The Organ Forum

Would it be safe to assume that organs built by Allen after a certain date were all midi-capable? I currently play a very modest Allen built around 2002 (model number not handy at this very moment), which states it is a "Digital" organ, and we're looking to "midi-fy" it as a way to avoid needing a substitute organist during my absence. I think the cost to add this component would far outweigh the costs involved in finding/paying a sub.

 Suggestions/Comments are appreciated.

 

Regards,

Rob

welcome to the forum Rob!

I can't imagine that any modern digital organ made after the mid 1990's would NOT have MIDI on it already?

I have a 1996 Rodgers ditigal organ (model 535 which was one of their low end models) and it had MIDI back then.

Does your Allen have something that looks like this:

It should have one more port actually, a "thru" port. anyhow if it has that you can just plug a MIDI expander into the organ to play whatever stops it has, or to operate it via a sequencer.

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If it was factory equipped with midi i/o, there would be some midi stop tabs.

The midi connectors (if it has them) would be inside the console.

Dors it have a Smart recorder or Midi Expander, either on top or in a drawer? 

If it has either of those, it has midi.

Best to get the model number, then you can tell & get an operator's manual.

 

chriscraftguy:

Would it be safe to assume that organs built by Allen after a certain date were all midi-capable? I currently play a very modest Allen built around 2002 (model number not handy at this very moment), which states it is a "Digital" organ, and we're looking to "midi-fy" it as a way to avoid needing a substitute organist during my absence. I think the cost to add this component would far outweigh the costs involved in finding/paying a sub.

 Suggestions/Comments are appreciated.

Regards,

Rob

In the owner's section of Allen Organ's website, they have free downloads of their organ manuals.  You might find one there for your organ.  It's probably safe to assume it has MIDI, although Allen was a bit later to add MIDI than Rodgers or Baldwin were.

Hope this helps.

Michael

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Allen Organs (505-B & ADC-6000), Frazee Pipe Organ (2/13 w/chimes),
Pump Organs (Estey, Sears & Roebuck, Mason & Hamlin, Chicago Cottage, Williams & Sons, Angelius, Cornish)
Pianos (Ivers sq. grand ca.1865, Ivers & Pond Upright-1929, Technics SX-PR600)

**UPDATE**

Boy, was I wrong about the build date on this organ. So much so, that I think I might be "dead in the water" with regards to a simple midi sequencer. The Allen is a model ADC5000 series, with what appears to be a build date somewhere between '83 and '84. She's better than 20 years old (although still running strong). My desire to get this organ midi-equipped is still there, but I'm not sure it's doable.

What's interesting about all this is the fact I actually record services for two other churches in the area on a weekly basis, while physically playing for another (3 churches altogether). One of the recorded churches uses an early 2000's Rodgers (really like this organ!), while the other uses a magnificent Allen, complete with every bell and whistle (small rural church w/ this fantastic instrument -- gotta love farmers with money!).

I'm afforded one Sunday off a month, which is wonderful, but trying to find a replacement for each of those Sundays can be a real bear. Would be nice to be able to record the service, and not have to worry about finding a replacement.

Thoughts on the possibility of the ADC5000 getting midi-fied?

A friend advises that Allen has a Midi adapter for the ADC series however it provides only keyboard note data.  It does not allow you to play the organ with a sequencer.  Cost is around $1000.00

Thanks so much for the quick information. I was also called by our local Allen technician who informed me of the same outcome. This organ appears to have been manufactured just prior to MIDI really coming into its own.

Next, a more urgent question. One of the churches I record for has a Protoge AP-5, with MDS-Expander and SmartRecorder. Not having used this setup before, and the church not able to find the manual, I downloaded it from Allen's website.

After careful review of the manual, I think I may have figured out how to use this device. PLEASE correct me if my sequence is out of whack here:

1. All devices up and running, ready to go.

2. Set preferred registration.

(this is where it gets dicey for me)

3. Save Capture file.

4. Record selection.

Playback:

1. Load capture file for selection
2. Play selection.


I would assume the easiest way for folks to operate this device would be to number the capture file the same number as the recording? However, if you were recording 12 pieces of music, and using only 3 different registrations, I could give the operator a list such as this:

Selection 1 (Capture File 1)
Selection 2 (Capture File 1)
Selection 3 (Capture File 2)
Selection 4 (Capture File 1)
Selection 5 (Capture File 3)

.... and so on?

Am I thinking about this correctly?

You all have been a TREMENDOUS help, and I do appreciate it more than I can articulate here!

-Rob