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Rodgers Instruments Corporation
1300 NE 25th Ave., Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
503-648-4181
Rodgers Instruments Corporation
1300 NE 25th Ave., Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
503-648-4181
MR 200
Could anyone help me instructions for recording and saving a song on the MR 200 (has a floppy disk). Read the manual still not getting it.
MX200
Has anyone tried the Roland SRX-07 Ultimate Keys Wave Expansion Board with the MX 200? If so, does it have some authentic Hammond B-3 sounds?
MX-200
We just today added a SRX-06 Expansion Board to our new MX-200. Wow! I haven't really had a chance to delve into all the voices yet, but those I tried were wonderful. You can NEVER have too many strings! The only problem so far is that the names of the patches so do come up when you scroll through the list. Our local dealer is looking into what's up with that. With 450 new sounds to work with (plus the 1,000+ in the MX-200), I guess I have plenty to work with. I wish the LED screen was at eye level. My eyesight isn't the best and I have a devil of a time reading it. But the sound -- fantastic. I had people coming up to me after Mass asking to speak to the the clarinetist, oboist, flutist, etc. We are calling the additions the St. Anne Invisible Orchestra and Magic Brass Ensemble. Pastor is also very happy with the additions.
help configuring MX with Trillium 927
Hello, I connected the MX-200 to my T927 organ and I need help.
1) on SW(A) midi coupler I set (with the right value in PCM, MSB and LSB) the "trumpet 16" (n.1 of "reed" section) of MX-200.
2) It works and the expression of the swell works also with that stop from expander. FIne! but..
3) When I use the SW/Pedal coupler in the organ the pedal doesn't sound that trumpet 16 I can play from swell manual.. with normal pedal coupler of the organ only the normal stops in the swell division sounds. (not the stops from expander!)
So, how can I have the couplers of the organ (SW/Pedal or SW/GT..) work with MX-200 stops also that are playing on the swell manual?
Thanks.
Lorenzo
MX/927
Let me do some checking. I'll get back to you.
Roy Hanson
Manager of Product, Custom Design and Pipe Support
Rodgers Instruments Corporation
1300 N.E. 25th Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-681-0430
MX/927
The MIDI pistons are "couplers" unto themselves and are not under control of the SW to GT, SW to PD (etc.) inter-manual couplers.
The MIDI Couplers do however, respond to the Melody couplers... Melody SW (on GT), Melody CH (on GT). ... and the MIDI Ped respond to the Bass Coupler (on GT) But no Melody on PD.
Best regards,
Roy Hanson
Manager of Product, Custom Design and Pipe Support
Rodgers Instruments Corporation
1300 N.E. 25th Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-681-0430
rhanson@rodgers.rain.com
I'm using the Complete
I'm using the Complete Orchestra expansion card in the MX and was wondering if there is a way to shut off the velocity sensitivity? Specifically, when using #221, an ethnic wind instrument, an awful (bagpipe-like) tone is generated when additional pressure (velocity) is applied.
Awful (bagpipe-like) tone?
Excuse me, but how can any bagpipe-like sound be described as awful? It certainly helps bring out any melody. Now, if you were to say awful (accordian-like ) tone....now that would be a different matter.
Velocity Issue
Vandy,
Let me know the model organ you have, and I can guide you.
Ed
Velocity Issue
Hi Vandy,
Scroll way down this page and you will see that I encountered the very same problem with the very same ethnic instrument. The solution is to turn off the velocity feature at the organ, rather at the MX-level. Even my older, Rodgers 530 (that did not have a display/monitor) had this capability. So, check over your organ documentation for the answer. Perhaps, if you give the model of organ, someone can tell you exactly how this is done. The MX is a great accessory!
John Bozzola
Carbondale, IL
MX 200 and Complete Orchestra Expansion Card
I have an MX 200 with the Complete Orchestra card added. At home I have a 787I (Trillium). At church there is a 960, circa 1999. The 787 accepts input with 1,2, or 3 numbers, i.e. PC, MSB, LSB. The 960 appears to accept only 2 numbers (PC, MSB). The complete orchestra sound list has all three numbers (PC, MSB, LSB). Is there a way to access these sounds with less than the three numbers? Thank you for any information. BC
MX 200 and Complete Orchestra Expansion Card
Here is something you can do.
I presume you are using the same MX-200? At any rate, program new MSB/LSB 'defaults' in the 'User' Preset of the MX-200.
Using the T787, set up your 6 MIDI couplers to send, for example, let's say you are interested in using Patches 129 to 256 from the expansion list (OrcHitDimSX to Bones sectn) using the SW B coupler.
Set the SW B coupler to send MSB 93 and LSB 8. Once the MX has received these messages, then perform a 'write' to the MX-200 (pg 24 in the MX-200 O/M).
Repeat for any coupler channels that you want to use for the SRX sounds (MSB 93, LSB 7, 8, 9, or 10).
For the 960 channels for which the T787 does not have couplers (the choir), use the GTA channel change feature to program channels 4 (CHA) and 8 (CHB) while still at the T787 (GTA can be changed to transmit on any of the MIDI channels).
Now when you use it on the 960, be sure to have Var either OFF or set to 93 for that same MIDI coupler so you will not be shifted out of that desired bank. You can then use Program changes in the normal manner to shift between SRX sounds in that bank in the normal manner.
Another hint: Program any channels (couplers) you don't use for the SRX sounds to MSB 65/0 so you can use the Quick Key Chart on the 960. The 960 can switch between MSB 65/66/67 and 68 so the Quick Key chart works!
Ed Wilson
MX-220 with a pipe organ
Our pipe organ at church has been midi ready for a number of years. We finally have the funds to complete the project. We are looking into using the Rodgers MX-200. Can the MX-200 be installed so that it will automatically tune to the pipes? If so, what is the best way to accomplish this?
I think that your Hector
I think that your Hector stops allow for an 8 foot baroque prinzipal or 8 foot Montre with the corresponding baroque or French mixture so that period pieces sound more authentic.
regards,
Jhon
MX-220 with a pipe organ
Thanks for your posting. Our Product Support staff is on the road this week, but you can expect a response on the forum next week when they return.
Can I use a MX-200 with a non-Rodgers organ?
Dear MX-200 Forum Readers and Mr. Hanson:
I'm seriously considering buying an MX-200 and connecting it to my old (non-Rodgers) organ. (Sorry, but I'm not considering trading up to a new Rodgers. That's an economic non-starter.) To help determine the feasibility of this enterprise, I downloaded the manual for the MX-200 from your web site.
This is what I learned: (A) The MX-200 can be used with non-Rodgers organs. And (B) Newer Rodgers organs and the MX-200 are well integrated. The performance features of the MX-200 alone (without the complementary organ features) leave much to be desired. Since my organ generates neither MIDI Control Change nor Program Change messages, I'm confident that I would soon become frustrated trying to operate the MX-200 and would stop using it.
Then I noticed this footnote in the manual: 'A separate publication titled “MIDI Implementation” is also available. It provides complete details concerning the way MIDI has been implemented on this unit.' This sounds promising. Is this manual available for downloading? Do you know if it covers what the MX-200 responds to, that is, the incoming messages (other than notes) from today's Rodgers organs?
Edirol offers a nice programmable MIDI controller. It has a MIDI Merge facility, so that the notes from my old organ could be merged with the programmed-in CC and PC codes from the Edirol and the results sent to the MX-200. If I had that "MIDI Implementation" manual, do you think I could program the Edirol to do most of the work needed to control the MX-200 in real time? If so, perhaps my original goal can be reached after all.
MIDI implementation manual
I have combed the Roland and Rodgers sites to find the MIDI Implementation manual discussed above but to no avail. I need one for my work with the MX-200. Can you help me out?
Thanks,
Andy
MIDI Implementation
Hi Andy,
I have send a PDF of the MX-200 owners guide to your Community Forum member email address. The MIDI implementation chart is located on page 49.
Best regards,
Roy Hanson
Manager of Product, Custom Design and Pipe Support
Rodgers Instruments Corporation
1300 N.E. 25th Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-681-0430
rhanson@rodgers.rain.com
MX-200 with non-Rodgers
Thanks for your posting. My Product Support specialist is on the road this week, but you can expect a response on the forum next week when he returns.
Best regards,
Roy Hanson
MX200 with non-Rodgers
If your organ can save Program Changes (i.e., the MIDI Couplers with PC
assignment) to general combination pistons, that would be a huge plus.
Also, the organ needs to send either CC07 (volume) or CC11 (expression) on
each channel being used by the MX sounds.
You need to know on which channels your organ sends MIDI coupler
information, and which channels are designated ‘Master’ (keyboard
channels) for sequencing only (your organ owner’s manual should detail
that information). The Master channels will need to be muted in the MX, or
a sound will be present all of the time on those channels.
The MIDI Implementation manual is a set of technical charts only useful to
programmers and engineers who understand the internal addressing structure
of the unit and who can work in hexadecimal notation. This might be
useful, for example, if you were doing custom sounds with the Roland XV
editor. We can send you a copy if you desire, but everything you need to
know for accessing the MX-200 sounds is in the MX-200 owner’s manual;
specifically, the PC/MSB/LSB to reach each and every patch in the sound
module.
Using a Edirol Controller to insert the desired MSB/LSB combination is
viable and these can be assigned to any of the switched (button)
controllers or variable (slider) controllers on the Edirol Controller. The
Edirol Owner’s Manual is very specific on how to do this.
Best regards,
Roy Hanson
More about the MX with an non-Rodgers organ
Dear Mr. Hanson and interested parties:
Thanks for replying to my recent inquiry. If this exchange threatens to become too esoteric, let me know if there's a more suitable venue. Or let me know if this is futile.
I'm not really interested in building custom sounds. I'm mostly hoping to use the Implementation Manual to discover answers to the detailed questions I'm bound to come up with, without having to bother someone like yourself. I have no problem with hexadecimal.
My old organ serves me quite well, but its MIDI capabilities are minimal. I DO know the channels it transmits on. It can't save Program Changes, or anything else for that matter. It doesn't send volume or expression information. I was planning to use three of the Edirol sliders for this. That's far from ideal, but better than nothing. The Edirol PCR-800 accepts a Roland EV-7 expression pedal, but I'm not sure how pertinent that is.
I've read the MX-200 Manual and the Edirol PCR-800 manual several times. I'm not completely sure what the "Master Channels" are, but I'm certain I don't have any.
I think the Rodgers Quick Key Map is a great feature. One of those "detailed questions" I have is whether I can do the same via the Edirol. I'm almost certain the answer is "No", since it doesn't seem possible to assign anything to the Edirol keyboard keys. But it might be worth a bit of reading to double check.
Another useful Rodgers feature is the ability to use the organ's tremulant to alternate between the steady and tremulant versions of the 11 MX voices with tremulant. It isn't described in any detail in the manual. It does say that the feature requires the use of the Sequencer Out ports, which hints that a significant part of the processing might be done in the MX-200. This is another of those things I could try to learn about from the Implementation Manual, to see if I can simulate it with the Edirol talking to the MX.
It's clear that the Edirol can become a handy selector for a subset of the MX voices. It's also clear that the more powerful processors in the Rogers organs can do much more. What's not clear is if the Edirol or any MIDI controller can do anything more than just access a few voices. I certainly won't enjoy wading through a highly technical series of charts. But if I can understand enough to get a useful increment in functionality by doing so, it may be worth it.
Here's a thought: The Edirol can assign two MX voices at once to its keyboard. It seems likely that judicious channel assignments can include both voices on the MIDI-merge notes. This is by no means certain, but if it works, it might be possible to assign more than two voices (say by adding another Edirol). For this one point, the Edirol(s) might do more than the organ!
Thanks for wading through this,
Bob
MX-200 w/non-Rodgers
Hi Bob,
The following is a reply to your questions. The answers exceed my expertise and come Ed Wilson a Rodgers Product Support Specialist. Ed's answers are noted by asterisks (*) within the body of your last post. I hope you find this helpful. I will email the MIDI implimentation chart to you directly.
Best regards,
Roy
Dear Mr. Hanson and interested parties:
Thanks for replying to my recent inquiry. If this exchange threatens to
become too esoteric, let me know if there's a more suitable venue. Or let
me know if this is futile.
I'm not really interested in building custom sounds. I'm mostly hoping to
use the Implementation Manual to discover answers to the detailed
questions I'm bound to come up with, without having to bother someone like
yourself. I have no problem with hexadecimal.
*I can send the table information.*
My old organ serves me quite well, but its MIDI capabilities are
minimal. I DO know the channels it transmits on. It can't save Program
Changes, or anything else for that matter. It doesn't send volume or
expression information. I was planning to use three of the Edirol sliders
for this. That's far from ideal, but better than nothing. The Edirol
PCR-800 accepts a Roland EV-7 expression pedal, but I'm not sure how
pertinent that is.
*The EV-7 can be assigned to send CC07 or CC11. The MX will respond to
either.*
I've read the MX-200 Manual and the Edirol PCR-800 manual several times.
I'm not completely sure what the "Master Channels" are, but I'm certain I
don't have any.
*“Master Channels” are the channels an organ transmits on at any time … so
that the ORGAN performance can be recorded and played back from a
sequencer (NO sound module involvement).*
I think the Rodgers Quick Key Map is a great feature. One of those
"detailed questions" I have is whether I can do the same via the Edirol.
I'm almost certain the answer is "No", since it doesn't seem possible to
assign anything to the Edirol keyboard keys. But it might be worth a bit
of reading to double check.
*I do not think this is a feature in the PCR-800. This is a Rodgers
Trademark feature.*
Another useful Rodgers feature is the ability to use the organ's
tremulant to alternate between the steady and tremulant versions of the 11
MX voices with tremulant. It isn't described in any detail in the manual.
It does say that the feature requires the use of the Sequencer Out ports,
which hints that a significant part of the processing might be done in the
MX-200. This is another of those things I could try to learn about from
the Implementation Manual, to see if I can simulate it with the Edirol
talking to the MX.
*This is controlled by a Roland SYSEX Message from the console. The
requisite message can be stored in the PCR-800 and transmitted from any of
the switched controllers.*
It's clear that the Edirol can become a handy selector for a subset of the
MX voices. It's also clear that the more powerful processors in the Rogers
organs can do much more. What's not clear is if the Edirol or any MIDI
controller can do anything more than just access a few voices. I certainly
won't enjoy wading through a highly technical series of charts. But if I
can understand enough to get a useful increment in functionality by doing
so, it may be worth it.
*Since the PCR-800 can transmit MSB (CC00) and LSB (CC32), it can open
access all MX voices.*
Here's a thought: The Edirol can assign two MX voices at once to its
keyboard. It seems likely that judicious channel assignments can include
both voices on the MIDI-merge notes. This is by no means certain, but if
it works, it might be possible to assign more than two voices (say by
adding another Edirol). For this one point, the Edirol(s) might do more
than the organ!
*The PCR-800 can send on two channels at a time, but for the Organ to play
both (I’m presuming your organ only has one MIDI coupler per division),
then that keying from the organ would have to be ‘split’ (not merged) into
two channels. Then ‘layering’ would work. Not sure if the PCR-800 can work
as a MIDI splitter, but programmable MIDI splitters are available from
www.midisolutions.com.*
MX200
Robert McMenis
808 @ church
I use the MX extensively. One of my favorite use of the pipe samples is to use the first diapason from the MX, the princiapl 8 from the organ together. I can add the second diapason played up an octave and the great octave 4. Then by adding the 8 and 4 principals and diapasons from the swell, that gives me the effect of having a three manual organ. One of the beauties of those larger organs is the ability to have three foundation stops at 8 and three foundation stops at four, It adds richness to the tone. Then other stops from the organ can be added as needed.
Quite often I use a mixture from the MX200. One advantage to the MX200 mixtures is the ability to set the volume to exactly match what I want. I use the echo mixture to give some "top" to softer settings for the contemplative hymns on the last stanza. The Hector stops allow for an 8 foot baroque prinzipal or 8 foot Montre with the corresponding baroque or French mixture so that period pieces sound more authentic.
Another use is the "expressimo." Not sure of the spelling. I set this very soft using turning the velocity down to below 50 and then use it along with the organ strings. It adds and yet the setting still has the "organ stop" feel, rather than a keyboard string feel when playing. I often add the erzaler 4 from the MX or the four rank string celeste 8 to get a full strings sound.
I am fond of the organ transcriptions such as the Air in D by J.S. Bach. For those pieces, I use the orchestral stop that bears the same name as the corresponding organ stop such as oboe. The transcriptions often give a suggested registration and I try those suggestions, though often I find something I like better. The orchestral oboe sounds better to me on the transcriptions than the organ oboe.
The sample that I use the most though is tubular bells. I use them to open the service before the prelude. They are more powerful than the organ chimes. In our church we need something a bit more powerful to remind the talkers that the "tardy" bell has rung and talking is "suppose" to cease. Some folks ignore the bells so lately I have been playing fff prelude pieces with sudden silences to catch the talkers in mid sentence. It seems to be working.
MX200
Hi Robert,
Thanks a lot for your comments and suggestions. Keep them coming!
Best regards,
Roy
How to shut off velocity control
I'm using the Complete Orchestra expansion card in the MX and was wondering if there is a way to shut off the velocity sensitivity? Specifically, when using #221, an ethnic wind instrument, an awful (bagpipe-like) tone is generated when additional pressure (velocity) is applied. Normally, if one is careful, this can be avoided but it sometimes creeps in at some rather quiet passages. I wouldn't mind if all the voices were affected by this change. Thanks.
John Bozzola
Carbondale, IL
Answering my own question - duh
Since I could not find the answer in the MX manual, I started looking through my 530 literature. Guess what? This is accomplished at the organ, not the MX. Thanks to Ken Kohler (Rodgers of St. Louis) who kindly provided the operating manual for me a year ago. I would have been lost without it. Thanks, Ken! Sometimes it pays to read the manuals and refer to them from time to time to refresh what's in them. I did learn something, however.
John Bozzola
Carbondale, IL
MX-200
Can this be used with a Rodgers 525 Model? I have MIDI inputs on Gt, Sw and Ped, but have no idea how they are used.
525 and MX-200
Yes, the 525/535 can send all Variations (MSB and LSB) and PC. All information on how to send these values is on Page 15 or the 525/535 Owner's Manual.
Ed Wilson
MX-200 and 602
Okay, so I'm reading the manual on the MX-200 (I'm still waiting for it to arrive, hopefully soon) and my manual for my 602 and I've seen discussions on MSB/LSB and Program Changes and Variations so I'm quite confused. Please bear with me on this question: I have a PR-300S hooked to the 602 now (MX will replace it) and I've been using the quick key method to access the sounds of the 300 as well as the method of using the "write/sure" function on the 300 to store sounds to a piston on the 602. So now comes the MX-200 that appears to have the "capital tones" as well as variations (on the quick key chart) but now different banks (e.g. '87' the User Bank) too. Can my 602 send all the appropriate messages that allow the quick key method to access all the various voices on the MX? I think I'm getting confused by the terms that were used in the 602 and the PR-300 manual vs. the MSB/LSB, etc. in the MX manual. (BTW - this new site is fantastic! Servers seem to be a little slow sometime but the content is fabulous.)
MX-200 and 602
It works the same as selecting banks (or variations) for the PR-300S. Just follow the instructions on pages 13 and 14 of the 602 owner's manual "GS Format Sound Selection Instructions" on pages 13 and 14. (The term "Variation" = MSB, aka 'Controller 0", aka 'Coarse Bank Select', aka 'Bank'). You will just be using more variations than the PR-300S has.
Sending Bank 65, 66, 67, or 68 will allow you to use the 'Quick Key Chart' for the MX-200.
Sending Bank 0, 8, 16, 121, 126, or 127 etc., works just like the PR-300S; use the PR-300S Quick Key Chart.
Sending Bank 87 will allow you to use the 'Hector sounds' and the Quick Key Chart he supplies.
Ed Wilson
MX-200 and 602
I'm going to have our MIDI guru, Ed Wilson respond as soon he returns to the office.
Best regards,
Roy Hanson
reply to 'hubbles' regarding B-3 sound
Just purchased the expander card called 'Ultimate Keys' and it has a variety of sounds that I found quite acceptable. There are probably close to 50 'drawbar organ' sound combinations in addition to more pianos, electric pianos, clavs and pads. This card can be placed alongside the Rodgers card in the MX-200. You don't need a dealer to install - only a phillips screwdriver to remove and then replace the cover plate.
MX200
Thanks for the information about "Ultimate Keys". I'll check it out.
Manual for Creating User bank Stops
hi,
what i have is the mx-200 manual and the xv-2080 manual. what i need is a course / manual / howto guild for creating user stops. there are so many technical terms and the xv editor is quite complex....
is it possible to use different tones for different velocity? on a velocity sense keyboard, i want a oboe when i press soft and the trumpet when i press hard.
nice regards
Martin
An Organ Card for the MX-200
I realize that there are several great Roland cards (orchestra, piano, etc.) available for the expansion slot in the Rodgers MX-200.
I was wondering if Rodgers was planning (or even considering) producing an expansion card containing more organ stops (both classical and theatre)? This would be a great place, for example, to install the Hector's voices that we keep hearing about.
Such an expansion card would also be a great place to put custom-ordered, Rodgers stops, as is available from the sound modules of other mfgrs.
I'm eagerly awaiting news of the new Allegiants since I intend to order one........
Rodgers rocks......
MX-200 Expansion
Currently we have no plans for an additional expansion card for the MX-200. It is a good suggestion that I will bring to the Product Concept Board. Thanks for submitting it.
Best regards,
Roy Hanson
MX-200
I'm wondering if anyone has found an authentic Hammond B-3 sound? We needed one for one of the songs at Easter, and we ended up using the keyboard, not our organ's MX-200.
How to tell if Hector voices are installed?
I purchased my MX-200 less than a year ago and was wondering HOW to tell if the Hector voices are installed? For example, by name of stop or location?
Thanks.
Hector voices
Set the MSB to 87. Set the LSB to 0. If no sounds are not heard scrolling through program changes...the voices are not installed.
Best regards,
Roy Hanson
What voices have you have used
Since I was the one who asked for this - here goes. What sounds are you using that you find successful (useful) off of the MX200. As an example:
For Easter on our 905B (3 manual) on Swell Midi A - Valve Job (I G5-65 at 110), Midi B Fanfare (II C1-65 at 110). Used #8 of 10 general piston (1 set as extreme soft w/ 10 being pretty much everything).
Great - Midi A - Cathedral (I A2-65 at 90) - off to begin with. Swell Melody coupler on. On recessional - 3 verses of Jesus Christ is Risen Today. 1st verse both hands on Choir. 2nd verse - left hand on Choir w/ right hand on Swell. 3rd verse - both hands on great and pushing the Midi A button (to add Cathedral) half way thru to bring it to a conclusion.
Anyone else have settings (voices) that work well for them?
I am finding the MX200 very useful in adding stops to each manual that I normally wouldn't have access to. One example would be from Hector's voices - the Chamades - especially the 16'+8'+4' (II G#3 87)
Thanks Roy for putting this topic in. Hopefully others will chime (not True Chimes either ;-) ) in w/ voices that they like to use and w/ what songs, etc.
~bruce wagner
905B, PR300s and MX200 - all at church - Stewartville, MN
MX voices I enjoy
Thanks for starting this discussion. I use the MX-200 to add orchestral sounds most of the time rather than more pipe samples. Everyone can 'expand' their MX-200 by adding sound cards that contain several hundred additional samples. My favorite expansion card is called 'Complete Orchestra'. Other cards specialize in more keyboard sounds, brass, etc. I have not tried the Keyboard Card but heard from someone that it had additional Hammond style samples that might help the earlier question. Can someone else confirm this? The Complete Orchestra card lets me obsess over which string attack to use and has many more brass, woodwind and ethnic sounds as well. I enjoy many of the new Celtic flavored hymns such as 'In Christ Alone' and it has several tin whistles which are perfect for the style. For an interesting ethereal sound in the standard MX-200 voices I often use Morning Lite (6/66/0) softly behind strings (50/65/0). Try raising the Morning Lite sound an octave higher for clarity. With an added solo line using a tin whistle or Celtic Song (123/87/67) from the standard MX, this will get you started in the Celtic style. Tom