WHY CONSIDER AN ALLEN ORGAN?
LEADERSHIP -- Allen built the first digital organs over 40 years ago and are still at the cutting edge of the technology today.
RELIABILITY -- The first digital organ installed in Western Australia back in 1974 is still in service today. In fact, the ten oldest Allen organs, first installed in Western Australia in the 1970s and 80s, are all being regularly used. And since then, we have installed over sixty organs in churches, buildings and homes around Western Australia. Spare parts are available to service every model produced. Allen Organs have over US$1M of spare parts stocked to service older organ models.
DESIGN -- Innovative design features include:
All key contacts and stop switches are sealed reed switches to prevent dirt, dust or humidity ever stopping notes from playing.
Gold plated connectors are standard on printed circuit boards to ensure reliability.
Attention to detail such as the attack and decay of individual notes, including chiff and wind sounds.
A 12 note transposer knob is standard on all models.
Innovative features on all models include the bass coupler (couples pedal stops to the
lowest note played on the great) and the melody coupler (which couples swell stops to
the highest note played on the great).
STANDARDS -- Built to AGO specifications, all models have 61 note keyboards, and 32 note, concave and radiating pedalboards.
QUALITY -- Top quality audio and speaker systems ensure quality sound reproduction. The craftsmanship and finish of console woodwork make an instrument which is also a fine piece of furniture.
PRICE -- No, they are not the cheapest instruments available, but they are cost effective compared to the initial and ongoing costs of maintaining a pipe organ. Recent improvements in the value of the Australian dollar means that the cost of an organ is lower now, than twelve months ago.
MIDI INTERFACES
MIDI was developed
in the 80's for the synthesizer field. Although early synthesizers
could produce a variety of sounds, only a few could be played simultaneously.
To overcome this, an interconnect language, MIDI, was developed
to allow multiple instruments to be connected and controlled by
one keyboard.
MIDI soon found applications for organs. Besides traditional sounds, organs could
also provide contemporary sounds by controlling synthesizers. Also, MIDI
sequencers enabled organ music to be stored on computer discs for
automatic playback.
Older ADC and MADC organs may be retrofitted with MIDI. This greatly increases the sounds
that can be obtained, and adds to the versatility of the instrument.
If you are interested in MIDI interfaces, contact us for details and the cost of
fitting MIDI to your Allen Organ.
Allen Organs manufacture a number of expanders, with voices and sounds specifically requested by organists for organ playing. These can be used from any instrument with a MIDI interface.
A MIDI recorder allows the organist to record their own playing to computer disc;
alternatively, professionally recorded discs are available which utilise your
organ to produce the music. The Allen Vista combines an expander with a recorder in the one package. Allen's latest MIDI expander is the Vista Navigator™. Check out the Allen website for details of these devices.
Click here for details of the Allen expanders, recorders and MIDI devices.
BASS COUPLER AND MELODY COUPLER
The Bass Coupler is a playing aid designed to help organists who are not confident
playing pedals. The Bass Coupler works by sounding the pedal stops to the lowest note
being played on the great manual, enhancing the fundamental bass sound.
The Melody Coupler works by sounding the swell stops to the highest note being
played on the great manual. This accentuates the melody of the piece being played
and gives a lead to congregational singing.
Both the bass and melody couplers may be retrofitted to ADC and MADC organs which
did not have these features originally installed. To hear the benefits of these playing aids, visit the studio
for a demonstration.
