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Pipe Organs and Related Topics

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Pipe Organs and Related Topics <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 25 Mar 1993 16:09:47 PST
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Dave asked if we were in the position to help establish a standard for
MIDI player actions.
 
I think we are in a good location to do this.
 
 
Besides establishing a standard, we should also establish a library of
conversion tools so that something from outside the standard can be
dubbed into the standard. This also allows us to convert Welte to Ampico etc.
 
A standard for scanning rolls in should be established.
The scanner should not interpret the data.
The scanner should just output hole position & hole or not in said position.
This allows the software to do the conversion job.
 
I am working on a port of an operating system that could do the job easily.
Ask me about it this coming X-mas when my nondisclosure runs out.
 
As for the hardware...
I am redesigning an electronic player that works through a conventional
electro/pneumatic organ relay.  It even trips stop actions if you got em!
 
Dfferent manufacturers had different hole spacings.
We need to document all of these.
Different mfgrs had different paper widths.
These need to be taken into account in scanner design.
A full installation for someone doing cross dubbing could include at least
a half dozen scanners.
Optical (safest way I know) scanners would be fairly compact.
 
Some sort of universal stop encoding language would be needed.
 
A history code is important as well as a documentation code.
The tune once recorded on the computer should allow you to describe who
played it, when, how and all the rest.
 
Since not eveyone has the same destination implementation, data that was
originally recorded should identified as such.  In conversion from one
format to another, some data can be optionally interpolated or inserted,
but this should be encoded as optional data.
 
For instance, an 88 note roll can be dubbed into the format easily.
Then from the master format to the "allen" format you specify what to do
with the compass that the piano had and the Allen doesnt.
(Like fold the bottom octave down to the pedal? or something like that)
Since an 88 note
has no registration, then all registration inserted should be tagged as added
material.  Only the original 88 notes would be tagged as original data.
 
Now Walt Stony playing on an Allen, most of the data would be tagged as
original.
 
A real sexy solution would be to build an SCCS (Source Code Control System)
structure into it but this might slow the system down.
 
The possibilities are endless.  Unfortunately these include the possibilities
for abuse as well.
 
Again I reiterate:
 
If you want a MIDI player on your organ, dont rip out the original relay!
There is no reason an electronic player can not be added to a conventional
relay!
 
The relay is just as much a part of the organ as the pipes are!
If you dont like the relays, then go buy a CASIO !
 
The early hybrid systems that blew components out did so due to poor
engineering. Dont blame the relay for that.
 
As for spinning this topic off to another group, I'd rather not.
This topic will be active forawhile and then die down, and cycle.
Keeping it on the main channel will get input from people who otherwise
would not join the new group.
 
"Start off every day with a smile and get it over with."  --W.C.Fields
 
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-texx
 
Robert "Texx" Woodworth
 
Wurlitzer Opus #1024
 
[log in to unmask]
 
                        WURLITZER FOREVER !!!
 
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