The newest addition to the Rodgers 500 series may now be seen and heard at Rodgers Organs | Los Angeles, the Rodgers Organ showroom for Southern and Central California.  This versatile two-manual organ delivers substantial value with its robust tonal specification and generous features in a modestly-priced console.

This impressive new console combines the all-new “sound engine” developed by Roland Corp. (and first debuted as the Roland Model C-330) with a full-featured Rodgers AGO console that includes the “creature comforts” organists need for a wide range of performance requirements.  An abbreviated list of features includes:

• Velocity-sensitive “Ivory Feel” keyboards with optional tracker touch
• 32-note AGO pedalboard
• Great/Pedal and Swell expression pedals
• Programmable crescendo pedal
• Music rack and pedalboard LED lighting
• 20-level combination action
• 10 generals / 5 divisional pistons (Great & Swell each)
• 10 user-assignable toe studs
• PREV/NEXT piston sequencer recall
• MIDI record/playback with song storage
• Hymn Player with 350 common hymn tunes
• MIDI in/out and Local Off
• 9 historic temperaments
• Stereo headphone jack
• Plus much more…(read about it here)

With its internal audio system, the Model 578 functions as a standalone organ, ideal for use as a home practice organ suitable for the complete range of organ literature and liturgical needs.  It comes pre-configured to support nine external audio packages, making it most versatile for the needs of any worship center or educational/instructional use.

Of particular note, the Model 578 is now the lowest cost Rodgers console that is fully pipe compatible, making it a most economical choice as a console replacement for aging pipe organs of approximately 30 ranks or smaller.  In the case of a pipe organ of approximately 15 ranks or smaller, the Model 578 effectively adds new stops resulting in a much more versatile specification.  Model 578 also has the most extensive digital voicing capabilities that enable seamless blending of digital pipe voices with the wind-blown pipes, including the ability to use digital voices as extensions for partial pipe ranks with no perceptible difference in tonal character.

In addition to the most powerful digital sound technology available in a two-manual console, the Model 578 is physically built to last.  It features the same furniture-grade finishes and rigid construction as higher-priced consoles and is designed for decades of dependable service.

Dr. Robert Tall performing on a Rodgers 351 three-manual console during the MIDI presentation and demonstration

Dr. Robert Tall presented a workshop to over 150 attendees at the American Guild of Organists Convention in San Francisco demonstrating the use of MIDI voices in a variety of performance situations and styles.  The demonstration focused on the use of the Rodgers MX-200 Sound Module, which connects directly to the MIDI and audio connections built into Rodgers consoles. With the MX-200 connected, the console acts as a MIDI controller to access the extensive library of MIDI voices on the MX-200, including many organ tones that substantially extend registration possibilities.

With the high level of MIDI integration on all Rodgers consoles, MIDI voices from the MX-200 can be seamlessly integrated with organ registrations and stored on pistons for instant recall, including all the MIDI parameters that were set for the MIDI voice when it was saved to the piston.

Dr. Tall’s presentation demonstrated three uses of MIDI:

• MIDI (sampled) organ tones that expand the tonal resources built into the console and registration possibilities
• Use of non-organ voices (orchestral, percussion, special sound effects, etc) for creative registrations and performing transcriptions
• MIDI sequences using orchestra sound libraries to create a “virtual orchestra” for performing works for organ and orchestra