Virtual Organ

Silver Octopus Studios

Virtual Organ

The Virtual Organ will be based on the HW IIIsample libraries utilising the Gigastudio software by Tascam. It is quite likely that it will also work on a number of other platforms such as Halion and Kontakt which can import GS sample files. It will use a piece of software that is freely downloadable to present a standard working organ interface complete with stops, couplers, pistons and swell pedals etc.

Currently this side of things is awaiting the completion of the HW III files and will be developed by Graham Harrison who will also create Soundfont files as well.

Where the Virtual organ differs from Hauptwerk is that it is merely a working interface in church or cinema organ format which sits on top of the above software programs. Theoretically it could also sit as a graphical interface on top of Hauptwerk though there isn't much point.

There will be two versions available:

The first version will consist of a standard specification where all of the stop knobs and pistons control individual stops. Of course this can create a considerable burden for many computer systems especially when running up to 36 stops all at once unless split over several computers. It is designed for users who wish to take an alternative route to that offered by Hauptwerk. It will be essential to use the GS software offering the largest polyphony such as the old 160 or the top version of GS3 which offers unlimited polyphony subject to the computer system on which it is used.

The second version will look exactly the same as the first version but will work in a very different manner. Only the pistons, couplers and swell pedals will work. When a combination piston is selected, the stops present in that combination will be indicated by the stop knob representations but switching on a stop will have no effect. This is because the combination will load a single file consisting of several stops rather than the several individual stops that would be loaded in the first version.

What this means is that pretty much all computer systems will be able to handle anything thrown at them by this library and it also allows for the earlier or more basic versions of Gigastudio, which have less polyphony to be used.

Of course the two programs (Hauptwerk and Gigastudio) are entirely different animals and GS will be unlikely at any time, to cater for the many very specialist aspects of organ sound production that will be catered for by HW. However, for those who are happy with what it offers that is different from HW, it will be a very valid alternative.

I know that I will certainly be running both programs since each has its own idiosyncrasies and benefits that are lacking in their counterparts.

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For general enquiries, questions or comments about this web site please send mail to cb@silveroctopus.co.uk

For technical issues please send mail to Neil Craig at nc@silveroctopus.co.uk