C-330 Classic Organ performed by Hector Olivera (part 1)

[KC9SYJ]

Only thing I don't like is the style of the cabinetry of the C-330,...aside from that,it does sound awesome coming from my computer speakers,...but would sound best if heard in person! If I had the money,I would actually choose the Rodgers 500 series 558 over this one since it has the 32 note AGO pedal board!

[diapason93]

Our church purchased a c330, and what can I say.. it is AWESOME!! The sound is very realistic. No doubt one of the best digital organs on the market today - and I am not kidding. Don't be discouraged over the small internal sub-woofers - the 16' flues on the pedal come through just fine. You would need an additional sub if you wanted to use the 32' stops to their full advantage, though. The tracker touch is spot on, and is very expressive - which helps to articulate phrases in the music etc.

[baxter5431]

Speaking as one who prefers an actual real organ as opposed to what amounts no more than a synthesizer, this would make a good practice instrument at home where you can work on pedal technique at your own leisure. However, I'd still rather spend the money on an actual pedal harpsichord and why? Works very well when the electricity fails. And for continuo work, I'd prefer an organ built by Klop or some other well known builder. Nothing really beats the sound of real pipes.

[ShinyAndTouchable]

@baxter5431 How many people have money for a pedal harpsichord? I don't even have money for a cheap 1 manual harpsichord let alone a pedal harpsichord.

[baxter5431]

@ShinyAndTouchable

Hey! I'm facing foreclosure. Haven't worked in 5 years and my mother just died. Lucky if I can buy a loaf of bread and some lunchmeat. But, we can ALL still dream, right? Keep buying those lottery tickets...while I can still afford them.

[ShinyAndTouchable]

@baxter5431 I'll sell you your lunch meat. I work in the deli at walmart. I work to help my struggle in paying for school.

[Caleb1951]

The pedalboard meets the standards set by the organists of Germany and much of Europe and was first designed for the European market. Some 32 note pipe and digital organs use a "miniture" non AGO 32 pedalboard that, is for me, more difficult to play than the "Hammond" 25 note pedalboard! The Rodgers 500 32 note AGO series uses the very same specification/ sound engine; is assembled at the Rodgers factory; uses several exciusive Rodgers features: and can use "church style" sound systems.

[mbrsart]

I'd get one if I was loaded, but I'm not, so I'll have to go to my church and play their organ.

[inky259]

in the beginning: preludium and fuge - j.s. bach (the eight little ones)

[waltergreenwood]

The C-380 has 5 divisional pistons on each manual division and comes in a dark-oak finished console with a locking roll top.

[OmegaRed1993]

So what is the (precise) difference between the C-330 and the C-380?

[themates46]

What the song at the beginning?

[PsanterShelZahav]

@themates46 It's the march from Mayerbeer, which also is played at the end :)

[inri120]

can any one please tell me the name of the organ piece being played in the beggining

[missionaryorganist]

@inri120 It is "March from Les Prophets" by Meyerbeer. You can hear the whole piece in part two of the video.

[oofahman]

That is just amazing...Roland is THE best (Rodgers, their child company is too) I play two ROdgers organs at the two churches and to this day I still can't believe that it is not real pipes I hear every time I sit on that bench! Thanks Roland! You ARE the best

[twinklynn]

@oofahman

I'm looking into purchasing an organ for my home. Have you played the Roland C-330? Is it difficult adjusting to the different pedal board? Do the Rolands need frequent repair? Thank you.

[oofahman]

@twinklynn Yes, I've played a C330 AND a C380. Same specifications, but the C380 has a rolltop cover, a dark oak console and a couple more options. The sound is incredible! Hard to believe that all that cathedral sound comes out of that little console. The flat non-concave pedal should not be an issue. I played it correctly the first time I played one. Roland Instruments do not need frequent repairs as I have discovered. And they are built right here in the USA. Good luck to you! :)

[twinklynn]

@oofahman

Thank you so much for your comments on the C330! I know Rodgers instruments are reliable and was hoping since Roland actually owns Rodgers that Roland was just as reliable. A concern on the Roland was the pedalboard so I am happy to hear that it's not an issue. I hope to try one out soon. Thanks again!

[missionaryorganist]

Of course Bach was making more money than his father. Bach's father died 9 years prior. Did Bach actually write the 8 Little Preludes and Fugues? And how is this organ the stop configuration of Bach's organ? I have looked at the configurations of both and they are not even close. I like the instrument and think it will make a nice home practice instrument, but where is he getting his information about Bach?

[19shea85]

This doesn't even sound like a bad pipe organ, nevermind a good one! Not to mention the cheap light-up stops. Pretty cool and informative video though.

[waltergreenwood]

@19shea85 You are incorrect, Shea. When outfitted with a high-quality external speaker system, not only does it sound very much like a fine pipe organ, it can sound like many different fine pipe organs. I've played the C-330 and hundreds of pipe organs all over the United States.

[TheForeverFamily]

What a tremendous sound and incredible performances! As far as the 32 pedals, I wouldn't need them. I'd gladly use this AND put it in our TV show all the time and use it on our CD's like I've already used my Roland C-180 on two songs. I love the design and the "retro blond" oak cabinet too.

[paulj0557]

So does that cabinet work grow on you or does it always make you wish they would have invested a grand on real wood?

'...but they would have sacrificed on tonal investments...' is a cop out.

I don't mind it's sleek design. I am certain the sound is wonderful, but trees aren't that scarce so why not have a part of the instrument, the cabinetry, be something about the organ that can age gracefully?

[TheForeverFamily]

@paulj0557 The cabinet alone is already about 5k of the price. And it's the same "real" wood that all furniture is made with today and has been made with since the 60's. No one makes solid wood anything anymore, because solid wood warps and cracks and it's unbelievably wasteful compared to the amount of thin veneer sheets you can get out of one tree. I like the "retro blond" oak finish myself.

[patsaxon]

The C-330 look ugly. A real organ style designed cabinet would have been more desirable.

[Classicalguy12]

I agree with the below statements....I myself need all 32 pedals...not just 30....that is what would keep me from purchasing this organ.

[Organsk8er]

Seems like a nice little instrument for the home...it sounds really good...but why, if you're going to put 61-note, tracker touch manuals, and 30 note pedalboard, would you not put a standard 32-note AGO pedalboard on it? Doesn't make much sense to me, and adding that feature would make it much more attractive for a student or anyone who needs a practice instrument for home.

[maxcohen13]

@Organsk8er

I couldn't agree more. It's rather obvious they are imitating a typical AGO console. I would love to hear the reasons for this configuration.

[Zylstra555]

@Organsk8er "This organ was inspired by the organ which J.S. Bach played when he was a young man..."

My guess is that because this organ is modeled after a real instrument, that instrument didn't have an AGO pedalboard.

I agree, however, that this is a major limitation and perhaps not the wisest choice.

Still, if it were free, I'd take one!

[greenspacesforever]

A pipe organ, no; but, it certainly sounds damned good for a small electronic for home use and practice. This is certainly the place for a good electronic organ. They could send me one now.

[alaska3333]

Very good sound combined with a stylish design. 

[Cr1msonKing]

Finally!

An electronic organ that's modeled after a pipe organ and actually sounds like one!

:D