Wired up the accompaniment windchest and completed the covers. I still need some gasket material and have to fit the air inlet.
Moved the bellows and reservoir as I originally fitted them to the left side of the cabinet to allow more room for the connecting rod. However, I found that this caused the air outlet for the main windchest to be too close to the accompaniment windchest.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Since it is not possible to backdate blog entries, I will try to bring this blog up to date with my progress so far.
28 March 2010: I contacted John to enquire about buying his plans. At that time they were not ready so I had to wait a while.
24 April 2010: I received an email announcing that the plans were available and immediately ordered a set.
26 April 2010: I received the plans and started working out what tools and materials I would need.
28 April 2010: Received an email containing various MIDI files for testing Topsy as well as a selection of samples of musical arrangments.
16 July 2010: Ordered electronic components including MIDI decoder.
28 March 2010: I contacted John to enquire about buying his plans. At that time they were not ready so I had to wait a while.
24 April 2010: I received an email announcing that the plans were available and immediately ordered a set.
26 April 2010: I received the plans and started working out what tools and materials I would need.
28 April 2010: Received an email containing various MIDI files for testing Topsy as well as a selection of samples of musical arrangments.
16 July 2010: Ordered electronic components including MIDI decoder.
Who/What is Topsy?
"Topsy" is the name of a portable organ designed by John Smith. John has developed several organs, originally controlled by traditional paper rolls and later by MIDI files.
I have always been interested in mechanical musical instruments and, when I discovered John's web site, I decided to try building one myself. I chose his "Topsy 3" design because it uses MIDI rather than paper rolls. Paper rolls are difficult to produce whereas MIDI files can be created and edited fairly easily. This should allow me to make my own musical arrangements.
This blog is intended to be a diary of my organ-building project.
I have always been interested in mechanical musical instruments and, when I discovered John's web site, I decided to try building one myself. I chose his "Topsy 3" design because it uses MIDI rather than paper rolls. Paper rolls are difficult to produce whereas MIDI files can be created and edited fairly easily. This should allow me to make my own musical arrangements.
This blog is intended to be a diary of my organ-building project.
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