Setting a volume level

[tschnuckel]

Is there a certain level organs should be set to for proper volume? For example, when installing sound reinforcement systems (PA) the norm is to use pink noise or a sine wave and set it to certain level and that the level is at least 25dB (slow-A) above ambient noise.

I also know from working with pipe organs that usually the 4' Principal on the Great is the benchmark stop and needs to be a certain scale relative to the room's acoustics.

Do Allen organs have such a benchmark for amp/cage settings? For example, set the 4' Octave to XdB, then balance the rest of the organ.

Tyler

[myorgan]

Tyler,

You could direct this message to JBird604. He is an Allen service person who has also installed in his day. He should be able to give you details Allen provides.

I did purchase an Allen Audio Service Manual, however, it does not provide the installation information you are requesting. I believe that's only provided to trained Allen service personnel.

As a rule of thumb, I use completely open boxes and full organ to set the levels as if accompanying a full church. One can always go down from there. On all my Allens, I prefer to set open boxes and register around that--as if it were an unenclosed pipe organ.

Hope that helps.

Michael