Hello,  Many months ago, I mentioned that I (with the help of
Bob Cole) had built a reader for organ barrels [010303 MMDigest,
"Connecting MIDI Wireline to Laptop Computer"].

I have used it several times to convert the pinning on the barrel
to MIDI files.  I can use the resulting file for several things:

- to play the music on a barrel if the rest of the organ is not
working or has not yet been restored

- to help in tuning if there is a scale written on the key frame

- to try different tunings and pipe arrangements using the computer
rather than handling the actual pipes.

- to hear an orphan barrel

- to help in restoring the key frame if severely damaged so the
physical parameters are not certain

- to verify assumptions about the pipe design/tuning/arrangement

When I sent this message, I had just finished a project and I included
a couple pictures for Robbie to post on MMD archives.  But the pictures
were not very good and Robbie asked for better ones.  Unfortunately,
I had already put the reader away.  Since two major parts are used
elsewhere in the shop, it was difficult to reassemble it for just a
picture so I didn't send a new picture to post.

This week, I had to read a couple barrels so I got out the reader
again and this time I remembered to take a few, better quality
pictures.  Hopefully, Robbie can post them for you to check out.

It takes a about an hour to set it up with a new barrel.  There are
actually several clues right on the barrel itself, like the spacing
of the tune selection grooves.  The 'key frame' on the reader is
adjustable up and down.  The ends can be tipped to get it level and
adjusted to the right angle relative to the contact point on the
barrel.  It can be moved left and right to align it with the first row
of pins and then moved in small increments to select each tune.

Individual keys can be set to the correct level and the contact point
is also adjustable. I have about 60 keys that I can slide onto the key
bar but I only keep about 40 on there at a time.  I can position them
on the bar at any spacing to match the barrel being read.

A large dividing head is used to support the barrel and to turn it
by means of a toothed belt-drive from a Bodine motor turning at 1/2
revolution per minute.  Each key has a normally closed contact to
a common ground.  These are directed to the input lines of an Octet
Parallel-to-Serial (MIDI) converter that detects an opening contact
and then sends the MIDI code into a laptop computer (via Cakewalk).
Then the program is used to assign each MIDI line to the 'correct' note
so the music can be viewed and played.

It seems like an easy job -- just move the notes around until it sounds
right, but let me tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks and the
fewer things you know about the organ the harder it is.  Even with clues
like the order of pipes and some sizes, it can be a daunting task.

I tried to decode a barrel from a small (11 note, I think) serinette
for a fellow in England a couple years ago.  We spent hours on it and
never did get it right.  On the other hand, I did get the right notes
for a 20-key Beloudy organ (1800, from England) that I still haven't
restored, but I know how great it will sound when I do!

Regards,
Craig Smith
Upstate New York, USA