Electronic Organ - in Church - Digital Organs in Church

Digital Organs in Church

These are instruments designed as pipe organ replacements or as digital consoles to play existing pipes. They have developed greatly over the last two decades, and are now a common alternative to the pipe organ, particularly in churches. These are often referred to as digital organs. The technology has advanced to such a level that there is very little difference in sound timbre between piped and pipeless instruments, although this is still debated by some organists, who may argue that there is no substitute for a real pipe organ. However, many churches that are unable to afford costly pipe organs have turned to less-expensive electronic organs as a viable alternative; even a congregation that could afford a modest pipe organ may instead opt for a digital organ that simulates a pipe organ that would be larger than they could afford.

Digital organs by custom builders have also become a viable alternative for churches who may have had a pipe organ and can no longer afford to maintain it, or for those situations where a pipe organ is not financially possible. Some proponents of pipe organs claim that digital organs should be regarded as no more than multi-note hi-fi systems of durability no more than standard electronic equipment, in contrast to pipe organs that might still be playing without major rebuilding for many years. However, the high initial cost of pipe organs has limited their production, and all-digital and pipe/digital combination organs now significantly outsell pipe organs.

Most of the current digital church organs produce sounds based on recorded pipe samples, while others may model the pipe sound by digital synthesis. Custom digital organs can require large and expensive computer systems and an organ "voicer" may finish the organ, much like the process of regulating and voicing a pipe organ. These organs typically use very high quality custom-designed audio systems. The builders of both custom and factory organs include the firms of Allen, Ahlborn-Galanti, Johannus, Viscount, Makin, Rodgers and Wyvern.

This style of instrument is also popular with popular concert organists, such as Carlo Curley, who tours with a substantial Allen Organ in the USA and with an Allen in the UK, which means he does not need to spend time getting used to a new pipe organ for every concert he performs. These instruments will often contain effects that are not seen on pipe organs, and there may be additional features, such as orchestral and percussion sounds, and console aids. The most advanced digital organs also offer some capabilities and features not found in pipe organs, such as changing historical pitch standards and temperaments.