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MIDI (MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DIGITAL INTERFACE)
Rodgers organs have tremendously powerful MIDI capabilities, offering remarkable possibilities
for musical expression. MIDI, which is an acronym for
M
usical
I
nstrument
D
igital
I
nterface,
allows you easily control a myriad of sounds and effects. These additional musical colors are
located in a separate device, typically a MIDI sound module. In addition, you can use a MIDI
sequencer for advanced record-and-playback capabilities.
MIDI couplers are at the heart of the MIDI system on the T967. These couplers, labeled
MIDI
GT A
,
MIDI GT B
,
MIDI SW A
,
MIDI SW B
, etc., are located on the piston rails. The Great,
Swell, Choir and Pedal each have two couplers; since each coupler typically controls one sound,
you can layer up to two MIDI sounds from each of these divisions.
When a MIDI coupler is activated (i.e., its piston is lit), it will access sounds in an external MIDI
module.
MIDI Coupler Settings
Each coupler also has a number of parameters which provide great flexibility in the way a sound
is controlled. These parameters are:
Parameter Description
Tone
Specifies the sound or effect controlled by the MIDI coupler
Channel
Specifies the MIDI channel used by the coupler (
MIDI GT A
is changeable)
Octave
Specifies the octave of the sound; octave can be shifted up or down
Velocity
Specifies whether a sound has a fixed velocity (or attack), or whether the
velocity is affected by movements of the expression shoes or the force of
fingers when actual notes are played
Pan
Specifies the location of a sound within the stereo field
Foot Switch
Specifies whether a sound responds to the foot switch control and what
effect is used (Sustain, Sostenuto or Soft)
Reverb
Specifies the amount of reverb for the sound
Chorus
Specifies the amount of chorus for the sound
Expression
Specifies the type of volume message used to control the level of the sound
The parameters for each coupler can be set individually and saved in combination pistons. This
allows great flexibility and advanced control of instruments accessed via MIDI. In addition,
these controls are easy to select and change.
Each of these parameters will now be discussed in more detail.