As the first organ builder to integrate MIDI in a classical organ in the 1980s, Rodgers led the way for organists to exploit a truly orchestral style of playing.
The first sound modules available provided a basic set of orchestral/instrumental voices of moderately good sound quality given the memory and polyphony constraints of the technology at that time.
Over time, sound modules expanded and improved in sound quality with the current Roland Integra 7 representing a pinnacle with over 6,000 top-quality voices.
Rodgers eliminated the need for an external sound module in 2009 with the introduction of the SSC technology platform (2009 - 2021). The SSC organs (500/Classic series, Artist, Infinity, and Roland Classic models) feature built-in orchestral voices that are easier to access and offer more advanced control features than previous orchestral voices accessed via MIDI.
With the debut of the current DS Core technology platform in 2018, Rodgers again advanced the state of orchestral voices with new high-resolution samples and new capabilities, such as the Enhanced Orchestral Coupler that enables playing two voices in one division with each voice dedicated to a melodic/harmonic part (think of it as soprano and alto or tenor and bass). See the Water Music video below for an example of this capability that creates a rather realistic orchestral ensemble.
The current Rodgers models still have a fully integrated MIDI interface for when this capability is needed, but the orchestral voices continue to be directly accessible (just like the Voice Palette organ voices) without having to deal with the mechanics of the MIDI protocol.
Enjoy this demonstration video by Dan Miller on using orchestral voices.
The first sound modules available provided a basic set of orchestral/instrumental voices of moderately good sound quality given the memory and polyphony constraints of the technology at that time.
Over time, sound modules expanded and improved in sound quality with the current Roland Integra 7 representing a pinnacle with over 6,000 top-quality voices.
Rodgers eliminated the need for an external sound module in 2009 with the introduction of the SSC technology platform (2009 - 2021). The SSC organs (500/Classic series, Artist, Infinity, and Roland Classic models) feature built-in orchestral voices that are easier to access and offer more advanced control features than previous orchestral voices accessed via MIDI.
With the debut of the current DS Core technology platform in 2018, Rodgers again advanced the state of orchestral voices with new high-resolution samples and new capabilities, such as the Enhanced Orchestral Coupler that enables playing two voices in one division with each voice dedicated to a melodic/harmonic part (think of it as soprano and alto or tenor and bass). See the Water Music video below for an example of this capability that creates a rather realistic orchestral ensemble.
The current Rodgers models still have a fully integrated MIDI interface for when this capability is needed, but the orchestral voices continue to be directly accessible (just like the Voice Palette organ voices) without having to deal with the mechanics of the MIDI protocol.
Enjoy this demonstration video by Dan Miller on using orchestral voices.