiasco
4. Sczcecinek
1M+P
5. Kalvtrask
6. Ledziny

Those are sufficient for a non-pro, organ enthusiast like me😊😊.

Sound output from a small home theatre sound system which I previously owned but I seldom used.

[Aduragbemi]

Here is a video that I made, playing Giubiasco from the dedicated VPO. I assigned virtual pedal to manual III in this video. Happy viewing😊😊.

[Coenraads]

One of my favourite hymns, beautifully played. I enjoyed that.
I'm sure we're all impressed by how your project is coming along.
Thanks for posting.

[Aduragbemi]

The immense support from you, and especially from other longstanding members of this forum, made it possible. ☺👏👏👏👏👏

[Aduragbemi]

Pedals Update

Today, I got the pedal keys trimmed and sanded to the required thickness and the surfaces of natural keys rounded.

The reed switches also arrived. I have the Arduino Mega board and some breadboard cables already.
Pretty soon I will commence the construction and midification.

A big thanks to John Coenraads who I hand-holding me on this aspect of the project. I'm also thankful for the support and contributions from everyone here.