Is a concert organ expensive? No, not really!
A concert organ or concert hall organ is a pipe organ that supports symphony orchestra’s or choir. Many concert halls use virtual organs, because they are cheaper and more flexible than traditional pipe organs.
In a concert hall an organ often functions as an ‘extra orchestra’. The organ can also be used to support choirs. Concert organs must be versatile and often have so called swell boxes. This box has a large opening covered with moveable shades or shutters which resemble heavy venetian blinds. The moveable shades provide a means of adjusting the loudness of the sound, and perhaps more importantly, of gradual crescendo and decrescendo.
You understand that a concert hall organ is not cheap. The costs for a traditional pipe organ are high. You pay tens of thousands of euro’s, pounds or dollars. A digital organ is a good alternative. A digital organ can contain samples of hundreds of organs, thereby matching the sound with a choir or symphony orchestra. You can not hear the difference between a digital organ and a pipe organ.
Another advantage of a digital or virtual organ is that you can choose between a fixed setup and a flexible setup. The latter can be useful. If an organ is no longer needed, you temporarily move the organ out of view.
Do you want to know more about digital concert hall organs? Please contact Mixtuur and we tell you everything!