Posted in: Instruments by KNOWLEDGE BASE on October 6th, 2009 | 1 Comment
The electronic organ began as a simple replacement for the gargantuan pipe organs inside churches. However, the largeness of these pipe organs presented many problems. Although the pipe organs produce sound that is clear and powerful, they were hard to use in places where the space was very limited.
The electronic organ began as a simple replacement for the gargantuan pipe organs inside churches. However, the largeness of these pipe organs presented many problems. Although the pipe organs produce sound that is clear and powerful, they were hard to use in places where the space was very limited. Thus, a typical pipe organ back then was a permanent fixture because it was actually built on the church walls themselves.
Today’s electronic organ has features and settings that can match not only the magnificence of the pipe organs but can also do more in terms of flexibility. Some types of electronic organs can even be programmed to play different recorded sounds on each key.
It all began when someone invented the harmonium also known as a reed organ. It was a small version compared to a pipe organ. The big difference was that instead of using a motor to keep air pressure at a constant tempo, the player would need to step continuously on a pump at an even pace.
Since this was very inconvenient for the player, someone invented an electrical version of the reed organ. This was the birth of the first electronic organ. It operated by combining electrical waveforms and converting them to sound. Eventually the designs and technology improved over the years and now electronic organs have the capability of mimicking any known instruments today.
The technology of electronic organs uses digital data to convert electricity into sound. This provides a wider array of sounds and combinations. The best part about it is that the electronic organ today is lighter, smaller and far more portable than their predecessors.
Right now, there are even electronic organ makers that make the organs sound like a real pipe organ. They have even included effects like a drop in the windchest pressure which happens when there are many pipes playing on the instrument at the same time. Even the acoustic effect can now be mimicked by an electronic organ. It is very useful especially in performances where there is very little space but needs a powerful effect to make it sound more realistic.
The thing about an electronic organ is that it is a great substitute for a piano or a pipe organ itself. It is much cheaper compared to even the modest-sized pipe organs. The latter would only stay fixed in a permanent location, while electronic organs are much easier to transport.
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Tiffany J L Alfonso March 11th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Although I prefer pipe organs over electric ones, you gave me insight on the article! My former parish in Clifton, NJ, has a three-manual pipe organ (with a visible trompette en chamade, go figure) – that contrasts with an electric organ by Yamaha that is housed in my current parish in Seffner, FL. I miss the old pipe organ, but I had the knack of reading this article!