Quite often, forum members ask if it is possible to change certain aspects of Hauptwerk organs by modifying the XML. I'm writing this post in order to find out if there is interest in a "Hauptwerk XML Customization Service." As both a Hauptwerk user and a graduate student who spends most of his time writing computer code, I am familiar with Hauptwerk XML code and would be interested in offering such a service for a reasonable price provided there is enough interest.
As you can imagine, the possibilities are endless. The list below is only a brief outline of what is possible and I'm sure you can think of more and better ideas:
1. Addition and/or modification of screen layouts. For instance, it is possible to introduce vertical stop jambs (if not already provided) or modify existing stop jambs into a more user friendly format.
2. Addition of new stops. For example, it is possible to add a 32' Resultantbass to the pedal using a single 16' pedal rank. Similarly, a high pitched (2' or 1') octave rank can be turned into a Sesquialter or other mixture. Even though the tuning for such mixtures will not be perfect, these additions do not require significant extra RAM and can add brilliance to an organ.
3. Addition of new ranks. Existing ranks in an organ can be used to create new ranks. For example, an organ that has only a Viola da Gamba can be expanded by loading this rank twice, once as a Viola da Gamba and once as a Vox Celeste (after some revoicing of course). Furthermore, it is also possible to incorporate ranks (or effects) from other organs. Note that such changes do require additional RAM.
4. Addition of enclosures/swell pedals. Expression can be added to any division.
5. Addition of new manuals. Some organs have beautiful solo and accompanying stops on the same division. Even though not commonly used on church organs (unlike theatre organs), it is possible to duplicate that manual in Hauptwerk such that it is possible to accompany a solo stop using stops from the same division. Such expansions are especially attractive if your console has more manuals than the sampleset being used.
6. Addition of couplers. It is possible to add supers, subs, unison offs, intermanual, and intramanual couplers. It is also possible to add non-octave (for example 3rds/5ths) or "trick couplers" as found on theatre organs.
7. Addition of thumb pistons for:
i) Turn off groups of stops, for example, "All Mixtures Off" or "All Reeds Off"
ii) Keyboard swap, for example, swap Choir and Great on your console. This can be convenient when playing on the Swell and Choir at the same time, as it brings the Choir keyboard physically closer to the Swell keyboard.
8. Addition of a pedal split point. This makes it possible to play a bass line with the left foot, and a solo line with the right foot.
There are also a few caveats to keep in mind:
1. Editing the XML is only possible if it is permitted by the organ supplier (which also implies that the XML can not be encrypted).
2. If the sampleset supplier provides a patch for a sampleset at a later date, it is likely not to work if the XML has been modified.
3. In order for me to modify an XML, I first need to purchase the sampleset myself (although I do already own a limited number of samplesets). There would have to be enough people interested in modifications of a specific sampleset before I can purchase that sampleset.
4. Of course, changing the XML can be somewhat controversial, as it impacts the organ's authenticity. However, it also can also drastically increase the flexibility of an organ and/or adapt it to a particular console.
Here are a few screenshots which show an example of an expansion done to the Utrecht sampleset from Sonus Paradisi. Note that this organ is not meant to be representative of any pipe organ, but rather it is intended to maximize the tonal possibilities of the Utrecht sampleset, particularly for the use of Dutch chorale music.
1. https://db.tt/5ft9CEvu -> Note the addition of the 4th manual, which is a unified copy of the 3rd manual.
2. https://db.tt/LScWb6Sx -> Left stop jamb which was added from scratch but maintains the style of the original organ. All stop names in italics are additions but based on existing stops on the organ.
3. https://db.tt/Vh8a5kNK -> Right stop jamb which was also added from scratch. Note that the "Bovenwerk" is duplicated, once for the third manual, and once for the fourth manual.
4. https://db.tt/6BOLOspZ -> A screen designed to aid in the transcription of a midi performance to sheetmusic.
I apologize for the rather long post. I look forward to any feedback and/or critique you may have! Feel free to reply on the forum or via private message.
Jake (Canada)
As you can imagine, the possibilities are endless. The list below is only a brief outline of what is possible and I'm sure you can think of more and better ideas:
1. Addition and/or modification of screen layouts. For instance, it is possible to introduce vertical stop jambs (if not already provided) or modify existing stop jambs into a more user friendly format.
2. Addition of new stops. For example, it is possible to add a 32' Resultantbass to the pedal using a single 16' pedal rank. Similarly, a high pitched (2' or 1') octave rank can be turned into a Sesquialter or other mixture. Even though the tuning for such mixtures will not be perfect, these additions do not require significant extra RAM and can add brilliance to an organ.
3. Addition of new ranks. Existing ranks in an organ can be used to create new ranks. For example, an organ that has only a Viola da Gamba can be expanded by loading this rank twice, once as a Viola da Gamba and once as a Vox Celeste (after some revoicing of course). Furthermore, it is also possible to incorporate ranks (or effects) from other organs. Note that such changes do require additional RAM.
4. Addition of enclosures/swell pedals. Expression can be added to any division.
5. Addition of new manuals. Some organs have beautiful solo and accompanying stops on the same division. Even though not commonly used on church organs (unlike theatre organs), it is possible to duplicate that manual in Hauptwerk such that it is possible to accompany a solo stop using stops from the same division. Such expansions are especially attractive if your console has more manuals than the sampleset being used.
6. Addition of couplers. It is possible to add supers, subs, unison offs, intermanual, and intramanual couplers. It is also possible to add non-octave (for example 3rds/5ths) or "trick couplers" as found on theatre organs.
7. Addition of thumb pistons for:
i) Turn off groups of stops, for example, "All Mixtures Off" or "All Reeds Off"
ii) Keyboard swap, for example, swap Choir and Great on your console. This can be convenient when playing on the Swell and Choir at the same time, as it brings the Choir keyboard physically closer to the Swell keyboard.
8. Addition of a pedal split point. This makes it possible to play a bass line with the left foot, and a solo line with the right foot.
There are also a few caveats to keep in mind:
1. Editing the XML is only possible if it is permitted by the organ supplier (which also implies that the XML can not be encrypted).
2. If the sampleset supplier provides a patch for a sampleset at a later date, it is likely not to work if the XML has been modified.
3. In order for me to modify an XML, I first need to purchase the sampleset myself (although I do already own a limited number of samplesets). There would have to be enough people interested in modifications of a specific sampleset before I can purchase that sampleset.
4. Of course, changing the XML can be somewhat controversial, as it impacts the organ's authenticity. However, it also can also drastically increase the flexibility of an organ and/or adapt it to a particular console.
Here are a few screenshots which show an example of an expansion done to the Utrecht sampleset from Sonus Paradisi. Note that this organ is not meant to be representative of any pipe organ, but rather it is intended to maximize the tonal possibilities of the Utrecht sampleset, particularly for the use of Dutch chorale music.
1. https://db.tt/5ft9CEvu -> Note the addition of the 4th manual, which is a unified copy of the 3rd manual.
2. https://db.tt/LScWb6Sx -> Left stop jamb which was added from scratch but maintains the style of the original organ. All stop names in italics are additions but based on existing stops on the organ.
3. https://db.tt/Vh8a5kNK -> Right stop jamb which was also added from scratch. Note that the "Bovenwerk" is duplicated, once for the third manual, and once for the fourth manual.
4. https://db.tt/6BOLOspZ -> A screen designed to aid in the transcription of a midi performance to sheetmusic.
I apologize for the rather long post. I look forward to any feedback and/or critique you may have! Feel free to reply on the forum or via private message.
Jake (Canada)