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Johannus Opus 370

Nev

New member
I just purchased a Johannus Opus 370 organ and wondered if there is any guide that can assist me in different combinations of settings for certain sounds from the organ such as solo reed or full church pipe organ. This is my first post so I hope I do this right!
 

Albert

New member
Start with the presets: PP P MF F FF T with and without R/O piston and with and without the couplers (use FA piston to prevent changes)

For solo voices, don't forget to check all of the sample sets. On my little Opus 10, the Oboe changes when I press the Intonation 2 tab (BAROQUE) to something that doesn't sound like an oboe at all. I had two friends in Chicago who couldn't figure it out either (both MM Organ) so I emailed Johannus. They told me the Romantic Oboe was from an organ in a college in Jacksonville Illinois and the Baroque sample was from an organ in Liverpool, UK.

A bunch of internet searches revealed that only one organ in Jacksonville had an Oboe, and it also had a Scharf mixture, a small Holtkamp 3 manual. Several hours on NPOR in the UK found an instrument in Liverpool that had a Scharf mixture and an Oboe in the Swell - but it was an Oboe de Cacchia. WIKI says that instrument is in the oboe family, pitched a 5th lower than the Oboe like the English Horn. It also says that the Oboe de Cacchia doesn't sound like any other instrument in the Oboe family. Problem solved.

While using the stop, I found 8' Stopped Flute (mine is in the Swell) and 8' Oboe in Baroque sounds remarkably like a Cromorne (not Krummhorn). You need to play with the stops to see which ones sound like the sound you are searching for.

You may find, as well, that you disagree with the Default voicing. I like my Célestes slower than the default, for example, and I stretch the Oboe upper end to increase the volume higher than Soprano C. Believe me, the Intonat software can do marvels to change the way the instrument sounds in YOUR environment. If you did not purchase the Intonat software with the organ, spend the money. With the software, you can even save different voicing to separate files on your computer and recall them when you want them. I have no idea why anyone would want shrieking Neo-Baroque sounds rather than the much more authentic ones that came with the instrument, but you could modify it so that the Scharf sends you to the hairdresser if you want.

If you want me to, I will send you my default Generals and divisionals. My Generals are all Solo/Accompaniment settings. You have many more possibilities with that Opus 370 than I have, and will spend years getting to know the instrument.
 

Nev

New member
Thank you so much for the suggestions and information. I am coming to understand your statement, which I agree with completely...it will take years to really get to know the Opus 370. I do have the Intent software but have never used it. I will begin to explore that in the coming months. I find your discussion about the how much the Intonation tabs can change the sound of such settings as the Oboe. Quite honestly I did not know I was able to make changes such as these, so this opens up an entirely new sets of many doors for me to explore. I would indeed be very grateful if you would be so kind as to share your default Generals and divisions. That would give a good place to start my journey of discovery. I have only had the Opus 370 since March, so I am still in the learning stages, and I can see I much to learn. Thanks you again for taking the time to send your informative response. Since this was my first post...I just joined the Forum...I am very pleased to get such great help so quickly. Thank you again!
 

Albert

New member
GENERALS 1,3,5,7 solo voice on great, 2,4,6,8 solo voice on swell. I have general toe studs with the evens in the top row.
GEN 1 Big Open Diapason Solo
P 16 Subbass + Swell
G 8 Principal + 8 Rohrflöte + 4 Open flute
S 8 Viola and Céleste
GEN 2 Oboe Solo (SW Div 7 = Oboe + Tremulant)
P 16 Subbass + Great
G. 8 Rohrflöte (+ 4 Open Flute)
S. 8 Oboe (+ 8 Stopped Flute)
GEN 3 Cromorne Solo on Great. GT Div 7 adds Tremulant
P 16 Subbass + Swell
G. 8 Rohrflöte + 2 2/3
S. 8 Stopped Flute + 8 Viola
GEN 4
P 16 Subbass + Great
G. 8 Principal
S. 8,8,4,2 2/3 + Trem OR 8 Fl + 2 2/3 + 1 3/5 + Trem (Synthetic Clarinet)
GEN 5 --- From a Dutch Composer's suggestions for his own pieces. I like it
P 16 Subbass + 8 Gedackt
G. 8 Rohrflöte + 4 Open Flute + Cornet IV
S 8 8 4 2 2/3 -- Very Dutch accompaniment.
GEN 6 -- Cornet du Récit
P 16 Subbass + 8 Gedackt
G. 8 Principal
S. 8 Stopped Fl + 4 Koppel Fl + 2 2/3 + 2 + 1/3/5
GEN 7 -- Trumpet Solo
P 16 Subbass + 8 Gedackt + Swell
G. 8 Trumpet
S 8 Fl, 8 Viola, 4 Fl
GEN 8 -- Synthetic Tuba - Doesn't work in Baroque!
P 16, 16, 8, 4
G 8, 8, 4, 2
S 8,8,4,2 2/3, 2, 1 3/5 + Oboe
 

Albert

New member
DIVISIONALS
Note that the choruses are "baroque" - Only Principals, for example, without Flutes
PEDAL
1 - Subbass + SW
2 - Subbass + GT
3 - Subbass + Gedackt
4 - Principal + Octave
5 - Principal + Octave + Choral Bass
6 - 16, 16, 8, 8, 4
7 - All Pedal Stops uncoupled
8 - 4 Choral Bass + 2 Nachthorn -- 4' Synthetic Woodwind. You will need to couple down a flute

SWELL
1 - 8 Flute
2 - Viola + Voix Céleste
3 - Flutes 8 + 4
4 - Flutes 8 + 4 + 8 Viola
5 - Adds 2' Waldflute
6 - Adds Scharff
7 - Oboe with Tremulant
8 - Chimes -- On yours, I would probably use Cromorne + Tremulant

GREAT
1 - 8 Flute
2 - 8 Principal
3 - Flutes 8 + 4
4 - Principal + Octave
5 - Adds 2'
6 - Adds Mixture
7 - 8 Flute + 2 2/3 + Tremulant
8 - 8 Trumpet + Cornet IV -- synthetic Chamade
 
Last edited:

Albert

New member
Additional Note: My stop list
PEDAL
16 Principal
16 Subbass
8 Octave
8 Gedackt
4 Choral Bass
2 Nachthorn
16 Contra Trumpet
8 Trumpet

GREAT
8 Principal
8 Rohrflute
4 Octave
4 Open flute
2 2/3 Twelfth
2 Octave
IV Cornet
V Mixture
8 Trumpet

SWELL
8 Stopped Flute
8 Viola di Gamba
8 Vox Céleste
4 Koppel Flute
2 2/3 Flute Twelfth
2 WaldFlute
1 3/5 Tierce
III Scharff
8 Oboe
----- Optional Extras in the day
Chimes
Harpsichord
Strings (Yechh)
Gospel Organ (Hammond B3 Upper A preset)
Tremolo (Vibrato 3 to Gospel Organ)
 

Nev

New member
Many many thanks for all of the information. This will be a great help in my journey into understanding the different options the Johannus Opus has to offer. It will take some time to experiment with all of your suggestions, but I am eager to "dive" right in! I appreciate all of the time and effort you put into your helpful post. I am traveling now, but anxious to get home to begin. Cheers!
 

Albert

New member
You are welcome. None of us learn in a vacuum. I'm glad I could help -- now when you get bored with the 370, I have the perfect place for it ...
 
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