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List Samplesets
Below is a table of commercial organ samplesets that were released since 2006.
On Hauptwerk samplesets are (almost) all available samplesets.
See for upcoming samplesets
See also Downloadable (freeware, shareware, trial) Samplesets.

Caution!
  • The prices (in EURO) are indications. Sometimes there are shipping costs.
  • I try to actualize the prices regular, but it is possible that here an 'old' price is shown.
  • I try to show the price 'inclusive VAT' (tax), but verify this always on the site of the supplier! Sometimes there is no VAT applied when you buy a 'download' version.
  • Quality indication:
    • 24=24 bit / 16=16 bit (Explanation: 24 bit/16 bit)
    • M=Multiple release samples (Explanation: Multiple release samples)
    • S=Multi (stereo)channel (Surround) (Explanation: Surround)
    • T=With tremulant samples (t=small part of the stops is recorded inclusive tremulant)
  • The GB column is an indication for the required RAM. It's the amount of memory that is needed for 'Hauptwerk + sampleset' (exclusive Windows) with the 'default memory adjustments': 16 bit, stereo (not surround), lossless compression, multiple releases, multiple loops. When you use 'single loops' (less loss of quality) the required memory can be lowered further (dependent on sampleset). See Memory reduction for Samplesets for more possibilities to reduce memory.
Rel. Description Na. Producer Type Size GB Price Ind.
13/05 1885 Friedrich Ladegast, Wernigerode/Harz DE OrganART Media Romantic 33/3+P 2.6 315 24M
13/04 1832 Van Dam, Tholen NL Voxus organs Romantic 29/3+P 12.0 379 24MST
13/04 1742 Silbermann, Zöblitz DE Prospectum Baroque 20/2+P 2.4 99 24MSt
12/12 1903 Ernst Röver, Ditfurt (33/2+P) DE Pipeloops Romantic 33/2+P 3.5 199 24M
12/12 1902 Cavaillč-Coll/Mutin, Saint Eucaire, Metz FR Milan digital audio Fr. romantic 18/2+P 2.9 100 24MSt
12/11 1973 Marcussen, Laurenskerk, Rotterdam NL Sonus Paradisi Large modern 85/4+P 14.5 704 24MST
12/11 1973 Marcussen, Laurenskerk, Rotterdam Dry NL Sonus Paradisi Large modern 85/4+P 6.7 363 24
12/08 1892 Father Willis, Hereford Cath. Vol 1+2+3 GB Lavender Audio Romantic 67/4+P 7.5 535 24Mt
12/07 1962 Verschueren, Grafhorst NL Danny Koschinski Romantic 16/2+P 0.9 40 24
12/07 American Classic Organ, composite US Etcetera Pipe Organs Romantic 70/3+P 4.5 187 24
12/06 1985 Ponziano Bevilacqua, Bisenti IT Midi Pipe Organ Italian 21/2+P 1.2 295 24
12/06 1750 Atri Adriano Fedri, Atri IT Midi Pipe Organ Italian 13/1+P 0.8 195 24
12/06 1761 J. A. Silbermann, Arlesheim, Switzerland SW OrganART Media Fr. baroque 36/3+P 4.5 435 24MT
12/04 1856 Mooser, Esztergom Basilica HU Inspired Acoustics Symphonic 77/5+P 28.0 450 24m
12/04 1831 Batz/Witte, Domkerk, Utrecht NL Sonus Paradisi Romantic 50/3+P 9.0 539 24MST
12/03 1985 Hendriksen en Reitsma, Daarlerveen NL Van den Akker Neo barok 13/2+P 1.3 28 24M
12/03 1980 Grenzing, St Pierre Ménestérol FR Sonus Paradisi Baroque 22/2+P 2.3 70 24MS
12/02 1925 Wangerin, Madison Masonic Center (dry) US Evensong music Romantic 45/3+1 1.6 188 24
12/01 1755 De Backer, Gapinge, Nederland NL Voxus organs Baroque 7/1 0.8 19 24M
11/12 1887 Father Willis, Salisbury Vol 1+2+3 GB Milan digital audio Romantic 65/4+P 7.7 997 24MT
11/12 1949 M.P. Moller Organ Opus 8060 (semi dry) US Organ Expressions Romantic 23/2+P 0.9 38 24
11/12 1732 Michael Engler, Krzeszow PL Sonus Paradisi Baroque 50/3+P 6.0 378 24MS
11/11 Composite Father Willis Studio 70 GB Silver Octopus Romantic 70/4+P 7.3 380 24
11/11 2009 B. Formentelli, Rieti, San Domenico IT Sonus Paradisi Fr. baroque 56/5+P 7.2 492 24MS
11/11 2008 Frantisek Vyhnalek (model of Ruckers) CZ Sonus Paradisi Harpsichord 4 ?? 56 24
11/10 1732 A. Silbermann, Ebersmunster, France FR OrganART Media Fr. baroque 29/3+P 3.6 395 24MT
11/09 1702 Caimari, Palma, Spain version 2 SP Sonus Paradisi Spanish 34/3+P 3.7 264 24M
11/09 St Madeleine de Bagnoles de l'Orne FR Virtual Pipes Xport Fr. romantic 24/3+P 1.1 40 16
11/08 1892 Father Willis, Hereford Cathedral Vol 1+2 GB Lavender Audio Romantic 46/4+P 4.9 355 24Mt
11/08 1892 Father Willis, Hereford Cathedral Vol 1 GB Lavender Audio Romantic 23/3+P 2.4 175 24M
11/08 Marennes, France FR Virtual Pipes Xport Fr. romantic 7/1 0.5 15 16
11/08 1885 Cavaille-Coll, St Etienne, Caen, V2 FR Sonus Paradisi Fr. romantic 55/3+P 6.1 640 24MS
11/07 1979 Albert Fuhrer, Riddagshausen, Germany DE Pipeloops Neo barok 32/3+P 5.5 295 24MT
11/06 1959 Tamburini, Santa Maria Nascente, Milaan IT Andrea Bonzi Unit 20/2+P ? 80 ?
11/06 1714 Boizard, St Michel en Thierache, France FR Sonus Paradisi Fr. baroque 31/4+P 3.5 286 24MS
11/05 1842 J. Batz, Hervormde kerk, Mijdrecht NL De HW consultant Romantic 22/2+P 2.1 40 16M
11/05 2004 Ottes, Mostoles, Spanje SP Sygsoft Spanish 24/3+P 2.8 140 24M
11/04 1762 Jordi Bosch, Santanyi, Spain (revision) SP Sonus Paradisi Spanish 40/2+P 3.6 298 24M
11/02 1721 Schnitger, Zwolle version 2 NL Sonus Paradisi Baroque 64/4+P 8.0 599 24MS
11/02 Composite Father Willis Studio 24 GB Silver Octopus Romantic 24/2+P ???? 118 ?
11/01 2006 Pecsi-Muhleisen, Budapest (extended) HU Inspired Acoustics Large modern 144/5+P 16.7 1052 24M
10/12 1735 Silbermann, Freiberg Surround DE Sonus Paradisi Baroque 32/2+P 6.9 479 24MS
10/12 1654 Positif Organ, Griebenow Castle DE OrganART Media Baroque 02/1 0.3 35 16M
10/11 1775 Isnard, St. Maximin FR Sonus Paradisi Fr. baroque 45/4+P 5.8 480 24MS
10/11 1587 unknown, Smecno CZ Sonus Paradisi Renaissance 19/2+P 3.4 132 24MS
10/09 1630 L. Eekman, Midwolde, Groningen NL Sygsoft Baroque 06/1 1.2 69 24M
10/09 1675/1688 Huss-Schnitger, Stade DE OrganART Media Baroque 42/3+P 3.9 545 24Mt
10/08 2007 Tomas Mocnik, Velesovo, Slovenia SI Sonus Paradisi Baroque 38/2+P 3.8 359 24MS
10/08 1673 Mundt, Prague (version 2) CZ Sonus Paradisi Baroque 35/2+P 4.2 179 24M
10/07 2006 Albert Baumhoer, Bielefeld Stieghorst DE Pipeloops Fr. romantic 14/2+P 2.0 105 24M
10/05 1699 A. Starck, Zlata Koruna, Wet CZ Sonus Paradisi Baroque 20/2+P 2.7 78 24M
10/05 2001 Grygar, Litomysl, Czech, Dry CZ Sonus Paradisi Large modern 51/4+P 1.6 197 24M
10/05 1770 Nacchini-Dacci, St. Mauro in Izola SI Sonus Paradisi Italian 10/1+P 1.1 60 24MS
10/05 Composite 'Romantic series' dry GB Silver Octopus Romantic 64/3+P 3.0 527 ?
10/04 1885 Cavaille-Coll, St Etienne, Caen, Dry FR Sonus Paradisi Fr. romantic 55/3+P 2.1 438 24MS
10/02 1887 Father Willis, Salisbury Vol 1 GB Milan digital audio Romantic 28/3+P 3.7 461 24MT
10/01 1922 Geo. Kilgen, Coffeyville, Kansas US Organ Expressions Romantic 19/2+P 1.2 150 24
10/01 1909 Rieger-Kloss Matyas, Budapest HU Inspired Acoustics Romantic 85/5+P 11.4 259 24M
10/01 1995 Bamboe-orgel, Roeselare, Belgium BE Sygsoft Bamboe 10/3+P 1.0 44 24M
09/12 1927 Rieger-Varga, Kispest, Budapest HU Inspired Acoustics Fr. romantic 38/2+P 6.1 129 24M
09/11 1793 A. Reis, Rabstejn nad Strelou CZ Sonus Paradisi Baroque 18/2+P 2.2 132 24MS
09/11 1719 Radeker/Garrels, Anloo NL Prospectum Baroque 21/2+P 1.5 69 24
09/10 1879 Van Oeckelen, Wirdum, Groningen NL Sygsoft Romantic 08/1+P 0.8 44 24M
09/10 1741-1743 Hinsz, Bovenkerk, Kampen NL Milan digital audio Baroque 55/4+P 6.5 1047 24M
09/09 1730 Trost, Waltershausen, Germany DE OrganART Media Baroque 53/3+P 3.4 595 24MT
09/07 1901 Binns, Haverhill, Extended GB Lavender Audio Romantic 59/3+P 4.8 290 24M
09/05 1741-1743 Hinsz, Bovenkerk, Kampen Vol I+II NL Milan digital audio Baroque 41/4+P 4.4 796 24M
09/05 2006 Pecsi-Muhleisen, Budapest, Extended HU Inspired Acoustics Large modern 92/5+P 17.3 751 24M
09/03 1874 Afgeleid van Schyven/Bever, Brussels BE Pipeloops Romantic 28/2+P 3.0 80 16M
09/03 1844 Engelfried, Gonningen, Germany DE OrganART Media Romantic 24/2+P 2.2 295 24M
09/03 1778 Pazicky, Pusztaszabolcs, Hungary HU Inspired Acoustics Baroque 17/2+P 5.4 74 24M
09/03 1989 Composite 'Trio 20-24' dry GB Silver Octopus Romantic 20/2+P 0.7 108 ?
09/02 2006 Pecsi-Muhleisen, Budapest, Medium HU Inspired Acoustics Large modern 45/3+P 6.8 300 24M
09/01 1741 Silbermann, Grosshartm., Germany DE Pipeloops Baroque 21/2+P 1.7 199 16M
08/12 2006 Pecsi-Muhleisen, Budapest HU Inspired Acoustics Large modern 92/5+P 13.0 600 24M
08/12 1904 Sauer, Dortmund DE OrganART Media Romantic 40/3+P 4.1 485 24M
08/11 1901 Binns, Haverhill GB Lavender Audio Romantic 42/3+P 2.8 220 24M
08/09 1681 Joachim Richborn, Buttforde DE Dirk Menzenbach Baroque 09/1+P 0.6 95 16
08/09 1778 Van Peteghem, Haringe BE Sygsoft Fr. baroque 28/3+P 3.2 224 24M
08/09 1741-1743 Hinsz, Bovenkerk, Kampen Vol I NL Milan digital audio Baroque 24/2+P 2.7 461 24M
08/07 1627-2000 Div., Forcalquier FR Sonus Paradisi Fr. baroque 36/3+P 3.8 312 24M
08/06 1734 Hinsz, Leens NL Sygsoft Baroque 27/2+P 2.8 194 24M
08/06 1748 Adam Ehrlich, Bad Wimpfen, Germany DE Prospectum Baroque 26/2+P 1.0 59 16?
08/05 1915 Furtwangler and Hammer, Wustrow DE Dirk Menzenbach Romantic 19/2+P 0.3 95 16
08/05 1673 Mundt, Prague CZ Sonus Paradisi Baroque 35/2+P 2.5 239 24M
08/04 1928 Skinner, Chicago, USA, Dry US Milan digital audio Romantic 58/3+P 3.9 520 24
08/03 1874 Schyven / van Bever, Brussel BE Pipeloops Fr. romantic 62/3+P 6.5 199 16
07/11 1903 Cavaille-Coll, Metz, France FR Milan digital audio Fr. romantic 48/3+P 3.4 671 24Mt
07/11 1723 Schnitger, Duurswoude, Nederland NL OrganART Media Baroque 10/1+P 0.8 195 24
07/10 1959 van Leeuwen, Bolnes, Nederland NL Sygsoft Neo barok 18/2+P 1.9 84 24
07/04 1531 unknown, Krewerd NL Sygsoft Baroque 07/1+P 0.7 90 24
07/03 1600 Antegnati, Brescia, Italy IT Sonus Paradisi Italian 12/1+P 2.5 48 24M
07/03 1680 Arp Schnitger, Cappel, Germany DE Milan digital audio Baroque 30/2+P 1.4 325 24
07/03 1691/1788 Garcia/Martinez, Castilla, Spain. SP OrganART Media Spanish 26/1+P 1.0 255 24M
07/02 1704 Arp Schnitger, Eenum, Nederland NL Sygsoft Baroque 10/1+P 0.9 100 24
07/01 1686/1720 Bosch-Schnitger, Vollenhove NL OrganART Media Baroque 27/2+P 2.3 325 24M
07/01 1966 Casavant Freres, Ontario, Canada CA Explenum Organum Neo barok 45/3+P 1.7 126 ?
07/01 1722 Silbermann, Rotha, Germany DE Milan digital audio Baroque 11/1+P 0.9 83 24
06/10 1721 Silbermann, Rotha, Germany DE Milan digital audio Baroque 23/2+P 1.3 275 24
06/08 1928 E.M. Skinner, Chicago, Wet US Milan digital audio Romantic 58/3+P 2.5 333 24
06/06 1854/1880 Ducroquet-Cav.-Coll, Aix, France FR OrganART Media Fr. romantic 40/3+P 3.1 325 16
06/06 1731 Silbermann, Reinhardtsgrimma, Germ. DE OrganART Media Baroque 20/2+P 0.8 245 16
06/04 1966 Schantz, Riverside, USA, composite US Evensong music Romantic 49/3+P 1.0 75 ?

* The prices are converted from Dollars. For Dollar->Euro conversion I used '1 euro = 1.33 dollar'.

Upcoming Samplesets
Description / More info Country Producer Size When
1900 Van Dam, Vroomshoop NL Van den Akker 18/2+P 2013
1885 Friedrich Ladegast, Wernigerode/Harz, Sachsen-Anhalt DE OrganART Media 33/3+P ?
1731 Silbermann, Reinhardtsgrimma, Germ. (new version) DE OrganART Media 20/2+P ?
1787 J.N. Holzhey, St Peter and Paul, Weissenau (D) DE Prospectum 41/3+P ?
1916 Walcker, Martinikerk, Doesburg, Nederland NL Sonus Paradisi 75/4+P 2013
1896 Batz/Witte, Grote kerk, Apeldoorn NL ??? 42/3+P 2013
1997 Steendam, Eben Haezerkerk, Apeldoorn NL ??? 23/2+P ?
1752 Hahn, St. Michael, Kolozsvár RO Inspired Acoustics 38/3+P ?
1888 Gradussen, St. Blasius, Beckum (Overijssel) NL Danny Koschinski 7/1+aP 2013
1745 J.A. Silbermann - Wasselone FR jeux d'orgues 30/3+P 2013
1912/2002 Stahlhuth / Jann organ, Dudelange LX Voxus organs 78/4+P 2014
1854 Batz/Witte, Tiel, Nederland NL Voxus organs 25/2+P 2013
1834 Callinet organ, an original rarity from France FR OrganART Media ??/3+P ?
1711/1721 Nikolaus Seeber, Schwalbennestorgel Bedheim (Thüringen) DE OrganART Media ? ?
1772 Crapp organ of Pappenheim with strong relations to Pachelbel DE OrganART Media 11/1+P ?
1967 Rudulf von Beckerath, Pauluskirche, Hamm DE OrganART Media 39/3+P ??
1959 Marcussen, Laurenskerk, Rotterdam, Nederland NL Sonus Paradisi 31/3+P ?
1776 Tadeo Ortega, Capillas (Palencia), Spain SP OrganART Media 21/1+P ?
1981 Oberlinger, in Bonn-Beuel, Germany DE Pipeloops 61/3+P 2013
1748 Adam Ehrlich, Stadkirche Bad Wimpfen (D) DE Prospectum 26/2+P ?
1862 Johann Georg Schafer, Dreifaltigkeitskirche Mannheim DE Prospectum 27/2+P ?
1999 Goteborg Organ Art Center, Sweden SE Prospectum 56/4+P ?
1738 Muller, Bavo Haarlem NL ? 64/3+P ?
1858 PONZATE DI TAVERNERIO (COMO) - F. Ponza Tavernerio IT Andrea Bonzi ? ?
1607 COSTA SERINA (BERGAMO) - ANTEGNATI-SERASSI-SGRITTA IT Andrea Bonzi ? ?
1886 RIGOSA (BERGAMO) - G. Rigosa - ORGEL G. MANZONI IT Andrea Bonzi ? ?
MALPAGA (BERGAMO) - MARZOLI-ROSSI PRIMA META IT Andrea Bonzi ? ?
1922 CASSANO SPINOLA (ALESSANDRIA) - ORGANO CELESTINO E LUIGI BALBIANI IT Andrea Bonzi ? ?

Downloadable (freeware, shareware, trial) Samplesets
Description / Download site Producer Type Size Hw license
A lot high quality trial sets Sonus Paradisi Various Various No
1973 Marcussen, Laurenskerk, Rotterdam Sonus Paradisi Large modern 24/4+P No
1831 Batz/Witte, Domkerk, Utrecht Sonus Paradisi Romantic 12/3+P No
1885 Cavaille-Coll, St Etienne, Caen Sonus Paradisi French romantic 17/3+P No
1587 Onbekende orgelbouwer, Smecno, Czech Sonus Paradisi Renaissance 13/1+P No
1721, Arp Schnitger, Zwolle Sonus Paradisi Baroque 11/4+P No
2007 Tomas Mocnik, Velesovo, Slovenia Sonus Paradisi Modern baroque 10/2+P No
1775 Isnard, St. Maximin, France Sonus Paradisi Hist. French 10/1 No
1714 St. Michel en Thierache DEMO sample set Sonus Paradisi Hist. French 9/1 No
1979 Albert Fuhrer, Riddagshausen, Germany Pipeloops Neo baroque 7/2+P No
St. Maria Nordheim Prospectum Positief 4/1 No
1913 Walcker, Wildervank Virtual Organs.nl Romantic 25/2+P No
1865 Van Oeckelen, Oude Pekela Virtual Organs.nl Romantic 19/2+P No
1992 Kaat en Tijhuis, Veendam Virtual Organs.nl Neo baroque 25/2+P No
1876 Wilhelm Sauer, Skrzatusz Skrzatusz Romantic 19/2+P No
1856 Mooser, Esztergom Basilica Inspired Acoustics Symphonic 16/2+P ?
1741 Muller, Oosterwijtwerd, Holland Sygsoft Dutch baroque 08/1+P No
1981 Martin Bezemer harpsichord Sygsoft Harpsichord 03/1 No
1929 St. Augustine's Anglican Church Nicholas Appleton Australian 12/2+P No
1877 Charles Jackson, St Stephen's Nicholas Appleton Australian 14/2+P No
Barton3-7 South African VPO Theatre ? No
Prudhoe Methodist Church, Northumberland, UK Mark Beverley English 09/2+P No
Brut-Leuchten Orgel Zion organ Composite baroque 29/2+P No
Composite of Anne's, Augustine, Stephen, and Prudhoe GrahamG Composite English 76/4+P No
1600 Antegnati, St. Carlo, Brescia, Italy Sonus Paradisi Hist. Italian 12/1+P No
2007 Prib Chamber Organ Sonus Paradisi Chamber organ 05/1 No
2005 Mietke harpsichord Sonus Paradisi Harpsichord 06/1 No
'Zlata Koruna mini' derived sampleset Sonus Paradisi Hist. baroque 05/1+P No
'Palma mini' derived sampleset Sonus Paradisi Hist. Spanish 04/1 No
Clavichord model for Hauptwerk Sonus Paradisi Clavichord 01/1 No
Enigma Wet / Dry Al Morse Composite baroque 34/2+P No
2003 Dieter Ott chamber organ Christian Datzko Chamber organ 05/1+P No
2010 Paramount 310 Paramount Theatre organ 10/3+P No
1901 James Jepson Binns, Haverhill Lavender Audio English romantic 10/2+P Yes
1809 Joseph Hart, Little Waldingfield, Suffolk, England Lavender Audio English 20/2+P Yes
1888 Father Willis, Groton, Suffolk, England Lavender Audio English 08/2+P Yes
Father Willis Studio 24 Silver Octopus English 12/2+P No
1741 Silbermann, Grosshartmannsdorf, Germany Pipeloops Hist. German baroque 21/2+P No, *
1874 Schyven/vBever, Notre Dame de Laeken Pipeloops Hist. French romantic 61/3+P Yes, *
1874 Schyven/vBever, ND de Laeken (Small version) Pipeloops Hist. French romantic 28/2+P No, *
1846 Cavaille-Coll, Sainte-Madeleine, Paris Pipeloops Hist. French romantic 04/2+P No, **
Virtual steamboat calliope Pipeloops Calliope 01/1 No, ***
2006 Pecsi-Muhleisen (Palace of Arts Budapest) Inspired Acoustics Modern symphonic 15/2+P Yes, *
1778 Pazicky, Pusztaszabolcs, Budapest, Hungary Inspired Acoustics Hist. Hungarian baroque 17/2+P Yes, *
1741-1743 Hinsz, Kampen, Netherlands Volume1 Milan Digital Audio Hist. Dutch baroque 24/2+P Yes, ****
Gernot's Happy Birthday Organ Prospectum Modern 11/1+P No, *hw1
Diatonic Accordion Soni Musicae Diatonic Accordion 02/1 No, *hw1
Mellotron Pipeloops Mellotron 01/1 No
Ghent Belfry Carillon Soni Musicae Carillon 01/1 No, *hw1
Italian Spinet Soni Musicae Spinet 01/1 No, *hw1
1988 House Organ (Orgue de salon) Soni Musicae Chamber organ 05/1 No, *hw1
Small Italian Harpsichord (17th) Soni Musicae Harpsichord 03/1 No, *hw1
French Harpsichord after Blanchet (18th) Soni Musicae Harpsichord 03/1 No, *hw1
French Harpsichord Double after Taskin (18th) Soni Musicae Harpsichord 03/2 No, *hw1
1843 Stiehr-Mockers organ Jeux d'orgues French baroque 21/2+P No, *hw1
1843 Stiehr-Mockers, Romanswiller, France Jeux d'orgues French baroque 21/2+P No, hw3 beta
Burea Funeral Chapel, Sweden Lars VPO Swedish 6 No, *GO
Burea Church, Sweden Lars VPO Swedish 33/3+P No
Kalvtrask Church , Sweden Lars VPO Swedish 22/2+P No, *GO
Jorgensen Tribute Organ Magne Nilsen Norwegian 30/2+P No
Carillon aan met 13 klokken, Italie Andrea Bonzi Carillon 13 No

Hw license If a Hauptwerk License is needed. When it is No then the sampleset works also with the 'Free version'.
* This trial version will periodically mute the sound for a few seconds.
** This trial version will stop working after about 75 seconds, after which the set needs to be reloaded.
*** This Calliope trial versions contain only two samples/octave
**** Limited compass
*hw1 Is a Hauptwerk 1 / MyOrgan / GrandOrgue sampleset, can be imported into Hauptwerk.
*GO Is a GrandOrgue sampleset, can only be used with GrandOrgue.

Free extensions can you find at Les Deutsch's Organ Software Development.

No Hauptwerk, no church organ, but free, nice and entertaining: VirtualOrgan.com: Miditzer Style 216 Theatre organ.

Sampleset choice
Apparently it seems that a lot of Hauptwerk lovers have a strong preference for a specific sampleset producer. Sometimes there are fierce reproaches on the forums between supporters of one producer to the (lovers of) other producers. Indeed, there are differences between the samplesets of the several suppliers, but I experience pleasure during playing samplesets of different producers and have no need to gather myself to a particular 'supporters group'.

Generally (!!!) speaking:
  • Milan Digital Audio has recorded the organs on a bit distance (I estimate on more than 6 meter from organ).
  • The organs of Sonus Paradisi and OrganArtMedia are more nearby (direct) recorded (I estimate on less than 6 meter from organ).
  • Also Inspired Acoustics have their own approach, with their own 'spatial control' and CSA cathedral acoustics.
It's hard to choose a suitable sampleset. There are a lot of organs, the quality is different and each organ has its own characteristics. Furthermore sounds not each sampleset on every configuration the same.

The following considerations play a part in the choice:
  1. Do I want Wet (sampleset with reverberation) or Dry (sampleset without reverberation)?
    The differences between Wet and Dry are described on: Requirements/Wet Dry.

  2. Do I like the recorded organ?
    The most important thing is that you like the recorded organ. The opinions are enormous different about, for example, the sampleset of the old Schnitger organ in Cappel (MDA). Some people judged it as a terrific top sampleset, others don't have pleasure when they played the set. The same applies for e.g. the sampleset of Prague Baroque (Sonus Paradisi), Duurswoude (OAM), PAB (Inspired Acoustics) and Leens (Sygsoft), the appreciations are substantial different (source: some forums, mails and visits). It is for a large part everyone to his own taste and a difference in audio-configuration that explains these differences.

    Do you want?
    • Much reverberation / less reverberation.
      When you listen with headphone or with two good Active Speakers, sounds (with my ears) a sampleset with much reverb better. But when you listen in a configuration with a lot of speakers in a greater room, sounds a sampleset with less reverb better.
    • Baroque / Romantic / Symphonic.
    • Great cathedral organ / more intimate organ.
    • French / German / English / Dutch / Italian / Spanish / Hungarian / American, etc.
    Look to the disposition and listen to the mp3 examples.

  3. Technical quality.
    • For an organ with reverb are 'multiple releases' samples very important. For an organ with less reverb this is less significant.
    • Is the sound clear or dull / lusterless? Mostly you can hear that on the mp3 examples.
    • Are the recordings 'detailed'?
    • Is there a good stereo balance'? It is nice when you hear some pipes more 'left' and others more 'right'.
    • Is there a lot of noise on the samples and reverb? This is usually not annoying when you have the 'organ wind motor' on.
    • Generally speaking are the most recent samplesets better (technical) than samplesets of some years ago.
  4. Practical quality.
    • Are there license restrictions, e.g.: Not allowed to use in a church or not allowed to publish recordings. Check this on site of sampleset producer.
    • Direct (nearby) recorded, or a bit on distance?
      The advantage of 'direct' is that you can hear more details, e.g. the 'blowing' of a pipe. This is very nice, certainly when you select only some stops. In addition is 'nearby recorded' more suitable for study, details are more noticeable.
      The advantage of 'on distance' is that a plenum or tutti sounds better, the stops mix better and it looks like more a average cd-recording.
    • How fits a sampleset to my computer? Most important is the amount of RAM usage.
    • Compass of manuals/pedal, a lot of baroque organs have only 4 octaves with as highest note a c'''. Sometimes offers a sampleset producer an 'extended version' with extended manuals.
    • Very user friendly stops tab page like Maximin extended.
    • The contrast between on/off for stops must be very clear (like Forcalquier).
    • Are two touch screens supported with different registration screen for Left and Right?
    • Are there sufficient combination stops.
    • Is the disposition usable for different types of music.
    • Is it possible to read and change the ODF (Organ Definition File)?
    • Is CODM (Custom Organ Design Module) possible?
    • 1280x1024 as standard screen size
    • Ultra Realistic stops screen like Georgenkirche (with pull out of the stop knobs).
    • Configurable crescendo (like Skinner, PAB).
    • Blower page (like Zwolle, Freiberg and other new sets of Sonus Paradisi).
    • Pre-configured (by sampleset producer) combination stops.
    • Real time on/off button for Keyboard/pedal sounds and Blower (like Oosterwijtwerd).
  5. The price of a sampleset.
    The samplesets of Milan Digital Audio have a favorable Dollar -> Euro conversion.
    Inspired Acoustics offers a 50% academic discount.
    The advantage of OrganArt is that you can try te samplesets for two weeks and may send back (for small fee amount).
A lot success with this difficult choice!

Digital organs

 Listen on the site of sakral-orgel.de how nice the different digital organs are. Than listen to this site and conclude that Hauptwerk organs sounds better and more realistic.

 

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