By Don Kiel

Our organ is a combination of the 21 ranks of our original organ, 9 new ranks of pipes, and the Allen Q-465C digital organ, all controlled by a new four-manual console.

The original organ had 1533 pipes in its 21 ranks. The 10 new ranks add 690 pipes for a total of 2223 pipes in six divisions. The pipes range in length from 16 feet to less than 1 inch. The console has 4 manuals or keyboards, a pedal keyboard and over 100 different stops. Terms which may be new to you, such as ranks, stops and divisions, will be defined later in this article. More technical aspects will be found in appendices.

The Allen Q-465C digital organ can replicate 87 ranks (stops) of “pipes” and 321 voices. This organ uses  Allen's own Acoustic Portrait™, which  brings the science of sampling to acoustics!

Acoustic Portrait begins with a sampling process using impulse responses that measure an actual room's acoustic properties. These measurements are then stored in the organ's computer memory. Through an advanced real-time mathematical process called convolution, the acoustics of the sampled room actually become an integral part of the organ's sound, producing a noticeably smoother, more natural result than synthetic reverberation. Allen engineers have recorded the acoustics of cathedrals and other acoustically desirable buildings throughout the world. With advanced digital signal processors (DSPs) and low-latency convolution algorithms, Acoustic Portrait reproduces the true acoustic response of each original room with stunning realism! Each Quantum Organ features 10 different Acoustic Portraits, ranging from intimate rooms to cavernous cathedrals. The Allen organ can be set at the console for 4 different styles : American Classic, English Cathedral, French Romantic, or Neo-Baroque.

The digital component of the Village Church organ uses 26 speakers situated at different places in the sanctuary. The two largest speakers are 44 inches x 27inches.

In summary, at the heart of our organ there is a chorus of rich singing Principal stops, voiced to effortlessly fill the sanctuary while encouraging and enriching congregational singing. Added to this core of pipe sound are the realism, detail and flexibility of the Renaissance Quantum™ digital voices. The result is a seamless tonal diversity that supports varying styles of worship, choral accompaniment and organ literature.