I found with my old pipe organ keyboards, the low voltage and current used by the MIDI encoder wasn't enough to make a reliable contact, so I ended up building a circuit for each key with a transistor and a couple of resistors to pull 12V and a couple hundred milliamps through the key contacts. Works much more reliably. Your ways works too though. :)
I for one, think it's all about being able to play it eventually. The end justifies the means. I'm dying to see the future videos. could your "new" switches somehow turn on the power / lighting?. Looking forward to the next one, thanks.
It is a little bit of a shame that you didn’t end up using it, since you did put so much work into trying to restore the keys and actions on that manual. But yeah, if it wasn’t working right, replacing it was definitely the best option. Glad to see that all that time and energy you spent restoring the keys won’t go to waste though!
We look after 3-4 Compton Organs, so at least we will have spares. It's a shame that we couldn't use them, but it was just going to cost too much. These manuals actually feel a lot better too. An update coming soon!
@@megelizabeth9492 The midi keyboards are touch sensitive and can be used for second touch. It’s not as good as a genuine second touch spring but it’s still perfectly playable.
Excited to see updates again! I wonder if it would be possible to transplant the physical keys from the old manuals to the midi keyboards? But maybe it's better if they go as spare parts for other organs, since they're not original anyway.
We probably could to be honest. The problem is that the keys on the top manual are older and in slightly worse condition than the other two so it’s probably best to replace the lot. 😅
Hi Al, just dug this video out from many to ask a question - what midi keyboards are you using? I have one but I don`t like it as it has piano style keys and I would like some with overhung keys like yours, any help? Thanks.
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Brilliant Alec. Really enjoying your videos 🙂 Like you say, it's your organ, so if new manuals work better for playing, then that's what counts.
Thanks Sue!!
"You have to help people make decisions." That's a good line. I'll have to try that. Great video.
Thanks Mark! Glad you enjoyed! It’s best to compulsory volunteer people where manual labour is concerned! 🤪
I found with my old pipe organ keyboards, the low voltage and current used by the MIDI encoder wasn't enough to make a reliable contact, so I ended up building a circuit for each key with a transistor and a couple of resistors to pull 12V and a couple hundred milliamps through the key contacts. Works much more reliably. Your ways works too though. :)
Great work & thrilled to see the console having a new lease of life after all these years. Good on you !
Brilliant Alec. Great work 👏 👍
Many thanks!
I for one, think it's all about being able to play it eventually. The end justifies the means. I'm dying to see the future videos. could your "new" switches somehow turn on the power / lighting?. Looking forward to the next one, thanks.
Great work Alec loving your content all the best mark 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Progress, well done. Don`t be a stranger.
There should be more regular videos now. The past few weeks have been extremely busy. 😊
It is a little bit of a shame that you didn’t end up using it, since you did put so much work into trying to restore the keys and actions on that manual. But yeah, if it wasn’t working right, replacing it was definitely the best option. Glad to see that all that time and energy you spent restoring the keys won’t go to waste though!
We look after 3-4 Compton Organs, so at least we will have spares. It's a shame that we couldn't use them, but it was just going to cost too much. These manuals actually feel a lot better too. An update coming soon!
Now that I think about it, are you planning to have any second touch on this organ?
@@megelizabeth9492 The midi keyboards are touch sensitive and can be used for second touch. It’s not as good as a genuine second touch spring but it’s still perfectly playable.
That's good! I just wasn't sure if you'd mentioned wanting to do second touch or not.
Hi Alec. Great videos. I wonder if you could tell me the make of keyboards you are using.
Nektar-se61 a lot better than M audio! Glad you enjoyed the video!
If I had known I would have soldered all the contacts for you as I am doing 4 keyboards for my digital Compton (Ex Halifax)
That would have helped a lot! 😂 although, Blackburn would have needed new contacts. They are not in a good state.
If the contacts only need cleaning that not a problem but if the wires are sticking up in the air that takes more work.@@TheMechanicalChannel
Excited to see updates again!
I wonder if it would be possible to transplant the physical keys from the old manuals to the midi keyboards? But maybe it's better if they go as spare parts for other organs, since they're not original anyway.
We probably could to be honest. The problem is that the keys on the top manual are older and in slightly worse condition than the other two so it’s probably best to replace the lot. 😅
Hi Al, just dug this video out from many to ask a question - what midi keyboards are you using? I have one but I don`t like it as it has piano style keys and I would like some with overhung keys like yours, any help? Thanks.