[sdiy] Do I really need any more projects? organ mechanics

[Glen]

At 01:57 PM 1/2/05 , Andreas Gaunitz wrote:

>One thing I've been thinking about is the size of the different pipes 
>on an organ. Why are the low note pipes thicker than the high notes'. 
>What decides the thickness?

That perhaps a question best directed to the "lovely" people of the
PIPORG-L mailing list:

http://www.ptg.org/organ.htm

I used to subscribe to that list years ago, but had to unsubscribe to keep
my sanity intact. I've quite possibly never met a more argumentive and
opinionated lot of people. They make Analog Heaven look quite mature and
cordial.  :)

As for your actual question, I assume by "thickness" you are referring to
the diameter of the pipe, and not the thickness of the pipe's wall?

My best guess is this:  A very wide pipe would probably have a very low Q
or resonance. A very narrow pipe might have a very high resonance, but
perhaps a lower volume, or perhaps not enough breathiness or other desired
voice characteristic. I assume they scale the width of the pipe according
to the length of the pipe, to maintain a fairly consistent timbre across
the whole range. That's just my initial guess. I'm certain that the
"lovely" people of PIPORG-L can tell you the exact reasons in painstakingly
great detail.   :)


take care,
Glen

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