Meerkat

[Psalm Project]

Has anyone seen sight of or heard anything about the Meerkat in recent times?

[Southern Comfort]

Several of them (different sizes) are touring the country as we speak, I hear. The one that keitha had is currently in Newcastle, I believe. Or was.

[keitha]

Just a quick update on our 'meerkat situation' - Viscount UK are looking at the feasibility of (i) putting the technology into an English style Renatus console and (ii) making some tonal changes that I have requested (based upon our experiences with it) with their colleagues in Italy. More anon. SC is quite correct about the UK tours.

[Southern Comfort]

Psalm Project, I hear that one of them may be coming to Ireland.

[Psalm Project]

Well, I 'aint goin' nowhere... my Phoenix is a waitin' for anyone who wants to come!
We had a splendid Advent Carol service on Sunday 6th last. We invited all the priests in the diocese and any choir directors and organists of their churches to come. I somehow doubted we would have a chrism mass scenario with all the priests arriving! However, an eminent music critic attended and chose to pen an article about the service in one of our national newspapers. He particularly mentioned the Phoenix-Renatus organ as something quite amazing - He noted that it would take an extraordinary ear to discern between this and a very fine pipe organ - He could not hear a difference. Several of my organist colleagues also expressed similar. On this occasion they heard it being used in both a solo and choral accompaniment role.
It is worth a listen! Again, I say, Phoenix and Renatus combined is a winning combination. Regarding Physis... to be fair to all... There is nothing sound-wise that Phoenix cannot produce. If it is down to sound they can do it - competitively!

[keitha]

I will shortly be on my way down to Viscount to review the revised specification, layout and console and I will post an update when I get back later today.

[Psalm Project]

Likely to go Viscount route then?

[keitha]

I, and the others (including Presbyter) who heard both the Phoenix and the Viscount Unico were all wowed by the sound of the Unico, which had a depth and warmth of tone that the Phoenix could not produce - good though the Phoenix was (and better, IMHO, than anything else on the market in the UK, including Copeman Hart and other 'premium' Viscount offerings - and we tried them all!). The big question was whether Viscount could produce the Physis technology on a Renatus console with the specification changes that I want (which arose out of our experience when it was on trial, the very peculiar acoustic in the church and its layout, and the likely parish music requirements) and at a price that was still competitive with Phoenix.

All the technical stuff can be done and I have asked for a price quotation - so we will see...

The Unico 500 that we had on loan will be continuing 'on tour' next year. It is likely to be in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral for the first May bank holiday, and other venues under consideration include Rochester, Southwell Minster and Cork or Limerick (or both). For those who want some idea of what this is all about, see this (played on the instrument that we had) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQjKY87sU50

[Southern Comfort]

The big question was whether Viscount could produce the Physis technology on a Renatus console with the specification changes that I want (which arose out of our experience when it was on trial, the very peculiar acoustic in the church and its layout, and the likely parish music requirements) and at a price that was still competitive with Phoenix.

Viscount can certainly do this. The question will be the size of the Renatus console. Make sure you insist on one that the organist can see over. Many Renatus consoles are miles bigger than they need to be (gigantic is not an inappropriate word), and they need to be told that this just won't do. Say you want something like a French terraced console. Most Viscount consoles are bigger than they need to be, when you see the electronics inside (which could be fitted into a space a quarter of the size). The major problem is that organ manufacturers think the music desk needs to be at a certain height, and everything else is made to conform to this. Actually it doesn't. Most music desks are too high, and the organist can't see past them (or they are made of perspex and at certain times of day you are dazzled by the sun opposite ─ happened to me at a funeral recently).

Yes, I'd like to mount a campaign!

[presbyter]

I hope there is a file to see. (I think you must be logged in to see it)

[docmattc]

For those who want some idea of what this is all about, see this (played on the instrument that we had) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQjKY87sU50

Are you getting proper stops knobs or those horrible light-up ones?

I hope there is a file to see.

I see what SC means, the phrase "Up periscope" springs to mind, if or course, the console is situated such that its between the organist and the 'action'.

[keitha]

The console that we are being quoted for will be almost identical to the one in Presbyter's photo (which is the Viscount Regent in Llandaff Cathedral and very similar to the one fitted in Northampton Cathedral). SC makes a very valid point which should always be a consideration and one that I spent some time thinking about, but (i) we have very limited space for the console and the taller version is narrower than the French or American styles and so will fit, (ii) our current console is low, and in the afternoons in winter and afternoons and evenings in summer the sun shines straight in my eyes and it is almost impossible to see anything on the music desk and (iii) as the console does not face the choir but sits alongside it, it's height makes no difference in relation to the choir. In terms of seeing the 'action' the console is at the side of the sanctuary facing, and at a right angle to, the altar, but at ground level with the sanctuary raised, so it should not be a major problem.

The console will have traditional 'motorised' drawstops and no lights!

[Psalm Project]

I've just seen the console photo. Nice.
I recognise the toe sweeps and expression pedal enclosures etc...
Please. please, please avoid that 'Yoke' what is called a personal voicing slide-out drawer 'thing'
Have the organ set up properly from the outset (which I am sure you will) and you will not need that drawer. (Phoenix have a nifty discreet display - which may be hidden with a small wooden sliding cover - with three pistons to access all ancillary accessories)

From what I understand, Viscount have gone out of their way to effect a sale (nothing at all wrong with that) - but, have Phoenix also been given the same opportunity to demo what their technology is capable of?
Are you aware that Phoenix is very shortly upgrading its technology... might be worth holding off a little while longer.
Have you visited the four manual at Broughton near Preston? I went to play that instrument before making my decision - It had virtually everything and more that organists could want (probably far more!)
How many Phoenix have been played in addition to the Coventry one? (which I understand is not the best example due to speaker positioning)
I still fly the flag of Phoenix! This new sampling technology... hmmm... So, from the Viscount website, it is a modeling algorithm - not pipe recordings. In effect, a computer generated sound, not a recorded archive. One well known English Maker used soft-synth for pipe sound modeling and, for the most part, it was reasonable.
On that note... I now psyche myself for 3 hour choir rehearsal tonight - Children's vigil mass tomorrow (not for the faint-hearted) and Midnight choir mass (at MIDNIGHT!) - 10.30 choir mass on Christmas Morning and 12.15 pm cantor Christmas day... then... 6.15 vigil Saturday and 10.30 and 12.15 again on Sunday.
Folks... if anyone wants to come over and give me a break some year, please jump right in there and let me know!

[JW]

I've been following this thread with interest as I'd like a practice organ at home. The other treats I'm buying are a running machine (haven't been out running in the snow for the first year ever) and a new computer. It looks as though I'll be investigating Viscount and Phoenix for the organ from what people have said here - though Phoenix may well be too pricey. The main problem is that our hallway is only 2ft 10ins wide - if the organ is all in one piece it won't make it into the house and into my study!!

[JW]

However, note this review with regard to Phoenix Organs
http://www.magle.dk/music-forums/9721-phoenix-organs-review.html