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Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

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Jim Reid

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Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostMon May 17, 2010 6:58 pm

System audio build up, from simple stereo to multi-channel:

1. Here is a photo of my basic stereo system using only near field monitors on the
console ends. Monitors are Behringer B2031A.

Image

2. Same as above, simple stereo, but using Klipshorns, one to left of
console, other to the right side.

Image

3. Full multi-channel audio array using Behringers, Klipschorns and Allen apeakers,
a lot of them!

Image

Image

Image

Many set-ups to choose among!

4. A close-up of the beautiful key-cheeks I obtained through Brett Milan's console
builder for my Classic Pro key-stack.

Image
Last edited by Jim Reid on Mon May 17, 2010 8:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jim Reid
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Jim Reid

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Re: Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostMon May 17, 2010 7:23 pm

On my Allen console are 103 drawknobs, unused at the moment.
Wonder if I should connect them via MIDI boards with the Wiilis organ,
being "grown" by MDA? The Willis console seems to have 70 drawknobs,
34 tilting tablets, and 53 pistons.Would have to give up two tilt tablets,
then could fit Willis drawstops and tilting tab couplers onto my console's
102 drawstops. My console has 53 knobs on the left side; 49 on the
right wing. Plenty of istons available on my Classic keyboards. Must
give this idea some thought.
Jim Reid
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kwbmusic

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Re: Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostMon May 17, 2010 8:26 pm

Jim,
I notice your monitors are placed on their sides - any acoustic reason for this?
Regards,
Keith
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Jim Reid

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Re: Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostMon May 17, 2010 8:38 pm

Keith,

Reasoned I would want the near-field monitors at my ear level,
or as close as possible. Is that the correct way?
Jim Reid
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pat17

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Re: Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostTue May 18, 2010 3:43 am

Quite an impressive setup Jim... It must be quite thrilling plying Tutti on such an organ!! 8)

Hopefully you still enjoy a good relationship with your neighbours... :wink:

I guess it took you tremendous time to assemble and to setup all those speakers, but again the result must be awesome! 8)
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Re: Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostTue May 18, 2010 1:12 pm

Pat17, I have had the Klipsch speakers for a few decades now; bought
them during the summer of 1973. The Allen organ console and all the
speakers for it came to our home in 1979; had been used as a dealer
demo for a year or so in the San Francisco area, so I bought it well used.

Have moved them across the US twice, then in 1991 out here to Kauai,
so they are well traveled. For all that time, we have needed to select
homes into which all would fit (and not disturb neighbors). The
Allen 1203C, 1978 organ was one of their most complete MOS-1
instruments; it provided 8 audio output channels from four
voice generating digital, quite large circuit boards bristling with
semiconductor chips. All those 30+ year old Allen speakers were
needed for the original 8 output groups, four of which were bass
channels which were bi-amplified ahead of the speakers. The
smaller speaker boxes across the top of the array each house a
6" mid-range and dome tweeter; Allen called these "Presence
Projectors"; they do add to the ensemble.

But now, that Allen first generation digital technology is quite
obsolete and really archaic when compared to Hauptwerk technology
and sample sets! I have completely stripped the console inside of
all the original components to grow on to Hauptwerk, and am
very pleased with the results. All rhose "old" Allen high-compliance
speakers continue to be well used (as well as a large number of
the original Allen amplifiers, but I have needed to replace
some for which a few chips, or replacements) are no-longer available,
even from Allen, they just want to sell me new amplifiers for over
$1000 each! No thanks.
Jim Reid
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pat17

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Re: Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostWed May 19, 2010 2:39 am

It has been quite a long way Jim! 8)

Thanks to detail each of the steps you had to go through, it gives an idea of not only the patience necessary to complete such a comprehensive project, but also the vision one must have to remain in the right direction. :wink:
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Re: Your speakers

PostWed Sep 29, 2010 4:24 pm

WOW, you sure do have a lot of speakers! You only have 8 pairs of outputs, right? Do you have all of the speakers connected at once?

I guess you're not one who subscribes to the concept that stereo is just as good as multi-speakers!

Jim
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Re: Simple Stereo to Multi-channel Audio System

PostWed Sep 29, 2010 9:05 pm

Yes a lot of them - most came with the Allen as did a host of amplifiers--many have died (components/replacement chips
no longer available for 30+ year old gear).

When I was using many audio channels, I had the MOTU 24 I/O audio interface with 24 output ports.
Now I am using the Echo Firewire 8, and that usually in simple stereo along with K701 headphones.

However, the entire system is completely available, every speaker you see photographed in one
huge, single dual channel stereo array! Magnificent sound, lowest bass through to shimmering
trebles with many mixtures, no IM is detectable as no one cone needs move much to develop
the needed room sound intensity. And all electronics and speaker movement is entirely
within the linear range.

The output port impedance is very high for each channel of the Echo preamp, thus no problem
to supply drive voltage to many power amplifiers connected in paralell (using splitter connectors)
to the L and R preamp out ports of the single stereo pair.
Jim Reid

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