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#21
Organ registration / Re: Vox Humanas are horrible
Last post by krubia - October 19, 2021, 03:47:42 PM
On it's own, yes, a vox humana generally isn't much to behold. However, when you mix it in with softer flues and strings, it can help to create a beautiful, almost ethereal sound. I'm used to them on theatre organs where, I think it is safe to say, they are a little more refined than their classical cousins. On the theatre organ, mixed with strings and tibia (tremulants on of course), they go a long way in creating a lush, warm tone.
#22
Dear organ fans,

I talked to David several years ago about making a film about the crisis facing provincial pipe organs in the UK. I'm sure he must have wondered what happened to it. Well, finally, the film is finished and available to view. So far it's been warmly received at film festivals in the United States is now available here.  I hope you find it interesting. 

Here's a link to the documentary's trailer: https://vimeo.com/520060433

and to the film itself:

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/organstops

Thanks
James

#23
Organs in danger / Chamber organ in Melton Mowbra...
Last post by dragonser - August 06, 2021, 09:47:48 PM
HI, seen on ebay.
eBay item number:
124777185435
4 stop chamber Organ
Hunter and Webb

not any connection to me.
Peter B
#24
Organs in danger / Organ in disused Methodist Chu...
Last post by John Grimbaldeston - July 26, 2021, 07:12:25 PM
My brother and I have recently acquired a Methodist Church (Clayton Heights Methodist Church, Bradford, BD13 1EG) which contains a pipe organ. We are looking to sell this or have it removed/salvaged sympathetically.

The organ is listed on the National Pipe Organ Register re G01472 and at its last inspection, was confirmed as having been built in 1870 by Peter Conacher & Co at the Springwood Works in Huddersfield. It was moved to its current location in 1979 and there is a plaque on the organ saying this was rebuilt by M Fletcher, Organ Builder, Shelf.  The register refers to the organ as 'A little gem'!

I have a number of pictures which I can share with you of the organ in situ, the manuals, pedals, pipes and 'bellows/engine room'.

I have emailed a number of organ builders/restorers directly so my apologies if this is a repeat message for some of you reading this thread (and thank you again for those who have emailed me)
#25
Electronic Organs / Five videos to help you fit El...
Last post by kaspencer - July 18, 2021, 01:10:43 PM
I have produced five videos to help to show how to install Automatic Electronic Stop Labelling for your Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ.

1. The Components
https://youtu.be/inbJSIQWzgQ

2. Setting up the PCBs
https://youtu.be/inbJSIQWzgQ

3. Assembling the Stop Plates
https://youtu.be/xRBWtUsbYGE

4. Connecting the PCBs to the Controller
https://youtu.be/-IDIlGxC7g8

5. Connecting the Stop Switches & their LEDs
https://youtu.be/q40t2wgHgrQ?t=7

A sixth video is in preparation which illustrates how to setup up Hauptwerk to use the Stop labelling System.

I hope its all useful!
#26
House Organs / Building a home organ - specif...
Last post by Light_bulb - July 07, 2021, 02:47:04 AM
Hi all,

Last year I had the opportunity to pull an organ out of a church that was about to be demolished. I'm making steady progress towards getting it rebuilt in my music room.
The original spec of the organ is this:
Great

  • 8' Open Diapason
  • 8' Dulciana
  • 8' Clarabella
  • 4' Octave (called a gemshorn, but built like a principal)
Swell

  • 8' Violin Diapason
  • 8' Rhor Flute
  • 4' Flute
  • 8' Oboe
Pedal

  • 16' Bourdon
  • 8' Bass Flute

I'm wanting people's opinions on what I'm planning on doing, which is:

  • Add a independent twelfth and fifteenth, to build up the principal chorus and to use electromagic to make a mixture
  • Add some proper strings to the swell, such as an 8' Viol and a celeste
  • Some sort of 16' trumpet for the pedal, extended to 8' for use on the great
  • Extension of one of the flutes up to 2' for the Swell
  • Making 12 pipes to extend the 8' open diapason down to 16' in the pedals (fortunately I have the room for this)

Using the various options this pipework will give me, I'm hoping for a final specification of:
Great

  • 8' Open Diapason (A)
  • 8' Dulciana
  • 8' Clarabella
  • 4' Octave
  • 2 2/3' Twelfth (B)
  • 2' fifteenth (C)
  • Mixture - from B & C
  • 8' Trumpet
Swell

  • 16' Bourdon - from D
  • 8' Violin Diapason
  • 8' Rhor Flute
  • 8' Viol
  • 8' Celeste
  • 4' Flute (E)
  • 2' Piccolo - from E
  • Maybe some mutation from B
  • 8' Oboe
Pedal

  • 16' Open Diapason 13-30 from A
  • 16' Bourdon (D)
  • 8' Bass Flute
  • 16' Trumpet/something

In the long run I want to rebuild some of the chests as they're a mix of EP sliders + offset tubular pneumatics, but finding enough cheap electromagnets is difficult.
#27
Organs in danger / Re: ORGAN STOPS - saving the K...
Last post by Alexg - July 03, 2021, 01:42:56 PM
Hi James,


thank you for the information. That all sounds very interesting and like a good idea.

I would certainly be interested in organising something similar in my church where we have a T C Lewis organ. Lewis lived in the vicarage at one point, married in the church, and had a workshop on the next street before moving to Brixton. Please email me if you would like to discuss this further arch1000@protonmail.com


Best wishes,


Alex
#28
Miscellaneous & Suggestions / Asbestos in pipe organs
Last post by JJ - July 01, 2021, 12:48:13 PM
Hi
I looking to you all as my font of knowledge and hoping you may be able to help me with a little research.
It has come to my attention that a number of organs have blower boxes that are lined with asbestos.
I am aware this topic has been discussed before and there are differing opinions.
I am open to all opinions but always feel this is a subject that is often met with aggressive defence and in this case, this is not necessary.
What I really want to find out is how often this occurs, whether  asbestos fibre release through the pipes is possible, IF the asbestos lining the box is disturbed/friable.
Has anyone come across this and does anyone have any air tests that have been conducted on such an instrument.
I thank you in advance for your time and cooperation, this will help me massively in my research of this area.
Please feel free to email me directly if you do not wish to post.
#29
Thanks

The recording of the Content is derived from the line output connections on the organ, and so has no room sound, just the reverb on the organ.  That's  probably why it sounds closer.  Also, the samples Content use, although good, aren't on a par with the best (not surprising given the price of the Content).  It does the job pretty well though.

The pipe organ was recorded using the stereo mics on the camcorder (a Sony model that's really a digital audio recorder with a very basic HD video camera attached.  Position was a compromise between being reasonably close for the picture, yet far enough away to try & pick up both sides of the organ (and to try & avoid getting too much "chatter" from the others in the meeting!)

Every Blessing

Tony
#30
Hi,
the first three clips are most impressive, Nice to hear a Newly Built Pipe organ.
the Electronic Content Organ is nice in a different way ! the Electronic Sound seems to be much closer ( as in distance )  than the Pipe organ recording.