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Old 09-29-2006, 06:14 AM
Clyde (clyde)
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Default Hi Mark, I have been exper

Hi Mark,
I have been experimenting with a 'trial' version of the English Digital organ product from CrumHorn Labs (http://www.crumhorn-labs.com/) to produce a better organ sound for my website for backing files for small congregational singing (www.smallchurchmusic.com).

As an pipe organist at heart, this product has a most interesting interface, namely of a real pipe organ console, with several manuals (keyboards) and pedals, with lots of drawbar stops. These can be all worked with the mouse as if you were actually sitting there playing, or better still, can be included in the midi file.

I have used Composer to drive the Hauptwerk Organ. The interface in the product is extremely configurable, and therefore interfaces very easily with Composer.

Each keyboard (and pedals clavier) is a separate stave in Composer. Piston changes are as simple as changing instruments (eg instrument 1 is piston 1). Swell volume pedal is done with Modulator Wheel (1).

The whole product makes sense to an organist, and gives complete control over the music. It is wonderful - so much so that I've put my money where my mouth is and purchased the product (125 English pounds).

I haven't as yet received the licence 'dongle', but I'm so sold on the product I just had to do a test mp3 file to share with you and it is at:
http://www.smallchurchmusic.com/File...H-demo-CAM.mp3 (size 755kb)

(Note: the 'bell' noise every 5 seconds is because I'm still on the free 'trial' version - but anxiously waiting for my licence dongle).

The demo has 3 verses of 'Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah' and starts with the softer stops, 2nd verse is the more standard organ sounds, and the 3 verse includes all those 'growling reed' stops - just to illustrate the range of sound. All this was driven by Composer, and the only three things I had to add to the midi file were:
(1) select the output midi device that 'talks' to the organ,
(2) put the piston changes in as 'instrument changes'
(3) adjust the swell pedal with a modulation wheel command.

For those looking for a good organ sound, suggest you visit their website to see what the product is like, and then get their 'Trial CD' for 10 English Pounds.

Cheers .. Clyde
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