Trevor

Thank you!!! This project has been on hold for a couple weeks but now I'm getting back to it. Sparx, will the UDN2981A-T work just as well as the TD62783AP?

thanks doc! I will remove the 18 pin DIP sockets from the DOUTs then. What resistor value should I use between the 74HC595 and the transistor bases? I am all for using PCBs rather than breadboard. Could you send me some more info and your schematics? My email is oddrocketboy2 [at] comcast [dot] net Thank you!

Thanks everyone. Is there anything else I can use as a driver besides the reed relays? Also, I managed to dig up a 12V 850mA wall transformer thinger. Will this work as my power supply at least for now?

My order arrived on Wednesday ;D I spent half the night last night assembling the CORE and one DOUT! One quick question- Are the ULN2803s going to work for my positive keying? A friend of mine who's into electronics and MIDI said that the 2803 would only work for negative keying. -Trevor

I placed my order yesterday :D 1 Core Kit 2 DOUT Kits 1 10 conductor ribbon cable 1 16 conductor ribbon cable 1 16 pin IDC connector 4 10 pin IDC connector I'm still not sure whether I'm going to use the ULN2803s or the reed relays, but I'm leaning toward the ULN2803s because they're more compact and I can actually afford them! Any opinions on this?

oops, I'm re-reading my last post. I meant to ask if I had to order the ULN2083's from somewhere else or if they come with the DOUT kit. besides a CORE and two DOUTs, what else do I need to get to get started? Do I need an LCD, or ribbon cale/connectors?

Thanks, I'll probably end up using the ULN2083 since that has a max of 500mA for each output. That will be plenty to drive the relays. Can I order the DOUT kit with the ULN2083's from Smashtv? or do I have to order those from somewhere else? Here's a schematic I drew of my relay a long time ago (resistor values are 1K now)

That is correct. Sorry I'm making it so confusing. It's just hard to explain just through text and pictures.

sorry I made that a little unclear ??? I think the key contacts would be the best place to wire the DOUTs because there are pins that can easily have other wires soldered onto them. Also, the coupler relays are all right in the console and the key contacts are the only good places to wire into before hitting the relays in the console. Can I just choose any numbers for the 16 digit PIC ID?

excellent! ;D What do I have to do now to get started (besides read)? Order a Core Kit and 2 DOUT kits so I can get one manual playing?

Yes, the Midibox will be wired in parallel into the key contacts. Can a single Core be split between 2 Midi channels so I could have 2 DOUTs on one channel and 2 DOUTs on another? If this is the case, it looks like I would need 2 Cores and 8 DOUTs. Is that correct? (I think I finally understand this :)) Otherwise, if each Core is limited to the 128 MIDI notes and only one channel, I would need 5 Cores for the 5 channels (Choir, Great, Swell, Pedal, Pistons) :-\

thanks Johnc. It's good to know that this has been done successfully already. I'm planning on using the computer only for the output of MIDI from Finale files. I want to be able to just plug my MacBook Pro into the organ, put on some music from Finale files, and do homework, study, read or whatever. I'm going for a classical, somewhat symphonic organ with quite a bit of unification. I make all of my relays myself so I'm all set with those. Tomorrow I will read read read! here's a very rough diagram of what I'm going for:

thank you everyone! jimhenry, I already have the relays for the pipe organ made (the crazy things on breadboard). I'm not looking to have Midibox read from the manuals/pedals/stops. All I would like is something that can interpret MIDI signals coming from Finale/Sibelius. etc. on the computer and turn it into 12V going to the correct key relay. I do have a combination action. That's a good idea to have it on pistons instead of each drawknob/coupler. What I am looking to build is something like this: http://www.j-omega.co.uk/mtp8.html I have a total of 31 pistons, so that could be fit into a 32 output board. I would wire the outputs directly into the key and piston contacts. I think that would work.

Hey everyone! First post here. I have a III/20 (3 manual, 20 rank) pipe organ that I have been building in my home over the past couple years. organ "chamber" My plan is to have three 64 note drivers for each of the three 61 note manuals, a 32 note driver for the pedal, and possibly a driver for the 59 stops (including couplers). Ideally, I would like to have the drawknobs and coupler tabs move, so I would need two 64 note drivers; one for the "on" solenoids and one for the "off" solenoids. This way I could have manual 1 on midi channel 1, manual 2 on channel 2, 3 on 3, pedal on 4, stops "on" on 5, and stops "off" on 6. :o console Unfortunately, my knowledge of electronics is fairly limited. I have built a couple of diode matrix relays with transistor drivers for the organ, but that's about the extent of what I can comprehend right now. relay What would it take to put together something like this? I have read other posts on this forum about driving pipes and read about MIDIbox on the website, but it all goes waaay over my head! ??? What do I need to do to get started? Thanks! Trevor