Dave Clark wrote:

>> Date: Thu, 11 May 1995 07:21:58 -0400
>> From: ClarkDC251@aol.com
>> To: automatic-music@foxtail.com
>> Subject: Attaching a midi to my organ.
>>
>> Hi,  I while go there was a post that mentioned something to the effect <you
>> can hook a MIDI to anything>.  Well I would like to talk to anyone that can
>> help me attach a MIDI to an small organ I am building.
>>
>>
>> Has anyone done something like this?  Can someone send me info on businesses
>> that have stuff like this?  Any kits available?  Building something is not
>> a problem!!
>>
>> Dave Clark

Will Dahlgren responded:

> I have done some work in the area of MIDI to solenoid actuation. Last year I
> designed a very simple MIDI to "power stuff" interface I call the WIMP. From
> your letter, it sounds like it would do the trick.  It is made by:
>
>    Bob Baker
>   Electric Orchestras, Inc.
>    29962 N. Terre Drive
>    Libertyville, IL 60048
>    (708) 367-7996

> The "computer" board is $325.  If your system only requires a low current
> logic level input, this is all you need to control up to 64 notes.  If you
> require some "power", then additional driver boards are needed.  Each one
> "powers" eight solenoids, etc, and they cost $30.  You will also need a
> separate (up to 24 VDC) power supply for your solenoids, relays, etc.

> Will Dahlgren  (WillWiz@aol.com)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Dave,

	My original response to your original inquiry was via private 
e-mail, but given Will's recent response [Hi Will, remember we talked on 
the phone several months ago on this topic?] my sense is that others in 
the group might have some interest in the information I gave you, so am 
reposting below.  If this seems a blatant adversisement, rest assured it 
is not!  My production techniques on these valves are such that I really 
am not very interested in building more than I need for my own use, but 
if they are useful to others I suppose I can have my arm twisted!

Reposted message follows:

 From: jrgrant@dc.infi.net
 Subject: Organ/MIDI Interface
 To: CLARK_D@VNET.IBM.COM
 X-Mailer: AIR Mail 3.X (SPRY, Inc.)

Hello Dave,

	I read your post in the newsgroup and I think I may be of some 
assistance to you, at least on the hardware side.  If you will look on page 237 
of the July/August 1994 issue of the Amica Bulletin you will see an ad I placed 
offering for sale, solenoid valves of my own design which are suitable for use 
as MIDI-to-pneumatic interfaces for applications such as yours.  Actually, I 
have two different designs, one targeted toward player and reproducing pianos 
using nominal 1/8" ID trackerbar tubing, and a somewhat more powerful solenoid 
which can be adapted to operate larger pallet valves as might be required for 
band organs and the like.  I can also obtain and integrate suitable electronic 
circuitry for taking MIDI signals and use them to pulse the solenoid valves.  

	At present I don't have, or anticipate developing, the means to convert 
existing book music into MIDI form.  I CAN convert 9-to-the-inch music rolls 
into quasi-MIDI data, meaning all paper holes are translated as specific MIDI 
note numbers. If a particular hole in the paper has a function other than a 
note (i.e., pedal, expression, control, etc.) it is translated and recorded 
none-the-less as a MIDI note. On playback these "notes" are mapped to operate 
solenoids which perform the same non-note function as the original hole. But 
as for software, you may or may not know that the list administrator, Jody 
Kravitz (kravitz@foxtail.com) and his friend Dave Wasson have developed a lot 
of band organ/book music-to-MIDI/synthesizer applications and could probably be 
quite helpful to you in the project.

	Although the ad indicates a price of $8 each for the valves, the 
solenoids I would anticipate using for your application are somewhat less 
expensive and could probably be built up for about $6 per valve.  If you will 
let me know some other particulars about your organ, I can get a lot more 
specific about the interface.  Primarily I need to know how many trackerbar 
holes you have (I assume 28) and what size the holes are.  Also useful to know 
would be the ID of the trackerbar hoses, the dimensions of the space where the 
interface would have to be mounted, and what power source (battery or AC, 
desired voltage) it needs to operate from.  If you'd like to chat by phone, by 
all means feel free to call at (301) 249-3639.  Best times to catch me here are 
Monday and Thursday evenings after 8:00 PM.  

	Good Luck.  -John Grant