allen MDS-EXPANDER II User manual

AOC P/N 033-0090 0Rev. 10/99
BUILT IN AMERICA FOR THE WORLD
MDS-EXPANDER™ II
OWNERS MANUAL
Copyright © 1999 Allen Organ Company
All Rights Reserved

AOC P/N 033-0090 1Rev. 10/99
OWNER'S MANUAL
MDS-EXPANDER™ II and MIDI DIVISION™ II
I. GENERAL MIDI INFORMATION
The Allen MDS-Expander™ II and MIDI-Division™ II are basically the same devise. The
Allen MDS-Expander™ II is a stand-alone unit with finished wooden sides. The MIDI-
Division™ II provides the same features and is installed as part of the organ in a drawer.
For this manual they will both be referred to as the MDS-Expander™ II. They both
respond to MIDI note and volume change messages. Although traditional organ
keyboards have a range of 61 notes, many MDS-Expander™ II voices will respond to the
total MIDI range of 128 notes. This allows the MDS-Expander™ II to be used with MIDI
keyboards having a greater note range than traditional organ keyboards. Some voices
have been limited to the range of their acoustic counterpart for authenticity. Certain voices
(such as PIANO) are also velocity touch-sensitive when used with a MIDI device that
transmits velocity information. On Allen MDS, Renaissance and some Protégé organs,
velocity information may be sent via the organ's expression pedals. On organs that
feature OST™ keying, velocity information is sent via the organ's keyboards. For more
information on this subject, consult your organ’s specific owner's manual.
II. BASIC FACTS
MDS-Expander™ II voices are analogous to organ stops. Under the "DIV" abbreviation
located on the front panel, for example, are listed SW, GT, PD, and CH, an indication of
the organ division that will control the voice shown next to it. These division abbreviations
may be changed if the settings do not correspond to the organ that the MDS-Expander™
II is connected to. See "MIDI FUNCTIONS" section of this manual for details concerning
this procedure.
A different voice may be assigned to each MDS-Expander™ II division, or more than one
division may share the same voice.
The MDS-Expander™ II memory contains 60 preset groups. Every preset contains a
voice selection for each MDS-Expander™ II division.
Presets are selected by pressing the PRESET button. Use the UP or DOWN button to
move to the next or previous preset. The PRESET button will also function in the same
fashion as the UP button, moving to the next preset each time it is pressed. Presets may
also be selected from the organ's pistons. Preset contents may be altered as explained in
the “MODIFYING MDS-EXPANDER? II PRESETS” section of this manual.
Most Allen organs have divisional MIDI couplers (stops) that when engaged allow
transmission of MIDI messages from that particular division’s manual. Each organ division
transmits MIDI information on a different MIDI channel. THE MIDI COUPLERS THAT
CORRESPOND TO THE MDS-EXPANDER™ II DIVISIONS MUST BE TURNED ON
FOR THE ORGAN TO PLAY THE MDS-EXPANDER™ II’s VOICES. Standard MIDI
channel settings for the MDS-Expander™ II are as follows: SW = 1, GT = 2, PD = 3, CH =
4. To change these MIDI settings, consult the "MIDI FUNCTIONS" section of this manual.
To change the organ’s MIDI settings, consult the “RESETTING THE MIDI BASE
CHANNEL” section of the organ owner's manual or “Console Controller™ and MIDI
Guide”.

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III. GETTING AROUND THE FRONT PANEL
UP & DOWN buttons: These controls are used to change all of the function settings
(PRESET, DIV, VOICE, etc.). To change a function setting, press the desired function
button and then use the UP or DOWN button to change the setting within that function. To
save the changes, press the SET button of the MDS-Expander™ II and then press its
PRESET buttons. NOTE: with the exception of MIDI functions and tuning, changes in
MDS-Expander™ II settings will only affect the current group preset. MIDI and tuning
settings are “global” and do not need to be changed for each preset.
PRESET button: Moves line cursor to PRESET sector of display. Subsequent use
selects next preset group number.
DIV button: Moves blinking cursor to the arrow which points to a specific DIVISION sector
of display. Subsequent use selects next division.
VOICE button: Moves blinking cursor to first letter of the VOICE of the selected division.
Subsequent pressing selects the next voice in MDS-Expander? II voice list for that
division.
TREM: Changes the tremulant status of a selected division voice and displays a Àwhen
tremulant is turned on. (Note: Tremulant can be added only to voices where tremulant is
appropriate.)
IV. MODIFYING A MDS-EXPANDER™ II PRESET
1. Select desired preset: press PRESET, then UP or DOWN
2. Select division for modification: press DIV, then UP or DOWN
3. Select desired voice: press VOICE, then UP or DOWN
4. Set desired tremulant status: select desired voice, press TREM
5. Save settings: press SET, then PRESET
EXAMPLE: To change the voice assigned to a division, press the DIV button and use the
UP or DOWN button to move the flashing cursor to the desired division. Press the VOICE
button and use the UP or DOWN button to select the desired voice. To change the
tremulant status of the voice, press the TREM button. To save changes as part of the
current preset, press the SET button and then press the PRESET button.
V. RESTORING FACTORY PRE-PROGRAMMED
SETTINGS FOR PRESETS
Use the following procedure if it becomes necessary or desirable to restore the Allen
Organ Company factory pre-programmed settings for presets and MIDI functions.
With the MDS-Expander™ II’s power turned OFF, press and hold the PRESET and DIV
buttons simultaneously. While holding the PRESET and DIV buttons turn the power on.
This procedure will restore all factory preset, MIDI, and tuning settings.

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VI.ASSIGNING MDS-EXPANDER™ II PRESETS TO AN ORGAN’S GENERAL
PISTONS
1. Select desired MDS-Expander™ II Preset group: (press PRESET, then UP or
DOWN.)
2. Press SET button on MDS-Expander™ II.
3. Press organ General piston to which MDS-Expander™ II Preset group
is to be assigned.
NOTE: On organs with a Console Controller, if you have accessed the “Program
Change Mode” and changed it to USER or NO, you must reset it to PRESET, otherwise
the SET function is disabled. See your Console Controller and MIDI Guide regarding
Program Change Mode.
VII. ASSIGNING MDS-EXPANDER™ II VOICES TO DIVISIONAL PISTONS
(WHERE APPLICABLE)
1. Select the MDS-Expander™ II Division that corresponds to the organ’s
division: (Press DIV, then UP or DOWN)
2. Select desired MDS-Expander™ II Voice: (Press VOICE, then UP or
DOWN)
3. Press SET button on MDS-Expander™ II.
4. Press organ’s Divisional Piston to which the MDS-Expander™ II voice is
to be remembered by.
VIII. ACCESSING PRESETS 11 or higher
(FOR ALLEN ORGANS WITH CONSOLE CONTROLLER)
This subject is detailed in the “Console Controller and MIDI Guide” that is specific to any
particular Allen Organ. Please use that publication for this procedure.
NOTE: Early version Console Controllers™ will return to Preset P-Change when the
organ’s power is shut off.
Newer version Console Controllers™ will retain the “U”, “P”, or “N” settings after
the organ’s power is turned OFF and then ON again.
IX. DISABLING AN MDS-EXPANDER™ II DIVISION
There are three ways to disable a single division of the MDS-Expander™ II, while still
accessing the other divisions.
1. Turn off the associated organ MIDI coupler on the organ. This method is
acceptable when the MDS-Expander™ II is the only MIDI device connected to
the organ division in question. This will stop all MIDI information transmission
from that division.
2. Select MIDI OFF as a division's voice (See instructions for VOICE button above).
The organ will continue sending MIDI information to any other MIDI device in
use. The MDS-Expander™ II division will continue to respond to program
change information, including program change information sent by Allen organ’s
pistons.

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NOTE: The MIDI OFF setting may be selected on more than one division
simultaneously, and can be saved as part of a preset. Subsequent piston
selection will select the MDS-Expander™ II voice currently assigned to that
piston.
3. Select OFF as the MIDI channel assignment for the desired MDS-Expander™ II
division (See MIDI FUNCTIONS below). Disabling a division using this method
is not reversible by means of the organ's pistons or by selecting a new MDS-
Expander™ II preset. The MDS-Expander's display screen will now be blank for
the division in question. This is a more permanent way of disconnecting the
MDS-Expander™ II division from the organ, while still allowing another MIDI
device to respond to MIDI information. The MDS-Expander™ II division can only
be reactivated by reassigning the appropriate MIDI channel (See MIDI
FUNCTIONS next section).
X.MIDI FUNCTIONS
There are three MIDI information display screens. To access the first MIDI information
display screen, press and hold MIDI button for 3 seconds. Subsequent use of the MIDI
button will advance to the second and third MIDI information groups. To return to normal
playing mode, it is necessary to advance through all three MIDI information displays.
MIDI information display 1: “Control Channel” --- This is the MIDI channel on which the
MDS-Expander™ II will interpret MIDI program changes as PRESET or USER changes.
Allen organs usually send MIDI messages from General pistons on MIDI Channel 8. (This
is true when the organ’s MIDI Base channel is set to 1. Changing the MIDI base channel
of the organ also changes the channel of transmission for General Pistons. For more
information on this subject, consult the specific Allen organ owner's manual.)
IMPORTANT: Allen MDS and Protégé organs that do not have Divisional Pistons or a
Console Controller™ transmit MIDI information from General Pistons on MIDI Channel
1. In order to change MDS-Expander™ II Presets from the General Pistons of these
organs, adjust the MDS-Expander™ II’s MIDI Control Channel to 1. An organ's manual
MIDI stop tablet or drawknob must be turned on for the organ to send note ON and note
OFF information from that manual.
Again, the MDS-Expander™ II’s MIDI Control Channel must be the same as the organ's
General pistons' MIDI channel in order for the organ's General pistons to change the
Preset Groups of the MDS-Expander™ II. Normally this number is either 8 or 1.
MIDI information display 2: “Number of Manuals plus Pedalboard-Maximum of 4” -There
can be up to 4 lines displayed on the MDS-Expander™ II’s display screen. This function
permits selection of total number of manuals or divisions that will be displayed by the
MDS-Expander™ II. For example, a two manual organ requires only three display lines
(Swell, Great and Pedal on Classical organs or Solo, Accompaniment, and Pedal on
Theatre organs). Use the UP and DOWN buttons to change the setting.
MIDI information display 3: “Line MIDI_Ch Symbol” – This permits configuration of the
MDS-Expander's MIDI channels, divisions, and display characteristics. “Line” refers to the
display line on the MDS-Expander™ II screen where the division abbreviation shown
under “Symbol” will be are displayed in normal playing mode. The number under MIDI_Ch
refers to the MIDI channel number assigned to this line and division abbreviation. Use the

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UP and DOWN buttons to select the desired MIDI channel that will be accessed from the
line displayed in the line sector. MIDI channels from 1 through 16 and “—” (Off) can be
selected. Press the MIDI button a second time to move the cursor to the Symbol sector.
Use the UP and DOWN buttons to select the organ division abbreviation that will be
displayed on the line indicated by the Line sector (see division abbreviation list below).
Subsequent use of the MIDI button will change the display to lines 2, 3, & 4. Finally, press
the MIDI button again to return to normal playing mode.
NOTE: these changes will affect all presets and only one MIDI channel may be assigned
per line and that MIDI channel cannot be used again.
Division abbreviations: SW, GT, PD, CH, RC, GO, PO, SO, HW, AC, MN, CL, BD,
1, 2, 3, 4
XI. TUNING
The MDS-Expander™ II tuning can be adjusted so that it will play in (or out of) tune
with the organ or keyboard it is being used with. Press the TUNING button, and
then use the UP or DOWN button to raise or lower the pitch of the MDS-
Expander™ II. The tuning can be raised or lowered by up to 100 cents or one
semitone.
XII. AUTO PLAY/ZIMBELSTERN
The MDS-Expander™ II includes demonstration selections as well as a Zimbelstern
that can be accessed using the AUTO PLAY button. To choose a selection, press
the AUTO PLAY button. Use the UP and DOWN buttons to move the cursor
through the list of selections. Press the AUTO PLAY button again to start playback
of the demonstration selection or Zimbelstern as indicated by the cursor. To stop
the demonstration, press the AUTO PLAY button once again. Pressing any other
front panel button after stopping the demonstration will return the to the normal
playing mode.
XIII.POWER SUPPLY
When used with Allen MDS and Protégé organs, the MDS-Expander™ II can be
connected directly to the internal power supply system of most Allen organs. Since
the Allen MIDI Division™ is built into Allen organs, it always utilizes the organ’s
internal power supply. In this way, both the organ and the MDS-Expander™ II are
turned ON by the organ's power switch. An optional special adapter and power
receptacle must be installed by your authorized Allen representative or the warranty
will be void. Improper hook-up could be hazardous and/or damage equipment.
When used with other instruments, the MDS-Expander™ II is powered by an
optional external DC power supply that must be ordered with the MDS-Expander™
II. Do not use power supply units from other manufacturers with the MDS-
Expander™ II, as doing so will void the warranty and may be hazardous and/or
damage equipment.
XIV.BATTERY BACKUP
The preset memory includes a battery backup system to ensure that settings are not lost
when the MDS-Expander II is turned off. The backup system uses a Lithium
battery that will last for several years under normal circumstances.

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MDS-EXPANDER™ II VOICES listed with their program numbers.
1 MIDI Off 42 Bourdon 16 85 Orchestral Clarinet
2 Harpsichord 8 & 4 43 Gedackt 16 86 Orchestral Oboe
3 Harpsichord 16 & 8 44 Quintdena 16 87 Bassoon
4 Lute 45 Principal 16 88 Orch French Horn
5 Harp 46 Klarine 4 89 Brass Ensemble
6 Celesta 47 Clarion 4 90 Bugle
7 Music Box 48 Rohrshalmei 4 91 Trumpet
8 Handbells 49 Rohrshalmei 8 92 Wood Harp 4
9 Arco Strings 50 Barpfeife 8 93 Wood Harp 8
10 Choir 51 Musette 8 94 Marimba
11 Piano 16 52 Cromorne 8 95 Vibes
12 Piano 8 53 Krumet 8 96 Glockenspiel
13 String Bass 54 Rankett 8 97 Orchestral Bells
14 Electric Piano 55 Vox Humana 8A 98 Xylophone
15 Electric Bass/ 56 Vox Humana 8B 99 Sub Xylophone
Electric Piano 57 Hautbois 8 100 Tympani
16 Chrysoglott 58 English Horn 8
17 Chimes 59 French Horn 8
18 Cast Bells 60 Clarinet 8
19 Zimbal III 61 Tuba 8
20 Cymbale III 62 Trumpet 8
21 Mixture IV-A 63 Trompette 8
22 Mixture IV-B 64 Spanish Trumpet 8
23 Grand Mixture IV 65 Posthorn 8
24 Fife 1 66 Musette 16
25 Septieme 1 1/7 67 Basson 16
26 Quintflöte 1 1/3 68 Dulzian 16
27 Sesquialtera II 69 Clarinet 16
28 Principal 70 Rankett 16
Sesquialtera II 71 Diaphone 16
29 Principal 5 1/3 72 Trumpet 16
30 Quint 5 1/3 73 Trompette 16
31 Viole 4 74 Tuba 16
32 Harmonic Flute 4 75 Posthorn 16
33 Harmonic Flute 8 76 Electric Organ 1
34 Gedackt 8A 77 Electric Organ 2
35 Gedackt 8B 78 Electric Organ 3
36 Flute 8 & 4 79 Piccolo
37 Flute 8 & 2 80 Flute
38 Quintadena 8 81 Solo Violin
39 Principal 8 82 Octave Violin
40 Principal 10 2/3 83 Cello A
41 Gross Quint 10 2/3 84 Cello B