Doesburg, 1916 [Hauptwerk]

Prerequisities

The Hauptwerk version: This organ model requires Hauptwerk version 5 or higher. Only the advanced version of Hauptwerk is suitable for running this virtual model.

Sample Quality

The samples are offered in 24bit/48kHz quality, multiple releases (3 levels). The sample set is encrypted and dongle protected. The reverberation time is up to 6 seconds for the ambiental version. The sample set is offered in the surround (six channels) variant. The dry version (two channels) is also available for use with an external reverb.

The organ offers a wide range of dB, from pianissimo to a great fortissimo. The audio level is set as default so as not to overload the soundcard output when reasonable tutti is played. If the volume is turned up considerably beyond the default setting, there could be a danger of blowing the speakers.

The Compass

The original compass of the manuals is 61 keys, i.e. 5 octaves. Most stops have an internal extension to 73 tones (6 octaves) to be used with the super octave couplers. The same compass is available in the virtual model. The pedal compass is 30 tones, the extended pedal compass of the virtual organ model is 32 tones (C-g1).

Tremulants

Many ranks offer recorded tremmed samples (recorded tremulants). These special tremmed ranks can be identified by the word "tremmed" in the rank description. Load these special ranks together with the normal ranks to get the correct behavior with the tremulant engaged. On the rest of the ranks, the Hauptwerk tremulant model is active.

Pipe Coupling

Pipe coupling feature is introduced with this sample set. Great enhancement of the realism of the sample set. Read about it more.

Surround: the surround recording uses 6 independent channels for each virtual pipe. The sound of the organ pipes is captured by the front microphones, the church response by the rear microphones. There are 4 front channels (dry and diffuse) used to supply the sound of the organ to the front speakers, while the 2 other channels (rear) offer the response of the church. You can use these 2 channels to feed your surround (rear) speakers. Please note, that at least 4 speakers are needed to reproduce the surround sample set variant.
Tip: In the church where the organ was built originally, the IVth manual was an Echo division (Fernwerk). It may be a good idea to swap the front and rear channels for the ranks of the IVth manual so that you get the effect of an Fernwerk.

Dry: The dry channels solo may be used for special purposes only. An addition of external reverb is necessary! If used in large reverberant spaces (such as churches) a lot of user voicing will be necessary to match the sound of the virtual pipes to the acoustics of the venue.

Wet: For use in headphones or other 2-channels environment: please disable all the ranks marked by the word "rear" and "dry" in the rank audio output dialog when loading the organ for the first time. The diffuse ranks solo form a 2-channel wet sample set.

Tips:

The dry channels mixed into the to the diffuse and rear perspectives provide considerable amount of detail to the result. Thus, the "presence" of the audio is greatly enhanced. Do not exaggerate the amplitude of the dry channels in the mix, or the result may start sounding unrealistic.
It may be good idea to route the dry channels through a separate output bus, while adding a bit of suitable convolution reverb to the dry channels, before mixing them back to the diffuse channels.