From Gmarsh4719@aol.com Mon May 24 12:48:25 2004
Subject:Re: Organ comparison

Rob,

You are indeed on to something there. I did refer to your Q.C warning
in response to someone who offered to record an OB^3 module for this
project. (although I got your name wrong, working from memory, sorry)

As you know, a complete and meaningfull "shootout" style comparison
would be a massive undertaking. The combinations and permutations of
drawbar settings and C/V/Perc settings would number in the millions
before any manufacturer-specific tweaks (leslie ramps, speeds, EQ,
amp modeling, OD, keyclick, leakage, etc. even came into play. Short
of my (mostly joking) suggestion of a computerized interactive MIDI-
controlled test rig I described last night, it would be hard to
satisfy everyone's understanding of what the "right" sounds are.

That said, Josiah has done a great job leveling the playing field,
though not without controversy, apparently! Far from being a "whos'
the best" approach, it is amazing to see how different (right or
wrong) the "same" settings sound on different clones.

Obviously, he is limited to the clones he owns, and bringing others
who offer to contribute into the mix would require strict quality
control, as you put it, to be meaningful. I think it would still be
worthwhile, and would like to see the unrepresented clones be
benchmarked at this first-cut level. Josiah has mentioned he will be
branching out into preamp and rotary amp "layers" next, but perhaps
he'd provide the midi file and consider the resultant mp3s for
possible comparison. (?)

If you can get paid to do this for the magazine, that would be cool,
too! Don't be disappointed by the apparent lack of interest in your
suggestion. Not everyone responds to every post, but take the bull by
the horns and make it happen. Perhaps contact Josiah offline and see
if he is interested in help or suggestions. I see that there is an
existing attempt at a clone comparison that Stoo Shultz started in
the links section of the clonewheel site. It seems to be associated
with the purgatorycreek site, as in the piano shootout people. He has
provided a midi file for comparisons as well. Not sure whats up with
that project. Stoo?? You out there?

Regarding bias, I don't think the result of anything in this whole
avenue of inquiry should be any kind of "ranking" or winner, etc. But
a way to hear all the clones playing the same files for personal
comparisons.

Best,
Greg

--- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, "robshrock" wrote:
> I don't want to be a party-pooper, but it's extremely premature to
> Regards,
> Rob Shrock