About Classic
A Brief History
On February 24, 1976 Henry Wemekamp took what had been a couple miscellaneous projects for a friend and established The Classic Organ Company Ltd, a new company building control systems for pipe organs, one of the first companies worldwide to develop micro-processor technology for classical organs. In the late 1980's Classic again led the way by being one of the first companies to develop digital-sampled tone-generation technology that permitted note-by-note regulation, similar to that possible with organ pipes. In 1990 Henry was again first on the market when he débuted the Console Control Computer a single computer board which not only functions as the brains for an organ's entire control system, but had fully integrated MIDI support. An updated version of this computer is still available today. As computer technology and the internet continued to grow and advance, Classic followed suit, and in 2013 shipped its first Maestro System. Maestro is a Linux based control system which allows authorized people, such as the organist and builder, to access the system over the internet.
With the continuing development of computing power, in 2002 MIDI Works was established and shipped its first entirely MIDI-based organ system. MIDI Works continues to grow, focusing on home organ installations. It is quite popular with organists who don't want, or are not necessarily able, to go to the local church whenever they what to play. Both the MIDIWorks and OrganWorks hardware are able to interface with several different types of sound generating systems, such as Hauptwerk, Organteq, CM-100, and Laurel.
In 2005, we launched the MIDIjet Pro wireless MIDI system. With a range of 500' and a rock solid connection, it has been used on large concert tours by artist such as U2, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Dreamtheater, Dragonforce, the Rolling Stones, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker to name but a few. MIDIjet Pro is also embedded inside cutting edge instruments like the Zen Riffer and Nyle Steiner's EVI.
In the over 45 years since Henry first started a lot has changed; people have come and gone, technology has changed, and Henry's hair is thinner and white. We have grown to include multiple divisions, functioning under the Classic banner, each with its own focus, and clients all over the world. As we look to the future we continue to as ourselves, where are we going and how can we better serve you.
Electronic Organs and Pianos for Home, Church, and Stage
In the past 40 years Artisan Classic Organ has provided over 200 classical organs to churches and homes in Canada and the USA. We are now pleased to launch the newest addition to the family, Classic Viscount Organs. Classic Viscount is dedicated to retail sales and service for Viscount classical organs throughout Canada. Classic had been selling the Viscount portable organs on the MIDIWorks web site for a while with many happy customers, such that Viscount Instruments (Italy) the world's largest manufacturer of classical organs, asked if we were interested in being the Canadian distributor for all the classic organ lines.
As well as selling the Cantorum Duo classical keyboards online, we will now add Legend (tone wheel emulation) keyboards, and Legend '70s Piano keyboards to our online store for sale in Canada. See MIDIWorks.ca
Custom Build Control Systems for Pipe Organs
FLEXIBILITY
Every organ needs a control system, from the smallest 2 manual instruments with only 4-6 ranks, to large cathedral or auditorium instruments with 5 or more manuals, and hundreds of drawknobs, rocker tabs, and ranks. All our systems are scalable, built to suit your needs, and when your needs change, our systems change with you.
RELIABILITY
With over 4 decades of service and over 1000 control systems built, Classic has built a reputation for quality and superior customer service. We offer a full 10 year warranty on our control systems, and we have many systems that are 20-30 years old which never need servicing.
INNOVATION
Classic was one of the first companies to introduce a microprocessor control system, and we are still innovating today, now offering a Linux based operating system, wireless connection between console and chamber, and remote internet access your organ.
Modular Components for VPOs
WHERE ART AND TECHNOLOGY MEET
Classic MIDIWorks is an online retail store that offers top of the line hardware/software for those aiming to put together a Virtual Pipe Organ. If you are looking to putting together a system from scratch or adding MIDI to an existing organ, then you have come to the right place!
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
All our hardware is modular. This means that instead of simply offering x models with an x number of manuals, shoes, toe studs, etc... you can select what you'd like and we can help you put together the organ that YOU WANT. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to help you every step of the way from start to finish. We pride ourselves in great customer support and ensuring that you get to playing your Organ as fast as possible.
THE MODERN ORGANIST'S PRACTICE ORGAN
A MIDI Works system is both cost and space efficient, fitting in almost any space. Paired with good speakers and/or headphones, it is the ideal practice organ. Regardless if you are a professional or hobbyist organist, you can enjoy playing from the comfort of your own space whenever you want.
Wireless MIDI Transmitter and Receiver
Growing of the of need to transmit MIDI data over long distances in churches, cathedrals, and auditoriums, MIDIJet was designed as a wireless MIDI system suitable for for many different MIDI applications. It is/has been used by a variety of musicians in a wide spectrum of environments and set ups. Our system is capable of:
A range of 500 ft outdoors, and 100 ft indoors
Latency as low as 2.7 ms
USB and MIDI connections available
Windows, Mac, and Linux compliant
Powered by battery or plug
30 hour battery life
Operates on 2.4 GHz worldwide license-free band
It is one of the most dependable wireless systems in its price range. Once your setup has been paired, you can forget about it and focus on what's really important - your performance!
News
US Tariffs Update, April 2025
The threatened tariffs have changed. Items shipped from Canada to the US will continue to do so under USMCA (the original agreement) with the exceptions of steel and car parts which do not affect our industry. Viscount organs are shipped from Italy to the US. The US government has imposed a 20% tariff on all imports from Itally. Previously there was a 6% tariff, so expect the price of all Viscount products to go up by 10-15%.
Viscount products already in the US but unsold will not have the additional tarrif apllied.
Viscount products in the futre will have the tariff.
April 9, 2025
We have just received news that the tariffs on most countries have been put on hold for 90 days. However, there might be a 10% tariff on Canadian goods.
US Tariffs
The US government has been threateniing to impost a 25% tariff on goods entering their country from Canada. Viscount products are manufactured in Italy, put in a shipping container and sent to the port in New York. Only then are the instruments sent to the individual customers. As the Viscount products never travel from Canada to the US, they are not subject to to tariffs.
Cantorum Uno Now Available
Learn More• 1 manual (splittable in 2 sections MAN I/MAN II)
• 26 Organ stops
• 7 Orchestral voices
• Pedalboard, shoe, toe studs, carry bag available
• Ships from the US or Canada
January 2025 The American Organist
Viscount Introduces NEW Physis Plus
Learn MoreIn the Viscount Italy laboratory they have developed a technological combination of their proprietary physical models and an artificial intelligence algorithm they call MORIS© (“Multi-Objective Random Iterative Search”, a Viscount Deep Learning complex procedure) that has made it possible to achieve a new level of sound richness. This algorithm is able to learn and capture new acoustic features of typical organ sounds and provide estimates of the parameters of a pipe physical model, making their physical models incredibly realistic both in terms of harmonics and keyboard feeling.
AGO 2024
Classic attended the American Guild of Organist's Convention in San Francisco.
May 2024 The American Organist
AGO 2022 Sale
If you are interested in building your own custom virtual pipe organ, this might be the time to get started. MIDIWorks is offering a sale on bundled keyboards durring the American Guild of Organist convention.
https://midiworks.ca/news/2022-07-01.php
Classic, Official Canadian Supplier
Classic is invited to become the offical Canadian supply of Viscount (Italy's) line of Church organs. We are also able to supply Cantorum portable organs in both Canada and the USA.
