Hugh Robjohns wrote:The least expensive way is just to buy a couple of cheap MIDI controller keyboards and a small MIDI pedalboard... which will let you play each division independently, but it will be a bodge.
There are plenty of companies that sell proper organ manuals, pedal-boards, stop buttons and even complete console carcasses specifically for use with Hauptwerk systems. A google search will reveal them very easily. Obviously, a degree of DIY construction is required, depending on what options you choose, and it ain't going to be cheap.
Another option -- and the one I used -- is to buy an old second-hand electronic church organ console and modify that. They can often be found for a grand or two from most of the current electronic church organ re-sellers who take them as part-ex, and they quality of woodwork is usually extremely good, even if the internal sounds are a bit dated.... In my case, the organ is 15 years old, but in remarkably good nick because it was built to very high standards, and the company even came out and re-voiced it for me in it's new home for free... so although it doesn't sound as good as the Hauptwerk sampled organs, it's actually very playable as a practice instrument and I don't always have to fire up the computer and speakers!
Thankfully, most of these redundant organs have MIDI outputs from the keyboards/pedals/ expression pedals so can be used directly straight away... but if you're into DIY you can then rebuild the stop switches etc to link that in too...
The big advantage of this approach is that you have a professionally built organ console and can be assured that all the physical dimensions and relations between keys and pedals are correct -- which is vital if you have any notions of playing real instruments for building accurate muscle memory.
The guy I bought my Eminent console from sold it to make space for his own DIY Hauptwerk theatre organ. He acquired the console woodwork from a derelict cinema in Bradford or somewhere, and then installed four new keyboards and new horseshoe stop switches. it played through eight speakers and two subs and sounded amazing as well as looking incredibly impressive! Completely filled his spare bedroom!
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Thanks Hugh, I think I’ll end up "bodging" two Midi controller keyboards, I haven’t got room in the basement for a large console, and as you know, water is just a bit of a problem!
I thought I’d be able to buy a double keyboard in a nice wooden case, but it seems there aren’t any around, I’m sure I can make something suitable, and look around for a pedal board.
PS, just caught up with this thread, I’ll investigate those links.....thanks!
) brother, the NS200Ma. 