Members review. Orla Mantova 2 By Phil

How long did you have the Mantova 2? I had it for about 3 years

How long have you been playing.
I have Been playing for about 25 years off and on

Do you only play for yourself, play in front of friends, play in public, semi professional etc.
I play for myself and any friends that can bear to listen to me

What type of music do you enjoy most.
I enjoy most middle of the road, standards, easy listening, Latin.

What is your favorite sound, orchestral, theatre organ, pipe organ, big band, piano etc.
I like to listen to Theatre, organ especially American style, but also happy with orchestral and all sorts.

About the instrument.

Was there any particular feature that made you select this instrument.
The first set-up sound of the organ was lovely warm flutes and it was very easy to sit down, play and change quite a few sounds without a lot of hassle.

Was there anything on this instrument you didn't have on your last one.
My previous instrument was approx 17 years old and didn't even have a digital rhythm unit on it or mixable sounds!

Was there anything you had on your last instrument you wish you had on this one.
Not really

What were your favourite sounds on this instrument.
The strings were good and the flutes.

What were your favourite rhythms on this instrument.
My favourite rhythm was probably the Bossa Nova with the Shuffle coming in as a close second.

Did this instrument help improve your playing. Did you feel more confident playing this instrument.
The instrument with disc and mixable sounds has made an enormous difference to the type of music and my ability to play. I now feel like I am approaching what could be classed as an acceptable performance, with sounds that actually sound like their name tab!

What instrument did you have before this one, and do you still have it and play it.
My previous instrument was a Solina F217. It started to smoke so I got rid of it!

General comments.

After a while I found that was restricted as to what I could actually do with the organ sounds.
For example. The flutes very weak when mixed with other sounds, if you didn't like the trumpet you couldn't alter it in any way.
If you wanted to change to a sound that was in the 'user bank' of 136 other sounds, it meant scrolling through them till you found the one you wanted...time consuming.
There was 32 different rhythm set-ups with various arrangements preset on the machine, but there was only one variation for each type of rhythm, for instance only one swing, only one 8 beat, A disc is available with 54 other rhythms but it meant scrolling through from no 1 till you found it, down loading it allocating a button, then trying it out and if it wasn't right going through the whole procedure again!

Why not come along to a Basildon Keyboard Club Concert, you will be made very welcome, have a great evenings entertainment, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and of course experience the delights of live music played on top of the range electronic organs & keyboards by the best players.