Turn Key Virtual Organ Suppliers

[voet]

I have been researching the possibility of getting a virtual organ(VO) for my home. I really do not want to build my own, but would prefer a turn key solution.

In searching the internet, I have found a few people who will custom build a VO, but are there any other businesses with a US presence that offer a complete package? Some posters in other threads have alluded to such folks, but they have not provided specifics. I am aware that Johannus has just come out with their Live model, and that is the type of solution I am seeking. Are there similar offerings from other businesses that have a US/North American presence?

It occurs to me that I am probably not the only person who would prefer this approach rather than attempting to cobble something together.

Things I would like to know:

1. Firms who offer a complete VO.
2. Pros and Cons to their offerings, if you know.
3. Any personal experience you may have had with them.
4. General idea of cost. I realize that dealers do not like this sort of information publicized, but ranges would be acceptable.

I would be grateful for any information this august group can provide.

[Leisesturm]

I have been researching the possibility of getting a virtual organ(VO) for my home. I really do not want to build my own, but would prefer a turn key solution.

In searching the internet, I have found a few people who will custom build a VO, but are there any other businesses with a US presence that offer a complete package? Some posters in other threads have alluded to such folks, but they have not provided specifics. I am aware that Johannus has just come out with their Live model, and that is the type of solution I am seeking. Are there similar offerings from other businesses that have a US/North American presence?

When you think about it a turn key VPO (virtual pipe organ) is a fully or semi custom work of the Virtual Organ builders art. You're going to pay. $15K minimum for something the average organist would want to play (2M/2? ranks) and $25K minimum for something I would want to play (3M/5?+ ranks). What is your reservation with the Johannus? Is it just that you want more options to consider? Martin Digital should have something. Classic MIDI Works are based in Canada but I daresay the bulk of their business is with the U.S. There are others. Just about any concern that is involved in some way with VPO technology can either build or find you a builder of a turn-key VPO.

[Admin]

Magnus USA
Encore Organ
OrganTechnology
Martin Digital Organs

Are just a few that come up on a simple Google search.

Phoenix Organs, although they have their own technology, will build organs around the Hauptwerk VPO platform, as do most of the VPO builders above.

[cham-ed]

While this forum is great, you are asking a question better answered on the forum at hauptwerk.com. You will find a number of threads and comments about VPO builders.

[voet]

I appreciate all of the above responses. Thanks for your assistance. Previously I had done some Google searches and found some of the names offered. However, in other contexts I have found that Google sometimes omits sources. Part of the issue can be knowing what to search on, but Google also "optimizes" search results based on factors that may eliminate legitimate contenders.

I purposely came to this forum, because I am at the beginning stage of my quest. Hauptwerk certainly has a great deal to offer, and I may end up with their product, but I did not want prematurely edit out other options.

[Leisesturm]

I purposely came to this forum, because I am at the beginning stage of my quest. Hauptwerk certainly has a great deal to offer, and I may end up with their product, but I did not want prematurely edit out other options.

Just to clarify, Hauptwerk can be thought of as an 'operating system' for virtual organs. Many different concerns can build a virtual organ for you, but almost to a one, it will be Hauptwerk that they have optimized their projects to run with. Essentially you are shopping between Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard or Lenovo, but all of them are trying to sell you a Windows computer. The concerns the Admin listed in post #3 are all building Hauptwerk organs. Each has its own approach to the design and finish of the console and its appointments, but the 'soul' of all their disparate efforts is the Hauptwerk 'operating system'. I hope this helps.

[voet]

That is very helpful. Thanks for your input,

[Leisesturm]

https://myrtlebeachweather.org/music.html

[AllenAnalog]

VPO's are very big in Europe. And along with the numbers, some of them are in impressively large and creatively ornate consoles with a dramatic appearance. This site has quite an array of photos of home and institutional installations. Here's a link to one page of home organs - there are several more pages linked above the top photo on each page: http://www.pcorgan.com/Fotos3EN.html

[bbierbaum]

Hello. I am the US distributor for Magnus, and would love to discuss what options we could offer. Let me know if you want some information!

[kennyrayandersen]

There are a number of small builders putting systems together. I guess it would seem to depend on what you want and what your needs are. Here in the Dallas area VPO Technologies (I think they are called) converts older organs to VPO. They go anywhere from$2-3k on up. My guess if there is probably someone within a state or so of you if not in the state that does similar work.