Logitech Orbit AF - Only in Ubuntu :-)

Grabbed an old Logitech Orbit AF cam to do some video conferencing. Logitech does not support this device under Windows 7, and Mac OS X does not recognize it. Finally tried Ubuntu 11.10 and the camera WORKS, though the audio does not. Amusing.

It's been awhile : new HP laptop series naming?

It's been a while since I posted. HP has just come out with a new line of laptops -- The HP Spectre. Looked up the definition of spectre on the Free Dictionary : spectre US, specter [ˈspɛktə] n 1. (Spirituality, New Age, Astrology & Self-help / Alternative Belief Systems) a ghost; phantom; apparition 2. a mental image of something unpleasant or menacing the spectre of redundancy Hmmm.

Success : Auto update of Ubuntu 11.04 to 11.10

Did the "click the button" update from Ubuntu 11.04 to 11.10. Zero problems. I did have to ask Mr. Google how to get the old Gnome desktop back. This is the 2nd time I have done a hands off (mostly) Ubuntu upgrade...previously from 10.10 to 11.04. That upgrade was also flawless, but I did have to answer a few questions about keeping files that were to be replaced. I have been using Ubuntu as my primary desktop for the last 3 months, and have been very impressed. The biggest problem with using Ubuntu at NCSU is the problem with configuring the VPN. Which is totally a Cisco problem....their client assumes that Firefox is installed and tries to save the certificate in a .firefox directory. If that directory does not exist, the VPN client fails with a generic message. Why this dependency even exists is puzzling.

Roland - Why such cheap connectors on expensive gear?

I just finished repairing the 2nd piece of Roland music gear in the past two months. Earlier, I removed the audio output jacks from a Roland SPD-S Sampling Pad and replaced them with a cable to an external breakout box. The 1/4 in output jacks are used more than any other connector on the device, but the parts are of poor quality, and mounted in such a way that guarantees their failure. No strain relief is provided -- all the stress of plugging and unplugging audio connectors is absorbed by the connector and its' solder joints. While the connectors are threaded for a mounting nut, the design does not allow them to be added. Original retail on this device was between $500 and $800. Earlier this week, I repaired a Roland RD-700SX Stage Piano. Original retail was likely between $1000 and $2000. The contacts of the power connector were totally mangled. Rather than use a replacement part that would likely fail again, I used a connector from an old piece of test gear.

Open letter to HP

Guys,

I know you are having a hard time right now (and by the way, my HP stock is way down), but this is not the time to be running from the hardware business. My opinions vary on your consumer products, but my ongoing good experiences with your server class hardware tells me that you should keep doing that. Your background in instrumentation and testing gives you a good perspective on how to develop systems that can be monitored and maintained effectively. Keep it up.

--tom

Hammond T-595

From Hammond T-595

My new, old Hammond T-595. The previous owner got as far as painting the organ to match the room. Has a built in Leslie. From the symptoms (hum, very low sound), I'm guessing bad capacitors or a bad output transistor.

The Hammond T-500's were the last of the tonewheel organs that Hammond produced. Tonewheels generate sound via spinning metal discs and electromagnets. The drawbar controls allow a specific mix of harmonics in the output.

Amusingly, the T-500 Hammond incorporates circuitry to eliminate the uniqueness, classic, Hammond B3 sound. Forutunately, The modifications to reverse these "improvements" are well documented.

Project KOW : Console design

The jOrgan software uses "dispositions" as configurations for how a virtual organ will look and sound. When these dispositions are very complex, the control scheme is also complex. Generally, the player will choose combinations of stops and apply them to "pistons" which are basically presets. These pistons are physical controls and are generally located below the manuals, though pistons can be displayed on the computer screen and selected with the mouse, or via a touch screen.

During the performance, the pistons allow rapid changes of stop combinations that could not be achieved by manually changing the stop tabs. My first "proof of concept" organ used a ELO touchscreen, which allowed me to tap the screen to make changes.

So, now to console design. A touchscreen allows access to many stop tabs and pistons, but lacks the tactile feel of real switches. One can glance at physical switches to check and change configurations, but this is much more difficult with touchscreens.

I did extensive research online to help me decide on a design for my console. I have narrowed this down to Schlicker and Holtkamp consoles, as they often used a very minimalist design (some call it ugly) The console that most approximates what I am planning is this Schlicker practice organ :

http://mysite.verizon.net/dalderdi/organ/

Reducing the number of controls allows all controls to be "real" and eliminates the need for a computer display. This will allow me to concentrate more on playing, and less time fiddling. There will be likely fewer than 30 physical control elements, which also makes the console project much more "doable". The thought of wiring even 100 different controls is daunting.

Hardman Wurlitzer in Virginia

The theatre organ that Cameron Carpenter uses on his "Cameron Live!" DVD/CD is located in Great Falls, Virginia near Washington, DC :

http://theatreorgans.com/wurlitzer/

The reconstruction story is very detailed.

An entire building was built for the organ console and pipes. My understanding is that the local zoning board would not allow the owner to build a new structure that was bigger than his house, so the organ "barn" was built as an addition (connected by an enclosed corridor) to his existing house.