Air Valves from Ragtime Automated Music
By Karl Ellison
Does anyone have an opinion on the MIDI controlled pneumatic valves that are for sale from "Ragtime Automated Music" (advertised in January/ February AMICA bulletin)?
I called them and talked to Ken Calkins, the owner. They make these valves that are the size of your little-finger thumbnail. They have a nipple on each end that fits tracker-bar tubing. You cut your tracker bar tube and insert these in-line. You then run each of the wires to a MIDI signal processor, which you buy separately. The valves sell for $5.00 each.
The ad contends you can also record your old rolls to your disk with these (using off-the shelf software like Cakewalk, etc.), so they must be "readable" also. I wonder if the extra pneumatic resistance would jeopardize an action's performance? I've sent away for specs and a sales brochure on this.
Ragtime Automated Music, Ceres, CA tel 209/668-0366
I think this is a neat, *non-invasive* way to MIDI-ize your pneumatic instrument. Any comments on this stuff?
P.S. Ken was on the phone with David Letterman when I called. Dave wants him in New York City this Friday to be on his show regarding some calliope pipes he makes. We both think Dave is going to simply make fun of this, but he's going to give them a presentation that can't be mocked!
Karl B. Ellison - Ashland, Massachusetts U.S.A.
KBEllison@aol.com - http://members.aol.com/kbellison/kbe.html
[ It sounds like a fine idea, Karl. Please let us know the specifica-
[ tions for the unit, and what a complete system costs. -- Robbie |
(Message sent Wed 19 Mar 1997, 20:15:58 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
|
|
Mechanical
Music Digest™ Archives
