The Allen MDS-Expander™ II and MIDI-Division™ II are essentially the same device, with the MDS-Expander™ II being a standalone unit with finished wooden sides, while the MIDI-Division™ II is installed as part of an organ in a drawer. Both devices will be referred to as the MDS-Expander™ II in this manual.
Function Description:
The MDS-Expander™ II responds to MIDI note and volume change messages. While traditional organ keyboards typically have a range of 61 notes, many MDS-Expander™ II voices can respond to the full MIDI range of 128 notes, allowing compatibility with MIDI keyboards that have a wider note range. Some voices are limited to the range of their acoustic counterparts for authenticity. Certain voices, such as PIANO, are velocity touch-sensitive when used with a MIDI device that transmits velocity information. On Allen MDS, Renaissance, and some Protégé organs, velocity information can be sent via the organ's expression pedals. Organs featuring OST™ keying transmit velocity information via the organ's keyboards.
MDS-Expander™ II voices are analogous to organ stops. The front panel displays division abbreviations like SW, GT, PD, and CH, indicating the organ division that will control the voice. These abbreviations can be changed if they don't match the connected organ. A different voice can be assigned to each MDS-Expander™ II division, or multiple divisions can share the same voice. The device has 60 preset groups, with each preset containing a voice selection for each MDS-Expander™ II division.
Usage Features:
- Preset Selection: Presets are selected using the PRESET button, along with the UP or DOWN buttons to navigate. Pressing PRESET repeatedly also advances to the next preset. Presets can also be selected from the organ's pistons.
- Modifying Presets: To modify a preset, first select the desired preset using PRESET and UP/DOWN. Then, select the division for modification using DIV and UP/DOWN. Choose the desired voice using VOICE and UP/DOWN. Set the tremulant status by selecting the voice and pressing TREM (tremulant can only be added to appropriate voices). Save changes by pressing SET, then PRESET.
- MIDI Couplers: Most Allen organs have divisional MIDI couplers (stops) that, when engaged, allow MIDI messages to be transmitted from that division's manual. Each organ division transmits MIDI information on a different MIDI channel. The MIDI couplers corresponding 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 SW = 1, GT = 2, PD = 3, CH = 4. These settings can be changed in the "MIDI FUNCTIONS" section of the manual. Organ MIDI settings can be changed via the "RESETTING THE MIDI BASE CHANNEL" section of the organ owner's manual or "Console Controller™ and MIDI Guide."
- Assigning Presets to General Pistons: Select the desired MDS-Expander™ II Preset group (PRESET, then UP/DOWN). Press the SET button on the MDS-Expander™ II. Then, press the organ General piston to which the preset group is to be assigned.
- Assigning Voices to Divisional Pistons: Select the MDS-Expander™ II Division that corresponds to the organ's division (DIV, then UP/DOWN). Select the desired MDS-Expander™ II Voice (VOICE, then UP/DOWN). Press the SET button on the MDS-Expander™ II. Then, press the organ's Divisional Piston to which the voice is to be remembered.
- Accessing Higher Presets (Console Controller): For Allen organs with a Console Controller, this is detailed in the "Console Controller and MIDI Guide."
- Disabling a Division:
- Turn off the associated organ MIDI coupler on the organ. This stops all MIDI information transmission from that division, suitable if the MDS-Expander™ II is the only MIDI device connected.
- Select "MIDI OFF" as a division's voice. The organ will still send MIDI information to other devices, and the MDS-Expander™ II division will respond to program change information.
- Select "OFF" as the MIDI channel assignment for the desired MDS-Expander™ II division (see MIDI FUNCTIONS). This is a more permanent disconnection, making the display screen blank for that division. It can only be reactivated by reassigning the appropriate MIDI channel.
- MIDI Functions:
- Accessing MIDI Displays: Press and hold the MIDI button for 3 seconds to access the first MIDI information display screen. Subsequent presses advance to the second and third displays. Pressing MIDI again after the third display returns to normal playing mode.
- MIDI Display 1: "Control Channel": This sets the MIDI channel on which the MDS-Expander™ II interprets MIDI program changes as PRESET or USER changes. Allen organs typically send MIDI messages from General pistons on MIDI Channel 8 (when the organ's MIDI Base channel is set to 1). For Allen MDS and Protégé organs without Divisional Pistons or a Console Controller, General pistons transmit on MIDI Channel 1. The MDS-Expander™ II's MIDI Control Channel must match the organ's General pistons' MIDI channel (normally 8 or 1) for the organ's pistons to change Preset Groups.
- MIDI Display 2: "Number of Manuals plus Pedalboard-Maximum of 4": This function allows selection of the total number of manuals or divisions displayed on the MDS-Expander™ II screen (up to 4 lines). Use UP/DOWN buttons to change the setting.
- MIDI Display 3: "Line MIDI_Ch Symbol": This configures the MDS-Expander's MIDI channels, divisions, and display characteristics. "Line" refers to the display line on the screen, "Symbol" is the division abbreviation, and "MIDI_Ch" is the assigned MIDI channel number. Use UP/DOWN buttons to select the desired MIDI channel (1-16 or "—" (Off)). Press MIDI again to move the cursor to the "Symbol" sector and use UP/DOWN to select the organ division abbreviation. Subsequent presses of MIDI change the display to lines 2, 3, & 4. Finally, press MIDI again to return to normal playing mode. These changes affect all presets, and only one MIDI channel can be assigned per line, and that channel cannot be reused.
- Division Abbreviations: SW, GT, PD, CH, RC, GO, PO, SO, HW, AC, MN, CL, BD, 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Tuning: Press the TUNING button and use UP/DOWN to raise or lower the pitch of the MDS-Expander™ II by up to 100 cents or one semitone, allowing it to play in or out of tune with the connected organ or keyboard.
- Auto Play/Zimbelstern: The MDS-Expander™ II includes demonstration selections and a Zimbelstern. Press AUTO PLAY to choose a selection, then use UP/DOWN to navigate the list. Press AUTO PLAY again to start playback. Press AUTO PLAY again to stop the demonstration. Pressing any other front panel button after stopping returns to normal playing mode.
Maintenance Features:
- Restoring Factory Settings: To restore factory pre-programmed settings for presets and MIDI functions, turn the MDS-Expander™ II's power OFF. Press and hold the PRESET and DIV buttons simultaneously while turning the power ON. This procedure will restore all factory preset, MIDI, and tuning settings.
- Power Supply:
- When used with Allen MDS and Protégé organs, the MDS-Expander™ II can connect directly to the organ's internal power supply. The Allen MIDI Division™ is built into Allen organs and always uses the organ's internal power supply, turning on with the organ's power switch. An optional special adapter and power receptacle must be installed by an authorized Allen representative; improper hook-up voids the warranty and can be hazardous.
- When used with other instruments, the MDS-Expander™ II requires an optional external DC power supply, which must be ordered with the device. Using power supply units from other manufacturers will void the warranty and may be hazardous.
- Battery Backup: The preset memory includes a battery backup system to retain settings when the MDS-Expander™ II is turned off. This system uses a Lithium battery designed to last for several years under normal circumstances.
Voice List (Program Numbers):
- MIDI Off
- Harpsichord 8 & 4
- Harpsichord 16 & 8
- Lute
- Harp
- Celesta
- Music Box
- Handbells
- Arco Strings
- Choir
- Piano 16
- Piano 8
- String Bass
- Electric Piano
- Electric Bass/Electric Piano
- Chrysoglott
- Chimes
- Cast Bells
- Zimbal III
- Cymbale III
- Mixture IV-A
- Mixture IV-B
- Grand Mixture IV
- Fife 1
- Septieme 1 1/7
- Quintflöte 1 1/3
- Sesquialtera II
- Principal Sesquialtera II
- Principal 5 1/3
- Quint 5 1/3
- Viole 4
- Harmonic Flute 4
- Harmonic Flute 8
- Gedackt 8A
- Gedackt 8B
- Flute 8 & 4
- Flute 8 & 2
- Quintadena 8
- Principal 8
- Principal 10 2/3
- Gross Quint 10 2/3
- Bourdon 16
- Gedackt 16
- Quintdena 16
- Principal 16
- Klarine 4
- Clarion 4
- Rohrshalmei 4
- Rohrshalmei 8
- Barpfeife 8
- Musette 8
- Cromorne 8
- Krumet 8
- Rankett 8
- Vox Humana 8A
- Vox Humana 8B
- Hautbois 8
- English Horn 8
- French Horn 8
- Clarinet 8
- Tuba 8
- Trumpet 8
- Trompette 8
- Spanish Trumpet 8
- Posthorn 8
- Musette 16
- Basson 16
- Dulzian 16
- Clarinet 16
- Rankett 16
- Diaphone 16
- Trumpet 16
- Trompette 16
- Tuba 16
- Posthorn 16
- Electric Organ 1
- Electric Organ 2
- Electric Organ 3
- Piccolo
- Flute
- Solo Violin
- Octave Violin
- Cello A
- Cello B
- Orchestral Clarinet
- Orchestral Oboe
- Bassoon
- Orch French Horn
- Brass Ensemble
- Bugle
- Trumpet
- Wood Harp 4
- Wood Harp 8
- Marimba
- Vibes
- Glockenspiel
- Orchestral Bells
- Xylophone
- Sub Xylophone
- Tympani
Need help?
To Next Page
General