Hi,  I have also used MIDI control and the Roland SD-35 Sound Canvas
combination synthesizer and file player to create wonderful band
organ renditions of oldies and some new tunes.  I would not go any
other way because the sounds created are much more realistic than the
tone generator sounds.  I could call on flutes, reeds, and even jazz
flutes by have two tracks playing the same melody line but with one
track tuned a few cents higher.  This creates the "celeste" effect that
one hears on large pipe organs.  There is so much one can do with the
synth and I am sure I have not explored the half of it.

By using a computer program such as Master Tracks, I was able to arrange
all sorts of tunes.  I have about one hundred arrangements.  Some good,
some not so good, some really great.  It was a wonderful learning
experience.

You can hear some of my arrangements on Rick Cooley's site
http://members.aol.com/cotps/  Go to bottom of page, then select
"JUKEBOX" and you will see a selection of various tunes a few of which
I arranged.  Among them are: Bethena, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, March
of Florence, Ragtime Nightingale, Sleep (my favorite), Tuckasegee River
Waltz (an original of mine) and Weeping Willow (celeste flutes are
heard here).  Mislabeled items: Sidewalks of New York, Version 2 snare
drum, cymbal, wood block, maracas, triangle, tambourine, The Music Box
Dancer, are not mine.

In creating the arrangements with the Master Tracks program, I used
Channel 11 for the 25 note glockenspiel and channel 10 for all the
live percussions (snare drum, cymbal, wood block, maracas, triangle,
tambourine).  I designed my own MIDI to note output board although
one can purchase MIDI to output boards.  Two sets, one set to channel
10 and the other to channel 11 is all that is needed.  All the other
channels were used for the synth sounds.

I created three of these MIDI controlled organs and glockenspiels.
The first was a prototype and used the MT-32 synth.  It was a fine
unit but did not have a file player.  I had to purchase a separate
file player.  So I then engineered the second and third unit to use
the SD-35 Sound Canvas.  I can post photos of the organ.

For several years I trailered the organ to fairs and local festivals.
It always brought a crowd of old and young alike.  One great feature
was that the organ was always in tune.

Both of the organs were sold several years ago and the prototype was
taken apart.  I saved the façade and now have it as an art piece in our
living room.  Now, as I enjoy my retirement, I work on animated wood
sculpture, doorbells, and other odd art projects.  Some even play
music.

Andy LaTorre

 [ Andy sent some photos which I'll place soon at the MMD Pictures,
 [ site, http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures  -- Robbie