Hello all!

The Devtronix system was designed especially for pipe organs, and it
interfaces with the various switches in the organ manuals.  Each circuit
board handles 64 inputs/outputs and thus is perfect for 61-key manuals.
Mike Ames, myself, and several others have adapted it to operate book-
and roll-playing instruments, including huge 101-key Mortier organs and
Violano Virtuosos. The Devtronix system is not a "plug and play" system,
however .. much wiring and hand-soldering has to be done.

Devtronix' address:

        Devtronix Organs, Inc.,
        1823 Avondale Ave.,
        Sacramento, CA 95825
        916-971-9074

Pete Woodworth has found a new maker of Midi interface boards, Octet
Design Corporation.  (Thanks, Pete!)  This is a brand new system and, as
far as I know, none of us has tried it as yet.  It incorporates several
desired features lacking in the Devtronix system (not the least of which
is it's much less espen$ive!), though the higher power version drives
500 ma as does the Devtronix system.  Octet does have screw-terminal
blocks available for their system, a vast improvement over plain-jane
headers.  Also, the UM1 comes in a nice box, while the Devtronix system
is entirely bare-naked boards, which may or may not matter to you.

A further advantage is the Octet system is that it's much less expensive
than the Devtronix system.  The Devtronix system requires a separate
processor board for input and output ($250 each) -- the only difference
being the firmware EPROM.  Devtronix also requires separate input and
output boards ($125 each for 64 In/Out).  The whole system can get quite
expensive!

In contrast, the Octet UM-1-P (the higher-power version) is $279 for
the whole thing.  Very tempting indeed!  Now, how do we get a "group
evaluation" sample??  ;-)

The Chief-Engineer, Laurent Coray, is extremely helpful and courteous.
Also, they have a WEB site:

   http://www.octetdesign.com/

For info, if you lack WEB access:

   support@octetdesign.com
   Phone: (503) 261-2987  [Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.]

You will get a response from Laurent himself.

If anyone would like further information, as I have a lot of experience
with the Devtronix system, I'd be happy to help out.  Mind you, I have
used the system only with my self-designed Midi Fair Organ, and have no
experience with a "real" church pipe organ.

Take Care!

Ron Yost <musik@tcsn.net>

 [ Editor's Note: Laurent Coray recently joined the Digest, and I've
 [ asked him to send us an informal follow-up note on his product.
 [ Robbie