Freiberg Organ Model
I take the opportunity to announce now the newest Sonus Paradisi sample set. It is the virtual model of a mature Silbermann opus: the Petrikirche organ in Freiberg (Germany).
Freiberg is exceptionally lucky city, there are 4 extant Silbermann's organs. Besides the organ in the Dom (cathedral) which is known for it is big (3 manuals), there is perhaps less known Petrikirche organ, which is - nevertheless - also very rich in the stop list and, above all, it is the testimony of the Silbermann last manner. Thus, the Petrikirche organ was, for example, very similar in style to the destroyed Frauenkirche organ in Dresden. It is here, in Petrikirche, that we understand the meaning of the famous "Gravität" which young Bach was already asking for in his report on the Mühlhausen organ, back in 1708. The plenum is indeed unusually rich and heavy, since the organ is based on 16 feet Principal (the Oberwerk is equipped with 16' Quintadena), there is even real 32' Gross Untersatz in the pedal. Besides that, we find great variety of colors thanks to 3 reed stops in manuals (Fagot, Trumpet and Vox humana), the mutations (Nassat, Quintas, Sexquialtera, Terz) and various flues (Rohrflutes, Spitzflute, Gedackt, Gamba).
Our virtual model is almost ready and it will appear most probably on 18th October. There will be 4 versions of this sample set. The dry version will be suitable for the use with convolution reverb. There will be two different wet versions - one presenting more direct sound of pipes, the other presenting the organ from greater distance, for those who like to listen not so much to the expressive speech of pipes but rather to the acoustics of the church and the organ immersed in the reverb. Finally, the unique feature of Sonus Paradisi work, there is the Surround version, presenting the 4-channel audio samples, which will take you virtually into the church in the center of the sound field.
Unfortunately, there are almost no preview demo available. I am looking for an excelent organist who would like to record about 30 minutes of baroque music using all the colors of the instrument for our web presentation. At best, live midi recorded files would be welcome with the registration suggestions. Please, write to me an e-mail if you are interested in this. The reward for such a virtual performer would be a free copy of the sample set in all its versions. The requirements: the performance should be submitted in at least 20-bit depth and also in midi files, it should be submitted at best before 18th October 2008. The pieces should be serious enough and suitable for this type of (baroque) instrument. The list of compositions for the recording should be submitted for approval.
Great Listening Test
However, for now until the 18th October, we prepared the Great Listening Test. One midi file was recorded several times using various versions of the sample set. The task is to identify which version of the sample set was used to record the particular demo piece. There are rewards waiting for the successfull participants!
The primary aim of this test is to determine whether it is possible to make clear distinction between the wet set and its dry companion when the later is used with the proper convolution. I am quite curious about the results, since this would either confirm or confute the doubts about the dry sample sets and the convolution reverb which many (including myself to some extent) have. So, please, all of you advocates and adversaries of the dry sample set and convolution reverb, speak up and give me your results!
The web page with the test is here (scroll down the page, please).
I take the opportunity to announce now the newest Sonus Paradisi sample set. It is the virtual model of a mature Silbermann opus: the Petrikirche organ in Freiberg (Germany).
Freiberg is exceptionally lucky city, there are 4 extant Silbermann's organs. Besides the organ in the Dom (cathedral) which is known for it is big (3 manuals), there is perhaps less known Petrikirche organ, which is - nevertheless - also very rich in the stop list and, above all, it is the testimony of the Silbermann last manner. Thus, the Petrikirche organ was, for example, very similar in style to the destroyed Frauenkirche organ in Dresden. It is here, in Petrikirche, that we understand the meaning of the famous "Gravität" which young Bach was already asking for in his report on the Mühlhausen organ, back in 1708. The plenum is indeed unusually rich and heavy, since the organ is based on 16 feet Principal (the Oberwerk is equipped with 16' Quintadena), there is even real 32' Gross Untersatz in the pedal. Besides that, we find great variety of colors thanks to 3 reed stops in manuals (Fagot, Trumpet and Vox humana), the mutations (Nassat, Quintas, Sexquialtera, Terz) and various flues (Rohrflutes, Spitzflute, Gedackt, Gamba).
Our virtual model is almost ready and it will appear most probably on 18th October. There will be 4 versions of this sample set. The dry version will be suitable for the use with convolution reverb. There will be two different wet versions - one presenting more direct sound of pipes, the other presenting the organ from greater distance, for those who like to listen not so much to the expressive speech of pipes but rather to the acoustics of the church and the organ immersed in the reverb. Finally, the unique feature of Sonus Paradisi work, there is the Surround version, presenting the 4-channel audio samples, which will take you virtually into the church in the center of the sound field.
Unfortunately, there are almost no preview demo available. I am looking for an excelent organist who would like to record about 30 minutes of baroque music using all the colors of the instrument for our web presentation. At best, live midi recorded files would be welcome with the registration suggestions. Please, write to me an e-mail if you are interested in this. The reward for such a virtual performer would be a free copy of the sample set in all its versions. The requirements: the performance should be submitted in at least 20-bit depth and also in midi files, it should be submitted at best before 18th October 2008. The pieces should be serious enough and suitable for this type of (baroque) instrument. The list of compositions for the recording should be submitted for approval.
Great Listening Test
However, for now until the 18th October, we prepared the Great Listening Test. One midi file was recorded several times using various versions of the sample set. The task is to identify which version of the sample set was used to record the particular demo piece. There are rewards waiting for the successfull participants!
The primary aim of this test is to determine whether it is possible to make clear distinction between the wet set and its dry companion when the later is used with the proper convolution. I am quite curious about the results, since this would either confirm or confute the doubts about the dry sample sets and the convolution reverb which many (including myself to some extent) have. So, please, all of you advocates and adversaries of the dry sample set and convolution reverb, speak up and give me your results!
The web page with the test is here (scroll down the page, please).
Last edited by zurek on Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.