Choosing an Organ in the 21st Century

With the advances in digital technology, and the prohibitive cost of pipe organs, the most chosen church organs today include digitally-produced pipe organ sound.  Comparing digital organs can be daunting.  And, the marketing jargon used by builders can make objective comparison even harder.

An organ is a huge investment.  Choosing the best instrument that is designed to last for the long-term will lead to years of musical joy.  Conversely, the wrong choice will result in an unhappy and expensive experience.

This website is designed to assist buyers in making informed choices for not only the most artistic instruments, but also organs designed, built and supported for the long term.  Here are a few simple ways to judge whether a digital organ is worthy of your purchase.

About the Sound

  1. How Does It Compare to the Real Thing? – Every organ builder uses flowery language to describe the merits of their technology, but there’s only one real acid test for a digital organ’s sound quality. Listen to a builder’s instrument that includes both real pipes and digital sounds and compare the two.  If the builder can’t demonstrate this type of instrument, that is a red flag in today’s organ world.  If, in the comparison, you can tell which sounds are real pipes and which are digital voices, you are listening to second-rate digital technology, no matter what a salesman tells you.
  2. How much variety is there? – There are a lot of styles of church music. Don’t settle for an organ that only has one set of sounds.  The best digital organs have multiple independent stop lists to play any style of organ music authentically, as well as a wealth of additional sounds with which any of those stoplists can be augmented, and finally all the sounds you need for today’s contemporary music.  Don’t fall for the old “less is more” sales pitch.  As far as sound variety is concerned, you really can have it all.
  3. How’s the “Sound of Silence”? – With organ music, the “space between the notes” is as important as the actual sound. The best digital organs use a process called convolution (sampled acoustics) that goes beyond old-fashioned digital reverb to produce the convincing acoustical ambiance of a cathedral or any reverberant environment of your choice.  Even if your church has carpet and padded pews, your digital organ should sound like it’s playing in wonderful acoustics.

About the Organ’s Construction

  1. What’s it look like on the inside? – That’s where you will see a builder’s true commitment to quality. Do they skimp where they think no one will look?  Are all of the interior wood surfaces finished?  Is the console built like fine furniture or knock-down stuff from a discount store?  Are all of the important electronics protected by metal enclosures?  Are any heat-producing or high-voltage components bolted directly to wood?
  2. What keeps “visitors” from getting in? – Long after the last parishioner leaves on a Sunday morning the organ remains warm inside. It’s a nice haven for little critters, especially in the winter.  And while they’re in there they can do nasty things.  The easiest way into an organ console is through the expression pedal opening.  Is there anything around the organ’s expression pedals to keep unwanted pests out?  If so, is it made of metal or cardboard?
  3. Speaking of the Expression Shoe(s), what’s their construction? – The sturdiness of an expression shoe usually indicates the builder’s broader philosophy of building and you don’t even have to look inside the console to see them. Are they metal, wood or plastic?  Do they feel firm and sturdy or do they just sort of flop around?

About the Builder

  1. How long have they been in business? “Standing the test of time” isn’t just a phrase.  Nothing substitutes for experience.
  2. Have they developed their own digital technology or do they use someone else’s? Today’s digital organs can be marvels or mysteries.  Will your builder be able to troubleshoot and support an instrument whose technology they haven’t even designed?
  3. Are they a real builder? A company that builds its own sub-assemblies has better quality control and offers longer product support.  Many companies that call themselves builders are really only assemblers that outsource to cut costs.  This methodology lowers quality and makes long-term serviceability questionable.
  4. Will they be there when you need them? A warranty is a good start, but how do you know the builder will be there to honor it?  Make sure that the company has financial stability.  And, if a company has had a long list of managers and/or owners, it should make you wonder why.  Last, but not least, make sure that the builder has local representation that can respond quickly to your service needs.  Funerals, weddings and Christmas Eve Services can’t be delayed waiting for parts to arrive from half-way around the world.

Instruments and builders must be superior in all three key areas to meet your artistic and organ investment goals.