Our control systems can be broken into two groups - legacy control systems and our current control systems. The procedures to do basic things like set piston masks are slightly different for each control system, so we provide both sets of directions below. If your control system has 99 or 250 memory levels, it is probably a legacy control system.
Instructions for Current (Next Generation) Systems
An excerpt from our organists manual is found below. If this does not help or you have additional questions, feel free to Download the entire manual or Contact Us.
Starting With Pistons
There are two factors that come into play with pistons, the range and the actual contents. The range determines what stops the piston can control. Just because a piston is labeled general or divisional does not mean that it is limited to that capacity. Each and every piston can control just one division, several divisions, all divisions, some features, etc. This can be controlled and changed by the organist relatively easily. The contents that are stored in each piston are which stops within the range are on or off. For example, if an organist desires more general pistons and does not use divisional pistons, they can be re-assigned to control all stops. Each memory level has its own customizable ranges. For example, an organist may choose to have a piston that can act as a “Reeds Off” ventil. This piston would have its Range set to include all the reeds, and the contents of the piston would be empty. Therefore, while playing, when an organist presses that piston, it only turns off the reeds, because that is all its range allows it to control.
Setting the Range
To view or change the current range on an individual piston:
Hold Track + repeatedly press Trranspose until you see “Piston Range” on the screen.
Once in Piston Range mode, hold Play/Show while pressing a piston to view its current range.
To change or set a piston range, turn on all stops or couplers that should be in the range. Hold Record/Save and press the piston to store the range to that piston. It is not necessary to release Record/Save between multiple piston range settings.
After making all changes, repeatedly press the “Transpose” button until back to a normal display to exit.
Setting a Piston
To save currently selected stops to an individual piston:
Press and hold the [SET] piston.
Momentarily press the piston in question.
Release the [SET] piston.
The stops that are on have now been saved to that piston.
Built In Performance Sequencer
Introduction to the Sequencer
The built in sequencer is one of the most popular Opus-Two features. The sequencer allows a number of songs to be recorded into the organ for playback later. Organists often record postludes, preludes, or even anthems (freeing them to direct the choir). These songs are recorded individually, or in groups.
Tracks
The name “Track” could be interchanged with “song.” Because of the large amount of memory available to the Opus-Two system, a large number of tracks are available. Organists will sometimes record several pieces onto one track with a small pause between them if they are to be played back together (such as two preludes).
Length of Tracks
The tracks at this site are 60 minutes length each. Be aware that the actual amount of recording time is based on the intensity of playing and could be more than 60 minutes.
Selecting a Track
The system defaults to track 1 on startup. Holding the [TRACK] piston while pressing the (UP) and (DOWN) pistons will change the current track.
Unlocking a Track
By default, all tracks are protected and cannot be overwritten. To unlock a selected track, simple hold the [TRACK] piston and touch [RECORD]. The display will update change from “Track x protected” to “Track x enabled.” Please be warned, this is the only step stopping the user from accidentally deleting a track. Be sure you want to erase/rewrite the contents of a track BEFORE you unlock it.
Recording a Track
When the track is enabled (unprotected), simply press the [RECORD] piston to start recording. A timer will show that the system is recording. Pressing [RECORD] will immediately erase anything on that track and start recording from the beginning.
Playing a Track
To play the selected track, simply press the [PLAY] button. Press [TRACK] during playback to pause/resume. Press [play] again to stop the playback. Make sure no stops are selected on the console and that the expression shoes are closed for most accurate results.
Using and Setting The Crescendo
The crescendo allows stops to be added blindly (stop tabs do not move) gradually building the organ to a near full organ sound. Each stage is individually programmable in the menu. The current stage is shown on the display.
Setting the Crescendo
To access the crescendo set mode of the display:
Hold Track + repeatedly press Transpose until you see “Crescendo Setup” on the screen.
Once in Crescendo Setup mode, press the up and down pistons to select a particular step. Once on that step, pressing the Play/Show button will display what is on that step. Pressing the Record/Save button will save what is on the tab rail to that stage.
One can easily navigate to the next step, add a few stops, and save again.
After making all changes, repeatedly press the “Transpose” button until back to a normal display to exit.
Sforzando/Tutti
The sforzando/tutti allows stops to be added blindly (stop tabs do not move), typically providing a full organ sound. Each sforzando is individually programmable in the menu.
Setting the Tutti
To access the Tutti Set mode of the display:
Hold Track + repeatedly press Transpose until you see “Tutti Setup” on the screen.
Once in Tutti Setup mode, press the up and down pistons to select a particular tutti (most organs only use Sforz1, the first option). Once on the desired tutti, pressing the Play/Show button will display what is saved in that tutti. Pressing the Record/Save button will save what is on the tab rail to that tutti.
One can easily navigate to the next step, add a few stops, and save again.
After making all changes, press the “Transpose” button repeatedly until back to a normal display to exit.
Instructions for Legacy Control Systems
An excerpt from our Legacy organists manual is found below. If this does not help or you have additional questions, feel free to Download the entire manual or Contact Us.
Starting With Pistons
There are two factors that come into play with pistons, the range and the actual contents. The range determines what stops the piston can control. Just because a piston is labeled general or divisional does not mean that it is limited to that capacity. Each and every piston can control just one division, several divisions, all divisions, some features, etc. This can be controlled and changed by the organist relatively easily. The contents that are stored in each piston are which stops within the range are on or off. For example, if an organist desires more general pistons and does not use divisional pistons, they can be re-assigned to control all stops. Each memory level has its own customizable ranges. For example, an organist may choose to have a piston that can act as a “Reeds Off” ventil. This piston would have its Range set to include all the reeds, and the contents of the piston would be empty. Therefore, while playing, when an organist presses that piston, it only turns off the reeds, because that is all its range allows it to control.
Setting the Range
To view or change the current range on an individual piston:
Press Transpose + Track at the same time to enter Common-Memory mode.
Press Track + Record at the same time to enter Piston Range mode.
Once in Piston Range mode, hold Play while pressing a piston to view its current range.
To change or set a piston range, turn on all stops or couplers that should be in the range. Hold Record and press the piston to store the range to that piston. It is not necessary to release Record between multiple piston range settings.
After making all changes, repeatedly press the “Transpose” button until back to a normal display to exit.
Setting a Piston
To save currently selected stops to an individual piston:
Press and hold the [SET] piston.
Momentarily press the piston in question.
Release the [SET] piston.
The stops that are on have now been saved to that piston.
Built In Performance Sequencer
Introduction to the Sequencer
The built in sequencer is one of the most popular Opus-Two features. The sequencer allows a number of songs to be recorded into the organ for playback later. Organists often record postludes, preludes, or even anthems (freeing them to direct the choir). These songs are recorded individually, or in groups.
Tracks
The name “Track” could be interchanged with “song.” Because of the large amount of memory available to the Opus-Two system, a large number of tracks are available. Organists will sometimes record several pieces onto one track with a small pause between them if they are to be played back together (such as two preludes).
Length of Tracks
The tracks at this site are 60 minutes length each. Be aware that the actual amount of recording time is based on the intensity of playing and could be more than 60 minutes.
Selecting a Track
The system defaults to track 1 on startup. Holding the [TRACK] piston while pressing the (UP) and (DOWN) pistons will change the current track.
Unlocking a Track
By default, all tracks are protected and cannot be overwritten. To unlock a selected track, simple hold the [TRACK] piston and touch [RECORD]. The display will update change from “Track x protected” to “Track x enabled.” Please be warned, this is the only step stopping the user from accidentally deleting a track. Be sure you want to erase/rewrite the contents of a track BEFORE you unlock it.
Recording a Track
When the track is enabled (unprotected), simply press the [RECORD] piston to start recording. A timer will show that the system is recording. Pressing [RECORD] will immediately erase anything on that track and start recording from the beginning.
Playing a Track
To play the selected track, simply press the [PLAY] button. Press [TRACK] during playback to pause/resume. Press [play] again to stop the playback. Make sure no stops are selected on the console and that the expression shoes are closed for most accurate results.
Using and Setting The Crescendo
The crescendo allows stops to be added blindly (stop tabs do not move) gradually building the organ to a near full organ sound. Each stage is individually programmable in the menu. The current stage is shown on the display.
Setting the Crescendo
To access the crescendo set mode of the display:
Press Track + Transpose at the same time to enter Common-Memory mode.
Press Track + Record at the same time to enter Piston Range mode.
Press Transpose to enter Crescendo Setup.
Once in Crescendo Setup mode, press the up and down pistons to select a particular step. Once on that step, pressing the Play button will display what is on that step. Pressing the record button will save what is on the tab rail to that stage.
One can easily navigate to the next step, add a few stops, and save again.
After making all changes, repeatedly press the “Transpose” button until back to a normal display to exit.
Sforzando/Tutti
The sforzando/tutti allows stops to be added blindly (stop tabs do not move), typically providing a full organ sound. Each sforzando is individually programmable in the menu.
Setting the Tutti
To access the Tutti Set mode of the display:
Press Track + Transpose at the same time to enter Common-Memory mode.
Press Track + Record at the same time to enter Piston Range mode.
Press Transpose to enter Crescendo Setup. Press again to enter Tutti Setup.
Once in Tutti Setup mode, press the up and down pistons to select a particular tutti (most organs only use Sforz1, the first option). Once on the desired tutti, pressing the Play button will display what is saved in that tutti. Pressing the record button will save what is on the tab rail to that tutti.
One can easily navigate to the next step, add a few stops, and save again.
After making all changes, press the “Transpose” button repeatedly until back to a normal display to exit.