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The Interface

Below are two variations of the main interface for Carousel. Almost every aspect of the instrument can be changed either by clicking on the appropriate part of the interface or using hardware dials via NKS mapping. The interface will look slightly different depending if you choose to HIDE or SHOW the volume controls and meters.

“HIDE” MODE

“SHOW” MODE

Choosing Registers

Carousel can play 10 different registers of pipes. Each of these registers is represented in the interface by a graphic, with the name of the register and the corresponding key which are used to activate and deactivate that register. Shown here is the register for BOURDON and you can see the key switch that turns the register off and on is E.

Key switches for each register are velocity sensitive - press with a high velocity to turn a register on, and low velocity to turn it off.

CMD / CTRL + click to solo a single register and mute the rest.

Octave Offset

If you would like to move the playable ranges of the registers, use the two arrows at the top of each register button to offset the octave.

Depending on the register, the playable range can be moved from -3 to +3 octaves.

Tutti Mode

To Play all registers simultaneously, press the TUTTI button or use the key switch at MIDI C#0. This will activate all the pipes of the organ with a large playable range. When pressed again, all registers will reset to their previous states. The TUTTI key switch is velocity sensitive - press with a high velocity for tutti on, and low velocity for tutti off. Additionally, you can hold down the TUTTI key switch and then press the key switch for another register to solo that register.

Tuning

We sampled a historic fairground organ for Carousel and as such it has its own distinctive tuning. We kept this authentic tuning as an option with the AUTHENTIC button in the bottom right of the interface. Alternatively, to tune the organ to perfect pitch, press the CORRECTED button.

Triple Trouble

For a truly colossal sound, engage the TRIPLE TROUBLE button which creates a powerful wall of wind. This triples the number of notes played and introduces a slight detuning for each one. To revert to the regular playback press ORIGINAL.

Percussion

Our organ features a small range of percussion instruments with round robin samples. These can be played on MIDI keys C1, D1 & E1

Bellow Noise

If you’d like to hear authentic bellow noise from the Carousel, turn it on with MIDI key C#1, or off with D#1. 

Register Volume

Towards the bottom right of the interface, press the SHOW button to reveal the volume controls and meters for each register.

Simply click and drag on a volume dial to change the volume of that register, including percussion and bellows noise.

CMD / CTRL + click will reset a dial to default position.

Playing Carousel

The basic method of playing Carousel is to play on the key ranges indicated below. These ranges will vary in color and trigger different registers depending on which registers you’ve turned on and whether or not you’ve chosen to offset the octaves (see page 8 for more details on this). Turn registers on and off with velocity sensitive key switches from C0 to B0B.

Much of the detail set out below has been explained in more detail earlier in the manual, such as percussion playing, bellow noise and choosing registers.