snOMG!!!! 2010

Just wanted to say a few things about this whole SNOW STORM! First off, WOW, it was great to see people pulling together to help others out. While stuck inside, I had a chance to look out my window a lot and I saw so many people helping other people dig out and push cars among other things. Pittsburgh as a whole has greatly impressed me, and the amicable neighborliness has never shown brighter than these past few days here in the burgh. Secondly, the city has done a great job, despite taking what seemed a day or two to get to it, they really did a great job, they had a HUGE task in front of them and they handled it like none other. With the help of outside contractors and the help of the National Guard, Pittsburgh will easily recover and dig out of this mess!
All in all, what a great experience despite the hardships!

My New Hammond organ and Leslie Speaker!!!!

Here is my "new to me" Hammond C2 and Leslie Speaker. The hammond was so graciously donated by Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and I just picked up the Leslie from the organ Legend, Gene Ludwig. It is currently being housed at Red Caiman Media in downtown Pittsburgh. Thanks to Red Caiman, I can crank the Leslie 122 as loud as I like! I am aspiring to become a great player and I'm just starting to get the hang of the feel of the keys and the foot pedals. It's been a dream of mine to own a set up like this and now that I do, I am excited to play!

Proof of Concept - Midi Organ Bass Pedals

Here is a proof of concept of a project I've been wanting to do for a little now. I took a set of pedals from an old Hammond M2 organ and have wired them into an Arduino programmable micro controller. A friend helped me do the coding for the Arduino and it now sends Midi out. In the video I am using a free VST. The pedals will eventually be finished and used with a Roland VK-8 Clonewheel organ. You can see videos of the organ on my youtube site. Also, eventually I will have a second manual that will be able to have the original keyboard mounted on it.

When I am done with the project I will post a link to either an instructable or a further post with more details and the sketch (arduino code).

Using Korg NanoKontrol and Nano Keys to get MICRO B3

Here is a video of me demonstrating the use of a Korg NanoKontrol Midi surface with the Korg NanoKeys to have a Micro B3 Hammond-Esque organ! Check it out. Cool little tutorial on how to get drawbars on the cheap!