Re: Devtronix and Octet MIDI Decoders
By Ron Yost
Hello all!
The Devtronix system was designed especially for pipe organs, and it interfaces with the various switches in the organ manuals. Each circuit board handles 64 inputs/outputs and thus is perfect for 61-key manuals. Mike Ames, myself, and several others have adapted it to operate book- and roll-playing instruments, including huge 101-key Mortier organs and Violano Virtuosos. The Devtronix system is not a "plug and play" system, however .. much wiring and hand-soldering has to be done.
Devtronix' address:
Devtronix Organs, Inc.,
1823 Avondale Ave.,
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-971-9074
Pete Woodworth has found a new maker of Midi interface boards, Octet Design Corporation. (Thanks, Pete!) This is a brand new system and, as far as I know, none of us has tried it as yet. It incorporates several desired features lacking in the Devtronix system (not the least of which is it's much less espen$ive!), though the higher power version drives 500 ma as does the Devtronix system. Octet does have screw-terminal blocks available for their system, a vast improvement over plain-jane headers. Also, the UM1 comes in a nice box, while the Devtronix system is entirely bare-naked boards, which may or may not matter to you.
A further advantage is the Octet system is that it's much less expensive than the Devtronix system. The Devtronix system requires a separate processor board for input and output ($250 each) -- the only difference being the firmware EPROM. Devtronix also requires separate input and output boards ($125 each for 64 In/Out). The whole system can get quite expensive!
In contrast, the Octet UM-1-P (the higher-power version) is $279 for the whole thing. Very tempting indeed! Now, how do we get a "group evaluation" sample?? ;-)
The Chief-Engineer, Laurent Coray, is extremely helpful and courteous. Also, they have a WEB site:
http://www.octetdesign.com/
For info, if you lack WEB access:
support@octetdesign.com
Phone: (503) 261-2987 [Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.]
You will get a response from Laurent himself.
If anyone would like further information, as I have a lot of experience with the Devtronix system, I'd be happy to help out. Mind you, I have used the system only with my self-designed Midi Fair Organ, and have no experience with a "real" church pipe organ.
Take Care!
Ron Yost <musik@tcsn.net>
[ Editor's Note: Laurent Coray recently joined the Digest, and I've
[ asked him to send us an informal follow-up note on his product.
[ Robbie
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(Message sent Sun 18 Aug 1996, 23:22:54 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.) |
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