Hauptwerk
Encyclopedia
Hauptwerk is a computer program, available from Milan Digital Audio, designed to allow the playback or live performance of pipe organ
music using MIDI and recorded sound samples. The program is a commercial product but is available, with limited functionality, as freeware
.
In September 2008 Crumhorn Labs and Hauptwerk were acquired by Brett Milan of Milan Digital Audio LLC.
The audio output is based on recorded samples which are then modified by several different technologies.
it affects both the volume and frequency envelope of the affected pipes. Hauptwerk adjusts both of these parameters using information provided within the sample-set. This can be based on measurements taken from the original instrument.
to model the movement of air through the various parts of a pipe-organ. This information is then used to modify the sampled sound.
is used to modify certain aspects of the audio output. The pitch of individual pipes can be randomly modified when a sample is loaded into memory. If multiple loop points are provided, in the sustain section of a sample, these are selected randomly. Additionally, Hauptwerk simulates some other effects, such as Wind Turbulence, using Randomization during playback.
The majority of these organs have been detailed on a Google Map.
.
The USB token is used to control the functionality of the single Hauptwerk program which is licensed in 3 editions:
The USB token is also used by some companies to enforce license conditions of individual sample sets. This may apply to the release of historic recordings with restrictions on the customization and re-use of the sounds.
, UK.
Starting 23rd February 2010 the Salisbury Cathedral pipe organ was temporarily unavailable, due to maintenance work scheduled to last one month. During this time a console based on Hauptwerk was used to provide organ music for cathedral services.
According to an article on the Salsibury Cathedral website: "Over the past few weeks we have used the organs from Metz Cathedral, France, St Georgenkirche, Roetha, Germany, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Chicago, IL., USA". The article continues: "Volume I of our very own Father Willis Organ was released by Milan Digital Audio just days before my organ was installed into the cathedral which has allowed me to use 28 of the 65 stops of the Father Willis organ in its natural acoustic. It is believed to be the first time a sampled instrument has been used in its own building for services!"
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
music using MIDI and recorded sound samples. The program is a commercial product but is available, with limited functionality, as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
.
History
Hauptwerk was originally developed and launched in 2002 by Martin Dyde who, starting 2006, continued to develop it trading as Crumhorn Labs Ltd.In September 2008 Crumhorn Labs and Hauptwerk were acquired by Brett Milan of Milan Digital Audio LLC.
Product history
Version 1
Released 2002- Available for Windows only
- Stops operated by MIDI Note messages
- Simple Swell simulation (volume only)
- Organ of St Annes, Moseley included
Version 2
Released 2006- Available as VSTi plugin
- More flexibility in MIDI configuration
- Phase alignment of release samples
- Harmonic Swell simulation
Version 3
Released November 2007- Support for Mac OS X
- Support for Multiple Touch-Screens
- Voicing Control for individual pipes
Version 4
Released April 2011- Redesigned User Interface
- Automatic facility to configure MIDI to support most manufacturers
- Inbuilt MIDI recorder/player
- User defined Combinations/Crescendos
- Master Couplers available with all organs
Methodology
Hauptwerk produces an audio signal in response to input received via MIDI. This input may originate from an external MIDI keyboard or from a MIDI sequencing program.The audio output is based on recorded samples which are then modified by several different technologies.
Sample playback
The recorded samples of the original pipes are divided into 3 main sections - start(attack), middle(sustain) and end(release or echo). When a note is played the attack sample is played followed by a loop of the sustain section. When the note is released, the release or echo section of the sample is used. Hauptwerk supports multiple release samples. The echo of a pipe after a short period will be different than that of a pipe that has been sounding for longer. Hauptwerk can select from multiple release samples based on the duration of the note.Harmonic filtering
When an organist moves an Expression pedalExpression pedal
An expression pedal is an important control found on many organs and synthesizers, as well as in the pedal steel guitar, that allows the volume of the sound to be manipulated...
it affects both the volume and frequency envelope of the affected pipes. Hauptwerk adjusts both of these parameters using information provided within the sample-set. This can be based on measurements taken from the original instrument.
Physical modeling
The wind-pressure applied to an organ pipe affects its volume, pitch and character. Hauptwerk uses Fluid dynamicsFluid dynamics
In physics, fluid dynamics is a sub-discipline of fluid mechanics that deals with fluid flow—the natural science of fluids in motion. It has several subdisciplines itself, including aerodynamics and hydrodynamics...
to model the movement of air through the various parts of a pipe-organ. This information is then used to modify the sampled sound.
Randomization
RandomizationRandomization
Randomization is the process of making something random; this means:* Generating a random permutation of a sequence .* Selecting a random sample of a population ....
is used to modify certain aspects of the audio output. The pitch of individual pipes can be randomly modified when a sample is loaded into memory. If multiple loop points are provided, in the sustain section of a sample, these are selected randomly. Additionally, Hauptwerk simulates some other effects, such as Wind Turbulence, using Randomization during playback.
Organ sample-sets
Since the launch of Hauptwerk, a number of independent companies have recorded organs and made these available for use with Hauptwerk. By March 2009 more than 50 organs had been recorded. These include organs in many different countries including:- Bovenkerk KampenKampen (Overijssel)Kampen is a municipality, a city and an old Hanseatic city at the lower reaches of the river IJssel in the Dutch province of Overijssel.The municipality of Kampen counts 50,073 inhabitants in an area of approximately 162 km² . Kampen is located in the North West of Overijssel and is the...
, NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... - Eglise de Saint Etienne, CaenCaenCaen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... - Palace of Arts (Budapest)Palace of Arts (Budapest)The Palace of Arts is a building in Ferencváros, Budapest, Hungary, officially opened in March 2005. It is located near Lágymányosi Bridge, accessible from the southern end of Grand Boulevard with a ten-minute walk or by HÉV, or by No.1, No.2, and No.24 streetcars...
, HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The... - Salisbury CathedralSalisbury CathedralSalisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
, UK - Stadtkirche WaltershausenWaltershausenWaltershausen is a city in the district of Gotha, Thuringia, Germany.The town has a population of 11475 .-Sister cities: Bruay-sur-l'Escaut, France Korbach, Germany Wolbrom, Poland Hanau, Germany -External links:*...
, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
The majority of these organs have been detailed on a Google Map.
Copy protection
Hauptwerk is copy protected using the HASP USB token from Aladdin Knowledge SystemsAladdin Knowledge Systems
Aladdin Knowledge Systems was a company that produced software for digital rights management and Internet security. The company was by SafeNet Inc, in 2009. Its corporate headquarters are located in Belcamp...
.
The USB token is used to control the functionality of the single Hauptwerk program which is licensed in 3 editions:
- Free edition – Free download and use without USB token but limited to 1.5GB sample memory and 256 polyphony, stereo output.
- Basic edition – Purchased license with USB token. Up to 3GB sample memory and 1024 polyphony
- Advanced edition – Purchased license with USB token. No imposed memory or polyphony limit, multiple audio channels and MIDI output.
The USB token is also used by some companies to enforce license conditions of individual sample sets. This may apply to the release of historic recordings with restrictions on the customization and re-use of the sounds.
Salisbury Cathedral
In March 2009, Milan Digital Audio announced that permission had been given to record the Father Willis organ at Salisbury CathedralSalisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
, UK.
Starting 23rd February 2010 the Salisbury Cathedral pipe organ was temporarily unavailable, due to maintenance work scheduled to last one month. During this time a console based on Hauptwerk was used to provide organ music for cathedral services.
According to an article on the Salsibury Cathedral website: "Over the past few weeks we have used the organs from Metz Cathedral, France, St Georgenkirche, Roetha, Germany, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Chicago, IL., USA". The article continues: "Volume I of our very own Father Willis Organ was released by Milan Digital Audio just days before my organ was installed into the cathedral which has allowed me to use 28 of the 65 stops of the Father Willis organ in its natural acoustic. It is believed to be the first time a sampled instrument has been used in its own building for services!"
See also
- Pipe OrganPipe organThe pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
- Electronic organElectronic organAn electronic organ is an electronic keyboard instrument which was derived from the harmonium, pipe organ and theatre organ. Originally, it was designed to imitate the sound of pipe organs, theatre organs, band sounds, or orchestral sounds....
- List of MIDI editors and sequencers
- MIDI usage and applicationsMIDI usage and applicationsMany extensions of the original official MIDI 1.0 specification have been jointly standardized by the MIDI Manufacturers Association in the US and the Association of Musical Electronics Industry in Japan...
External links
- Hauptwerk
- PCorgan - Site with comprehensive information about Hauptwerk and links to many related sites (available in Dutch and English)
- contrebombarde - Site with over 1,200 audio recordings made using Hauptwerk
- Website of ERIC DALEST organist concertist international who use Hauptwerk and who product complete midi consolo for Hauptwerk