Jay Beckham

The 2 x 16 has a HD44780 controller. And a spec sheet is available. The other one had no info available. This one is $7.50 so can't lose much in that deal. Will order it with some other stuff I need for my model railroad signal system. Will wait to hear back from you before placing the order with AllElectronics.com Thanks for all your help. Jay I have attached the spec sheet if interested. LCD-16216.pdf

I have not ordered the LCD yet so will look at the Wiki. I did order from Tim all the kits, connectors, and ribbon cables.

All I placed my order with TIM. I also ordered the 40 x 2 LCD display. Does it connect directly to the Core8 or do I need additional things? Thanks, Jay

Thanks Jim

Here is a revised (corrected) drawing showing the proper J9 connector used for the Din Chains. Jay

I did read it. But I thought the MISO Studio replaced the need for the LCD display? Jay

One Quick question before I order: Jim Henry has suggested the use of a LCD module for testing. All electronics has one for $7.50 USD. It is 2 x 16 Hantronix # HDM16216H-4-DOOS. Does not mention Backlight. They also have a 40 x 2 Led back lit. #UMSH-3077JD-YG for $8.50. I noticed the SmashTV doesn't show an LCD. What suggestions does anyone have in this regard? I know that Midi-Hardware sells the with a ten key keyboard. Would I need that also? Thanks, Jay Beckham

Tim and Jim Based on what you guys are saying, I doubt I need the new features. I want a very basic organ as that is all this Conn case can hold. Just trying to create an organ better than any I ever the opportuinity to play. Most of my playing in churches were Hammonds, Rogers, Allen, and two small pipe organs-one a case organ (self contained) and a small ten rank one. So looking at my drawing I figure I will need 40 ten pin ICD and a bunch of ribbon cable. I know that that I only will need eight pins except for the common, but I assume the ICD is the best way to go? Even if I just insert eight of the conductors into the ICD? But is that a good idea? Do I download from http://www.ucapps.de/ MIOS V 1.9g for the Core8 or should I get it somewhere else? Thanks Jay

Tim Should I hold off on my order? Jay Beckham

Corrected drawing. Graham Goode noticed I only had one Core8 but I need two Core8S. Jay Beckham Organ.pdf

I have just uploaded a photo in the Gallery. under Jay Beckham of my proposed diagram. Jay Beckham Organ.pdf

Jim As I understand it the software has a new version and it will not work with the Core8? How about the Core64. What additional features are included in the new version that apply to my project? Jay

Hi I think maybe I didn't correctly indicate what I am doing. I am building a virtual organ. My organ has been gutted to just stop tabs, keys, and pedals. I am going to use it to tell a computer through the MIDI interface to play the software loaded into the computer. All the program needs is commands from the Core8 boards via an USB connector. So I need DINs to read what key was depressed to the program in the PC and it produces the musical sounds I am playing. The only programming I have to do is to tell the Core8 which pin of the DIN is assigned to what note, stop, or switch. HTH Jay

I send the following email to Smash TV. Have not heard back so perhaps people on here can advise me. I am ready to order. So I need some help in that process. Just to remind you I have the following. Conn 632 2 61 note manuals, 25 note pedal board. 46 stops/couplers, one expression pedal. I have been talking with Graham Goode and he has advised the following. 2 Core8 kits with the PIC18F452 and one at address 0 and the other at address 1. How do I indicate the two addresses on the order form? 8 DIN kits. I will be soldering wires to each set up wire wipers and one wire to the common wipers on six bus rods for good luck. I can group them in eights and use DIL crimp connectors (or the ten pin?). So I guess I would need for now 4 x 7 or 28 ten pin connectors? The 8th DIN is a spare. Then I need to connect the boards together and connect them to the Core8 boards. How many wires and what connectors or ribbon would I use here? The 8th DIN is a spare. What have I missed? I do have a Midi Cable with male on both ends and a Cakewalk UM-G2 which has four female Midi plugs so I would use the Midi 1 In on it. Down the road I may want to add some pipes to the organ and I assume your DOUT would control them? Also I plan to use for now the Free Haukwerk software with the included St. Annes organ and the Free Paramont Theater Organ which I believe runs on the Haukwerk software. Thanks Jay Beckham Berkeley Springs, WV USA Midifying a Conn 632 to a Classical/Theater Organ

jimhenry and others So far I have gotten three different approaches to this organ. Just to review, Conn 632 with 2 61 not manuals and a 25 note pedal board and 46 stop tabs. I have also determined that I will be using the Hauptwerk software most likely the Basic organ (20 ranks) or the Free organ (10 Ranks) and one of the lower end Paramount theater organ. I will also use an exsisting PC and purchase a Barebones and add the neccesary cards to it e.g. as midi sound card. Also some exsisting stereo speakers. Most likely will not use the Conn speakers or their Lesley system. There are the kits from Smash TV around $175 or so. Finished boards from Midi-Hardware around $200 + shipping Finished boards from Midi-Boutique around $427 + shipping I am capable of building the boards but would rather not. I also looked at Artisan which appears to be way beyond my budget unless I don't understand their pricing. They did show a Midi Two Manual conversion kit for $550. I will be striping the physical unit shortly but carefully. So can anyone tell me the difference between all these options? Thanks Jay Beckham in Berkeley Springs, WV USA jay@thebeckhams.us

It would appear then I would need 2 Core8s and 7 DINs. 4 DINs for the Great and Swell, 1 DIN for the 25 note pedal board, and 2 DINs for my 46 Stop Tabs. That adds up to about $165 plus shipping with the kits. In comparsion if I buy completed boards from Mid-Hardware converting Euros to Dollars about $200 plus shipping. So i wonder about the kits? What do you think? Jay Beckham

Hi Again Yes I understand they are kits and I did see the instructions on the other web site. I have done a lot of board assembly so that is not a problem. I gather I need the ID as they are burned into the PIC? Thanks Jay PS jay@thebeckhams.us is my direct email

Hi again I checked out their website. The kits are the way I will go. Done a lot of kits so no big deal. Which Core do I need? He shows Core8 and Core32. Also what is the PIC ID calculator all about? Thanks, Jay

Hi Thanks for the reply. Can I assume you mean using the circuits etc found at www.ucapps.de? I saw the MIDIO128 circuit and the DIN circuits. I did click on Pauls PCB shop and got a error. Is he the person that sells the boards and/or kits? Are there others also available or do I have to buy my boards from Eagle or one of the other suppliers e.g. PCBExpress. I have used them in the past or should I etch my own? I have also been looking at Midi-Hardware.com from Poland. Bottom line I want to be able to use Hauptwerk church organ softwae and buy a theater organ file from Paramont. Both softwares work together and there are also free versions which sounded really good to me. I assume that the MIDIO128 is the core you are talking about. Again thanks, and would appreciate any additional help. Shortly I will begin stripping out the electronics from the organ and leaving as much of the wires. One thing I did notice, the switches as all normally closed. So when you push the stop tab down it opens the switch. Hopefully this hardware can work either way depending on pull up or pull down resistors. Jay Beckham jay@thebeckhams.us

I want to Midify my Conn Model 632. It hasn't worked for years. So would like some help and to be pointed in the right direction. It has two 61 note manuals and a 25 note pedal board. I also want to use the stop tabs and would like to add some combination pistons on the keyboards and perhaps a few on the pedals. It only has one expression pedal. I might be able to build another for one of the manuals and perhaps even a crescendo pedal. I want to be able to get a church type sound and have the option perhaps to get a theater organ sound. I figured I could label the stop tabs with dual names where needed. Both organs should have a big organ sound. I do not want to retain the Conn electronics as it does not work. Also I am an experienced wood worker, programmer, and have assemblied loads of electronic parts including soldering all sorts of boards. Thanks Jay Beckham Berkeley Springs, WV USA