Get answers to your most frequently asked questions about Virtual Theatre Pipe Organs.
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The Golden Voiced Open Diapasons

You have questions, folks, and we have answeres!

  1. ~ What sound modules are you using if any? Is all this done with regular sound cards in the PCs? What sound cards - SB Live! or Audigy?

    The source computer runs a Creative Labs SB ISA AWE32 Pro with 8MB RAM. The destination computer runs a Creative Labs SB PCI Live! Dolby Digital 5.1.

  2. ~ Do you really use soundfonts for the organ voicing? Are they custom or are they the ones generally available free on the internet?

    The sound font is the 6.8MB (zipped) McMurry SoundFont free on the web. The source computer has this soundfont loaded on it in Cakewalk Pro Audio.

  3. ~ Are you routing MIDI in real time between the computers? If so, are you doing it over TCP/IP and if so, what software are you using to packetize the midi?
    I've tried writing my own midi-over-IP handlers, but I always have timing problems!


    The source computer with its studio keyboard controller is the MIDI device. It feeds an analog audio line out to the destination computer soundcard's line in jack.

  4. ~ Your web site doesn't mention any details about the midi controllers. Are you *really* using a midi-ized theatre organ console or just ordinary midi keyboards?

    The MIDI controller is a Peavy 88-note weighted action studio controller sitting on a stand. This machine has a sustain pedal, volume pedal and 64 channels on 2 MIDI ins and 4 MIDI outs. It is hooked up to the source computer soundcard joystick port via a MIDI breakout cable.

  5. ~ Are you able to make stop/voicing changes "on the fly"? Or, do you have to use a computer mouse - ugh!?

    No. I record each stop combo on a separate track in Cakewalk on the source computer.

  6. ~ How about posting some photos of your setup on the web site?

    I will go ye one better: As soon as I can, I will post a link to an AVI right here. This short video will give you a tour of our tiny but very powerful recording studio.

  7. ~ What kind of speakers work best for a virtual theatre pipe organ?

    Any loudspeaker that can produce the full frequency range from 20 to 20,000 Hertz at 110 dBSPL will do. Bear in mind that a VTPO is very power hungry due to its range and volume. The speakers must be able to produce this level of sound all day long without fail, and the power amps must keep up without distortion.

  8. ~ Why do they call Richard Mogridge "The Bone Doctor?"

    Well, a fan put the monicker on him one day after a show. Richard asked him why and he said, "Keys are covered with elephant tusk ivory (bone), and you have studied long and hard to get that good (doctor), so you have to be The Bone Doctor!" The name stuck.

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