We have been kicking around the idea of doing a modest Virtual Organ installation in the small church where we are attending (and I have the joy of playing for the first time in many years). As I was thinking over the options I stumbled across Dr. Clinton Knight's "Ambassador" organ installation (http://ambassadororgan.wordpress.com/) and must say it was very inspiring. If anyone happens to know Dr. Knight I would be delighted to have a opportunity to correspond with him about our potential project.
Many factors should make our installation much cheaper. The most likely console would be the existing Baldwin HT2R. It is a two manual plus 32 pedal with a single expression pedal. The pedal board is not AGO so I am considering adding a third keyboard below the current lower manual and building a small platform to raise the console up and back (placing the new keyboard where the current lower manual is) making room for an AGO spec pedal board with expression shoes.
For reasons of support we would probably go with HW for the software.
Here are some pics of the sanctuary. Note people in the pictures are blurred out with a smudge tool to protect privacy.
Until I can figure out why the system thinks that four pictures are more than five when you try to insert inline tags for them you will have to click on the thumbnail for the last one.
The front platform has mirror image "pipe chambers" on each side however, the one on the left is partially covered by the projection screen. Each side has a small opening into the choir loft. They appear to be fairly large rooms so I am considering doing something similar to what Dr. Knight did by using dipole or bipole speakers to give some more natural reverb by bouncing the rear wave off of a movable reflective panel.
I figure that some experimentation with channel assignment and speaker distribution will be necessary. I could use a portable midi keyboard to play with configurations before jumping into the console conversion.
Looking toward the back from the choir loft you can get an general idea of the size of the room. There is a largish open area beyond the sanctuary entry arch that may have some impact on the resulting sound. At first glance it looks to me that the room is small enough that some electronic reverb will be necessary but it is possible that enough can be done with reflective sound in the chambers.
There is a closeup of right front chamber opening and of the right choir loft opening.
For subwoofers I am considering Transmission line, Horn and Infinite Baffle configurations. The horn would be the most efficient of course and probably fairly cost effective. The problem is that it appears that the only access to the chamber is through a smallish opening in the floor (like the attic in your home). TLs could probably be made small enough to hoist up through the hole and might work pretty well. An IB system has some real advantages in clean low distortion output for the 32's and could be assembled pretty easily in place by using strips of plywood 2 or 3 feet wide. Disadvantages are the large number of drivers and amplifier power required leading to some cost issues.
WOW looks like a cool project. I bet those small rooms were intended as pipe chambers when the building was first built. Sounds like you have great ideas for speaker placement. As far as the console is concerned, you might check out Ebay, I've seen several Hauptwerk configured consoles for 2000 2500. They are usually gutted Allens. adding MIDI to your existing console is an expensive challenge. especially since it doesn't have AGO pedals.
Big old Hammond RT3
Allen ADC 530
Nothing smells as sweet as hot Hammond oil!
Have you examined the grilles of those large chamber openings? I would expect they were made to be removable, which would make installation of the speakers much easier. The floor opening is probably just to enable a person to have access for routine cleaning and maintenance without having to go to the trouble of removing and replacing the large grilles.
David
Good idea will check.Originally Posted by davidecasteel
Mike
Even if the grilles were not truly designed to be easily removable, you might still find it not too difficult to achieve, and it would greatly simplify your speaker installation.
David
Some pics of the inside of the chambers. I could not get all the way in but got the camera up there for a little look see. Some interesting stuff up there. Chimes, Leslies etc.
Portal into choir loft.
Fairly good size.
Closeup of back of Leslie in right hand chamber.
Front of tone cabinet in left hand chamber.
Access to attic from left chamber. IB sub possibilities.
Intriguing...
mike
There's a stained glass window in the organ chamber? That is surprising. Is that bass speaker lying on its face active? (I see wires.)
David
Wow! I would take those chimes off your hands anyday!As a Church audio consultant....I found that many churches used these "chamber" rooms/areas to hide there "PA" speakers as well as organ speakers like the pic shows above. What Leslie is that? A short boy with a solid state amp?
Rodgers, Conn, Hammond
Many places in the church I am finding these situations where a window is bisected by a floor or stairway. It appears that the chambers were added after the initial building was completed. I don't think that speaker is active. It looks to me like it was removed from something and just set down and forgotten. I am not sure what the Leslies are as I was not able to get up in there to examine closely. The one in the right chamber appears to be a 700 series of some sort but closer examination is needed. From the closeup it almost looks like TO3 type transistors on the back there but I can't be sure.
mike
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