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MyOrgan and Stops Issue

JayR

New member
I acquired a 2-manual Moller pipe organ console built in 1975 and fitted it with the HWCE-Bundle 3 from Midi Gadgets Boutique. I used the Smenco tutorial file as a template to make a custom organ definition. I am able to get all of the keys and pedals working correctly in MyOrgan, but I am having difficulty with the console stops. Apparently MyOrgan expects the Stop control MIDI messages on MIDI Channel 5, but the HWCE sends these messages on MIDI Channel 4. I went into the Audio Settings menu in MyOrgan and changed the MIDI Messages settings to reflect the proper input channels based on the HWCE's output:

Swell - MIDI 1
Great - MIDI 2
Pedal - MIDI 3
Stops - MIDI 4.

However, this did not work as expected. As a matter of fact, it appears as though MyOrgan does not map this way. To get things working properly with the manuals, I had to map in the following manner:

Pedal - MIDI 1
Great - MIDI 2
Swell - MIDI 3
Stops - MIDI 4.

I verified that the MIDI messages for the stops are being sent on channel 4, but I cannot toggle the stop controls from the console. I am missing something to link the stop controls within the organ definition. If anyone could offer me some assistance with this and offer an explanation of how the MIDI Messages section of MyOrgan works, I would appreciate it.

Thank You,
Jay
 

Analogicus

Member
Quite some time ago I successfully helped a friend set up MyOrgan with his pipe organ console. He has two 61-note manuals, a 30-note pedalboard, a swell pedal and quite a number of drawstops. (He was so impressed with MyOrgan that he removed all but the show-pipes and installed his speaker boxes). I don't remember all the details, but I can tell you that it can certainly be done. In the case of the Stier-Mockers samples, I believe it was all very straightforward. However, my friend bought the Cavaille-Col samples, and this gave me some challenges regarding the combination pistons. It was solved by installing MIDI-Yoke and MIDI-Ox, and making use of the mapping features in MIDI-Ox.
Analogicus
 

ggoode.sa

New member
Hi Jay,

There are two parts to configuring MIDI input for STOP control in MyOrgan. It sounds like you have done the first (configuring channel 4). The next is to setup the specific MIDI Note On messages for each STOP. This can be done within the .organ disposition file, or by right clicking on each stop element and using the menu to get MyOrgan to 'listen' to the MIDI message being sent. I'm not at my Organ computer at the moment so can't remember the sequence/menu selections off the top of my head...

Hope you come right!

GrahamG
Johannesburg, South Africa
 

JayR

New member
Graham,

Thank you so much!!! That was it!

I thought that I had defined the numbers correctly within the definition file. I have been so caught up in the definition file that I never even tried right-clicking the stops!

Thanks Again!!!

Jay
 

ggoode.sa

New member
Hi Jay,

Glad you've got it working :)

What sample sets are you using? Have you built yourself a custom disposition using samples from various free sample sets or have you purchased one?

Have fun!
GrahamG
 

JayR

New member
Graham,

When I factored in the costs of acquiring and transporting the console, and then added to that the cost of the MIDI controller boards, I decided, for now, that I would use a free sample set. My console has 17 sounding stops, two 61-key manuals, and a 32-key pedal board. The only free sample set I have found that meets my needs so far is the St. Mary Clone by Graham Harrison. This set was created using waveform synthesis instead of pipe samples. For the purposes of testing my console and for use as a practice organ, this sample set is quite adequate. It works really well on a set of PC speakers. I would certainly like to acquire a good sample set for use with my sound system, but after spending the money it cost to upgrade the console, I am not quite ready to shell out another $140 to $500 (USD) on a commercial sample set. If you have any recommendations on other sample sets, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks Again,
Jay
 

ggoode.sa

New member
Hi Jay,

I have a composite MyOrgan disposition that uses samples from Nick Appleton's St Stephen's Anglican organ, Mark Beverley's Prudhoe Methodist organ, Joseph Basquin's Jeux D'orgue, Gernot's Happy Birthday organ, and a few others. I use a 'pipetune' program to extend the sampled ranks to the full 61 notes.

Also take a look at http://www.organs.110mb.com/ProjectRanks.htm for an idea of what is possible.

I discovered the Pribac french organ here on this forum, which only costs 35 Euros, and the 1966 Schantz from http://www.evensongmusic.net/samples.html is now available for $75 for HW1 ($100 for HW2).

See http://www.magle.dk/music-forums/4054-using-myorgan-4.html for some fo the links that I have already posted on the forum :)

Have fun!
 

JayR

New member
Graham,

How well do all of these pipes from different organs meld together? Did you have a lot of work to do in regards to tuning, etc.?

Jay
 

ggoode.sa

New member
Hi Jay,

They are all tuned to concert pitch so tuning wasn't an issue. Setting the volumes so that the various ranks better matched each other was probably the biggest job of combining them. The result is a very nice virtual pipe organ that has cost virtually nothing.
We have now purchased some sample sets and are in the middle of planning what stops to incorporate into another conglomerate organ :) I see a wonderful romantic/orchestral VPO in the making!! Then maybe a Baroque instrument for the Bach playing...

It's fun,
GrahamG
 
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JayR

New member
Graham,

Thanks for the tip on PipeTune. My Quintflote 1 1/3 is now registering in the correct octave!

As soon as I connect my Swell expression pedal and Zimblestern piston to the HWCE boards, I am going to post a new thread with a description and pictures of my finished organ project.

Jay
 
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