Level 2 Training (In Person)

Level 2 Summary

  1. What is taught: A comprehensive review of designing and installing Opus-Two control systems, the NEC in pipe organs, networking basics, writing config files, and creating site documentation.

  2. Who this is for: Any active pipe organ builder in a role where they are evaluating or quoting new control systems, any technician installing Opus-Two equipment, any technician troubleshooting Opus-Two equipment. The skills and knowledge here are applicable to other brand equipment.

Technicians attending the level 2 training must meet the following pre-requisites:

  1. Arrive with a dedicated work laptop. This is a computer that is not shared by multiple people in a household, and this is a computer that is not left on a job site. Opus-Two software is licensed to an individual user, working for a specific organ builder, and we take the security of our software seriously. Attendees who arrive without a computer will be directed to the nearest Apple Store (King of Prussia, Los Cerritos). The laptop should be a relative new model, free of bloatware, and not a Microsoft Surface. Acer, HP, and Apple are examples of computers that work well. All instruction will be provided using a Mac. If you arrive with a Mac, it needs to have Parallels or VirtualBox installed already with a Windows Guest ready to run (this requirement expires at the end of 2023). The computer must be able to process excel files (can use Excel, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, etc.)

  2. Have time dedicated to the class. If a student has to leave to take a phone call, the class will stop until they return. Each part of the syllabus is important enough to survive the chopping block, and it is important enough to learn.

  3. Have 2 cables that connect their computer to Opus-Two controllers (micro USB).

The first day will cover (201):

  1. Retrofits - visiting a potential retrofit site, things to look for, and how to accurately develop a retrofit plan.

  2. New Installs - properly planning out a console to accommodate Opus-Two as well as whatever comes after.

  3. Understanding what products to use when

    1. IO vs H

    2. CVE vs CVA

    3. PipeBus vs Ethernet (Frames vs eFrames)

  4. Analog vs Hall Effect expression inputs

  5. Other RibFlex Accessories (Digits, Bargrafs)

  6. XMidi

  7. Fusing, the NEC, and reality.

  8. Grounding, the NEC, and reality.

  9. The truth about power supplies, what matters, and what doesn’t.

  10. Best wiring practices (including hands on practice).

  11. Efficiency in task completion.

  12. How and who to ask for help.

The second day (202) covers:

  1. Pin guides, not just for future you. (see also: how templates are critical)

  2. Review of 100 (bits, bytes, integers, sets, and arrays).

  3. What is a config file?

  4. Constants, variables, and background tasks.

  5. MIDI I/O

  6. Coils, timers, and debouncing the world around you.

  7. How stops build ranks, and why we trim them.

  8. Building a config file from beginning to end.

  9. When to split the Combination Action into two pieces.

  10. Undoing big mistakes, dividing pedal keys, coupling pitches, and other oddities.

  11. Slinging traffic over ethernet like there’s no tomorrow.

  12. Configuring and deploying iPads.

The third day (203) training is one day hands on with a CVE and Nano controller:

  1. Writing a config file

  2. Compiling the config file (and fixing the type-os)

  3. Uploading the config file (just a review!)

  4. Recovering a bricked CVE (aka don’t call us, we’ll call you)

  5. Catching data on nanos

  6. Sending data from one class member to another

Things provided to each student:

  1. CVE Controller

  2. OLED Display

  3. Nano Controller

  4. IO or H64 card

  5. KiPunch Tool

  6. Pen and notebook.

  7. Lunch each day (kindly notify us of any dietary restrictions ahead of time)

  8. Complete printed technical guide

  9. Excel templates

Please note that the Opus-Two components provided to each student are provided with no expectations. They may be re-used into a future client project or kept for testing. Software is provided for the exclusive use of the individual in the training classes. We do not endorse a train-the-trainer method and encourage builders to send as many technicians as they can.

Included in each day of training:

  1. Classroom time starts promptly at 9:00AM, during which unlimited coffee/pastries/water/soda are available.

  2. A lunch break happens at 12:00, concludes at 12:30.

  3. Classroom time breaks at 2:00, resumes at 2:30. Instructors are available during the break.

  4. Classroom time finishes between 4:00-4:30. Instructors are available for an hour after the finish time.

Cost of training:

  1. Cost of all 3 days, including lunches and equipment listed above is $3500 for the first attendee from a builder and $2200 for each additional attendee. This must be paid one week before the start of training to give the venue an accurate head count.

  2. Partial grants are available to help smaller builders. Contact your sales representative for details.