Hello from North Carolina!

[Chopinlover49]

Happy to be a member after I just found the forum yesterday. I have moved recently to North Carolina from New York and I am currently without an organ and having a little difficulty figuring out where I will put one when I find it, but I really want to get one again. I sold my original organ years ago and have been working on piano technique for a number of years. I currently have a fairly new Mason-Hamlin BB seven foot grand which fills a bedroom. Since my wife is not fond of my playing, an organ can't go in an open area like the downstairs and none of the other bedrooms have space except the master. Yes, you know that's not going to work.

I have looked at some Craigslist ads, dealer websites, etc. and at a few organ classifieds sites and found one or two interesting instruments, but until I figure out where to put it, I am not going to waste the sellers' time. I am not a trained organist and I am hoping to learn more about the organ world through the forums.

 

[Krummhorn]

Welcome aboard, Chopinlover49

It's great that you've found this site as there are lots of other organ enthusiasts here as well. Many of us are also fellow organists.

For a smaller footprint for an organ, you might want to consider a 'virtual' organ using various software applications that are readily available. We have a terrific section on electronic/digital organs that is part of our Pipe Organ forum area. Lots of great information there.

 

[wljmrbill]

Welcome Chopinlover. I am in South Carolina I also have a room problem and use vitual organ myself even if only manuals right now( works quite well ) [use free edition of Hauptwerk with Mosby organ included] but do have old conn outside on a covered deck ( no place to put it otherwise) Good luck..also might try a church that would let you practice.

 

[Chopinlover49]

Thanks, and the virtual organ idea has occurred to me, but don't you need some sort of keyboard to access the program? It seems to me like half of the fun of playing the organ is the tactile feel of playing several manuals, accessing stops, etc. I guess I have just not had any experience with the virtual. I have also read about virtual pianos but chose instead to get a real acoustic grand, which has been very satisfying.

 

[wljmrbill]

Yes you do need keyboards and a midi interface unless lucky to have an organ console that is already midi compatible ( keyboard ..I use casio's... one is 61 note[regular type- cheaper unit] and one that is a touch sensitive 88 key piano which was expensive then you run cables( one if using one keyboard to computer) more keyboards then to a midi interface to computer. You can get a set-up for a small amount or spend thousands.. to me more money on the computer, interface ,sound system and program then thousands of dollars for a keyboard. IMHO.. I guess I have spend less than a thousand.. and works for me.. I have friends that have spend $30,000.00 plus.. We have serveral guys on here that are authorities on the subject.. I am just an organist who needs something to practice on that sounds good. good examples on youtube of instruments, set-ups as well as instructions for systems. Have fun.