Since building my virtual grand piano, I discovered Hauptwerk software, which allows virtual duplication of actual recorded pipe organ samples on your computer using MIDI keyboards & controls.
I then discovered a software program that allows recorded pipe sounds to be played using computer software. As a former pipe organ builder, it was easy to build a console to play this. I selected a sampleset expertly recorded by Piotr Grabowski, Poland, of a beautiful 2000 Eisenbarth organ in Friesach, Switzerland. This was my initial endeavor.
The 3-manual console controls 5 manuals (2 floating) and pedal. Launch Pads provide stop and coupler control. Stops light up: blue= principals, green= flutes, yellow= strings, red= reeds, magenta= accessories, white= couplers. The computer monitor is also the music rack: music is digitized to PDF files and brought up on the monitor. You can turn pages with your foot using the Donner pedals hands-free while playing. A stepper combination system changes registrations silently by the touch of one button; the normal array of divisional and general pistons are available as well. There is a full range of couplers, plus "melody" and "bass" couplers for enhanced effects.
I switched to an expanded version by Les Deutsch, Passadena, CA. It initially provided most of the resources I wanted. But, with his help with the software code, I've expanded this to 119 stops using samples from five different organs, providing the ability to play most all organ repertoire genuinely and artistically.
Combined with a 300GH gaming computer with 40 GB of RAM, 3 modified MIDI controller keyboards, and two LaunchPad MIDI controller for stops and couplers, I now have a 159-rank concert organ in my living room! I'm still working on the pedal keyboard, bench, and the last two sections of casework, but it's very playable now.
Final Expanded Stop List
Pedale
32' Grande Montre
32' Contre Bourdon
16' Montre
16' Contrebasse
16' Violone
16' Soubasse
16' Bourdon Doux
10 2/3' Grosse Quinte
8' Octavebasse
8' Violonecelle
8' Flute Couverte
5 1/3' Quinte
4' Basse de Choral
4' Flute Harmonique
2 2/3' Fourniture III rks.
32' Contre Bombarde
32' Contre Basson
16' Bombarde
16' Basson
8' Trompete
8' Hautbois
4' Clairon
​
Grand Orgue - I
(unenclosed)
16' Montre
16' Bourdon
8' Montre
8' Diapason
8' Viole de Gambe
8' Flute Harmonique
8' Bourdon
8' Flute a Cheminee
8' Flute Douce
4' Octave
4' Flute a Fuseau
4' Flute Conique
2 2/3' Quinte
2' Doublette
2' Flute de Bois
2 2/3' Gnd. Fourniture IV-V rks.
2' Fourniture IV-rks
1 1/3' Cymbale IV rks.
16' Bombarde
16' Doucaine
8' Trompette
8' Chalumeau
4' Clairon
​
Positif - II
(expressive)
16' Quintaton
8' Prestant
8' Flute Majeure
8' Bourdon
8' Quintadene
8' Salicional
8' Erzahler
8' Unda Maris
4' Principal
4' Flute a Bec
4' Flute Douce
2 2/3' Quinte
2' Octavin
1 3/5' Tierce
1 1/3' Larigot
1 1/7' Septieme
1' Sifflet
2' Fourniture V-rks
1' Cymbale IV rks.
16' Cor Anglais
8' Petite Trompette
8' Cromorne
4' Chalemie
Etoile Sonore
Tremulant
Recit- III
(expressive)
16' Bourdon Doux
8' Violon Diapason
8' Flute Traversiere
8' Flute Bouchee
8' Cor de Nuit
8' Viola
8' Viola Celeste
8' Aeoline
8' Voix Celeste
4' Octave Etroit
4' Flute Octaviante
4' Dolce
2 2/3' Nazard
2' Quarte de Nazard
1 3/5' Tierce
2' Plein Jeu IV rks
1' Cymbale ii-rks
16' Basson
8' Trompette Harmonique
8' Cornopean
8' Hautbois
8' Clarinette
8' Voix Humaine
4' Clairon
Tremulant
Solo - IV
(floating, expressive)
16' Bourdon
8' Flute Harmonique
8' Flute Celestes II-rks
8' Viole de Gambe
8' Grande Celeste
4' Flute Magique
2' Flute Entoinnor
2 2/3' Fourniture Harm'que VI-rks
8' Cornet Monte VIII-rks
16' Tromba Magna
8' Tuba Mirabilis
8' Cor Francais
8' Cor d'Amour
8' Clarinette
8' Cor Anglais
​
Bombarde - V
(floating, unenclosed)
32' Contre Basson
16' Bombarde la Bataille
8' Trompette d'Etat
4' Clairon Militaire
1 1/3' Jeux Harm'que VI-rks
16' Bombarde en Chamade
8' Trompette en Chamade
4' Clairon en Chamade
Progress Pictures
The console being assembled in my shop.
Center speaker cabinets. Sub-woofer and bass seakers on left and right.
Keyboards slide out and tilt up
for access below. The computer circuitry will be installed here.
Back side of center speaker showing horn mid-range and tweeters.
Pedal keyboard under construction. Shown is the toeboard, which will guide the pedal keys. The heelboard, shown in the background is where the individual key springs will be attached. Both pieces will be connected with a red birch frame. The keyboard is designed to A.G.O. specifications and is concave and radiating.
Back of amplifier cabinet. There are six amplifiers -- one for each division -- plus a subwoofer amplifier for the pedal. A large 12-volt DC power supply provides power to each amp.
​
Each division has 3 - 5 speakers. For example, the Great has 5 speakers; crossover filters will direct frequencies of notes for each octave, spreading the sound out over the entire width of the speaker array. Divisions are placed stacked, just as they would be in a real organ, to provide a sense of location -- both laterally and vertically while playing.
Cabinets for the Launch Pads. A trans-parent overlay sheet goes over the buttons to identify the stops.
Custom-built band-pass crossover filters for each division's speakers.
The "fourth keyboard" -- computer keyboard in a drawer underneath.
Back side of left cabinet. Top 2 speakers are for Chamade resonators.