MIDITZER / HAUPTWERK PROJECT

In early 2007 I decided to have a go at setting up a Midi organ system that would allows me to use Miditzer and Hauptwerk software to reproduce as accurately as possible the experience of playing a real church or theatre organ. Hauptwerk is a software platform on which samples can be played. There are developers producing sample sets for Hauptwerk, but mine came from Milan Digital Audio in the USA, who have sampled the Classical Skinner Organ at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Chicago, and a Theatre Organ sampled from some of the best installations in the USA. You'll find a couple of demos on the MP3 page.

I already had a suitable PC, but needed another set of Midi Keyboards and a full pedalboard.

I discovered a Canadian Company called Classic Organ Works who produce Midi control equipment for organs. They have developed a set of professional organ midi keyboards, and a midi pedalboard.

The 3 stack keyboard has 20 pistons per keyboard, its own configuration software, and also has Velocity sensitivity, which means that it can be configured for second touch in Theatre Organs - you don't want to know what I was quoted for real second-touch keyboards!!

Classic Organ Works (MidiWorks) were very helpful both technically and practically - this was the first time I had imported equipment from outside the EC. After an eventful trip to Gatwick Cargo, the equipment was eventually set up in the music room, and initially looked like this ;

The table came from IKEA, and was set on blocks to bring it to the proper AGO specification height.

In time I plan to have a proper console stand/table made, but this does the job just fine for now!

The other equipment is a Behringer FCB 1010 Foot Controller - the bench came from Midi Works.

In order to run the Hauptwerk Sample sets, I also upgraded my sound card with an EMU - 1616M Professional card and break-out box.