Noel, not only until but ‚including’ the Trillium series Rodgers maintained
their own MIDI SysEx stop ID format which was created and introduced shortly
after the IMA (International MIDI Association) published their MIDI standard
data formats. This was a breakthrough in terms of categorizing and harmonizing
Classical Organ Stop Definitions within the new MIDI world.
A few years later, ROLAND Corp realized that 128 ‘standard MIDI Voices’ format
may not be sufficient to define and categorize the large world of different
orchestral- and ‘synthesized’ sounds – so they came up with a new ‘GS’ MIDI
Program Change standard.
This is what happened to Rodgers likewise: During the early PDI-years, Rodgers
used to be the ‘early bird’ in terms of trying categorizing and harmonizing
MIDI stop names and stop change standards, introduced with the Rodgers PDI
organ series.
The aim was to define a compatibility standard in the MIDI stop change format
and within the Classical Organ Category. This worked quite well for several
years. It worked particularly because a relatively diversified stop definition
format, i.e.:
PRINCIPAL 8- type of stops were diversified by assigning different particular
MIDI ID addresses to different ‘Principal 8’- stops such as Principal 8’,
Prinzipal 8’, Montre 8’, Prestant 8’ or Diapason 8’. As a result, an early
‘Pipe Organ Stop Definition Spreadsheet’ defined stops at different organ
building traditions and pitches, covering more or less ALL of the Rodgers Organ
stop lists (Main and Voice Palette stops) at that time.
Meanwhile, considering the virtually unlimited number of different stops and
division-/stop specifications which Rodgers provides in their current
Classic/Artist/Infinity models, this LIMITED original MIDI SysEx stop list
turned out being too small and too short to keep up all ancient and current
Rodgers organ models ‘MIDI stop-ID compatible’. Actually no a really big issue
– it just needs a general decision about a re-definition of a much more
diversified Classical Organ Stop Specification List – and someone who ‘defines
the new extended standard’. Roland did it with their ‘GS’ standard, Yamaha did
it with their ‘XG’ standard – why shouldn’t Rodgers take the next step by
defining an extended ‘MIDI stop name/stop definition standard’ that will allow
all Rodgers instruments remaining MIDIU-compatible (and the products of all
other manufacturers who’ll decide to stay ‘industry-standard-compatible’…)
Cheers,
Dieter Schuster
Von: rodgersorgan-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rodgersorgan-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] Im Auftrag von Noel jones
Gesendet: Dienstag, 16. Mai 2017 00:30
An: rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Betreff: [rodgersorganusers] Thoughts for Rodgers US
Up until the Trillium Series, Rodgers used a standard MIDI ID system, so that a
MIDI file recorded on one organ would play on any other Rodgers.
It appears that the idea of customizing stoplists gave someone the idea that
this would no longer work.
If they had asked the users of the organs they would heavily have voted to make
the stop positions reflect the STOP ID, not the wave shapes assigned to it…so
an 8’ Principal Family stop on the GT would always be XXX, no matter what the
name of it was or the stop wave shapes assigned to it.
If the Rodgers organ was a French organ that stop would play a Montre 8’.
On another Rodgers organ it would play a German Principal.
Currently MIDI files recorded by organists from prior years often trigger a 16’
on the Great, one of the least-used stops on the organ, muddying up the sound
tremendously.
Sharing midi files throughout the Rodgers community was enjoyed by many and not
available right now.
Could we please have standard MIDI ID’s back along with all stops being PDI
standard - give an option to vary this ihf you must, but let’s start them all
as PDF insted of having it a hard-to-access option in advanced voicing menus
available to techs?
Private owners, always be nice to your tech. She/he can be VERY helpful with
isues like this.
Noel Jones, AAGO
<mailto:noel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> noel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<http://www.frogmusic.com> www.frogmusic.com
Frog Music Press
636 Old 19
Augusta, KY 41002
606 756 7979
423 333 0947 cell
N
Noel Jones, AAGO
<mailto:noel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> noel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<http://www.frogmusic.com> www.frogmusic.com
Frog Music Press
636 Old 19
Augusta, KY 41002
606 756 7979
423 333 0947 cell
